LA JOLLA, CA—San Diego financial advisors Stella Larsen and Paul Thiel have been named co- chairs of La Jolla Institute’s Planned Giving Advisory Council.
The Planned Giving Advisory Council was established in 2013 to introduce the La Jolla Institute for Immunology to the broader community. The council, a highly respected group of 29 professional advisors, volunteers its combined expertise in financial, estate and charitable gift planning to provide philanthropic support to La Jolla Institute. Members make it their mission to increase awareness of the Institute’s scientific accomplishments, research programs and the critical need for long-term financial stability.
“We are delighted that Stella and Paul agreed to lead this dedicated group of advocates and advisors,” said President and Chief Scientific Officer. “We couldn’t wish for more enthusiastic supporters and, without doubt, their leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of the Institute by helping us shore up long-term philanthropic support through the thoughtful creation of legacies.”
Stella Larsen is a Vice President and Wealth Strategist for the San Diego Region of The Northern Trust Company. Prior to joining Northern Trust in 2001, she practiced law in the area of trusts and estates.
“I am thrilled to be taking on a bigger role in building community awareness and serving as a conduit between the La Jolla Institute and individuals hoping to make a lasting impact on the future of human health,” said Larsen. “I’ve witnessed the debilitating effects of autoimmune disease first hand and know that every day the pioneering research at the Institute is bringing us a step closer to understanding and treating some of the least understood illnesses.”
Larsen earned a B.A. from Pitzer College, a member of the Claremont Colleges, a Master’s degree from SDSU, and a J.D. from USD’s School of Law. She is a member of the State Bar of California and the San Diego County Bar Association, and serves on the board of EvoNexus and the Association of Corporate Growth San Diego. Larsen is a founding board member of the North County Estate Planning Council and is a member of the San Diego Estate Planning Council. She is a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the San Diego Foundation, and previously served on the Scripps Health Planned Giving Advisory Council. In addition to co- chairing La Jolla Institute’s Planned Giving Advisory Council, she is a member of the Board of Directors’ Institute Relations Committee.
Paul Thiel is the Managing Director for BNY Mellon Wealth Management. Thiel launched the firm’s San Diego regional office in 2013 and now leads teams of mortgage and private bankers, portfolio managers and financial strategists who cater to the financial needs of affluent individuals and families, as well as those of businesses and foundations.
“My wife, Lori, and I are big advocates for the La Jolla Institute, and we direct a great deal of our personal philanthropic efforts to help advance the extraordinary work being conducted by LJI scientists and researchers,” said Thiel and added, “Several of the diseases that the La Jolla Institute is working to eradicate through manipulation and enhancement of the immune system have impacted our extended families, so this is personal for us. I am pleased to be able to contribute by co-leading this effort.”
Thiel started his career as an award-winning journalist covering finance for publications such as The Washington Post, Business Week, The New York Times, and Newsweek. He also served as CEO for two regional media companies and an information services company in the hospitality industry. Thiel earned a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, and completed executive programs at Northwestern University and Stanford Business School. Thiel serves as chairman of The Chairmen’s Roundtable, as a trustee of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation and is founder of the Advisor of the Year association. In addition to co-chairing La Jolla Institute’s Planned Giving Advisory Council, he is also a member of the Board of Directors’ Institute Relations Committee.
About La Jolla Institute for Immunology
La Jolla Institute for Immunology is dedicated to understanding the intricacies and power of the immune system so that we may apply that knowledge to promote human health and prevent a wide range of diseases. Since its founding in 1988 as an independent, nonprofit research organization, the Institute has made numerous advances leading towards its goal: life without disease®.
