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Apex Legacy Consultants

We’re a Minnesota-based firm that specializes in planned giving strategy, education, and consulting for nonprofits and their donors.

As planned giving specialists and people passionate about legacy, we’ll work with you to educate and bolster your planned giving program so that your organization and its donors can leave a meaningful legacy. 

Whether you need an outsider’s perspective, a full planned giving strategy, or ongoing support, we’d be happy to help.

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Get to Know Us

Our team at Apex is incredibly passionate about empowering and inspiring our clients and their donors to be intentional about their legacy. 

We love seeing the lightbulb moment when they realize what intentionality and the right team can help them achieve. 

Have questions or want to get started?

Christy Coulter, MA, CFRM, FCEP

Chief Executive Officer &
Legacy Planning Consultant
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With nearly 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Christy specializes in planned giving strategy that helps organizations build long-term sustainability and donors align their values with lasting impact. Her work has helped inspire hundreds of millions of dollars in legacy gifts to both loved ones and charitable causes.

Christy holds degrees in psychology and communication, a Master of Arts in Higher Education, a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and is a Fellow in Charitable Estate Planning (FCEP). 

Christy loves biking–she once even cycled across the country for charity–and leads historical food tours in her hometown and at a local winery. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her dog, Lucy and 24 thriving houseplants.

Kate Brinkerhoff, JD

Legacy Planning Consultant
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A seasoned expert in planned giving vehicles and gift mapping, Kate brings both strategic insight and a relational approach to her work. She guides donors through the complexities of charitable giving, digging deep into their goals and offering clear, practical advice on how to create the most advantageous gifts. She is also a 21/64 Certified Advisor in philanthropy, trained to facilitate values-based giving conversations.

Kate holds a JD from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and a BA in Communication from Purdue University. She builds client relationships with a strong foundation of expertise, thoughtful guidance, and a healthy dose of humor.

She lives in Indianapolis with her husband BJ, their two kids, and their energetic pup. Outside of work, she loves reading, traveling, and discovering new restaurants.

Gina DeMattia, MPA

Legacy Planning Consultant
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As a consultant, Gina helps organizations strengthen their fundraising programs through data-informed strategy, compelling donor communications, and operational best practices. Her background includes leading cross-functional campaigns, managing complex development projects, and cultivating donor relationships that support long-term growth. She thrives in collaborative environments and is known for her calm, solutions-focused mindset.

Gina holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing, both from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Based in Washington, DC, Gina spends her free time reading, exploring new bookstores, and trying recipes from her cookbook club.

Katelyn Larson

Operations &
Implementation Specialist
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Katelyn has an entrepreneurial mind and an uncanny sense for thinking creatively about the future. She’s an experienced operations manager who can take a visionary idea and bring together the best resources and strategies to bring them to life–quickly and thoroughly.

Katelyn has degrees in entrepreneurship and strategic communication. She’s truly a maven when it comes to managing projects, bringing out the best in our team and continually improving how people interact with our company. She brings a crazy level of energy and professionalism to the ever-changing tasks of running a small business.

She’s a world traveler who jumps head-first into new experiences; she’s once went skydiving, bungee-jumping, and cage diving in the span of 24 hours. She seems to always have a fun international trip on the horizon. Katelyn lives in the Twin Cities with her furry sidekick, Finn.

Lauren Walstead, MS

Executive Administrator
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As our Executive Administrator, she’s the one making sure the wheels stay on—calendars are up to date, meetings run smoothly, and no follow-up falls through the cracks. She brings order to the chaos and does it all with a sense of calm, care, and just the right amount of humor.

Before joining Apex, Lauren spent over a decade helping people reach their physical potential—from NFL athletes to U.S. figure skaters to legacy-minded adults—drawing on her Master’s in Sport and Exercise Performance and multiple certifications, including STOTT Pilates, FRCms, and TRX. 

Lauren lives in the Twin Cities with her bunny, Alfie, who’s equal parts adorable and opinionated. When she’s not keeping Apex on track, she’s probably planning her next trip (passport always ready), trying out a new restaurant, or getting lost in a really good conversation.

Rachel Weikal

Donor Specialist

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Rachel is the heartbeat of our donor operations at Apex. As our Donor Specialist, she ensures every donor stays on track, every follow-up happens on time, and every piece of data is accurate and actionable. In short: she keeps the most important parts of our work moving with clarity, care, and precision.

With a background in administration, donor communications, and systems management, Rachel brings a calm confidence to even the busiest days. Her ability to juggle details, spot inconsistencies, and keep things running behind the scenes allows the rest of the team to focus on what we do best—building relationships and making impact. She’s equal parts organized, approachable, and quietly indispensable.

Rachel lives in southwest Minnesota with her husband and three adventurous kids. Whether they’re exploring a new hiking trail or just discovering a hidden gem in their small town, they’re always chasing their next family adventure.

Ready to get started?

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