Soon after losing both family members, Keith was approached by a family friend and former President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Dr. Stan Sahlstrom, to participate in a panel by the Society on death and dying. Keith also served as a county director of development for the Society.

Then, Keith’s corporate career took off, and he found himself in Chicago, Detroit, and New York City. In the mid-80s, he was ready to start a family and moved back to Minnesota with his wife. The American Cancer Society came to mind. Keith says he returned to the Society for three reasons: “First, I wanted to set a good example for my children. Second, it was a way to connect to the memory of my father. And third, the American Cancer Society is a high profile organization that resonates well in the community.”

Keith went door-to-door asking neighbors and others in the community for contributions. He says, “My requests for support of the American Cancer Society were always well received.” In 1985, Keith met Bette Forberg, a cancer survivor, who was in charge of planned giving for the Midwest Division. She invited him, as a financial advisor himself, to help her identify professional advisors and explain how the American Cancer Society could help them connect with clients.

Keith went on to chair and co-chair committees on planned giving and started conducting events to recognize those who had remembered the Society in their estate plans. He helped Bette raise $5.5 million to build the Hope Lodge in Rochester, MN. When asked what he has done as a Society volunteer, Keith will good-naturedly tell you, “Whatever Bette wanted me to do.”

In 2003, Keith was nominated and placed on the Midwestern board. He says, “Being on the board allowed me to see the American Cancer Society from a different perspective.” Soon after, the financial services company he was working for went through a re-organization, and he found that he had “time on his hands.” But, Keith says he needn’t have worried because, “Bette had a plan for me.”

In 2005, Keith became an American Cancer Society Estate and Asset Services Director for Wisconsin. He resides in Minnesota with his wife and 14-year-old son and spends four days of the week in Wisconsin.

As a former financial advisor, Keith understands that professional advisors are often sensitive to “selling” planned giving to their clients. Keith tells advisors to simply ask the question, “Is there a place in your plan for charitable giving? You may be surprised to find that there is a group of people with a memory or personal experience that can be honored through the American Cancer Society.”