Women & What Lies Ahead: Navigating the Great Wealth Transfer with Community Members presented by Jennifer Vickerman Akaolisa
Session Description
A significant shift in wealth is underway in the United States, with trillions of dollars expected to move first within the Baby Boomer generation and, over time, to subsequent generations and nonprofit organizations. Women are positioned to steward a substantial share of this wealth, shaping how giving decisions are made and how relationships with fundraisers evolve.
The session will offer practical strategies for building trust-based, values-aligned relationships with women donors and adapting fundraising practices to better reflect equity, agency, and shared decision-making. Through facilitated discussion and small-group case studies grounded in real fundraising scenarios, participants will strengthen their ability to engage women thoughtfully and respond to the evolving landscape of wealth and giving.
Learning Objectives
- Attendees will learn from several research reports on the opportunity for women to inherit wealth over the next twenty-five years.
- Strategies for Engagement and Impact: Gain specific strategies and ideas for engaging with women to help them maximize their philanthropic impact.
- Putting Strategies into Action: Attendees will have the opportunity to work with a small group on one of three case studies to practice building a strategy for engagement, relationship building and making an ask.
Jennifer Vickerman Akaolisa serves as a Gift Planner at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. She works to advance the Foundation’s mission by collaborating with professional advisors and their clients, activating their resources to make more a just, vibrant and equitable Minnesota for all.
Bringing over twenty years of experience in financial services and major gifts fundraising, she previously worked as a financial advisor and in new business development for Thrivent Financial and as a gift planner for Gustavus Adolphus College. In 2021, she earned the Certified Fundraising Executive designation (CFRE), the only internationally accredited designation for fundraisers. She also holds a Fundraising Certificate from the University of Saint Thomas.
Over the past fifteen years, Jennifer has worked on several initiatives for women, including creating a women’s small business owner community and designing and launching a women’s giving circle. She often speaks to organizations on the topic of women, the great wealth transfer and philanthropy.