YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Meet the Asset GIVING UNIVERSITY TEAM
Bryan Feller
AGU FOUNDER & INSTRUCTOR
Bryan Feller has served as the President of NCF California since 2014.
Prior to NCF, Bryan got his undergrad in theology and, later, an MBA. He was instrumental in leading a handful of companies to double-digit growth, including a company that made the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies twice. In 2005, he started a consulting firm focused on marketing strategy and sales team effectiveness. In his role as consultant, sales trainer, and coach, Bryan has worked with nearly 70 organizations, ranging from start-ups to the Fortune 500. His clients have included such household names as Johnson & Johnson, United Airlines, Capital One, and Bausch + Lomb.
SARAH JAY TIMMERMANS
AGU MANAGING DIRECTOR
Sarah serves as Managing Director of Asset Giving University and Director of Engagement for National Christian Foundation of California.
She is an experienced development professional, with over 15 years serving in a variety of roles in educational nonprofits. She is an adjunct professor of English at Vanguard University, a facilitator for Generous Giving and Women Doing Well, and a member of AFP and Fulcrum Nonprofit Leadership. Sarah holds a BA in history from Cal State Fullerton and an MA in Christian history from Wheaton College.
For general questions about registration, course details, or the AGU Portal, contact Sarah at 949-392-8528 or sarah@assetgiving.university.
Lucas Cooper
AGU SR. INSTRUCTOR
During his 25-year tenure in vocational ministry, Lucas served churches in the Phoenix area and then as the Lead Pastor of a historic church in Toronto, Canada. Under his leadership, the church experienced exponential numerical growth, renewed vision, and increased organizational health. He then served as Chief of Staff for Redline Athletics, helping the youth sports performance brand grow from 32 to 55 locations in just 19 months. Most recently, Lucas served as the VP of Network Relations for the National Christian Foundation, driving enterprise-level philanthropic capital growth, delivering 107% expansion during his three-year tenure. Lucas holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, a Master of Divinity, and is a Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy.
Dan Navarra
AGU SR. INSTRUCTOR
Dan Navarra serves as the Central Valley and Northern California Area Director for National Christian Foundation of California.
He is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®), has studied finance at Harvard Business School, received his undergraduate degree in Philosophy with a Religious Emphasis, and then continued on to Fuller Theological Seminary for his Masters of Divinity. Dan enjoyed fifteen years in local church pastoral ministry specializing in teaching, project management, stewardship, and human resources prior to his joining NCF in 2022.
Kristen DeVries
AGU INSTRUCTOR
Kristen serves as the President & CEO of Christian Foundation of America.
She has shaped fundraising and marketing success at a number of prestigious institutions over 20 years, including Drexel University and Western Michigan University. Kristen’s expertise is in strategic planning, innovative campaign development, and robust talent development. Her collaborative approach was pivotal in securing the largest gift in public higher education history — $550 million – a milestone achieved by fostering meaningful, one-on-one relationships and conveying a clear, compelling vision. Following the passing of her husband, Kristen chose to follow Paul’s exhortation to widows to dedicate themselves full time to advancing the kingdom. She is a graduate of Wheaton College.
Paul Forbes
AGU INSTRUCTOR
Paul is the Senior Vice President of Giver Experiences at the National Christian Foundation.
Paul grew up in Kansas City and attended West Point, where he studied engineering. After serving as an army officer and flying attack helicopters for peacetime, he felt led to leave the military and settle down. Forbes worked for Hallmark Cards in Mexico and facilitated mission trips for his home church, Pleasant Valley. He eventually became the executive pastor at Pleasant Valley and joined the National Christian Foundation staff 16 years ago, where he has been involved with the generosity movement.
Bob Fry
AGU INSTRUCTOR
Bob Fry is Senior Gift Advisor Emeritus with the National Christian Foundation of California, where he supports charitable giving strategies and donor engagement.
He brings more than 27 years of experience as an institutional investment advisor, including senior leadership roles at Merrill Lynch, where he served as Director of Investments and chaired the Investment Committee responsible for overseeing $10 billion in trust assets. Earlier in his career, Bob practiced business and securities law in private practice. He is also a published author on nonprofit investment policies and frequently contributes his expertise to faith-based organizations and foundations. Bob holds a BA from the University of Southern California and a JD from UCLA.
Jeanne McMains
AGU INSTRUCTOR
Jeanne currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Offerings & Marketing at the National Christian Foundation.
She has a passion for helping givers and their families create and achieve their charitable giving goals. She is responsible for improving the clarity and performance of our existing offerings and for developing new ones. Jeanne has been a practicing attorney in the areas of estate planning, business succession, and family philanthropy since 1995. Throughout her career, Jeanne has been a sought-after presenter for several financial institutions, including Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley, among many others. She is also a speaker for numerous charitable organizations, including: Alliance Defending Freedom, Christian Legal Society, Compassion International, Generous Giving, Focus on the Family, and Kingdom Advisors.
Joel Smyer
AGU PARTNER
Joel Smyer serves as the founding President and General Counsel of the National Christian Foundation North Texas.
Before helping launch the Foundation, he was a partner at a Fort Worth law firm, where he practiced in various areas of civil litigation. Since the Foundation’s inception in 2008, Joel has specialized in asset-based giving and has acted as a thought partner to hundreds of families who integrate charitable giving into their business exit, estate, and succession planning. Joel graduated from Baylor University and Baylor University School of Law.
David Wills
AGU PARTNER
David Wills is the President Emeritus of The National Christian Foundation (NCF).
His passions are centered on generosity and eternity. David has practiced law since 1988, focusing on the areas of charitable gift planning, exempt organizations (specifically in the public and private foundation arenas), estate planning, and fiduciary related matters. David is the co-author of two books, Investing in God’s Business and Family Money, as well as numerous articles and lectures throughout the country. He earned a BBA and a JD from Baylor University and completed post-graduate work at Dallas Theological Seminary.
JACOB NOYES
AGU ENROLLMENT
Jacob leads Enrollment for Asset Giving University.
He has served in local and global churches and ministries, and spent several years as a Whitewater Rafting Guide in Colorado. He is a graduate of Westmont College with a degree in Communications Studies.
For questions about the program or joining an upcoming course, contact Jacob at 949-264-0243 or jacob@assetgiving.university.