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The Signatry Announces Formation of Client Success Group

A quill, representing The Signatry

The Signatry

April 20, 2022

OVERLAND PARK, KS — Following another year of record growth, The Signatry has announced the formation of the Client Success group to provide coordinated and complete care to those served by the foundation. Led by Jason Yakelis (COO) and Stewart Rawley (SVP of Client Success), the Client Success group features teams dedicated to serving The Signatry’s three key stakeholders: donors, financial advisors, and nonprofit organizations.

Based in Overland Park with team members located nationwide, The Signatry seeks to inspire and facilitate revolutionary biblical generosity across generations to solve the world’s greatest problems. In 2021, the organization saw a year that surpassed all records, with the highest volumes of grants, contributions, and new donor advised funds opened in their 22-year history.

Donors and their families are the heart of The Signatry; last year, contributions from donors grew 43% over the previous year, and dollars granted to nonprofits grew 30%. Drawing on her experience training and developing customer service teams in the philanthropic space, Lesli Tyson Carnes is stepping into the role of Director of Donor Care.

Lesli Tyson Carnes

Under Lesli’s leadership, the Donor Care team will continue to focus on providing timely, helpful service as families contribute to donor advised funds and recommend grants to non-profit organizations.

Donor advised funds present significant opportunities for investment and growth to maximize charitable impact for current and future generations. To ensure that growth aligns with the organization’s values, The Signatry offers multiple types of investment options, including biblically responsible investment pools and advisor managed accounts through firms recommended by our donor families.

Jake Tometich

Jake Tometich, The Signatry’s Director of Investment Education & Accounts and an experienced licensed investment manager, leads the team that works directly with these external advisor groups that serve The Signatry.  Jake educates both donors and advisors on the breadth of options for growing the assets in their funds for greater impact.

As part of the Client Success realignment, The Signatry’s Ministry Services department is evolving into the Nonprofit Success team. Led by experienced fundraiser and development officer Kristin Hammett, this recommissioned team helps nonprofit organizations make the most of their experience as recipients of generosity from donor advised funds and other tools at The Signatry’s disposal. Kristin also equips nonprofits with insights and tools to make the most of their revenue opportunities, growing their impact in the areas they serve.

Kristin Hammett

Stewart Rawley

Alongside these teams, Kim Harris has stepped into the role of Family & Corporate Generosity Liaison. With over 25 years of experience in developing exceptional account relationships, Kim works directly with generous donors to assist with grants to support the charities they’re most passionate about.

“Serving others to the best of our ability drives each of us here,” says Jason Yakelis, COO of The Signatry. “Stewart’s experience in developing individual leaders and collaborative teams is a perfect alignment with what we are establishing with our Client Success group. Great service starts with great people, and each of these leaders under Stewart’s care are uniquely equipped to guide the families and relationships in our care towards a lifestyle of generosity that reflects the character of Christ.”

Yakelis was named Chief Operating Officer in March of this year.

“This push towards an integrated approach to Client Success is just one area where our new COO, Jason Yakelis, has made an impression on our ministry,” states Steve French, President & CEO of The Signatry. “Since bringing him on board in 2019, Jason continually walks alongside our team and leads by serving. I’m confident that the families, advisors, and charities we engage with are in good hands in this new model with this team under this set of leaders.”

Jason Yakelis

About The Signatry

A quill, representing The Signatry

The Signatry seeks to inspire and facilitate revolutionary biblical generosity across generations. Through donor advised funds and other innovative tools and resources, families are empowered to live generously, modeling biblical values for future generations and making a greater impact for causes that align with their passions. Since its founding in 2000, The Signatry has facilitated sending over $4 billion to organizations around the world that are dedicated to solving the world’s greatest problems.

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