Duke Leadership Academy Scholars Profile

Kristen Brown Smalley

Title: Sr. Philanthropic Advisor, Gift Planning
Location:
Senior Management Area: University Development
Class Year: 2015

Bio:
Kristen is a tax attorney with extensive background
working with nonprofits and gift planning. At Duke, she is
responsible for working with donors who are including
philanthropy as a component of their overall financial,
retirement, and estate plans, as well as donors who give
non-cash gifts to Duke such as stock, real estate, or
company interests. Her 15 years of tax and legal
experience make her uniquely qualified to help her clients
think creatively about financially savvy ways to support
their love for Duke. Even with her technical expertise and
background, she has an uncanny ability to simplify complex
concepts and present them in straightforward, practical
terms that donors appreciate.

Kristen lovers her job and is tickled to see how excited
Duke donors get when they see their passions come to life
through their gifts.

Kristen graduated from the University of Washington, and
earned her law degree magna cum laude from Gonzaga
University School of Law. She also has extensive training
in tax law, holding an LLM degree with honors from
Georgetown University Law Center.

WHEN SHE'S NOT AT WORK, KRISTEN:
* Pounds the pavement training for a two-day, 200-mile
team relay race (and an occasional half marathon thrown in
for fun).
* Explores Bald Head Island by foot, bike, and golf cart
with her husband and son.