After eight years working with his family on real estate management and investments, Michael has shifted his focus to investments and projects that aim to create a large impact in his community and in the world of environmental, social, and governance investing communities. His hope is that Tilia can create the largest impact possible by collaborating with or inspiring others to invest with intention.
Ned Booker was born and raised in Louisville, attending St. Xavier High School. After graduating from the University of the South, he began his professional career with a large, short line railroad and contracting company working across the U.S. Ned also worked with a New Albany-based logistics company, assisting regional shippers with managing their freight. Since arriving at Sterling Thompson Company, Ned has continued his professional focus on transportation and contractors and enjoys sharing his passion and expertise with companies throughout the region.
John Fidler was raised and educated in Baltimore, MD before attending Washington & Lee University. A veteran of the hedge fund industry, he has worked in finance since 2001, first in New York and London, before moving to Louisville in 2005 with his wife Erin. John serves as Chief Investment Officer at Stock Yards Bank & Trust, where he helps families and institutions manage generational wealth and practice good stewardship. He enjoys spending time with his family (Erin and three young sons), coaching youth sports, and traveling.
Peter Wayne serves as as General Counsel to Advocacy Trust and its affiliated companies, Forge Consulting, LLC and Advocacy Wealth Management (collectively the “Forge Companies”). Peter also serves as a business development officer for Advocacy Trust LLC. Peter originally served as a settlement planner for Forge Consulting, LLC from March 2009 until November 2011 and then returned to the Forge Companies after gaining experience as an estate planning attorney at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP, a large regional law firm, and as an administrative and business development officer at Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company, both located in Louisville, Kentucky.
Peter’s various responsibilities include: providing general legal counsel to the Forge Companies; assisting Advocacy Trust officers with the administration of trust accounts; assisting Forge Consulting and Advocacy Wealth Management advisors with planning concepts and strategies; and helping executive management with the design, structure, and implementation of policies and procedures necessary to the successful growth of the Forge Companies.
Peter was a member of Louisville’s Business First Forty Under 40 in 2016, and while in private practice, was selected as one of Louisville’s “Top Lawyers” in the area of Elder Law by Louisville Magazine in 2014. Peter is a frequent public speaker at local, regional, and national conferences and author of articles about estate planning, business succession, and elder law and special needs planning matters.
In addition to his time with the Forge Companies, Peter served as President of the Louisville Bar Association in 2020 and he previously served on the Board of Directors for Louisville Public Media (Chair of the Gift Review Committee) and several other local non-profit organizations. Peter spends his free time with his wife, Julia, and two children, Molly and Henry. He also enjoys urban real estate development, music, attending concerts, listening to WFPK, WFPL and WUOL, watching college football, and running.
Jennifer Wheatley, President, HR Affiliates. Jennifer is a Human Resources Executive with over 25 years of human resources experience in multiple industries including consulting services, manufacturing/distribution, banking, and retail. Her passion is providing HR solutions for her clients by helping them build their HR infrastructure through process development, compliance, and people. She especially enjoys working with entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining HR Affiliates, Jennifer was the President/Owner of CenterPointHR. Jennifer also has experience as a Senior HR Consultant with an HR outsourcing firm, as well as spending many years with JPMorgan Chase in several senior HR roles.
Jennifer holds an M.A. in Human Resources Management and a B.S in Business Administration and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) as well as a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Jennifer is a member of the National Society for Human Resources Management, the Kentucky Society for Human Resources Management where she previously served on the State Council as the Director of Membership and the Louisville Society for Human Resources Management (LSHRM), where she has previously served on the Board as the chair for the Certification and Member Development Committee. Jennifer also is a past adjunct professor at the University of Louisville, teaching Human Resources Management in the College of Business. She also is a member of the University of Louisville Family Business Center where she is a facilitator for the HR Roundtable. Jennifer has also served on the KY NAWBO Board and was the recipient of the 2020 KY NAWBO Executive of the Year.
Monica is a true native of Oldham County, living most of her life in Oldham County and graduating from Oldham County High School. She began her career with Charter Medical Corporation, a psychiatric hospital based out of Macon, Georgia in the Finance area. She has work with other healthcare organizations, Basic American Medical, Inc (BAMI), Humana, Galen HealthCare and Columbia\HCA Healthcare Corporation in finance and IT. Monica is currently reaching 25 years of employment at Brown-Forman Corporation as the Global Vendor MSM Analyst. She assists global users in over 170 countries and embraces the cultures of diversity and inclusion. She has brought her enthusiasm and work ethic to charity campaigns such as Metro United Way and Fund for the Arts, volunteering at Bridgehaven, and Ronald McDonald House. She is excited to be sharing her many skills with Pillar now!
Alex Campbell currently serves as a member of the Finance Committee. Previously, Alex served six years in roles including Treasurer, Endowment Chair, and as a member of the Executive Committee for Pillar. He attended Centre College and ultimately graduated with his BA and MBA degrees from Bellarmine University. From 2011 - 2022, Alex served on the MBA Advisory Board of the Rubel School of Business at Bellarmine University. For more than ten years, he has worked in banking and finance. Alex is a Senior Vice President and the Director of Private & Professional Banking at Republic Bank.
In 2019, Alex was nominated for the Kentucky Bankers Association Emerging Leaders Program where he maintained an active role for nearly three years. Additionally, Alex shares his time serving the Episcopal Diocese Investment Committee and also the Woodcock Foundation which manages and funds scholarship grants made to parishioners in the Diocese. Most recently, Alex joined the Speed Museum Board of Trustees where he serves on the Finance Committee.
Alex’s personal passion for Pillar stems from his experience with his adult brother Peter. Peter suffered a stroke at birth resulting in severe cerebral palsy. Largely due to organizations like Pillar, Peter is able to live his best life – one of independence, empowerment and choice. With deep gratitude and respect for Pillar, Alex is proud to serve the organization in various capacities and is excited for Pillar’s future.
Brandi Crawford’s passion for advocating for individuals with special needs originated in her hometown of Bardstown, KY. As a high school student, Brandi spent time as a peer tutor in the classroom of an inspiring Exceptional Childhood Education teacher. This experience guided her path to helping individuals with disabilities live their best, most fulfilling, and successful lives.
Brandi graduated with honors from Bellarmine University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and with honors from the University of Louisville, receiving a Master of Arts in Psychology. Post graduation, Brandi was a founding employee of a small non-profit organization dedicated to providing behavior support services to children and families diagnosed with autism. As the demands for these services grew, Brandi assisted in the absorption of the company’s therapeutic program into that of a larger facility, providing more opportunities for families to utilize insurance and state funding for services. Brandi continues to provide behavior supports to children and adults as an independent consultant.
Brandi and her husband, Brian, have three children, and her idea of a perfect day is one that is spent outside in the warm sunshine with her family, preferably hiking or relaxing by the ocean.
Mr. Don Esterle currently serves as the President & CEO of Reliable Partners. He has held this position since September 2006. Reliable Partners owns and operates nearly 800 acres of land that includes 6 million SF of underground space. The facility is used primarily for training and technology development to improve the safety for organizations and individuals that routinely operate in underground environments. A portion of the property is also being developed as a highly secure data center campus.
Mr. Esterle previously held the positions of Vice President then President and CEO for Xodiax Data Centers from October 2000 until September 2006. In 2004 Xodiax was recognized by Inc. Magazine as the 85th fastest growing private company in America and was also recognized by Business First as the second fastest growing privately held company in Metro Louisville. In 2005 Xodiax was acquired by Peak 10 Data Centers, now Flexential Data Centers.
Mr. Esterle is a native of Louisville and is a graduate of St. Xavier High School and the University of Louisville School of Business. He served as Chairman of his church’s Administration and Finance Committee for over 10 years. In addition, he has also previously served on the Board of Directors for Greater Louisville Inc's Technology Network, TeN, and on the Board of Directors for Friends of the Waterfront.
Mr. Esterle is married to Kimberly (Burch) Esterle, and they have three grown children; Shelby is an Occupational Therapist and works with many Pillar community members, Luke is a Captain in the Unites States Army and Logan is a Navy veteran and Certified Airframe Mechanic for Gulfstream.
Madonna Kehl is a recently retired HR Executive with over 20 years of experience specializing in learning and development, leadership development, culture & associate engagement, and leading change management initiatives. She is passionate about empowering people to reach their full potential, particularly through leadership, career, and personal development, and has accomplished this in various industries including logistics and transportation, banking, insurance, and healthcare.
Madonna is from Louisville, KY, and graduated from the University of Louisville, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Madonna has three adult children, and she resides in Goshen, KY. Madonna is the founder and former President of The Andy Kehl Foundation, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization founded by her family in memory of her late husband to help children in the Louisville area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, hiking, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.
Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Benton Keith grew up as a member of the Boy Scouts of America earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Upon graduating from St. Xavier High School, Benton attended Southern Methodist University where he received a degree in Art History. Since his return to Louisville in 2004, Benton has been a licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Agent, working with Sterling Thompson Company.
Benton is a committed member of his community serving as a board member for several nonprofits. He is former Board Chair at Pillar and a Trustee of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Benton serves as Principal to a local venture capital fund, Radicle Capital. He strives to create a local impact and has a profound respect for those who devote their lives to finding healthy, sustainable ways to support their communities. He and his wife live on their family farm where they enjoy the outdoors with their three children.
Scott Macdonald is Director, Portfolio Operations and Culture for the Zaf Group. He brings over 40 years of general management experience to the organization. Scott is passionate about developing and executing strategic growth plans and mentoring next generation leaders.
In addition, Scott has been a Senior Executive in companies across multiple industries. Most recently, he was the Managing Director, Strategy and Operations for AUSL, a $12M not-for-profit focused on providing equity in education. AUSL managed 31 schools with 17,000 students in the City of Chicago and trained teachers to work in high poverty neighborhood schools.
Scott has served as Chair of the Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church and has served on the boards of Covenant Living Communities, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, the Christian Booksellers’ Association, and the Covenant Ability Network Illinois. He is currently Co-Chairman of the Board for Makers of Disciple Makers based in Ghana and President of the Board of Faith and Learning International, a US Not for Profit that supports over 130 international Christian Ministries.
Scott and his wife Rosemary live in Wheaton IL and have four children and five grandchildren.
Martin McKinney is the Managing Partner for Abbey Hill Group, a multi licensed provider of behavioral health services, comprehensive residential supports, and treatment services for children as well as adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In his role, Martin McKinney has full oversight responsibility for all company operations and results.
Born in Frankfort, KY and raised in Louisville. Upon graduation from Eastern High School, Martin attended Indiana University where he received a degree in Economics.
Prior to returning to Louisville in 2012, Martin lived in Amsterdam, The Netherlands where he was a licensed European Power Broker with extensive clientele within the German, U.K., Czech, French, Nordic, Swiss, and Spanish Power Markets.
Martin serves as the Managing Partner to a real estate group focused on international investment in Louisville’s most underserved areas.
He and his wife along with their three children enjoy spending as much time together as possible. While attending the various sports and programs where the children are involved.
Brian Riendeau recently retired as Executive Director of Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville, KY. During his 12-year term, Dare to Care increased its food distribution by 150%, providing food for 23 million meals last year and reaching more struggling families and children than at any time its 51-year history. Revenues nearly tripled during Riendeau’s tenure, allowing Dare to Care to meet the growing need, heighten the nutritional quality of its food, bring nutrition education to the community, and launch innovative programming such as its Zero Hunger Mobile Market with Kroger. Riendeau also led a $7.5 million capital campaign to build the Dare to Care Community Kitchen in the Parkland neighborhood of west Louisville.
Prior to Dare to Care, Riendeau spent 15 years at Yum Brands, where he served as Vice President of Government and Community Affairs. In his role, he managed Yum’s relationship with government officials at the local, state and federal level. He also oversaw the Yum Foundation and the corporation’s community relationship initiatives, including its partnership with the United Nation’s World Food Program and with Dare to Care.
Previously, Riendeau spent five years on the Washington, DC staff of Senator Mitch McConnell. In that role, Riendeau managed legislative issues ranging from energy and environment to international relations and trade. He traveled extensively throughout Asia and staffed multiple international trips for the Senator.
Riendeau also spent time as an account representative for AT&T (Washington, DC) and Abbott Labs (Dayton, OH).
Riendeau received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and his MBA from George Mason University.
He and his wife Judy (the lower-school art teacher at St. Francis in Goshen) reside in Prospect, KY. Their daughter, Jesse Rose, lives in Denver.
A Louisville native, Steve attended Seneca High School. During the high school years he participated in Football and Track & Field. Summers were split between AAU Regional Track Meets and family vacations trying to camp in every state and national park in the USA, as well as Canada.
College years were spent in Bowling Green at Western Kentucky University. With a major in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology he did not find the opportunity for a fulfilling career in either of these areas.
Finding employment with NTS Development Corporation, Steve worked as a project foreman and superintendent in the real estate development of Plainview Farms and Douglass Hills. In keeping with his true nature, Steve had higher expectations, so he ventured into self-employment as a home builder and later a general contractor of commercial and industrial structures, among a few other ventures. Most recently his focus is multifamily housing development.
Motivated by the desire to give back and a daughter with Developmental Disabilities, Community Service is paramount with Steve. Beginning with serving on the Pillar Board of Directors for 20 plus years, the Board of Seven Counties Services for 8 years and the Oldham County Code Board for 5 years. In addition to these fulfilling activities, Steve enjoys cycling, swimming, hiking, farming and gardening.