For most people, the term “estate planning” is not part of their everyday vocabulary, but for Tari Popp that phrase is at the core of her job as the newly-appointed director of Planned Giving and Trust Services. Popp served as acting director since June 2004. She has worked in the Trust Services department in some capacity for almost 24 years.

After receiving her BS in accounting from Andrews in 1981, Popp, a native of Seattle, Wash., began working in the Andrews financial records department. Over the next 11 years, Popp handled much of the accounting work for the Trust Services program. She received denominational trust officer certification in 1988. In 1992, Popp officially began working in the Planned Giving and Trust Services department as trust accountant. In 2000, she accepted the position of trust administration officer before taking the position as acting director in 2004.

Popp’s position consists mainly of overseeing and assisting trustors with their estate plans and deferred gifts to Andrews. While most people are not familiar with the nature of her job, Popp sees it as a real ministry to the community. “Over 60 percent of our trustors come from the Berrien Springs community,” says Popp. “We have the opportunity to both build and maintain relationships with trustors.” Popp enjoys developing relationships with people who are excited about helping Andrews University. “Every person we work with has a totally different story,” says Popp. “They really want to help educate the future leaders of the church.”