About this Event
Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring five nonprofit and community leaders who have been integral in establishing and growing successful legacy societies at their organizations. These panelists will share firsthand insights into how their programs were built, what strategies helped them gain momentum, and how legacy giving has strengthened long-term sustainability.
Attendees will learn practical steps for starting a legacy society, best practices for stewarding and recognizing legacy donors, and what today’s legacy givers are truly seeking in terms of engagement, benefits, and impact.
Whether you are launching a planned giving program or looking to enhance an existing one, this session will provide actionable ideas, real-world examples, and inspiration to support your organization’s long-term philanthropic goals.
Submit a question in advance by emailing [email protected].
Event Details:
WHERE: Parkview Field's Lincoln Financial Event Center, 1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne
PARKING: Free parking is available in the Silver Lot off Brackenridge St.; Harrison Square Parking Garage offers the closest parking, but this is a paid lot.
WHEN: 11:30am-12:00pm - lunch and networking | 12:00pm-1:00pm - Presentation
Professional Panel:
Eve Cochin, CFRE, Retired Development Director | Purdue Fort Wayne
Eve Colchin, CFRE, is a retired higher education and nonprofit advancement leader with a distinguished career in fundraising, development, and organizational leadership. Most recently, she served as Director of Development and Major Gifts at Purdue University Fort Wayne, where she led major gift strategy, donor engagement, and philanthropic initiatives in collaboration with university leadership. Her career includes senior roles in institutional advancement and economic development at Indiana Tech, Manchester University, and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. A committed leader in the philanthropic sector, Eve is also a past president of Charitable Gift Planners of Northeast Indiana.
Stephanie Coleman, CFRM, Major Gift Office | Turnstone
Stephanie Coleman has served as Major Gift Officer at Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities since 2021. A Fort Wayne native, she is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington and holds a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University Indianapolis. She is inspired daily by witnessing clients achieve their goals and celebrates the abilities that make each individual unique.
Nancy Peck Stewart, Community Leader
Nancy graduated from college with an Art History degree. Since moving to Fort Wayne from San Diego in 1972, she has been an active community volunteer. She served as President of the Junior League of Fort Wayne, Chair of the Canterbury School Board, Fort Wayne Museum of Art Board, Indiana Arts Commission, and the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission. She Co-Chaired Capital Campaigns for the Arts Plaza, Museum expansion, Arts United Auer Center, and Stillwater Hospice Grief Center. She served on the Soaring Vision Committee for the renovation of the Arts United Center and currently chairs a capital campaign at Trinity Episcopal Church.
She continues to be involved with the Boards of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Friends of the Rivers, the Stillwater Hospice Agency and Foundation Boards, the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission, the Canterbury School Foundation, and the Community Foundations Women’s Fund Steering Committee. Nancy and her husband David have two grown sons and six adorable grandchildren.
Clarissa Reis, CFRE, Director of Philanthropy | Fort Wayne Zoo
Clarissa is a seasoned fundraising professional with over a decade of experience in donor cultivation, project management, and leadership development. She has a proven track record of driving growth and engagement - building donor bases, expanding legacy societies, launching major gift programs, and implementing robust cultivation and stewardship strategies.
A lifelong learner, Clarissa has completed several local leadership programs, including Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana's Leadership Institute and Foellinger Foundation's Rising Leaders. She earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in under five years, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in the field. Clarissa currently serves as Director of Philanthropy at the Fort Wayne Zoo, where she is privileged to lead an incredible team of both seasoned and up-and-coming fundraisers.
Outside of work, Clarissa enjoys exploring downtown Fort Wayne's vibrant food scene, playing video games and holding epic pajama dance parties with Kenna and Mr. T, and supporting Northeast Indiana's thriving arts and culture community.
Ashley Stoneburner, CFRE, Vice President & Chief Development Officer | Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Ashley Stoneburner, CFRE, is Vice President and Chief Development Officer at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. After an initial tenure at the Museum, she briefly left to explore another professional opportunity before returning in the same role with an expanded scope of responsibility.
In her current position, Ashley oversees major gifts and leads efforts to grow the Collection Fund and Endowment Fund, while also preparing the organization for a future Capital Campaign. She is a past President of both the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Northeast Indiana (AFP NE IN) and Charitable Gift Planners of Northeast Indiana (CGPNEI).
A native of Fort Wayne, Ashley is passionate about the community’s continued growth and transformation—particularly the expanding downtown arts scene. She enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for fundraising and is committed to growing her craft alongside fellow development professionals throughout Northeast Indiana.
Outside of work, Ashley enjoys leading group fitness classes, especially yoga, spending time with her nieces and nephews, traveling with her significant other, and reading delightful rom-coms.
This session is approved for 1 CFRE credit.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Parkview Field, 1301 Ewing Street, Fort Wayne, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 30.00
