Advisor Spotlight

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How Jaci’s work fuels the power of community:

Retiring after a long and distinguished career in fiduciary services, trust administration, and estate planning, Jaci Riorden has a keen eye for what works and what doesn’t when it comes to connecting with clients. 

“I don’t ask, I listen. I get to know them — where did they come from, understand what their values are. The rest falls into place.” 

Jaci has written extensively on Medicaid and estate planning topics for national publications and has frequently appeared on WHAM Radio in Rochester. She taught seminars for the Monroe County Bar Association, NBI, Inc., Cannon Financial Institute, and the Paralegal Association of Rochester. 

 

A Strategic and Personal Approach 

For Jaci, charitable planning has never been simply about tax benefits.  She sees philanthropy as an opportunity for individuals to act on deeply held values and shape a legacy that lasts. 

“A common misconception is that charitable giving has a one-time benefit; write a check, get an income tax deduction,” she says. “Strategic charitable giving can accomplish so much more: not only income tax impact, but also addressing estate planning and establishing long-term impact.” 

Jaci has seen how philanthropy can become personal, expressing both love and grief. One interaction has stayed with her. “My client lost her daughter in an automobile accident. She wanted very much to include and honor her daughter in her estate plan,” Jaci recalled. “I suggested she leave an endowment to her daughter’s college to establish a scholarship in her daughter’s memory. She cried when she realized she could leave a lasting gift and honor her daughter as well.” 

 

Advice for Other Advisors 

Jaci encourages newer advisors to focus less on perfect presentations and more on authentic connection. For her, strong client relationships are built not only through technical expertise, but through genuine curiosity and trust. To Jaci, community exists on three levels — professional, personal, and civic — and each one shapes who we are.  

Connecting with clients as people has shaped Jaci’s career. Her confidence in and commitment to those relationships have also made her open to partnership. She shares this philosophy about engaging a community foundation as part of your client’s team: “You’re not losing the relationship. You’re gaining a partner.” 

 

The Person Behind the Professional 

Long before charitable planning became part of her professional world, philanthropy was already part of Jaci’s life. She recalls learning the importance of fundraising as a student at St. Theodore School. 

An avid runner since high school, Jaci has found both purpose and community through the sport. She has raised thousands of dollars for charitable causes while supporting and encouraging fellow runners along the way. “Running is a lot like life — you get out of it what you put into it.” 

What she’s listening to: “Not Your Average Runner,” a podcase for new runners. 

A new skill she’s learning: Photography.

Her favorite local spot to unwind: It used to be the Fairport Village Inn when she lived nearby, now that she lives near Penn Yan, it’s Laurentide Brewery.

 

Charitable involvement in Rochester:

Over the years, Jaci has volunteered as a reading mentor with Lawyers for Learning, supported local animal clinics, organized charitable races, and volunteered to help prepare estate planning documents for deploying military service members. She is also deeply passionate about empowering individuals with disabilities. Jaci’s commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism, and community involvement has helped her better understand and relate to the individuals and families she serves. 

Jaci is a long-time member of both the Estate Planning Counsel of Rochester and the Association of Special Needs Planners. 

 

Jaci’s Next Chapter 

Whether through charitable planning, volunteer leadership, mentorship, or education, Jaci’s career has reflected a consistent belief: meaningful impact happens through relationships, generosity, and showing up for others. Jaci plans to keep sharing these values as a Senior Vice President and Subject Matter Expert with Cannon Financial Institute.

As she begins this next chapter, her influence will continue to ripple outward through the students, clients, colleagues, nonprofits, and communities she helped strengthen along the way.

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Published May 2026