Contact the Center for Estate and Gift Planning

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

Curt Portzel headshot - Pepperdine University

Executive Director
Phone: 310.506.4003
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.

Aaron White, J.D., LL.M.

Aaron White headshot - Pepperdine University

Associate Director
Phone: 310.506.4737
Fax: 310.506.4859
Email: aaron.white@pepperdine.edu

Aaron provides sophisticated tax and estate planning for Pepperdine's donors, advisors, and friends. Aaron creates each plan with a warm blend of attention to each individual's goals, Pepperdine's continued preeminence, and the highest technical expertise.

Aaron is a cum laude graduate of the School of Law, where he participated on the Moot Court and trial teams. He earned his B.A. in Mathematics from Hillsdale College, graduating cum laude from the Honors Program. Aaron holds an LL.M. in taxation from New York University, and is admitted to the State Bars of both California and Michigan.

Aaron began in private practice with Andersen Tax LLP (then WTAS LLC) as a tax associate, gaining experience with tax planning strategies for high net worth individuals and corporate entities. Aaron's past experience also includes extensive work with corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, charitable organizations, and individuals in connection with tax controversies, business entity formations and dissolutions, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation in both civil and probate contexts.

Brooke Eades, J.D.

Brooke Eades

Planned Giving Officer
Phone: 310.506.7606
Fax: 310.506.4859
Email: brooke.eades@pepperdine.edu

In her role as a Planned Giving Officer, Brooke works with Pepperdine alumni, advisors, and friends to create tax-savvy solutions that achieve financial and philanthropic goals. By blending her expertise in gift planning with a personalized approach to each scenario, Brooke helps Pepperdine donors plan for the future, themselves, their families, and Pepperdine.

Brooke is a Cum Laude graduate of Pepperdine School of Law, where she focused on estate planning, tax law, and non-profit law. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Wyoming, where she earned her B.A. in Journalism.

After being admitted to the State Bar of California, Brooke joined Crescendo Interactive. As Vice President of Legal Services at Crescendo, she provided client education, consultation, and research regarding major and planned gifts, estate planning, and tax law. She has presented at seminars and conferences across the country on various topics, including: major and planned gifts; income and estate tax issues; and wills, trusts, and estate planning.