THE FOUNDERS
RYAN PONSFORD
Ryan Ponsford has been involved in wealth management, real estate, business building, and philanthropy for over two decades. From designing strategic solutions to some of our nation's wealthiest families, creating business systems for rapidly growing companies, and founding Main Street Philanthropy, his experience is extensive, yet built upon a repeatable set of core principles.
Ryan graduated from the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business with an MBA in Leading Organizations. He holds a degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and extensive coursework in Chemistry. He is the founder of several companies including Akili Capital (a strategic planning firm named after his grandmothers elephant, Akili) and Gateway For Good, a Public Benefit Corporation that brings many of his philanthropic principles to businesses and organizations throughout the country.
In addition to multiple industry awards and accolades, Ryan plays guitar in a band, sings in a quartet, coaches several of his kids’ sports teams, loves teaching on white boards, regularly speaks at conferences, family and board retreats, and has been a guest on several TV and radio programs throughout the country.
Ryan graduated from the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business with an MBA in Leading Organizations. He holds a degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and extensive coursework in Chemistry. He is the founder of several companies including Akili Capital (a strategic planning firm named after his grandmothers elephant, Akili) and Gateway For Good, a Public Benefit Corporation that brings many of his philanthropic principles to businesses and organizations throughout the country.
In addition to multiple industry awards and accolades, Ryan plays guitar in a band, sings in a quartet, coaches several of his kids’ sports teams, loves teaching on white boards, regularly speaks at conferences, family and board retreats, and has been a guest on several TV and radio programs throughout the country.
SCOTT FARNSWORTH
Scott Farnsworth is an attorney and a Certified Financial Planner™ who teaches financial, legal, and philanthropic professionals how to leverage the power of stories, the power of relationships, and the power of unique processes in their work with clients and donors. He is the president of SunBridge, Inc. and the founder of The Legacy Builder Network. He is the author of three books: Closing the Gap: A Revolutionary Approach to Client and Donor Services; Like a Library Burning: Sharing and Saving a Lifetime of Stories; and Double Your Sales: An Honest and Authentic Approach to Professional Selling.
Mr. Farnsworth is a well-known national speaker and has been named an “Innovators of the Year” by Financial Advisor Magazine. He twice served as Chairman of The International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy Annual Conference. He designs and delivers transformative workshops for professionals, including “The Legacy Builder Retreat” and “The Wealth & Wisdom Summit.” He is a certified Time to Think® Facilitator, Coach and Consultant.
He earned his undergraduate degree magna cum laude in Portuguese and Political Science and his law degree magna cum laude at Brigham Young University. During law school he published two scholarly articles as the Managing Editor of the Law Review, and following graduation, he was appointed Judicial Clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
In addition to his three decades of professional experience as an estate-planning attorney and financial planner, he was Vice President and Trust Officer at Trustmark National Bank and a professor of business law at the University of Southern Mississippi
Mr. Farnsworth is a well-known national speaker and has been named an “Innovators of the Year” by Financial Advisor Magazine. He twice served as Chairman of The International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy Annual Conference. He designs and delivers transformative workshops for professionals, including “The Legacy Builder Retreat” and “The Wealth & Wisdom Summit.” He is a certified Time to Think® Facilitator, Coach and Consultant.
He earned his undergraduate degree magna cum laude in Portuguese and Political Science and his law degree magna cum laude at Brigham Young University. During law school he published two scholarly articles as the Managing Editor of the Law Review, and following graduation, he was appointed Judicial Clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
In addition to his three decades of professional experience as an estate-planning attorney and financial planner, he was Vice President and Trust Officer at Trustmark National Bank and a professor of business law at the University of Southern Mississippi
YALE LEVEY
Yale’s professional background and experience originates from the wealth management space. In that role, he stands out as someone who has ascended to a place of expertise where wealth management intersects philanthropic activities, helping his clients, fellow advisors and youth build philanthropy and giving into their activities and behaviors. Understanding that true wealth is much more than just dollars and cents, it was this awareness that led Yale to pioneer the formation of one of the country’s first holistic wealth consulting firms. Through his years of intentionally building philanthropy and giving into the work he does for families and business leaders, Yale has led the way in igniting conversations beyond wealth and profitability into a conversation about impact and significance. He understands that philanthropy and giving is perhaps one of the best tools we have available to reunite a divided world. Yale is the thought leader and innovator you want in the room when you’re looking to design something new that aligns your purpose and passion with profits and impact.