“Cherie never made any rash decisions – everything was well thought out and had a purpose. She made sure she was doing the right thing by donating to the right groups. She wanted to make as big an impact as she could.”
—Stephen Holt, financial advisor and managing partner at Premier Planning Group

Cherie Loustaunau made an impact on her community while she was alive, and through planned giving, her legacy will continue to help organizations throughout Anne Arundel County and elsewhere. The Legacy Award for Planned Giving recognizes a philanthropist who has made a significant contribution using a planned gift.

In addition to having a distinguished career at the International Trade Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce for more than 44 years, Loustaunau lived a life of philanthropy though donation and volunteer work as a board or committee member. Before retiring as Director of the Office of the Middle East, she worked tirelessly to support American exports to the Middle East in the belief that this could help develop peaceful relations in the region. That same thoughtfulness and dedication carried over to her giving, said nominator Stephen Holt, a financial advisor and managing partner at Premier Planning Group in Annapolis. “Cherie never made any rash decisions – everything was well thought out and had a purpose. She made sure she was doing the right thing by donating to the right groups. She wanted to make as big an impact as she could,” Holt said. 

Loustaunau routinely donated to numerous charities and organizations. As a classical music enthusiast, she was long-time subscriber and donor to the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, as well as to classical radio station WBJC-FM in Baltimore. She also served on various county non-profit boards and committees, including becoming a life-time member in the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County’s Anne Arundel Women's Giving Circle and vice president and president of the International Club of Annapolis. Loustaunau was also a dedicated certified Maryland Master Gardener, and she was particularly devoted to promoting native plants, shrubs, and trees to strengthen the natural environment, and to certifying lawns and gardens as Bay friendly.

While discussing planned giving with Holt, Loustaunau was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer. With the help of her Estate Planning attorney, Greg Ferra, Holt and Loustaunau were able to identify and put a plan in place to make sure that the charities that Loustaunau cared about the most were listed as the beneficiaries of her IRA’s and other accounts. She left the vast majority of her estate to a handful of county charities so her tremendous impact on the community could continue.

“I can’t say enough great things about this incredible woman,” said Holt. “I had the pleasure of working with her as her trusted advisor for a few years before her passing from cancer but had known her for many more before. She was always philanthropically inclined.

“She was really a one-of-kind person,” added Holt. “She was just herself to the core, day-in, and day-out. Thoughtful, kind, dedicated and focused. She had a heart of gold.” 

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Nominated by Stephen Holt, Premier Planning Group.

The Legacy Award for Planned Giving recognizes an individual donor/philanthropist who has made a significant contribution using a planned gift. This award is presented in collaboration with the Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council.