Maximizing Generosity: Why IRAs Are a Game-Changer in Planned Giving

We invite you to join us for an engaging and practical session with Diane Thornton, Regional Gift Strategist at The Nature Conservancy. When Diane joined the organization in 2017, she brought decades of expertise in wealth management and gift planning, along with a passion for helping individuals turn their values into lasting legacies. Today, she is part of one of the largest gift planning teams in the country, guiding benefactors across multiple regions in shaping meaningful, tax-wise contributions.

About Our Speaker

When Diane Thornton joined The Nature Conservancy in 2017, she brought with her not only decades of expertise in wealth management and gift planning, but also a passion for helping people turn their values into lasting legacies. Today, as a Regional Gift Strategist, she is part of one of the largest gift planning teams in the country, guiding benefactors across the western, southwestern, and midwestern states in shaping meaningful, tax-wise contributions.

Her work spans the full spectrum of philanthropy—from bequests and retirement assets to real estate, equities, and complex gifts. With more than 20 years as a Certified Financial Planner™ and advancement leader, Diane has a gift for translating technical strategies into solutions that honor both family goals and charitable vision. She partners closely with donors and their advisors, ensuring that generosity is not only impactful but also sustainable.

Beyond her one-on-one work with donors, Diane is a trusted voice among fundraising professionals. She collaborates on strategy, trains development teams, and shares her insights at conferences nationwide. Recently, she addressed the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable on real estate gift opportunities, and she is slated to speak on a national webinar in November 2026.

Based in Houston, Texas, Diane balances her professional life with service on the board of a local nonprofit. She is a former board member of the Charitable Gift Planners of Houston board, serving eight years. Away from the office, she and her husband delight in visiting their adult children and grandchildren—a reminder that family, community, and legacy are at the heart of everything she does.

1 CFRE Approved