The Center for Estate and Gift Planning

Contact Us

Stephanie Buckley, J.D., LL.M.

Associate Vice Chancellor, Center for Estate and Gift Planning
Phone: (310) 506-4893
Toll-free: (855) 659-5746
Fax: (310) 506-4859
Email: stephanie.buckley@pepperdine.edu

As the associate vice chancellor of the Center for Estate and Gift Planning at Pepperdine University, Stephanie works with current and prospective donors in raising major gifts, planned gifts, and in-kind gifts. She identifies and creates estate and financial planning tools specific to donors' needs. In addition, she is in charge of the Pepperdine Estate Planning Network (PEPNET) and organizes various planned giving presentations on behalf of Pepperdine University. 

Stephanie previously worked at Crescendo Interactive, Inc., where she taught numerous seminars, spoke for planned giving and estate planning groups across the country and supported clients on tax aspects of charitable giving. Stephanie is an instructor for the Introduction to Planned Giving course offered through UCLA Extension.

Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree with High Honors in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, her Juris Doctorate with a specialization in Business Law and Taxation from the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed her LL.M. in Taxation with Honors at Loyola Law School. She served as a past-president for the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Greater Los Angeles and also Ventura County. Stephanie is a member of the State Bar of California.

Curt Portzel, J.D., M.T.S.

Executive Director
Phone: (310) 506-4003
Toll-free: (855) 659-5746
Fax: (310) 506-4859
Email: curt.portzel@pepperdine.edu

Curt's responsibilities include structuring charitable gifts to simultaneously benefit Pepperdine students and help Pepperdine alumni and friends incorporate charitable giving into their financial, tax and estate planning. Curt develops gifts to meet individualized goals and objectives.

In his capacity as Executive Director, Curt is also responsible for the day to day operations and management of the Center for Estate and Gift Planning. Curt is an alumnus of Pepperdine's Seaver College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1992. Curt also attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, completing a Juris Doctorate and Masters of Theological Studies in 1997.

Prior to joining the Center for Estate and Gift Planning in 2005, Curt was in private law practice with McGuireWoods, LLP, concentrating on complex commercial real estate transactions. Curt's real estate experience is an asset to the Center, particularly when developing complex real property gifts. Curt is admitted to practice law in California and Georgia. Curt has guest lectured at the Pepperdine School of Law and presented at the Western Regional Planned Giving Conference. He has published in various periodicals, including Planned Giving Today, Journal of Law and Religion, and Journal of Church and State.

Thomas F. Caldwell III, J.D., M.B.A.

Planned Giving Officer and Legal Counsel
Phone: (310) 506-7606
Toll-free: (855) 659-5746
Fax: (310) 506-4859
Email: thomas.caldwell@pepperdine.edu

Thomas Caldwell joined CEGP in 2009 from private practice where he focused on complex commercial real estate transactions and financing, estate planning, and nonprofit law. Previously Thomas was Counsel for Guitar Center, Inc., where he negotiated real estate leases, contributed to an aggressive corporate acquisition strategy, and handled general corporate legal matters.

Thomas graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Finance and a minor in International Business. His Juris Doctor degree was obtained from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2005. Additionally, Thomas graduated from the Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business Management with a Masters of Business Administration. Thomas studied international business and finance in Denmark and Mexico, and participated in Pepperdine's London law program.

He is admitted to the State of Bar of California, the United States District Court for the Central District of California and is a licensed California real estate broker. Additionally, Thomas is very active with local nonprofits and ministries, sitting on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity - San Fernando/ Santa Clarita Valleys and is a founder and board member of Impacting Hearts, a charitable organization that teaches foster children leadership skills through biblical principles.