Jennifer Keyo is the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) 2023 Rising Star Recipient. Since Jenn began her work in the gift planning community in 2017, she has collaborated with nonprofits to implement national standards within their organizations and strengthened professional development opportunities in the planned giving community. 

This award recognizes the talent of a professional new to charitable gift planning. With the work of charitable gift planning ever-changing, expanding this award encourages recipients to consider a lifelong pursuit of the field and continue active membership in their local councils and national association.

Jenn Keyo is the Director of Legacy and Leadership Giving at Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut, renowned as one of the country’s premier college-preparatory institutions. In this role, she travels across the country to connect with members of the Westminster community and other individuals interested in supporting the school’s mission and programs. Before joining Westminster School, Jenn acquired significant expertise in annual giving and advancement operations during her 10-year tenure in the Institutional Advancement Office at the University of Hartford.

In 2017, Jenn took over leadership of the Boarding School Gift Planners, a group of over 20 schools, where she runs two conferences a year covering all aspects of planned giving. In January 2021, Jenn was appointed to the board of directors of the Charitable Gift Planners of Connecticut. Currently, she serves as the co-chair of the program committee, spearheading efforts to curate engaging topics and secure top-notch speakers for their educational initiatives. She has been instrumental in devising a fresh programming format to help nonprofits across the state understand planned giving basics as well as boost membership in the post-COVID era. In addition to the program committee, she is a founding member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging committee and a member of the marketing committee. Jenn has also collaborated with the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners to support and guide local nonprofits in implementing the National Planned Giving Standards. In 2022, she achieved certification as a specialist in planned giving.

Jenn completed her undergraduate studies at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, earning a bachelor’s in business and marketing while also serving as a member of varsity intercollegiate soccer team. Jenn’s exceptional dedication and contributions were later honored with the Alumnae Leadership and Service Medallion. She continued her education at the University of Hartford, where she pursued and successfully obtained a master’s in communication.
 
Jenn resides in Canton, Connecticut, with her husband, Peter, and their three children. In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking and tending to her yard.

Jenn will be recognized at CGP Conference 2023 in Chicago, IL, in November. 

Nominations for the 2024 CGP Rising Star Award will open in June 2024. Learn more about the CGP Awards program, previous winners and how to nominate or apply at charitablegiftplanners.org/awards

About CGP
The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) is the leading organization setting standards for charitable gift planners. We bring members together to learn, connect and advocate. We provide education and resources that enrich and advance careers. We connect colleagues at all levels through our national network—including those who defined the field. We exist to serve our distinguished profession and bring to life the art and science of charitable gift planning.