Are you a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, or St. Louis Cardinals? These teams make up the National League Central and I'm proud to represent the division as a Chicago Cub in the ACTEC Foundation's Home Run Derby 2026!

As Immediate Past Chair of ACTEC's Communications Committee and a member of the Asset Protection, Business Planning and Program Committees, and a proud Chicagoan, I'm stepping into the batter's box to compete against ACTEC Fellows representing each of the other divisions. The goal? To win the ACTEC Pennant, earn some well-deserved bragging rights and most importantly, raise critical support for the ACTEC Foundation.

You can help by supporting my individual fundraising goal of $6,600. Every dollar donated sends my home run farther toward the fence and helps push the NL Central and the Cubs up the leaderboard.

But this Derby is about more than competition. Your contribution supports the ACTEC Foundation's vital educational mission, including:

• Lifelong trusts and estates education and scholarships
• The Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition
• The Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders Program
• ACTEC Trust and Estate Talk podcasts

Your generosity ensures these programs continue to thrive and support the next generation of trust and estate professionals.

Each dollar fuels another swing, another pitch, and another step closer to the Pennant. Watch the leaderboard, look for weekly Wednesday updates, and spot me easily. I'll be the Cub in gear, known as "Swiftie."

May the best slugger win (me, naturally).

ACTEC Foundation President Lora G. Davis is pleased to introduce the lineup for this year's spring fundraiserThe 2026 ACTEC Foundation Home Run Derby! The champion will round the bases to claim the coveted ACTEC Pennant! Every dollar you donate during the Home Run Derby drives your favorite slugger's ball toward the fence.

• Every Dollar donated drives the ball one foot.
• A ball that travels 400 feet is a home run.
• The slugger with the most home runs wins the pennant!

The Home Run Derby will take place over four weeks, with one round per week. A weekly winner will be announced (the player who hits the most home runs), and the overall Derby winner will be named at the end (the player who hits the most home runs at the end of the four weeks).

The Home Run Derby wraps up at 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 14, with the winner announced in the Friday, May 15, ACTEC Weekly Update and on the ACTEC Foundation's website.

This year's lineup features ACTEC Fellows representing each of the six divisions, each stepping up to the plate to help support The Foundation.

The Derby aims to raise $40,000 to support the important trust and estate programs made possible by The ACTEC Foundation. Help your slugger knock it out of the park and meet their goal!