Kathy is a trust and estate professional with over 20 years experience in the wealth management industry. During her career, Kathy has served as a Trust Officer and Trust Manager at leading financial institutions including JP Morgan, Citigroup and was a Senior Client Advisor with BMO Private Bank. Kathy assisted high net worth and ultra-high net worth families achieve their wealth transfer goals. She has been appointed to serve as a member of the ISBA Trusts & Estates Section Council. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for KidsMatter and a volunteer for DuPage Pads. Hope College, B.A. in Business Administration; University of Tennessee, Juris Doctorate; Member of Michigan Bar Association, Chicago Estate Planning Council, DuPage County Estate Planning Council.

Christine joined ATG Trust Company in 2015. Before joining the ATG Trust team, she spent 5 years at FNBC Bank and Trust (formerly First National Bank of LaGrange), where she was a trust officer managing a full book of accounts, including IRAs, SNTs, Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts and Investment Accounts. Prior to her time at FNBC, Christine worked as a trust officer in the Estate/Guardianship Unit at JPMorgan Chase. Before joining the world of corporate trustees, she began her legal career as a Cook County State's Attorney, worked as associate handling defense litigation for the law firm of Querrey & Harrow and spent 18 years as a solo practitioner concentrating in the areas of probate, estate, litigation and social security. Christine is an active supporter of Community Support Services (CSS), where she served on the Board for seven years and has been reappointed to the Board. CSS is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Elmhurst College, Urban Studies/Sociology, B.A.,; John Marshall Law School, J.D. with High Distinction.; Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA); Member of the Illinois Bar, Chicago Bar Association and DuPage Estate Planning Council. She currently serves as a director of the DuPage Estate Planning Council and serves on the CBA Judicial Evaluation Committee.

Chris has been in the trust industry for more than fourteen years. He has been with ATG Trust Company since 2008.  Chris currently manages ATG Trust Company’s investment process and strategies.  He develops investment solutions for families, individuals, trust and guardianships utilizing a holistic investment management approach.  Our fiduciary based investment solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of the client while carefully monitoring various types of risk.  ATG Trust Company and Chris believe it is critical to have practical experience in administering trust and estates in order develop and make appropriate investment decisions for these types of relationships.  Chris has a certificate in Applied Behavioral Finance.  He has also obtained multiple trust and investment certifications through Cannon Financial Institute and The Institute of Certified Bankers, which require yearly continuing education.  In addition, Chris is on the Board of Directors for March of Dimes – Chicago.   Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, Business Administration (B.A.) 2005; Cannon Financial Institute, Athens, Georgia, Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager (AFIM) 2009; The Institute of Certified Bankers, San Diego, California, Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) 2012.

Kathie has had a 25 year career in the financial services industry, culminating in her role as Vice President of Operations for ATG Trust Company since its inception.  In addition to client and attorney member contact functions, she is responsible for managing the movement and registration of cash and securities, vital to the establishment and ongoing administration of trust accounts. Kathie enhances and maintains her knowledge base through such industry specific training as the prestigious Cannon Trust School programs. University of Iowa, B.B.A.,; Benedictine University, M.B.A.; Cannon Financial Institute, Athens, GA, Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) 2006; Certified Securities Operations Professional (CSOP); Casualty & Fire Insurance License 1999.

Lucia Pelayo joined ATG Trust Company in 2018. As an Assistant Trust Officer, Lucia brings with her over 11 years of banking and estate administration experience. At ATG Trust Company, Lucia’s focus is estate administration with a priority on providing excellent customer service by supporting attorneys, their clients and the estate settlement team. Lucia continues to enhance her knowledge base by attending industry specific training and seminars. 

Catherine joined ATG Trust Company as a trust officer in 2020.  Before joining ATG Trust, she was in private practice in the areas of estate and trust administration, estate planning and real estate law.  Prior to private practice, she worked with the Adult Guardianship Division of the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian as well as and served as an attorney and guardian ad litem in the Juvenile Position. At ATG Trust, Catherine utilizes her extensive experience to administer decedent estate and trusts.

After receiving her Bachelor of Science from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Catherine taught in the Chicago Public School System for three years, prior to earning her Juris Doctorate from IIT Kent College of Law. 

Sara began her career with ATG Trust Company in 2004 and was named as Vice President-Compliance in 2019.  Prior to her current role, Sara worked as a consultant to the company providing compliance and risk management services and spent many years on the company's administrative team as a Sr. Trust Administrator working with trust, estate, guardianship, and agency accounts.

Leslie joined ATG Trust Company in 2020 after being a legal assistant for 17 years at the law firm of D.A. Marsh Jr & Associates. She assisted attorneys in preparation of all estate planning documents, prepared financial and personal asset allocations for clients, and served as office manager where she managed client relations, clerical and accounting functions as well as annual corporate matters. Blending her vast experience and excellent qualifications, Leslie is an asset to our company and works with our investment team to facilitate investment plans.

Maura began her career with ATG Trust in 2007 overseeing the Land Trust services. In 2010, she was named Attorney Relations Manager. Prior to joining ATG Maura gained 10 years of valuable experience as an independent real estate closer with Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund and spent many years in the employment field in both management and sales. Her varied work experience positions her to create a positive client experience. Her personal mission is to help the advisor help their client. Maura volunteers with PADS Shelter Program in the northwest suburbs.

Shannon came to ATG Trust from the Adult Guardianship Division of the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian.  As an attorney for the Public Guardian, she devised detailed case plans for people under guardianship, including the development of long-term individualized budgets, evaluating the sale of real and personal property, planning for public benefits, identifying investment needs, and assisting in the creation of special needs trusts.  Prior to spending four years in the Adult Division, Shannon served for five years as an attorney and guardian ad litem in the Juvenile Division where she advocated for juvenile clients with complex emotional and medical needs through collaboration with medical and mental health professionals.

Before entering law school, Shannon acted as a Family Medical Leave Act Specialist with the ComPsych Corporation, where she worked directly with client companies and employees, the Department of Labor, and various disability carriers to ensure consistent application of federal laws. Shannon is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Kenyon College, B.A; Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Juris Doctorate

Cynthia (Cindy) F. Tolan joined ATG Trust Company in 2017. As a Trust Officer at ATG Trust, Cindy works closely with families, guiding them through the estate and trust administration process. She has extensive experience with the administration of decedent estate and trusts created for the ongoing benefit of beneficiaries. Cindy has also worked closely with guardianships for both minor children and disabled adults. Before joining ATG Trust, Cindy was in private practice in the areas of Estate and Trust Administration, Estate Planning, and Elder Law. In addition, she represented clients in the areas of Real Estate, Land Use and General Corporate transactions. During her time in private practice, Cindy was the co-chair of the firm’s Elder Law Group, where she advised families on proper planning  for assisting elders in health care decision-making, helped families navigate adult guardianships, and provided guidance in protecting and preserving their assets.  She has been a frequent speaker on issues relating to estate planning, powers of attorney and transfers of assets at death. Cindy is a former Iowa Assistant Attorney General and worked as a Human Rights Officer for the Missouri Commission of Human Rights. She also has experience as in-house counsel for a real estate development company and was an instructor at Durham Technical Community College in the Paralegal Technology program. Cindy is currently a member of the Oncology Council of Advisors at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Children’s Hospital.  She is working with the Council to implement a cancer survivorship program.

University of Iowa, B.A. in Sociology; University of Iowa, Juris Doctorate

Sara Gonzalez joined ATG Trust Company in 2009 as a trust administrator with twenty years of trust and estate administration experience and was promoted to Assistant Trust Officer in 2015. As an Assistant Trust Officer, Sara works with individuals and families on the administration of trusts and estates. Sara earned her Certified Trust and Financial Planning (CTFA) designation and has successfully completed Personal Trust I, II and III with the Cannon Financial Institute.

Angela McClain joined ATG Trust Company in 2012 with over 30 years of experience in the land trust industry. As a Land Trust Officer, she guides clients and attorneys through the process of setting up and maintaining land trust accounts. Angela also assists in the administration of irrevocable life insurance trusts.

Barbara Nelson joined ATG Trust Company in 2012 with over 30 years of experience in trust administration. She is responsible for the administration of trusts and decedents’ estates. Her commitment to exceptional service ensures that our clients experience a supportive and efficient administration process. Barbara has completed classes at the Cannon Trust School and at the American Bankers Association.

Elizabeth Nieman joined ATG Trust Company as a trust administrator in 2014 with over twenty years of banking and trust administration experience. At ATG Trust Company, she provides superior customer service and support to clients and attorneys. Her attention to detail has made her an indispensable member of our team, especially when it comes to preparing court accountings. Beth enjoys solving problems and unwinding complex trust and estate situations.

Cathy has been with ATG Trust Company since 2016.  She is a detail-oriented and highly analytical professional with extensive trust administration background in private client services-wealth management.

She is the liaison between external and internal business partners, where she ensures timely completion of account openings, existing accounts, and the transfer of assets from prior custodians.  

Roosevelt University, B.A.

Jerome has been with ATG Trust Company since 2006.  As Trust Operations Officer, he oversees asset transfers, cash and securities movement and assists in implementation of investment strategies vital to the establishment and ongoing administration of trust accounts.  Prior to joining ATG Trust, Jerome gained experience with asset transfers and mutual fund operations at Northern Trust Company and the Deutsche Bank Group. He enhances and maintains his knowledge base through such industry specific training at the Cannon Trust School.

Illinois State University, B.S.; Cannon Financial Institute, Athens, GA.

Janet Pepich joined ATG Trust Company in 2014 with over twenty years banking experience in various operations, financial control and fixed assets departments at LaSalle Bank. At ATG Trust, Janet oversees the cash flow management  including processing dividends and interest payments.  She also coordinates the trade settlement process.

Nancy Mckee joined ATG Trust in 2018 with over 30 years of experience in wealth management. As a trust administrator, she has honed her communication and organizational skills in order to provide exceptional trust services. Nancy’s expertise in court monitored accounts, special needs trusts and estates makes her an asset to our company. She helps to prepare annual accountings, discretionary requests, bill payment, and other account administration duties. Nancy is an indispensable liaison between all parties to ensure that everyone collaborates to provide high quality support to our clients.  

Loyola University, B.S/B.A. in Finance; Roosevelt University, B.S./B.A in Finance

Taylor Beach joined ATG Trust Company in 2018. She assists in all facets of Trust Administration including assisting administrators with bill paying and deposits, coordinates communication internally between departments and externally with clients and attorneys. In short, Taylor’s daily tasks and projects keep our offices running smoothly and efficiently.

In addition to her administration responsibilities, Taylor assists Angela McClain in our Land Trust Department where she prepares deeds and assists in the land trust opening and closing processes. If that wasn’t enough, Taylor’s fierce editing skills are a great resource when it comes to reviewing all marketing material.

Taylor has recently been admitted as a graduate student at DePaul University and is excited to continue her education while supporting the team at ATG Trust Company.

Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI, B.A. English Literature, Alpha Chi Iota chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society

Alexis Atwill has worked with ATG Trust Company in many different capacities since 2008. Beginning as a temporary assistant, she quickly proved indispensable and became the Front Desk and Attorney Support Coordinator. Soon after, she supported trust officers as they administered accounts and assisted coordinating 1031 Exchanges as a Trust Associate. As Alexis worked in different capacities at our company, one thing was constant: she enjoyed speaking to clients and attorneys to learn about their unique estate plan and how it would fulfill their wishes and needs.

Over the years, Alexis learned everything she could about the trust company and finally found her niche in marketing. Alexis now helps organize and craft messaging for ATG Trust. Her goal is to assist clients and their advisors navigate every stage of their estate plan, from creation to the moment that ATG Trust is called upon to act.

Outside of ATG, Alexis is a storyteller and performer in the Chicagoland area. She creates her own work and collaborates with others. Recently, she traveled with Manual Cinema to the Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic to tell the story of Ada/Ava, two septuagenarians who must figure out how to grieve and ultimately live without each other when one of them unexpectedly passes away. It was important to her to tell this story about grief because it reminded her of the individuals she has helped over the years at ATG Trust.

Florida State University, BA Theatre with a Minor in Communications

Jake joined ATG Trust Company in 2019 from MB Financials Leadership and Development Program. Spending time with the Fiduciary Services team, Jake gained hands on experience with basic Trust knowledge and administration. Now, as Portfolio Manager, Jake’s primary role is to support Chris LaPorta in developing account-specific investment plans and execute daily investment decisions while also providing investment related support to Trust Officers for their various accounts. Outside of work, Jake loves being outdoors and playing with his dog, Joy.  He is a Level II Candidate in the CFA Institutes program.

Jake joined ATG Trust Company in 2019 from MB Financials Leadership and Development Program. Spending time with the Fiduciary Services team, Jake gained hands on experience with basic Trust knowledge and administration. Now, as an Associate Portfolio Manager, Jake’s primary role is to support Chris LaPorta in developing account-specific investment plans and execute daily investment decisions while also providing investment related support to Trust Officers for their various accounts. Outside of work, Jake loves being outdoors and playing with his dog, Joy.  He is a Level II Candidate in the CFA Institutes program.