The ACTEC Foundation Announces the 2025–2027 Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rebecca Vandall, Rebecca.Vandall@actec.org, 202.465.8270

Washington, D.C.—September 25, 2025: John T. Rogers, Jr., President of The ACTEC Foundation, and Stacy E. Singer, Chair of the ACTEC Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity Committee, are pleased to announce the Eleventh Class of Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders.

The Dennis I. Belcher (DIB) Young Leaders Program was designed to foster scholarship and education in trust and estate matters, promote diversity and inclusivity, and encourage the development of potential ACTEC Fellows. Initiated in collaboration with the American Bar Association Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section (RPTE) Fellows program, this program provides successful graduates of the two-year RPTE program an opportunity to extend their participation in RPTE leadership activities through the financial support of The ACTEC Foundation. In March 2018, the program was named after Dennis I. Belcher, ACTEC President 2009–2010, a leader of the College, and mentor to many young trust and estate lawyers.

John offers his congratulations to the recipients:

“These accomplished professionals represent the next generation of leaders in the trusts and estates field. The ACTEC Foundation is proud to support their continued growth through this important initiative. Since the program’s inception, an impressive 16 DIB Young Leaders have been elected as ACTEC Fellows—a testament to its lasting impact and the exceptional promise of its participants. Congratulations to the outstanding members of the 2025–2027 Class of Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders.”

The Eleventh Class of Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders are:

Emma Connor

Associate
Prather/Ebner/Wilson

“I am honored to be selected for the Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders program. I look forward to continuing my involvement in leadership with the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section and am grateful for the support of The ACTEC Foundation in advancing scholarship and mentorship in our profession.”

Harry (Ha) Dao

Partner
McDermott Will & Schulte LLP

“I’m grateful to join the 2025–2027 Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders Program. This opportunity aligns with my practice in tax and wealth transfer planning, and I appreciate The ACTEC Foundation’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. I look forward to contributing meaningfully to initiatives that strengthen our profession and reflect the values of service and scholarship that ACTEC represents.”

Molly E. Depew

Associate

Grant, Herrmann, Schwartz & Klinger LLP

“Being selected as a Dennis I. Belcher Young Leader is deeply meaningful to me. It reflects not only an opportunity to grow as a trust and estate practitioner, but also to contribute to the community of scholarship and mentorship that defines our field. I look forward to deepening my involvement with the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section and engaging with ACTEC Fellows whose dedication to excellence continues to inspire me. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to help advance the future of our profession.”

Clay Davis McKenna

Vice President | Wealth Advisor
J.P. Morgan Private Bank

“I am deeply honored to be selected for the Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders Program. Having grown up in Richmond, Virginia, where Dennis was a beloved member of the community, it is an extra privilege to continue his legacy and honor the kindness, mirth, and intelligence he brought to the trust and estate practice of law. I truly love my practice and am passionate about sharing that enthusiasm for trusts and estates with others. I look forward to furthering my involvement with RPTE and ACTEC and am grateful for the opportunities these organizations provide to advance, collaborate, and excel in the field. It is truly meaningful to be part of a program that supports the next generation of trust and estate professionals.”

Tyler R. Murray

Senior Associate

Baker Botts LLP

“I am honored to be included in the 2025–2027 Class of Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders! It is humbling to receive ACTEC’s support and mentorship. This program is meaningful to me because it enables me to collaborate with leaders in the field, expand my knowledge base, and continue active participation in the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section.”

The Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders Program provides lawyers an in-depth introduction to ACTEC and its role in the trust and estate community, and encourages active engagement in responsibilities that support future eligibility for nomination as an ACTEC Fellow. Young leaders are offered tuition-free attendance for ACTEC/ALI CLE webinars and financial support to attend ABA/RPTE Section Meetings, and they are invited to attend ACTEC Regional and State Meetings. Since this program was established in 2015, 16 Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders have been elected to the College.

About The ACTEC Foundation: The ACTEC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers education to families and professionals and supports students interested in the trust and estate area of the law. The Foundation serves professionals, students, and the public by providing grants for an array of educational programs, widely available resources, scholarships, legal research, and scholarly writing competitions, among other activities in these areas of the law.

About the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC): Established in 1949, the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel is a national, nonprofit association of approximately 2,300 lawyers and law professors throughout the United States and abroad. ACTEC members (Fellows) are peer-elected on the basis of professional reputation and expertise in the preparation of wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, trust administration, and related practice areas. The College’s mission includes the improvement and reform of probate, trust and tax laws and procedures, and professional practice standards. ACTEC frequently offers technical comments with regard to legislation and regulations, but does not take positions on matters of policy or political objectives.

# # #