A legacy of love
When it comes to the age-old debate of nature versus nurture, Sue and Penny Wheeler make a compelling case for both.
Raised by parents who believed deeply in humility and service, the sisters learned by example how to practice compassion on a daily basis. But beyond their upbringing, there’s something innate in the way Sue and Penny move through the world: a quiet instinct to care, to give and to lead with heart. It’s in their nature to be nurturers.
A family practice
“We grew up with a wonderful family who basically told us, ‘Don’t get too big for your britches and always try to do good for other people,’” Penny said.
Sue agreed. “Mom was always the first to bring a casserole to someone whose parent was in the hospital or who just needed someone. And Dad – I heard this repeatedly at his memorial service – you could not find a more loyal friend. Just so full of integrity and authenticity, both of them.”
Education was another emphasis in the Wheeler family. “So I thought, where can I stay in school the longest?” Penny laughed. The answer? Medical school, after which Penny became a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist. She spent two decades in practice before becoming CEO of Allina Health, a role from which she retired about three years ago.
A proud “triple Gopher” – completing her undergrad, medical school and residency at the University of Minnesota – Penny now serves on the Board of Regents.
“One of my board members called it ‘rewirement’ instead of retirement – I liked that,” she said.
Sue has embodied the same mindset. “I’ve banished the word ‘retired’ from my vocabulary,” she responded. “I do the kind of work I love to do and feel very fortunate to do, and I leave myself open to other things.”
Honoring loved ones
Sue also felt called to serve others and was drawn to Latin America, where she works with nonprofit organizations in the fields of health care and education.
It was Sue’s connections in Guatemala – and her Spanish fluency – that led to her sister adopting an 8-month-old baby girl, Olivia.
Penny and Sue focus their philanthropic efforts in the areas of health care and education. “I feel grateful that my work serving non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and nonprofits has educated me around the practical use of funds in those organizations,” Sue said.
“I saw in health care, as a leader and a physician, just how much people suffer with mental health and addiction disorders,” Penny added. “So a lot of our giving goes there, toward finding new models of caring for those who are suffering.”
They’ve also established two scholarships – one in Olivia’s name, the other in their father’s.
Early DAF adopters
The sisters were some of Raymond James Charitable’s first clients, opening donor advised funds in the early 2000s with the help of Laura Kuntz and Mallory Kretman of Laurel Wealth Planning.
“I wasn’t even aware DAFs existed,” Penny said. “Laura knew giving was important to us and said ‘Hey, you can give more this way.’” They were all in.
“Either way I’d have ultimately gotten into philanthropy, but Laura really gave me a head start,” Sue said. “It’s just the best way I can imagine to direct whatever funds I have in ways that matter to me and honor the legacy of our family.”
“As an early adopter, I imagine it was a lot of pen-to-paper signatures and we’d fax documents to Raymond James Charitable for processing,” Mallory said. As Raymond James Charitable celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, “it’s been amazing to see the evolution of the technology capabilities. It’s so easy now to just log in, click a few buttons and you know that your donations are being sent to the organizations that mean the most to you.”
For both sisters, Mallory explained, the DAF is integrated into their estate plan. Instead of making direct bequests to individual charities, the estate’s charitable contributions flow into the DAF.
“Raymond James Charitable allows clients to be very specific about how the remaining balance should be handled, whether naming individuals to succeed them or multiple charities with a customized distribution plan,” Mallory explained. “Rather than a one-time lump sum to a charity, the DAF can support a multigenerational legacy. It enables clients to pass the baton, extending their impact well beyond their lifetime.”
Inspiring each other
“We feel so lucky,” Penny said. “We’ve been working with Laurel Wealth Planning for 25 years now, and just to know that everything is taken care of – and by people you could not trust any more if you tried – is really meaningful for us.”
The appreciation flows both ways, according to Mallory: “I think all the time about how generous and caring our client base is and my mind immediately goes to Penny and Sue as being absolute models of the ideal human. They inspire me to do more, to give more.”
“And Mallory does a great job of keeping us balanced,” Penny added. “My spouse says, ‘You want to give how much?’ and asks Mallory to help make sure we’re not sacrificing our future.”
“It’s about achieving both of those goals, right?” Mallory said. “Being generous while still protecting your financial well-being.”
Sue chimed in: “I love nothing more than to see my sister sending out those ripples of compassion because I know what kinds of goodness it will engender. So she’s been an influence in my giving, too.”
“And vice versa,” Penny said.
WINGS (Women’s International Network for Guatemala Solutions)
Wings is a nonprofit organization offering reproductive health and family planning to the low-income, rural and indigenous population in Guatemala.
Learn more at wingsguate.org.
Courage Kenny
Part of Allina Health, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute works with children and adults with injuries and disabilities of all kinds to maximize their health and abilities through a continuum of rehabilitative services.
Learn more at allinahealth.org.
