ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL OF CLEVELAND

About the Program
Next Gen donors aren’t giving in the same way as previous generations. They’re looking for a connection to their cause and an experiential giving experience. Our 3-person panel will discuss the changing landscape of giving. Topics include how charities and advisors can adapt to engage the next generation of donors and how one local charity is engaging their donors.

About the Speakers

Peter Balunek has been serving the insurance needs of individual, families, and business for over 20 years. He is the President of the Satao Wildlife Foundation, a 501c3 charity whose mission is improving the lives of wildlife through community conservation projects in Kenya. His work in this area earned him the EPC Exceptional Service Award in 2023. Peter is also a self-proclaimed Wildlife Ambassador who leads socially conscious luxury safaris to Africa.

Ginger Mlakar serves as in-house legal counsel and manages the Cleveland Foundation's legal affairs. Additionally, she oversees the teams that works with current donors, individuals, business owners, and their professional advisors to identify their charitable objectives and implement simple to complex strategies to accomplish their philanthropic goals. At the same time, Ginger connects non-profits to partnership opportunities with the Foundation. She came to the Cleveland Foundation in July 2009 after 16 years practicing law in estate, trust and charitable gift planning and administration. She is also a certified public accountant. Ginger has served on the boards of several area organizations and was the president for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation. She is currently on the board for the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and is an AEP® Accredited Estate Planner. Ginger has been named among the Best Lawyers in America and the Top 50 Female Ohio Super Lawyers List by Law and Politics magazine. Ginger has received the Estate Planning Council of Cleveland’s 2019 Distinguished Estate Planner Award.

Michael Novak founded Wellspring Financial Advisors in 2007 after serving as a Principal at a boutique wealth management firm where he advised multiple family relationships. He has extensive experience in the areas of estate planning, charitable gift planning, business succession planning, and family governance and education. He also has experience in all areas of tax compliance as well as proactive tax planning. Michael earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from Ohio University. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Personal Financial Specialist, holds the Accredited Estate Planner® designation, and is a 21/64 Certified Advisor. He is also a member of The Ohio Society of CPAs and an RIA Advisory Board Member of the Capital Group. Michael is actively involved in his community, serving as Board Member of Bluecoats and Vice President and Board Member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio and Solon Community Living. He is also a member of the Leadership Circle and Gift Planning Advisory Committees for the Cleveland Museum of Art as well as the FBI Cleveland Citizens Alumni Association and the Professional Advisory Council Steering Committee for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

Ted Robbins, CPA, CFP® │ 2023-2024 Program Chair

Continuing Education – EPC Cleveland will request approval for this program from the CFP® Board of Standards for CFP® designation holders. A certificate of completion will be available for those AEP®, CPA, and CWS designees who feel the program satisfies their continuing education requirements.  

Reservation Policy –

Please note this event will take place IN PERSON ONLY. 

IN PERSON: All attendees are encouraged to register in advance and walk-in reservations will be accepted on a space-available basis only.  The meeting cost is $35 for members when paid in advance before noon 02/12/24, $50 for members at the door, $50 for guests, and $210 for a table of six (can be mix of members and non-members - please submit names to admin@epccleveland.org by 02/09/24).  If you reserve and are unable to attend, please call the office to cancel by noon 02/12/24 to avoid a no-show reservation billing.

To reserve, click "Register Now" below. 

Thank you to our sponsor: