Gift Planning – Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Jason Chestnutt, CFP® – Director, Office of Gift Planning 434-924-1016 jasonchestnutt@virginia.edu

A certified financial planner (CFP®), Jason joined the University of Virginia Office of Gift Planning in 2007 following eight years as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, both in Atlanta. His experience lies in the area of wealth management with an emphasis on the legal and tax aspects of gift planning. Jason is a native of West Point, Virginia and a graduate of the University (CLAS ’98). He is a founding member of the UVA Club of Charlottesville’s Host Committee for “Cavaliers Against Cancer,” which raises money to support clinical and translational research fellowships for graduate students in the Human Immune Therapy Center. Immediate past president of the Charlottesville Area Planned Giving Council (CAPGC), Jason is also a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the National Association for Charitable Gift Planners (formerly the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning).

Jason Chestnutt, CFP®
Director Additional info

Susan Fersner – Senior Associate Director of Gift Planning 434-924-7173 | slf7u@virginia.edu

Susan came to UVA’s Office of Gift Planning in October 2014, following a five-year tenure in the gift planning office at James Madison University, the last four years as director. She spent much of her career in Florida as a Trust Officer, working with high-net worth individuals’ complex estate plans, before she returned to her home state of Virginia.

Susan Fersner
Senior Associate Director Additional info

Elizabeth Lewis – Associate Director of Gift Planning 434-924-1392 | elewis@virginia.edu

Elizabeth brings extensive experience in higher education development to the Gift Planning team. She was a Regional Director of Development at Washington & Lee University, then served as Director of Development at her alma mater, Mary Baldwin College, before returning to the UVA Advancement community in 2016. From 2008 to 2011, Elizabeth was the Director of Annual Giving at the Darden School. Additionally, Elizabeth has a background in financial services industry, having served as a Portfolio Representative for flagship clients at The Vanguard Group.

Elizabeth Lewis
Associate Director Additional info

Erin Hughey-Commers – Associate Director of Gift Planning 434-924-8788 | erinhc@virginia.edu

Erin Hughey-Commers
Associate Director Additional info

Spring Dodge – Trust & Estate and Gift Planning Specialist 434-924-6029 | springdodge@virginia.edu

Spring supports operational areas of the Gift Planning office, including estate and deferred gift administration, budget coordination, database management, and reporting. Before joining UVA’s Gift Planning team in March 2012, Spring’s experience included higher education receivables operations at Radford University and fiscal management at the Air Force Budget Office.

Spring Dodge
Trust & Estate Specialist Additional info

Andrew Schieffer – Gift Planning Associate 434-982-2798 | ars4dg@virginia.edu

Andrew assists four fundraisers with travel arrangements, itineraries, meeting schedules, and prospect materials for trips. He also helps team members with the daily tasks of office operations. Most recently Andrew was membership coordinator with the Federal Bar Association. He relocated to Charlottesville in 2017 and joined the Gift Planning office in March. He plans to pursue a career in Advancement for higher education.

Andrew Schieffer
Gift Planning Associate Additional info

Diane Wilson – Gift Planning Public Relations Coordinator 434-924-6034 | drw5m@virginia.edu

Diane develops informational materials about planned gifts for potential donors and manages the Cornerstone Society, which recognizes and honors donors who have chosen to make a planned gift to the University. She spent many years at the University of Notre Dame in various roles ranging from graduate school administration to media relations and communications and marketing. Diane came to UVA’s Gift Planning office in March 2012.

Diane Wilson
Gift Planning Public Relations Coordinator Additional info

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