Rachael Watson has been a practicing attorney in the areas of estate planning, business tax planning, and non-profit law since 2007. Rachael owned her own law firm for several years and currently serves as a Gift Planning Attorney and Manager of the Gift Planning team with The National Christian Foundation (NCF). At NCF, Rachael and her team assist families nationwide in achieving their charitable giving goals through gifts of non-cash assets. Prior to attending law school, Rachael worked as a Certified Financial Planner™ for Ronald Blue Trust and Wells Fargo bank where she provided support as a trusted advisor in financial planning and investments. Throughout her career, Rachael has served as a featured presenter to varied audiences including women’s gatherings, national advisor webinars, and continuing education seminars. Rachael earned her juris doctorate degree with honors from Georgia State University College of Law. She completed the CFP® program at Oglethorpe University and graduated magna cum laude from Liberty University. Rachael and her husband, Tom, have three children and are active in their church and community. In her spare time, Rachael enjoys spending time with her family, teaching Sunday school, and serving on the board of directors at Fideles Christian School.

Jeanne McMains has been an attorney serving in the areas of estate planning, business succession and charitable giving since 1995. After owning her own law firm and practicing with a national firm, Jeanne joined the National Christian Foundation in 2004 where she assists families nationwide with achieving their charitable planning goals.

Throughout her career, Jeanne has served as a featured presenter for several financial institutions including A.G. Edwards & Sons, AllianceBernstein, Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, Principal Financial Group and Ronald Blue & Company.  She is also a speaker for numerous charitable organizations including:  Alliance Defending Freedom, Biola University, Christian Legal Society, Christian Medical Dental Association, Compassion International, Generous Giving, Focus on the Family, Kingdom Advisors, Pepperdine University and Young Life.

Jeanne obtained her law degree from Indiana University on academic scholarship and her undergraduate degree from Purdue University with highest distinction (summa cum laude equivalent) honors. 

Connie Hougland serves as VP, Charity Experience and Market Strategy for National Christian Foundation (NCF). Connie has been part of the NCF family since 2000. She is passionate about the cause of generosity and works to help NCF support charities in serving givers and unlocking unique giving opportunities.

She is the author of What If God’s Got This: 6 Key Pillars for Sustainable Ministry. Connie was blessed to be married to her high school sweetheart, Blaine, for 37 years until the Lord called him home in the Spring of 2022 after a long battle with cancer. She continues to reside in the Kansas City area where she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her four grandsons Hudson, Sawyer, Mason and Miles.

Audra Ames is a Certified Financial Planner with Valeo Financial LLC in Carmel, Indiana. After 3 years together and just eight months married to her wonderful husband Scot, Audra was suddenly widowed in February 2021. Like many young couples, Audra and Scot did not think they needed to update life insurance beneficiaries or execute an estate plan with urgency — they thought they would have more time. Unfortunately, Audra experienced firsthand how tomorrow is not promised, and navigated heartache in the months, and (now) years, following Scot’s death due to their naivety. 

Now in a club she didn’t ask or want to be a part of, Audra is on a mission to serve widows, divorcees, and women in life transition with compassion and excellence. While 80% of men will die married, the average age a woman becomes a widow is 57, living at least another 15 years on her own after her husband’s death. The loss of a spouse causes significant changes in long-term planning, and an estimated 80% of women leave their financial advisor within the first year after the death of their spouse. Audra knows how meaningful it is for a widow to have a trusted financial planning professional in their lives to assist them in navigating life after loss and is honored to walk alongside her clients in these difficult and new seasons.