Carine Hails is the executive director of the Office of Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning. She earned a BA from the University of Michigan, a JD from the Wayne State University School of Law, and an MS degree in administration, with a concentration in fundraising and philanthropy and a certificate in leadership from Central Michigan University. She practiced law for over 20 years, primarily in the areas of estate planning, probate administration, and probate litigation. Through her experience, which includes service within several civic and philanthropic organizations, she developed an interest in philanthropy and charitable giving that led her to become a fundraiser in higher education. Carine and her husband Walter, a veteran in the financial services industry, are originally from Detroit, Michigan, and have one son.

Email: cjh332@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-2302

Ian Garrett is the current director of gift planning and has been at Cornell for over 20 years, both in the Office of Gift Planning and University Major Gifts. Prior to Cornell, he was a senior consultant at the Winslow Group, based in Winston-Salem, NC. He holds a bachelor's degree from Binghamton University and a master’s degree in public affairs, specializing in nonprofit management from Indiana University. Ian is originally from Corning, N.Y., and has three children along with his wife Melissa, a teacher in the Trumansburg schools. They reside in Ithaca, NY.

Email: irg2@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-6179

Deborah Henry joined the Office of Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning in September 2022 and is the administrative assistant to Christina Shutts, trust administrator. She comes to Cornell after serving more than 16 years with Tompkins Financial in various roles such as assistant vice president of remote banking, treasury associate, senior staff accountant and cash management team leader. She holds an AS in business management. She enjoys spending time with her husband Gary, an architect and partner at Hunt E.A.S., as well as their five grown children. She also enjoys camping, kayaking, gardening, and preserving what they harvest from the garden.

Email: djh345@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-3458

Amy Jacobson joined Cornell’s Gift Planning team in October 2021 after serving as Senior Director of Advancement and Director of Gift Planning at Alfred University for over a decade. She received a BA in political science from Wellesley College and a JD from New York University. A member of New York, Pennsylvania, and federal bars, she practiced law in both Philadelphia, PA and Olean, NY. Her areas of practice included civil legal services, immigration, and civil rights. Amy was the first Director of Alfred University’s Women’s Leadership Center and has served on community boards including The Alfred Montessori School Board, and the Allegany County Youth Board. Amy and her husband Dr. Allen Grove (an English professor at Alfred University) have two college-age children. In their free time, they enjoy exploring Ithaca’s trails, waterways, and restaurants.

Email: aj433@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-5829

Rebecca Page Johnson MS '01 joined the Office of Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning team with over fifteen years of experience in higher education, most recently as a tenured professor at Elmira College. Rebecca’s work on the board of directors at ASMS, an independent middle school in Corning, New York, sparked her interest in philanthropic giving and inspired her to return to Cornell to support her alma mater. She earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree in applied economics from Cornell University, and a doctorate in education from Syracuse University. When she is not working, Rebecca can be found hiking the trails of the Finger Lakes or kayaking on Cayuga Lake.

Email: rpj5@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-8437

Chelle Lust is the office coordinator for the Office of Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning. She joined Cornell in 1999 in major gifts, but has spent the last 21 years with the Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning team. Chelle also supports the executive director, as well as the director of gift planning and Gift planning officers. Chelle is the team lead for all advised bequests, budget, and overall gift reporting. In her free time, Chelle teaches dance at the Sonja Ward School of Dance and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Email: msl28@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-7189

Teresa Ausherman-Moore is an account representative in the Office of Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning. She joined Cornell in November of 2000, and is the lead representative in processing and managing new, existing and terminating charitable gift annuities. When not working, she enjoys working in her flower gardens, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Email: tm89@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-1546

Rachel Rohwer '14 has been with the trusts and estates team since 2019, fulfilling various roles and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to her team's success. As a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) and senior gift planning officer, Rachel uses her expertise to guide donors in crafting impactful, strategic gifts that align with Cornell's goals and maximize their transformative potential. Prior to her current role, she worked as Data Manager at the Roper Center and in Admissions at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Johnson Executive MBA Program. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys exploring nature with her family and practicing museum taxidermy. She holds a BS with Distinction in Research from Cornell University and an International MSc in Social Policy Analysis.

Email: rbs238@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-6223

Jennifer Saville has been with the Office of Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning for over 30 years. Her prior roles included working temporarily for the ILR School, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Now, as a securities administrator, she is responsible for receiving, recording, and acknowledging all gifts of securities, managing relationships with brokers, and maintaining reporting responsibilities to ensure compliance with industry regulations. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys the company of animals, listening to country music and attending racing events to cheer on her better half.

Email: jms36@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-1550

Christina Shutts joined as Trust Administrator in October 2022 and oversees gifts from realized bequests, trusts, life insurance policies, and retirement accounts. She also assists in the management of charitable remainder unitrusts where Cornell is Trustee. She joins the team from the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office. Prior to her tenure in the DA’s Office, she served as Office Manager and Paralegal for an Ithaca law firm. Christina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Human Services. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy working together on household projects and spending time with their three adult sons and grandchildren.

Email: cls377@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-3465

Nancy Tillotson is an account representative for the Office of Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning. She’s been with this office since October 1993, and is the lead representative for the Cornell University Donor Advised Funds. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy working together outside and spending time with family.

Email: nlt1@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-254-1542

Shawna Veldhuizen joined the Office of Trusts, Estates, and Gift Planning as the Gift Planning Associate in July 2024. She is responsible for supporting the team in engaging donor relationships by developing planned giving resources and enhancing stewardship practices. Previously, she served as Executive Director for ten years in Chicago administering grants and fundraising for community service projects at the Altrusa International Foundation, Inc. She earned her BBA at Western Michigan University and MA in Journalism at DePaul University. You can also find Shawna teaching yoga on Keuka Lake, exploring the Finger Lakes trails, or trying out a new America's Test Kitchen recipe with her family.

Email: shawna.veldhuizen@cornell.edu
Direct phone line: 607-255-6245