John Ellard: Creating a Legacy of Empowered Advisors

Just this morning, John Ellard emailed a colleague to ask her to consider joining the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Legacy Advisors group. She’d declined twice previously, but never one to be deterred, John was reaching out again to ask her to reconsider. John has spent the past four years committed to helping found and grow the program, and he wants as many professionals as possible to become invested in its mission.

John and Laura, his wife of 23 years, became personally associated with Children’s in 1998 when their son had a minor surgery. Even though his procedure wasn’t serious or life-threatening, the Ellards saw up close and personal just how critical a pediatric-focused hospital can be. Around the same time, John began to professionally interact with some members of the Children’s executive leadership team. Keeping in contact with them through the years, he was top of mind when the Board decided to put a focus on legacy giving.

John, three inaugural leadership council members and Foundation staff began to discuss what they could create to help Children’s with its need to increase legacy giving, while also enticing legacy advisors to participate in their efforts. He explains, “When somebody walks through the doors at Children’s they experience the medical excellence, they’re treated as a whole and cared for as a family. That’s what Children’s does. We wanted to take that same concept of excellence and apply that to this group.”

As the first Legacy Advisor Chairman, John has been instrumental in focusing and guiding the program’s efforts. Four years later, the Children’s Legacy Advisors group now consists of more than 150 attorneys, financial advisors, wealth managers, insurance professionals and others who assist clients on leaving a portion or all of their estates to a philanthropic cause.

When asked why he thinks the program has been so successful, John explains, “What better organization is there to sponsor a group like this? What other organization cuts across all demographics, all industries, all people than Children’s? Bringing a group like this to Children’s is a perfect fit.”

It is also a compelling fit for the Ellards’ legacies. They have designated Children’s a beneficiary of a life insurance policy for our greatest need so that other patient families receive the same level of care that their family did.

Looking toward the future, John shares how proud he is of this unique program: “We wanted to create something that wasn’t already in place in the professional advisor landscape. That’s how we conceived a leadership-focused group that could help advisors grow personally and professionally and to stimulate conversations about philanthropic giving with their clients. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the amazing legacies those conversations have lead to.”

There are many ways you can ensure your support for Children's continues after your lifetime. To learn more about the giving options available, contact Ward Sullivan at ward.sullivan@choa.org or 404-785-9809.