YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Meet the Asset GIVING UNIVERSITY TEAM
Bryan Feller
AGU PRESIDENT & 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.
Lucas Cooper
AGU INSTRUCTOR
Lucas serves as a Vice President of Network Relations at National Christian Foundation.
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, widely recognized as the world’s most multi-ethnic city. Under his leadership, the church experienced exponential numerical growth, renewed vision and passion for ministry, 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. Lucas volunteers on the preaching team and as the Stewardship and Generosity Pastor for a church in the Phoenix area that averages over 11,000 in weekend attendance. Lucas holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Divinity.
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.
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.
Dan Navarra
AGU 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.
Joel Smyer
AGU INSTRUCTOR
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.
SARAH JAY TIMMERMANS
AGU ADMINISTRATOR
Sarah serves as the 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.
Have general questions about registration, course details, or online community?
Contact Sarah at 949-392-8528 or sarah@assetgiving.university.
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.
Have questions about the program or joining an upcoming cohort?
Contact Jacob at 949-264-0243 or jacob@assetgiving.university.