The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) welcomed three new members into its Professional Advisor Recognition Society during a ceremony today. The 2018 inductees into the Society include D. Crystal Alford-Cooper, Jonathan D. Eisner and Frank G. Lidinsky.

D. Crystal Alford-Cooper, Jonathan D. Eisner and Frank G. Lidinsky

The Professional Advisor Recognition Society honors legal and financial advisors who actively promote philanthropy in their practice. Advisors play a key role in educating their clients about charitable giving and through that work, they create a positive impact in their communities.

“Professional advisors are among the most important advocates and champions for philanthropy in Baltimore,” said BCF President & CEO Shanaysha Sauls. “Our Professional Advisor Recognition Society is our way of recognizing professional advisors who demonstrate a commitment to Baltimore by working to advance philanthropy and encourage charitable giving across Baltimore. Crystal Alford-Cooper, Jonathan Eisner and Frank Lidinsky each contribute their talents as trusted financial and legal advisors, all while planting the seed of change with their clients by incorporating charitable giving into their practices.”

D. Crystal Alford-Cooper is a financial planner and the CEO and owner of DavitaPlan. She leverages her passion and talent for financial planning to deliver optimized services focused on meeting client needs and making financial planning understandable and accessible to numerous target demographics. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Howard Community College and volunteers her time as a board member of a number of local organizations.

Jonathan D. Eisner is a partner at DLA Piper and chairs its Trusts and Estates Practice group. He concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of estate planning, including the drafting and construction of wills and trusts; estate and trust administration; and estate, gift and income tax matters. He is active in civic and charitable causes across the region and previously served on BCF’S Development Committee and the Professional Advisors Steering Committee.

Frank G. Lidinsky was born and raised in the Czech community of East Baltimore and is a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University and the University of Baltimore School of Law. He began his legal career with the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn. In 1980, he entered private practice and since 2009 has practiced law with his son, Matthew J. Lidinsky, at the Law Office of Frank G. Lidinsky PA. The firm concentrates on estate planning, probate, and guardianship matters.

Crystal Alford-Cooper said, “I always ask my clients about their interests and passions. By understanding their values, I am equipped to help them shape their financial planning in a direction that is meaningful to them. Becoming involved in clients’ charitable giving is more than simply managing their assets for investments; it’s also about helping manage their financial lifestyle. Working with BCF is a great avenue for clients to understand the impact of their gift.”

Frank Lidinsky said, “BCF has been a valuable estate planning partner. I recently turned to them for assistance with the creation of a multi-million dollar testamentary endowed fund. BCF was able to assemble experts from the medical community to assist with the technical and complex wording of the purpose and administration of the trust.”

Jonathan Eisner said, "I feel incredibly lucky. I work with families who have philanthropy in their blood and are looking to give back. In Baltimore, we're also extremely lucky to have BCF as a resource for our clients who want to be prudent and give back to the community."

In addition to Alford-Cooper, Eisner and Lidinsky, BCF's Professional Advisor Recognition Society includes:

Robert G. Blue

Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid LLP

J. Darby Bowman

Attorney and Counselor at Law, Retired

Eddie C. Brown

Brown Capital Management Inc.

Martin P. Brunk

RSM US LLP

Nancy Bryant

Bryant Financial Advisory

Lee Carpenter

Semmes, Bowen and Semmes

John Faulkingham

The Law Office of John Faulkingham

Sandra P. Gohn

DLA Piper

Jeffrey K. Gonya

Venable LLP

Chester H. Hobbs IV

Bodie, Dolina, Hobbs, Friddell & Grenzer PC

Stan Klinefelter

Brown Advisory

Charles B. Jonaes

Thomas & Libowitz PA

Frederick S. Koontz

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP

Cristin C. Lambros

Cristin C. Lambros LLC

Mary Guidera Loker

Attorney at Law

Ricka E. Neuman

PBMares LLP

Lynn B. Sassin

Gordon Feinblatt LLC

Natalie B. Sherman

Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP

H. James Smith III

RBC Wealth Management

Shale D. Stiller

DLA Piper

Lisa Strong

Mister, Burton & French LLC

Robert Louis Waldman

Venable LLP

About the Baltimore Community Foundation

The Baltimore Community Foundation is a private philanthropic organization created by Baltimoreans to serve the current and future needs of the Baltimore region. Representing the common interests of a diverse pool of donors who care about Baltimore, BCF uses grants, initiatives, impact investing and advocacy to address issues facing the region today, while building a civic endowment to address the needs of future generations. BCF also offers donors customized support for their individual philanthropic goals, expert assistance in learning more about the causes they care about, and the opportunity to join others with similar interests to learn and give together.

More information is available online at www.bcf.org.