Giving Forward
Four alumni share why planned gifts are a powerful way to extend their impact at Stern.
For many alumni, giving to NYU Stern is about gratitude—for the doors that opened, the lives that changed, and the futures made possible during their time at the School. Planned giving offers a way to translate that gratitude into lasting impact, aligning financial strategy with personal legacy. For donors like Ned Gerstman (BS ’78), Richard J. Obetz (BS ’73), and Jennifer (MBA ’93) and Rick (MBA ’93) Marcou, planned gifts are not only meaningful—they are also practical, intentional, and deeply personal.
Ned Nerstman: A career launched
Ned Gerstman (BS ’78) traces his motivation to a moment in time when opportunity and preparation met. As a student in the mid-1970s, he benefited from a relatively rare undergraduate business education just as Wall Street began to expand. “My timing was great,” he reflects. Stern gave him a foundation in finance that opened a wide range of career paths, launching a successful career in institutional investing. His memories of Stern are vivid and textured—late nights studying at Bobst Library overlooking Washington Square Park, the energy of the music scene in Greenwich Village, and the friendships that defined his college years. For Gerstman, giving back is straightforward: “I owe Stern for my career.” By designating Stern as a beneficiary of his IRA, he has found a tax-efficient way to leave a legacy gift, ensuring that the full value of his retirement assets can support the School rather than being diminished by the income taxes that would apply if left to individual beneficiaries.
Richard J. Obetz on a lifetime of gratitude—and a future gift
Richard J. Obetz’s (BS ’73) journey reflects a different, but equally powerful, perspective on giving. Early in his career, he came to understand the full impact of his Stern education—not just on himself, but on his family. His degree enabled a professional pivot that led to opportunities at PwC and a 25-year global career at IBM, with roles spanning Australia, Japan, France, and China. Just as importantly, having benefitted from scholarship support, Obetz recognizes that his own education was made possible by the generosity of those who came before him. That realization sparked a lifetime of giving. For nearly 50 years, he has made consistent annual contributions to the NYU Undergraduate Scholarship Fund, gradually increasing his support over time. Now in retirement, he is thinking beyond annual gifts. By including Stern in his will, he has chosen to ‘give forward’—helping ensure that future Stern students have the same opportunities to realize their potential.” For Obetz, planned giving is the most effective way to extend the impact of a lifetime of gratitude.
How Jennifer and Rick Marcou are investing in Stern’s future
For Jennifer (MBA ’93) and Rick Marcou (MBA ’93), Stern’s impact is both professional and deeply personal. They met as first-year students and married three years after graduating, building careers in marketing and finance/real estate respectively. Stern, they say, gave them “a fantastic education, job opportunities in the business capital of the world, and a group of life-long friends.” It also shaped how they think and lead—through influential professors like Aswath Damodaran and Ed Altman, and through formative classroom experiences that built confidence and sharpened skills. While they have supported Stern consistently since graduation, they wanted to do more—something that would endure. A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) offered a solution that aligned with both their philanthropic and financial goals. It allows them to contribute meaningfully to Stern’s future, receive income in the present, and structure their assets efficiently. “It was the right thing for our family,” they note, emphasizing that their gift is about legacy—benefiting students they will never meet, but whose lives will be changed in ways similar to their own.
An enduring impact
Together, these stories illustrate why planned giving resonates with so many Stern alumni: It is not one-size-fits-all, but instead offers flexible options—from IRA beneficiary designations to estate gifts to charitable trusts—that can be tailored to individual circumstances while often providing significant tax advantages. Most importantly, planned gifts enable alumni to balance personal financial goals with philanthropic aspirations and transform gratitude into enduring opportunity, ensuring that Stern can continue to shape careers, build communities, and change lives for decades to come.
Did You Know?
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): If you are age 70½ or older, you can direct up to $111,000 annually (IRS limit for 2026) from your IRA to NYU Stern. The distribution counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) and is excluded from your taxable income, offering a simple and tax-efficient way to give.
Contact the Stern team at plannedgiving@stern.nyu.edu or 212-998-4161 to learn more.
