(Lexington, Kentucky) As good stewards of ownership, Jeffrey Todd and Brandon Gaines operate a multi-owner, multi-generational small business built for long-term success. They have adopted many of the stewardship strategies outlined in Part Two of this book.
At Integrated Wealth Planning, philanthropy is fully integrated into daily business life — not treated as an occasional act, but as part of the company’s ongoing culture. They contribute to organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Charity: Water, Folds of Honor, and the ALS Association. Their annual gifts are matched up to $10,000 by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance (NM), their parent company.
Across the United States, more than 7,000 financial advisors and professionals affiliated with NM — operating as independent small businesses — serve over five million clients, with robust corporate support behind their stewardship efforts. This kind of partnership between small businesses and large organizations offers a compelling model for expanding stewardship impact at both local and national scales.