Meeting/Event Information

Back by popular demand, NCGPC will be visiting another “powerhouse” gift planning program: the University of Maryland Office of Gift Planning. Discover the history and changes of gift planning, dos and don’ts for partnering with major gift officers, how different career paths can lead to gift planning, the launch of a pilot bequest legacy challenge, planned giving marketing, metrics, stewardship, and estate administration. This panel will overview the best practices and strategies of their highly successful team, including tips that can apply to shops of all sizes.

Hear from UMD current and former staff members:
Patty Wang, Former Executive Director of Gift Planning & 2019 NCGPC Distinguished Service Award (DSA) Recipient
Megan S. Carnell, Executive Director, Office of Gift Planning
Vikki Harris, CAP®, Assistant Senior Director of Gift Planning
Chad Malkus, Esq., Director of Gift Planning & Philanthropic Advisor
Susan Byrne, Assistant Director of Gift Planning Administration
Nicole Bergman Hand, Assistant Program Director, Marketing and Stewardship
Emily Romeo, Program Manager
Moderated by Molly Krawczyk, Associate Director of Gift Planning, American University & University of Maryland alumna.

This program is eligible for CAP® (re)certification continuing education credits.

Registration deadline for this event is Wednesday, April 8, at 12:00pm (noon) ET.

Event Agenda

10:45 - 11:15 AM - Networking & Registration
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM - Luncheon & Networking
12:15 - 1:30 PM – Presentation

university of maryland panelists

Susan Byrne, Assistant Director of Gift Planning Administration

Susan serves as the university’s liaison for all realized charitable gifts through estates/trusts in support of the academic units and university-wide programs by managing bequest and planned gift administration and processing incoming distributions. She received her bachelor's degree from Boston College and joined the team in 2019, bringing her many years of administrative and development experience at universities and other organizations.

Megan S. Carnell, Executive Director, Office of Gift Planning

With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, healthcare, and philanthropy, Megan brings a wealth of expertise, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to advancing the university’s mission. She began her Maryland career as the Associate Director and later Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, before joining the Holy Cross Health Foundation in a major gift and planned giving role. Returning to Maryland in 2014 as Senior Director of CMNS, Megan went on to serve as the Chief Development Officer before transitioning to her current role as Executive Director of Gift Planning. She received her bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America.

Nicole Bergman Hand, Assistant Program Director, Marketing and Stewardship

Nicole brings nearly 20 years of development, marketing and event planning experience to the team and manages the marketing, communications and stewardship programs. She also oversees the Founders Legacy Society honoring alumni and friends that have chosen to generously support the university through their estate or financial plans, or other planned gift arrangements. Nicole received her bachelor’s degree from New York University and recently rejoined the university community after living in Cambridge, England for three years.

Vikki Harris, CAP®, Assistant Senior Director of Gift Planning

Vikki joined the University of Maryland Office of Gift Planning in 2017 and brings over 30 years of fundraising experience to her role as a gift planning officer. She engages with alumni and friends that wish to make an impactful difference philanthropically through their estate and financial plans. Vikki is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the DMV’s National Capital Gift Planning Council, having served on its board in numerous capacities. A native New Yorker, Vikki received her bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and her master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University. She is a Certified Gift Planning Associate and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®.

Chad Malkus, Esq., Director of Gift Planning & Philanthropic Advisor

Chad brings over 20 years of experience in estate law and financial planning to the Gift Planning team where he works with University alumni and friends to help them fulfill their philanthropic and financial goals. Prior to his current role, he worked as a Vice President with PNC Private Bank where he served on their National Talent & Diversity Council as well as the Greater Maryland LGBT Sub-Committee. Chad has served on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer's Association, Maryland, as President of the Dorchester County Bar Association and Vice President of Mid-Shore Pro Bono, as well as serving on the Boards of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce and as President of Cambridge Main Street.

On an adjunct basis, Chad has taught at the University of Baltimore School of Law and Howard University School of Law, and teaches Trusts and Estates at the Purdue School of Business at Salisbury University, as well as the Capstone Course in Financial Planning. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Clemson University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Emily Romeo, Program Manager

Emily is the first point of contact for the Office of Gift Planning, providing administrative and organizational support for not only the entire team, but also to assist the university’s alumni and friends, all with efficiency and a friendly smile. She brings administrative experience from Towson University and other non-profit organizations. Emily received her bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College and her master’s degree from the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business.

Patty Wang, Former Executive Director of Gift Planning & 2019 NCGPC Distinguished Service Award (DSA) Recipient

Patty’s career in higher education fundraising has been in the service of UMD since 1986 in positions of progressive responsibility in front-line fundraising and development operations. She transitioned to gift planning and estate administration in 2006 and served as the Executive Director of Gift Planning until her retirement in December 2025. Patty is a past president of the National Capital Gift Planning Council (NCGPC), the DMV council of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Service Award, the highest recognition given by NCGPC. She received a bachelor’s degree from the California State University Los Angeles.

panel moderator

Molly Krawczyk, CAP®, Associate Director of Gift Planning, American University & University of Maryland alumna

Molly Krawczyk is the Associate Director of Planned Giving at American University, where she drives philanthropic support, both outright and deferred, by aligning alumni and friends’ philanthropic intent with their financial and estate planning goals. As the Associate Director of Planned Giving, Molly manages the strategy for prospect development, marketing, stewardship, and gift annuity compliance for the Office of Planned Giving. Through leveraging tax-efficient methods that benefit both the donor and the university, Molly’s knowledge of gift planning ensures long-term financial support for the university. Prior to her role of Associate Director, Molly served as Assistant Director of Planned Giving at American University, and has held development roles at the Environmental Law Institute, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the University of Maryland. Molly has served as a Board Member for the National Capital Gift Planning Council (NCGPC) since 2023 and now serves as the Vice President for Programs.