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WBU Pioneers of Excellence
April 24, 2025
As a Wayland Baptist University partner, HighGround is honored to support and attend the Pioneers of Excellence Awards Dinner.
CALL OUR OFFICE 800.747.5564
CALL OUR OFFICE 800.747.5564
As a Wayland Baptist University partner, HighGround is honored to support and attend the Pioneers of Excellence Awards Dinner.
In her role as Visual Communications Strategist, Madi serves as in-house creative designer, conceptualizing and delivering engaging visual content for all marketing materials, including social media graphics, client presentations, and newsletters. Her responsibilities include coordinating project timelines, executing various marketing initiatives, and managing HighGround’s social media presence.
Before joining HighGround in 2024, Madi worked as Marketing Designer at a Christian publishing company. She graduated with honors from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor with a BFA in graphic design.
Bonnie Hirschfeld joined the HighGround Advisors team in 2025. As Communications Strategist, Bonnie serves as the lead content creator, implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy that promotes client solutions and raises brand awareness. In this role, she is responsible for crafting responses to client and prospect inquiries, maintaining a robust content calendar, producing creative content and safeguarding HighGround’s authentic and unique brand.
Prior to joining HighGround, Bonnie served in communications roles at other nonprofits in the Dallas area, including Texas Baptists and The Real Estate Council. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Baylor University.
In his role as Account Manager, Zeb serves as the day-to-day contact for clients, managing all their account service needs. He is responsible for the ongoing transactional management of endowment funds, short-term investments, trusts, charitable gift annuities and donor-advised funds. Zeb also assists in the preparation of tax returns, financial calculations, income projections, client presentations and audit materials.
Zeb joined HighGround in 2022 as an Operations Specialist, where he collaborated across departments to process client transactions. Prior to his tenure at HighGround, Zeb managed an account team and oversaw a large client portfolio at 21st Mortgage Corporation in Knoxville, Tennessee. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Carson-Newman University.
Ariela joined HighGround in 2023. In her role as Account Manager, she supports clients as the day-to-day contact for all their account service needs. She is responsible for the ongoing transactional management of endowment funds, short-term investments, trusts, charitable gift annuities and donor-advised funds. Ariela also assists in the preparation of tax returns, financial calculations, income projections, client presentations and audit materials.
Before coming to HighGround, Ariela worked in client relations and account management. She holds a BA in communication with a minor in business from Texas A&M University.
Joseph joined HighGround in 2023 and in his role as Account Manager, he supports clients as the day-to-day contact for all their account service needs. He is responsible for the ongoing transactional management of endowment funds, short-term investments, trusts, charitable gift annuities and donor-advised funds. Joseph also assists in the preparation of tax returns, financial calculations, income projections, client presentations and audit materials.
Joseph holds a finance degree from Dallas Baptist University and previously worked as an investments intern at HighGround.
Emilie joined HighGround in 2023, and in her role as Account Manager, she supports clients as the day-to-day contact for all their account service needs. She is responsible for the ongoing transactional management of endowment funds, short-term investments, trusts, charitable gift annuities and donor-advised funds. Emilie also assists in the preparation of tax returns, financial calculations, income projections, client presentations and audit materials.
Before HighGround, Emilie worked in client relations at Vanguard. She holds a BA in communication with a minor in business from Texas A&M University.
Amie joined HighGround in 2005, and in her role as Senior Account Manager, she supports clients as the day-to-day contact for all their account service needs. She is responsible for the ongoing transactional management of endowment funds, short-term investments, trusts, charitable gift annuities and donor-advised funds. Amie also assists in the preparation of tax returns, financial calculations, income projections, client presentations and audit materials.
Prior to HighGround, Amie worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance.
As Director of Accounting at HighGround Advisors, Rachel oversees the accounting team. She is responsible for analyzing financial information, preparing financial reports, coordinating external audits and the budget preparation process, reviewing tax filings, overseeing investment fund accounting, and implementing internal control policies.
Rachel came to HighGround in 2019 as Senior Staff Accountant and with previous experience in the public accounting and banking industries.
Rachel is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the U.S. and in Hong Kong. She is also a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. She graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong with a BBA in accounting and from The University of Texas at Dallas with an MS in finance.
Kari is HighGround’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and brings to her role more than 25 years of experience in financial reporting, internal control compliance, tax filings, staff management, budgeting and client services. Kari also directs the external audits and coordinates preparation and analysis of internal financial statements. She oversees the accounting, operations, records and client service teams.
Prior to joining HighGround in 2000, Kari worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P., a multinational professional services network.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Kari is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA) and is active in various nonprofit and planned giving professional groups. She holds a BBA degree in accounting and finance (summa cum laude) and an MS degree in accounting from Texas A&M University.
In her role as Trust Paralegal, Aubrey assists the General Counsel and Associate General Counsels with document preparation, research and various projects. She also serves as estate secretary and assists in the probate process by collecting and securing assets of each estate and ensuring the payment of debts and obligations to the estate.
Prior to joining HighGround in 2024, Aubrey worked as an estate planning and probate paralegal at a boutique firm in Dallas. She also worked as a cross-cultural missionary in Latin America and as an educator in a private school setting. Aubrey holds a BA in Intercultural Studies from Moody Bible Institute and a Paralegal Certificate from Collin College.
Aubrey is a member of the national and Dallas chapters of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.
Tommy joined HighGround in 2022 as Associate General Counsel. His primary responsibilities include providing counsel to development staff members and prospective donors on matters of charitable giving as well as providing legal support for all areas of HighGround’s work.
Prior to HighGround, Tommy was a tax attorney serving exempt organizations in public accounting and law firms. He holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin, a JD from South Texas College of Law Houston, and an LL.M. in Taxation from SMU Dedman School of Law. He is a member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council as well as the national and Dallas chapters of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.
Jennifer joined HighGround Advisors in 2022 as Associate General Counsel, where she provides legal guidance to nonprofit organizations. In her capacity, she specializes in navigating the complexities of charitable law, offering insights into gift requirements, and advising on the handling of non-cash assets. Jennifer’s role includes monitoring state and federal legislation, ensuring that nonprofits stay informed about potential impacts and remain compliant. In addition to her work with organizations, she also counsels individual donors in matters of charitable tax and estate planning.
Prior to HighGround, Jennifer worked as a writer, editor, and researcher for law firms, industry-leading corporations, and nonprofits, including education and child welfare law and policy organizations. She holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas, an MBA from Concordia University, Nebraska, and a JD from Loyola University Chicago. Jennifer is a member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council, the national and Dallas chapters of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, and the Texas Bar College. She serves on the board of the Dallas Council of Charitable Gift Planners.
Randy joined HighGround Advisors as Associate General Counsel in 2001, transitioning from private practice with an emphasis on estate planning and probate. His primary responsibility is to counsel institutional representatives and prospective donors on matters of planned giving, estate administration and probate.
Randy holds a BA from The University of Texas at Arlington (magna cum laude) and a JD from Baylor University. He is a member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council as well as the national and Dallas chapters of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.
Joe Hancock, HighGround’s Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, has more than 29 years of experience as a legal expert and esteemed speaker in areas of nonprofit, trust, estate and charitable tax law. At HighGround, Joe counsels nonprofit client partners regarding charitable law, gift requirements, and issues affecting nonprofit status. He serves HighGround’s individual clients by guiding them through charitable gift giving and tax and estate planning. He also monitors state and federal legislation that may impact nonprofit organizations and educates clients regarding applicable regulations.
Before rejoining HighGround in 2002 (Joe previously worked for HighGround from 1996-1999), Joe worked for the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas (now Children’s Health) where he counseled major donors in matters of charitable tax and estate planning, prepared gift planning proposals, drafted promotional materials and hospital policies, and administered estates through probate which benefited the hospital.
Joe holds a BBA from Baylor University as well as MBA and JD degrees from the University of Arkansas. He is a member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council as well as the national and Dallas chapters of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.
As HighGround’s Real Estate Manager, Mark advises clients in the acquisition, sale and management of agricultural, residential and commercial real estate gifts. He conducts property inspections and analyses, determines Fair Market Value, markets properties for sale, coordinates property management and works with the HighGround legal team to prepare all necessary documentation.
Prior to joining HighGround in 2007, Mark spent 17 years at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children managing and marketing properties the hospital received through gifts and bequests.
Mark holds a BS from East Texas State University and a Texas Real Estate Broker’s License.
Kevin joined HighGround Advisors in 2025, bringing almost 20 years of experience in oil and gas. He most recently served as Director of Land at IACX Energy LLC. In his role at HighGround, Kevin works with the Minerals Management team to oversee all aspects of minerals management and advisory services, ensuring the protection and maximization of clients’ mineral assets.
Kevin holds a BM from Baylor University and earned his Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Penn State University. He is a Certified Professional Landman (CPL) and a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) and the Dallas Association of Petroleum Landmen (DAPL).
Will joined HighGround Advisors in 2011 and has over 45 years of oil and gas property management experience, including 24 years with Bank of America and their predecessor institutions. In his role, Will oversees all aspects of minerals management and advisory services, ensuring the protection and maximization of clients’ mineral assets. He negotiates, prepares, and closes lease deals, handles sales and divestitures in all active states, and manages title, revenue, and working interest issues.
Will holds a BS from Louisiana State University. He is a Certified Professional Landman and a member of the American Association of Petroleum Landmen, the Dallas Association of Petroleum Landmen, and the National Association of Royalty Owners.
Michael joined HighGround in 2022. As Investment Analyst, his primary responsibilities include calculating investment data and statistics, validating and reporting investment performance, and developing performance analysis and commentary to support the investment department.
Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder and holds a BBA in finance from Dallas Baptist University.
As HighGround’s Director of Fixed Income and Performance Reporting, Peter is primarily responsible for public fixed income investment managers and cash investments in addition to overseeing HighGround’s investment performance and client reporting. Peter also provides general analytical support within the investment department, assists in research, portfolio construction and risk management activities, and collaborates on investment strategy and implementation of charitable and non-charitable trust accounts.
Prior to joining HighGround Advisors in 2015, Peter was a Data Analyst and Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) Technician with Huitt-Zollars.
Peter holds a BBA in international business and an MBA in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder, a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®), and holds a Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM®). He is a member of the CFA Society Dallas/Fort Worth as well as a member and active volunteer of the CFA Institute.
Steve serves as Director of Public Markets at HighGround Advisors and manages all aspects of HighGround’s public equity and hedge fund portfolios. With over 15 years of investment management experience, his background includes investment manager selection and portfolio construction across multiple asset classes.
Prior to joining HighGround in 2022, Steve served as Senior Vice President at Fund Evaluation Group, where he led hedged and specialty equity research and constructed equity and hedge fund portfolios for nonprofit institutions. Before that, he was Investment Officer at Summer Hill Capital Partners, a family office in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Steve holds a BBA in finance from Morehead State University, where he graduated summa cum laude, and an MBA from the Richard T. Farmer School of Business at Miami University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®). Steve is a member of the CFA Institute, the CAIA Association and the CFA Society Dallas/Fort Worth. He previously served on the finance committee of the Morehead State University Foundation and on the board of advisors of the Elmer R. Smith College of Business & Technology at Morehead State University. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Grace Academy of Dallas.
Philip serves as Director of Private Markets at HighGround Advisors and manages all aspects of HighGround’s private investment portfolio. With 30 years of investment management experience, his background includes portfolio management across multiple equity strategies and two decades of experience in private equity, hedge funds and real estate.
Prior to joining HighGround in 2022, Philip served as Senior Advisor at New State Capital Partners. Before that, he was Partner/Investment Committee Member at Bay Hills Capital Management, where he specialized in providing growth/buyout capital and partnering with next generation private equity managers, and Partner/Director at Pathway Capital Management, where he constructed multi-strategy, multi-manager private equity portfolios for large institutional investors. Prior to Pathway Capital, Philip was Vice President of The Blackstone Group and senior officer of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management.
Philip holds a BA in economics from the University of Hawaii and an MBA in finance from The Fuqua School at Duke University.
Having joined HighGround in 1991, Carol has extensive experience not only in the investment industry but also with the strategy, implementation and ongoing oversight of HighGround Advisors’ investment funds. As Senior Director of Investment Analysis and Due Diligence, she monitors and evaluates HighGround’s externally managed investment programs and advises as to the appropriateness of investment managers, policies, objectives, and management structures. In addition to managing HighGround’s external investment service and custody relationships, Carol is responsible for maintaining operational due diligence procedures and practices. She also collaborates on charitable and non-charitable trust account implementation.
Carol holds a BBA in finance from Baylor University. She serves as an advisory board member of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and is on the investment committee of its Endowment Foundation. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Dallas. Carol has previously served as trustee and chair of the Endowment Foundation of Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, as a founding board member of North Texas Food Bank’s Feeding North Texas Foundation, and as the president of Altrusa International of Downtown Dallas Inc.
As the Assistant Vice President for Marketing & Communications, Lacy works to shape and execute marketing and communication strategies that significantly enhance brand awareness and showcase HighGround’s client solutions. Her responsibilities include ensuring consistency across all service lines and elements of the brand, while also serving as a catalyst for cultivating a vibrant culture at HighGround centered around the needs of clients and prospects.
Before joining HighGround in 2014, Lacy served as the Director of Creative at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. In this capacity, she strategically managed the creative team and led successful classical single-ticket campaigns, surpassing product revenue goals and elevating brand awareness.
Prior to her role at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Lacy held the position of Senior Communications Designer at RTKL Associates (now operating under Arcadis). Here, she played a crucial role in planning, designing, and executing corporate rebranding initiatives, conferences, and programs.
Lacy holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Texas Tech University.
As HighGround’s Vice President for Client Investment Solutions, Jordan works closely with nonprofit organizations as they evaluate HighGround’s investment management options and fund solutions. In collaboration with HighGround’s investment team, he facilitates effective communication of investment solutions, creates and monitors client investment strategies and reports investment results to client partners, with a primary objective of providing excellent client service.
When Jordan joined HighGround in 2021, he brought thirteen years of finance and operations experience, both in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Morningside Senior Living, where he oversaw investment and endowment management, yearly budgeting, financial planning and analysis, strategic planning, and project management. He also worked in financial analysis and planning at Buckner Retirement Services, Buckner International and Raytheon Company.
Jordan holds a BBA in business management from Baylor University.
Kellie serves as the Senior Director of Client Investment Solutions and leads all investment activity for HighGround’s Client Solutions team. Kellie began her career at HighGround Advisors in 1989 and has served in various key investment positions during her tenure.
In her current role, Kellie collaborates closely with HighGround’s investment team to enhance the existing investment platform and develop custom solutions tailored to the needs of our client partners. She guides the strategy, design, implementation, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of client investment portfolios. Additionally, Kellie works closely with nonprofit organizations as they evaluate HighGround’s investment management options.
Kellie is also the Senior Vice President and Investment Officer of HighGround Trust Company, which was established in 1996 and chartered by the Texas Department of Banking.
She holds a BA and an MBA from Baylor University, is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder and is a member of both the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Dallas/Fort Worth. She is also a volunteer and previous board treasurer for Equest, an organization providing therapeutic horsemanship activities and therapies to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping and learning disabilities.
Helge is Vice President and Chief Investment Officer with HighGround Advisors. With nearly 20 years of investment management experience, he leads the investment team responsible for managing HighGround Advisors’ over $3.6 billion in assets under management. His background includes strategic asset allocation policy, distribution and spending policy, portfolio construction, manager research and selection, and risk management.
Before joining HighGround Advisors in 2021, Helge managed the investment portfolio for The Meadows Foundation, a $700 million private foundation. Prior to The Meadows Foundation, he was Investment Manager for ABH Capital Management and an Institutional Sales Analyst for JP Morgan Asset Management.
Helge holds a BBA from Texas Lutheran University and an MBA from Baylor University. He served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Norwegian Navy, where he completed the Officer Training Program. Helge is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Dallas/Fort Worth.
Joe Hancock, HighGround’s Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, has more than 30 years of experience as a legal expert and esteemed speaker in areas of nonprofit, trust, estate and charitable tax law. At HighGround, Joe counsels nonprofit client partners regarding charitable law, gift requirements, and issues affecting nonprofit status. He serves HighGround’s individual clients by guiding them through charitable gift giving and tax and estate planning. He also monitors state and federal legislation that may impact nonprofit organizations and educates clients regarding applicable regulations.
Before rejoining HighGround in 2002 (Joe previously worked for HighGround from 1996-1999), Joe worked for the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas (now Children’s Health) where he counseled major donors in matters of charitable tax and estate planning, prepared gift planning proposals, drafted promotional materials and hospital policies, and administered estates through probate which benefited the hospital.
Joe holds a BBA from Baylor University as well as MBA and JD degrees from the University of Arkansas. He is a member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council as well as the national and Dallas chapters of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.
Kari is HighGround’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and brings to her role more than 25 years of experience in financial reporting, internal control compliance, tax filings, staff management, budgeting and client services. Kari also directs the external audits and coordinates preparation and analysis of internal financial statements. She oversees the accounting, operations, records and client service teams.
Prior to joining HighGround in 2000, Kari worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P., a multinational professional services network.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Kari is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA) and is active in various nonprofit and planned giving professional groups. She holds a BBA degree in accounting and finance (summa cum laude) and an MS degree in accounting from Texas A&M University.
David M. Slover serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at HighGround Advisors. Focused on growth and with a vision for the future, David oversees client solutions, marketing, and communication efforts in the stewarding of client relationships. He anticipates opportunities to innovate and streamline processes throughout the organization. Sensing shifts in the market, David championed the further development of our donor-advised funds program and the addition of two new endowment fund options to better serve our clients’ investment needs.
Prior to transitioning to HighGround in 2016, David was the President of Buckner Foundation. In his role at Buckner, he oversaw strategic planning, donor and ministry engagement including humanitarian aid and missions, operations, development, communications and marketing, program expansion and design, international programs and resource development, and government relations.
David has more than 35 years of experience working with complex and prominent nonprofit organizations, including Children’s Medical Center (now Children’s Health), Southern Methodist University and Baylor Health Care System (now Baylor Scott & White Health). His primary role at Children’s was to oversee and increase all major philanthropic support from all sources including individuals, corporations and foundations. Additionally, David served as campaign director for Children’s $150 million comprehensive campaign, wePromise.
David holds BA and MBA degrees from Baylor University. He serves as a board member for The Hope Center and Amazima Ministries, and he has previously served as a member of the board of regents for Baylor University and as a board member for Edify.
Ben serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of HighGround Advisors and is responsible for the day-to-day management of information systems, human resources, client systems and minerals and real estate asset management.
Ben began his career in 1993 in the finance and accounting department at GuideStone Financial Resources. In 1996, he joined HighGround Advisors to manage the fund accounting for HighGround’s investment funds. Throughout his tenure with HighGround, Ben has served in other key accounting positions such as Controller and Chief Financial Officer before his promotion to Chief Operating Officer in 2016.
Through his vision and leadership, Ben has an impressive history of tackling numerous high-impact projects that increase visibility and bolster service offerings to better aid our clients. This includes a top-to-bottom review of the organization’s operations and services that culminated in a rebranding effort, resulting in the organization’s name change to HighGround Advisors. Additionally, Ben has led many other projects such as an office relocation, system implementations, technology improvements and the development of a strategic plan to propel HighGround well into the future.
Ben graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA), the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and served on the planning committee for the TXCPA Nonprofit Organizations Conference. Ben volunteers regularly at the North Texas Food Bank and his church’s food bank. He is also a board member for HighGround Trust Company.
As President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff directs and manages all business affairs for HighGround. He joined the organization in 1990 and, over the course of his tenure, has served on the Trust and Legal team as Trust Attorney, Vice President and Trust Counsel, and Vice President and General Counsel. Jeff honors HighGround’s rich history while casting a vision for our future, seeking opportunities to offer greater support to our clients and their ever-evolving needs. During his time in leadership, Jeff has overseen rebranding efforts, the exploration of new asset class allocation and strategies, the enhancement of the organization’s client communications, and the creation of a team dedicated to relationship development and client stewardship. He strives to fulfill our commitment to protect client relationships, strengthen their mission and grow their resources.
Prior to joining HighGround, Jeff served as Assistant District Attorney for the Collin County District Attorney’s Office and oversaw special programs for Baylor University. Jeff has more than 30 years of experience in cultivating donors for gift recognition, providing comprehensive tax consultation and legal expertise, and in leading nonprofit organizations to success.
Jeff is a graduate of Baylor University with BA and JD degrees. He is also a board member for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, the Dallas Scottish Rite Library & Museum, Faith Commons and HighGround Trust Company.