Announcing Our First Founding Member of the Cleo Eulau Legacy Society

We were deeply touched when community member Linda Keegan informed us that Acknowledge Alliance is in her estate plans. Linda has been an Acknowledge Alliance board member for the past 8 years, and now she will forever be a member of our Cleo Eulau Legacy Society. We are moved by the legacy Linda wants to leave with us. As an Executive Fellow for the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, a Leadership Coach for the Center for Excellence in Nonprofits (CEN), as well as through her services to a variety of organizations as a leadership consultant, Linda is committed to making the world a better place. We recently sat down with her to learn more about her charitable activities and motivations for giving.

1. How did you first become involved in Acknowledge Alliance and what attracted you to the cause?
I was introduced to Acknowledge Alliance in 2013 by my colleague, George Clark, and his wife, Susan Williams-Clark, who was the Executive Director at the time. My whole career has been dedicated to teaching leaders how to lead in corporate and nonprofit environments. A huge part of my job involves teaching communication skills to adults. That’s why I was especially fascinated by Acknowledge Alliance’s mission and your social emotional learning curriculum for young students.

2. Why do you think that the organization’s work is important?
I can clearly see the value of students learning social emotional skills, like how to communicate, how to manage feelings, how to work with others, and how to problem-solve. If kids can develop them early on, they can use these resilience tools to navigate life, establish positive relationships, overcome challenges, and make good choices. I also think Acknowledge Alliance is unique in its mental health services to support entire school communities, including teachers and principals.

3. Why did you choose to provide a legacy gift to Acknowledge Alliance?
As a board member, Acknowledge Alliance is the organization I’m most closely affiliated with. I really believe that the work the agency does will make the world a better place. It makes me feel good that I’m making a lasting impact.

4. Would you encourage others to include Acknowledge Alliance in their estate plans?
Absolutely! It is something every responsible adult, regardless of age or means, can attend to now. There are many ways to give that can fulfill one’s charitable wishes and honor loved ones at the same time. A legacy gift will grow indefinitely and help shape our community for years to come. I fully trust that Acknowledge Alliance will thoughtfully carry through the intention of each gift with the highest standards.

5. What do you hope your legacy gift will accomplish?
I would hope that Acknowledge Alliance be replicated in every state in the U.S. and other places in the world...if not in my lifetime, then the next! The students today will be our future leaders. If we can work with more educators and counselors to support their social emotional well-being now and help them build lifelong resilience, they are better equipped for a brighter tomorrow.

Please join community leaders like Linda and become one of the Founding Members of the Cleo Eulau Legacy Society. You’ll receive a certificate of recognition, the opportunity to honor a loved one, and be a part of a shared vision with others who want to invest in the youth of our community. To learn more about planned giving options, please click here or contact Sharon Navarro, Executive Director, at sharon@acknowledgealliance.org.