Cleveland State University Law Alumni Association Alumni of the Year recipient Stacey L. McKinley ’97 did not have a traditional path to law school. Stacey has used her law degree in the non-traditional manner as well, to forge an accomplished career of charitable gift planning as Director of Gift Planning in the Cleveland Clinic’s Philanthropy Institute.
Stacey began her career working in broadcast journalism after her undergraduate studies at Ohio Wesleyan University. Her on air credits included five years as co-host of “Good Morning, Kentucky” in Lexington, Kentucky. But during college and beyond, attending law school was in the back of her mind.
“Broadcast news is an exciting career, but it’s not known for its stability or longevity,” explained McKinley. “My years in TV news were rewarding but as I neared by early 30s, I wanted to have more control over my life. Law school allowed me to do that.”
Stacey graduated summa cum laude from CSU|LAW, where she was a member of Cleveland State Law Review and Moot Court Competition team. A standout memory was her team winning best brief at a Moot Court competition in Chicago. Her Moot Court advisor, Professor Stephen Werber, become a mentor and a dear friend to Stacey.
Stacey began her legal career working at three Cleveland law firms – Jones Day, Kahn Kleinman, and Ulmer & Berne – where her legal practice focused on finance, real estate, business and nonprofit law. Looking for something different from the law firm experience, her CSU|LAW connections helped her transition to gift planning.
“I didn’t know gift planning was a career option when I was in law school,” said McKinley. “Years ago, a dear friend and fellow CSU|LAW alum introduced me to another CSU|LAW alum who worked in Gift Planning at Cleveland Clinic. I was instantly intrigued by this job that would allow me to use my legal background in philanthropy. He recommended me to his boss at Cleveland Clinic and the rest is history!”
Stacey has worked in planned giving at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland State University and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. She returned to the Cleveland Clinic nine years ago as Director of Gift Planning, where she assists donors who give to the Clinic through estates, trusts or complex giving vehicles including art, real estate and retirement accounts.
In her role, Stacey feels she gets to see people at their best and loves working with donors and learning about their motivation behind supporting Cleveland Clinic.
Stacey, a member of the CSU|LAW Hall of Fame, has served for the past 14 years as an Adjunct Professor at the CSU|LAW, where she teaches Nonprofit Corporations in addition to working with students who are participating in the externship program. She has also worked with the CSU Levin College of Urban Affairs and Education on programming relating to nonprofit board service and fiduciary duties. In 2024, she was awarded the Judge Ricard Markus Award for adjunct faculty member of the year.
Stacey is past president of the CSU Law Alumni Association and the 2008 recipient of its President’s Award. She has worked for several years on the Alumni Association’s Continuing Legal Education Committee with a highlight being hosting the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a virtual appearance as the CSU Law College of Law in 2018 prior to a screening of the documentary RBG.
Professionally, Stacey recently completed a three-year term on the board of the National Association of Gift Planners where she continues to serve in its Leadership Institute. She is a past president of the Northern Ohio Charitable Gift Planners and speaks nationally and locally on issues relating to charitable gift planning.
Stacey currently serves on the boards of Dunham Tavern Museum & Gardens and SAW, Inc., and is a member of the External Affairs Committee of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Past nonprofit board service includes stints with Starting Point, Seeds of Literacy, Transitional Housing, Inc. (now Front Steps), and the Cleveland Association of Phi Beta Kappa. She is a volunteer attorney for Business Volunteers Unlimited.
What does being named CSULAA Alumni of the Year mean to you?
I am so grateful for my involvement with the CSU Law Alumni Association. To be named Alumni of the Year is the ultimate honor. I am thrilled and humbled.