Kristen DeVries

Hello Friends! If we haven't met yet, I want to start by saying: thank you. Thank you for your heart for the Gospel and your strategic approach to generosity.

Thank you for the legacy you are building through your giving. And thank you for choosing CFA to walk alongside you as you steward the significant blessings God has placed in your care, turning them into vital support for His work.

To those of you who have been with CFA for years, even decades—you know what makes this place special. And I want you to know: I'm here to honor that legacy while also embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.

MY STORY: Roots of Generosity

Let me share a bit about where I come from, because I think it matters.

I was raised by parents who lived out their faith in tangible, daily ways. My father was a man of faith who didn't just talk about service—he modeled it. He launched businesses, championed causes he believed in, and asked us the same question every single night at the dinner table: "What did you do today to make the world a better place in which to live?"

No dessert until you answered.

My mother had her own beautiful way of teaching us generosity. Every Christmas, she hosted what she called a "teddy bear tea" for her friends—instead of exchanging gifts with each other, they brought stuffed animals and toys to bring to children in local hospitals. I watched her turn an ordinary gathering into an act of generosity.

These weren't always grand gestures. They were faithful ones. And they planted seeds in me that have grown into a lifetime of work in philanthropy.

A CAREER BUILT ON PURPOSE

My professional journey began where many callings do—with a small step of faith. I started as a student caller at Wheaton College, asking alumni to give back to the school that had shaped them. That phone room was NOT glamorous, but it taught me something essential: generosity is deeply personal. People don't give to institutions—they give to impact, to mission, to the things that stir their hearts.

From there, my path wound through healthcare philanthropy—at Childrens Hospitals, including one funded in part by Scottish Rite masons, and National Jewish Medical and Research Center—where I learned the technical craft of planned giving and saw firsthand how strategic generosity can transform lives.

Then came higher education: the University of North Texas, Drexel University, Lawrence Technological University, and most recently, Western Michigan University. At each institution, I had the privilege of leading teams, building programs, and partnering with donors to accomplish extraordinary things.

At Drexel, we launched a campaign during the 2008 financial crisis—and not only met our goal, we exceeded it by fourteen percent, raising $455 million. At Western Michigan, we secured the largest gift ever made to a public university in American history at that time: $550 million from an anonymous donor who trusted us to steward their generosity with integrity and purpose.

But here's what I want you to understand: the numbers are just part of the story. Behind every dollar is a person. A family. A conviction. A hope for what their resources might accomplish. That's what I've spent my career learning to honor.

WHY CFA: A Calling, Not Just a Career Move

So why Christian Foundation of America? Why now?

I want to be honest with you. This past year has been one of the most difficult—and clarifying—seasons of my life. In August of 2024, I lost my husband, the love of my life for 27 years. That kind of loss reshapes everything. It makes you ask the deepest questions: What truly matters? How do I want to spend the rest of my life? What work has eternal significance?

In the midst of that grief, I found myself drawn to the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 7, where he speaks of the unique freedom that comes in certain seasons of life to be wholly devoted to the things of the Lord.

CFA represents that for me. This isn't just a career move—it's a calling. A place where my decades of experience, my faith, and my passion for generosity all converge.

What drew me to CFA is the same thing that drew many of you: a foundation built on trust, financial integrity, and deep Christian conviction. Since 1981, CFA has been quietly, faithfully serving Christian families—not with flashy marketing, but with genuine relationship. With prayer. With wisdom.

That is the kind of organization I am inspired to lead.

LOOKING AHEAD: Our Shared Vision

We are living in an extraordinary moment. America is entering the greatest generational wealth transfer in history. Trillions of dollars will move from one generation to the next in the coming years.

For Christian families, this is both an opportunity and a responsibility. How we steward this transfer—how we teach our children and grandchildren to think about wealth, purpose, and Kingdom impact—will shape the church and the world for generations.

CFA is uniquely positioned to serve in this moment. Through our Charitable Family Office model, we offer something rare: a high-trust, personalized partnership that brings deep expertise to help families create multi-generational giving strategies aligned with their deepest values.

We're not here to sell you financial products. We're here to walk with you. To help you think biblically about stewardship of all of the blessing you’ve been entrusted. To navigate complex estate and tax strategies with technical excellence and spiritual discernment. To ensure that your generosity reflects who you are and Whose you are.

In the coming months, we'll be strengthening our infrastructure, expanding our national reach, and deepening the relationships that make this work meaningful. But here's my promise to you: we will never lose sight of who we serve. Every decision we make will be grounded in this question: How can we better equip faithful stewards to unleash their generosity for Kingdom impact?

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU

I want to make a few commitments to you as we begin this journey together.

First, I commit to listening. Your story matters. Your convictions matter. Your vision for impact matters. Before I lead, I want to learn—from you, from our team, from our board, and most importantly, from the Lord.

Second, I commit to integrity. In everything we do—financial management, donor relationships, organizational leadership—we will operate with the highest standards of honesty and transparency. Your trust is sacred to us.

Third, I commit to excellence. Generosity deserves nothing less. We will bring the same level of technical expertise and strategic thinking to your charitable giving that you expect from your best financial advisors—but with something more: a shared faith and a shared purpose.

And finally, I commit to partnership. I don't see myself as being above you or separate from you. We're in this together. We're fellow stewards, fellow servants, fellow members of the Body of Christ. My door is open. My heart is open. Let's do this work together.

CLOSING: An Invitation

Before I close, I want to share a bit more about my father’s views. He believes that the work of making the world better is not about grand gestures—it’s about faithful, daily obedience. One conversation at a time. One gift at a time. One act of generosity at a time.

That's the spirit I want to bring to CFA. Not striving for recognition, but faithful service. Not building our own kingdom, but investing in His.

If you're new to CFA, please reach out! Let's have a conversation about what generosity means to you and how we might serve you.

If you've been part of our community for years, I can't wait to meet you, hear your story, and continue the journey together.

And to everyone watching: thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for trusting us.

Together, we can inspire generosity that transforms lives—today and for generations to come.

I'm Kristen DeVries, and I am so grateful to serve alongside you.

God bless you!