Inside the mind of the bequest donor: A visual presentation of the neuroscience and psychology of effective planned giving communication
Russell James, J.D., Ph.D. is professor and director of graduate studies in charitable financial planning at Texas Tech University, where he holds theCHFoundation Chair in Personal Financial Planning.  He teaches graduate courses in charitable planning in the Department of Personal Financial Planning and at the Texas Tech University School of Law and he previously taught a graduate course in fMRI study design and analysis.  He holds a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Missouri School of Law where he received the United Missouri Bank Award for Most Outstanding Work in Gift and Estate Taxation and Planning.  His Ph.D. in Consumer Economics is from the University of Missouri, where his dissertation was on the topic of charitable giving.  His research focuses on uncovering practical and neurocognitive methods to encourage generosity and satisfaction in financial decision-making.  Dr. James has over 145 publications in academic journals, conference proceedings, books, and professional periodicals.  He has been quoted on financial and charitable topics in a variety of media outlets includingThe New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg News, ABC News, U.S. News & World Report, and USA Today,and his financial neuroimaging research was profiled inThe Wall Street Journal’s Smart MoneyMagazine.  He has spoken at a number of national and international fundraising practitioner venues including The Association of Fundraising Professional’s International Conference, the U.K. Legacy Marketing Group, Legacy Promotion Ireland, and Giving Korea.  He has been an invited speaker at universities in the U.S., England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Spain, and The Netherlands.  In addition to his work as a professor, Dr. James has previously worked as an estate planning attorney, as a director of planned giving, and as a college president.