“It’s Never Too Soon”
David Willard ’01 Reflects on Estate Giving and Impact for SLUH
David Willard ’01 understands that the most meaningful investments often extend far beyond one’s own lifetime. That belief is what inspired him to include SLUH in his family’s estate plan — a decision he says brings both fulfillment and a sense of purpose.
“Giving back to SLUH through my family’s estate plan brings us happiness as we deepen our relationship with the school,” he explains. “It ensures future SLUH students enjoy the same great foundational experience that I had.” His many years of service on the SLUH Endowment Investment Committee has further strengthened his commitment.
"Estate planning can seem daunting, and many people put it off until they are older. We found that taking a few hours with an attorney to create our estate plan gave us peace of mind, because we have a good plan for our kids and charities. We can always update our estate plan, if our situation changes."
Willard encourages fellow alumni to view estate giving as an opportunity rather than an obligation.
It’s never too soon to do it. You can never predict what’s going to happen in life. Including SLUH in your estate plan can be the catalyst for reflecting on your own legacy and the impact you want to have. There’s a sense of unity and belonging in making a pledge — knowing you’re giving both now and in the future.
Willard’s career has taken him across industries and around the world. And yet, he consistently points back to SLUH as a defining influence. “SLUH’s rigorous curriculum and strong Jesuit tradition prepared me extremely well for college,” he says. “The intellectual legacy of Jesuit inquiry and exploration at SLUH is something I still rely on every day.”
Willard credits SLUH with instilling in him intellectual curiosity, a global perspective, a faith-centered life, and strong ethical values.
Growing up in University City, Willard attended Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Our Lady of the Pillar School before arriving at SLUH, where he became co-captain of the Varsity Lacrosse Team, a pianist in the SLUH Jazz Band, an officer of the SLUH Chinese Club, and the salutatorian of his graduating class. Willard’s study of Mandarin at SLUH proved especially influential. “Studying Mandarin all four years opened my mind and eyes to a different language and culture,” he says. “It was also a springboard for my career in advising American businesses and investors that engage with China’s economy and markets.”
After SLUH, Willard attended Princeton University, where he was an East Asian Studies major and an Academic All-Ivy Varsity Lacrosse player and competed in two NCAA Division I Final Fours. He later earned a law degree from New York University School of Law and also studied data science at Stanford University. Willard’s career has spanned investment banking, corporate law and entrepreneurship, and he speaks regularly on international business and finance topics at American universities, industry summits, think thanks and foundations.
Today, Willard lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Laura, and their two children. When he’s not advising clients or teaching finance, Willard can often be found coaching youth sports or training for triathlons. Still, SLUH remains close to his heart.
Willard encourages others to follow his lead, recognizing that any gift — of any size — can make a meaningful difference.
“SLUH’s traditions embody a spirit of kindness and of giving to others. As Men for Others, we were taught at SLUH to be bold in our communities, and in our careers and education,” he says. “As SLUH alumni, let’s be bold and kind, together, to ensure the SLUH traditions of excellence, faith and community thrive for generations to come. Making an estate pledge for SLUH is a great opportunity for alumni to support this amazing institution we all love so much.”
Get your Personal Estate Planning Kit to help plan for your future today. You, like the Willard Family, can create a legacy that will directly impact SLUH students. Please contact Linda Domeyer at (314) 269-2113 ldomeyer@sluh.org to learn more about how you make a difference.