Meet Our Team
Ericka L. Webb
Executive Director of Gift Planning
Phone: 617-552-9030
ericka.webb@bc.edu
Ericka Webb, with over twenty years of experience in the field of gift planning, oversees all aspects of the gift planning program at Boston College. Her role involves working closely with donors, their advisors, staff, and University leadership to increase philanthropic support through planned and complex gifts. Before joining the University, Ericka served as the director of gift planning and endowment at the WGBH Educational Foundation for over four years. Prior to that, she contributed to the gift planning offices at both Harvard University and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Ericka holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from American University and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University. Her commitment to community service extends beyond her professional life—she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Chad, Africa, where she worked on community health education and other initiatives. Ericka is actively involved in the gift planning field, serving on the board of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the Hibel Family Foundation Planned Giving Initiative Advisory Board. Additionally, she is a member and past president of the Planned Giving Group of New England (PGGNE).
Denise Heffron
Senior Associate Director of Gift Planning
Phone: 617-552-8535
denise.heffron@bc.edu
Denise Heffron brings over 17 years of expertise in planned giving to her role at Boston College. She collaborates, cultivates, and stewards Èȵ㱬ÁÏÈë¿Ú alumni, parents, and friends with various gift planning offerings such as bequests, life-income gifts, and other complex gift transactions. Previously, Denise worked at State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) in the private asset management group as a senior trust administrator, managing the firm’s largest private wealth relationships. She also worked on SSGA’s Charitable Asset Management group. Denise is an active member of the Planned Giving Group of New England (PGGNE) and the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.
Brian Armstrong
Associate DirectorÌýof Gift Planning
Phone: (617) 552-8682
brian.armstrong.3@bc.edu
Brian Armstrong joined Boston College in January of 2024 and works with alumni, parents, and friends to help secure philanthropic resources that support the work of the University. Brian brings nearly twenty years of experience in planned giving to this role. Prior to joining Èȵ㱬ÁÏÈë¿Ú, he has worked at PG Calc and on the State Street Global Advisors Charitable Asset Management team. His extensive background in planned giving makes him a valuable addition not only to the Gift Planning team but also to University Advancement. Brian is an active member of the Planned Giving Group of New England (PGGNE) and a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.
Megan McCarthy ’07, MS’21
Associate DirectorÌýof Gift Planning
Phone: 617-552-3448
megan.mccarthy.6@bc.edu
Megan McCarthy works with alumni, parents, and friends to help deepen their relationship with the University and make a meaningful impact at the Heights while meeting their financial and philanthropic goals. Megan joined Boston College in August of 2015. After roles on the Annual Giving, Leadership Giving, and Leadership Giving Programs teams, she joined the Gift Planning team in April of 2022. While on the Annual and Leadership Giving teams, Megan worked with Reunion classes ranging from the 5th Reunion to the 40th Reunion and worked with the local Èȵ㱬ÁÏÈë¿Ú community. Prior to working at the University, Megan worked at the Dana Hall School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Boston College Gift Planning is a natural fit for Megan as she is a third-generation Èȵ㱬ÁÏÈë¿Ú alumna and third-generation Shaw Society member.
Joe Richardson
Associate DirectorÌýof Gift Planning
Phone: 617-552-9087
joseph.richardson@bc.edu
Joseph Richardson joined Boston College as associate director of gift planning in August 2022. Bringing over 10 years of relationship management expertise, he partners with Èȵ㱬ÁÏÈë¿Ú alumni, parents, and friends to share the legacy of philanthropy through various gift planning offerings.
Previously, Joe worked at South Shore Health Foundation in southeastern Massachusetts as a philanthropy officer, where he managed a major gift portfolio in addition to the Foundation’s legacy giving program. Joe implemented a refresh and redesign of the South Shore Health legacy giving program and the solicitation of transformational bequest gifts to help secure the continued success of the South Shore Health System and the community it serves. In addition to his roles in development and sales, Joe is the founding head coach of two collegiate men’s lacrosse programs at Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, Texas) and Newbury College (Brookline, Massachusetts). Joe earned an MS in management and MS in educational administration at Dallas Baptist University and is an active member of the Planned Giving Group of New England.
Harry Helbock
Assistant Director, Gift Planning Operations
Phone: 617-552-3045
helbockh@bc.edu
Harry Helbock joined the Gift Planning team in June 2023 and oversees the management and operations of all planned gifts including realized estates and gifts-in-kind.
Previously, Harry supported fundraising efforts for academic priorities for Boston College, where he was instrumental in assisting in the growth of the pipeline of six-figure commitments to the Carroll School of Management. Harry also has experience in fundraising at the Archdiocese of Boston, helping their team with all event preparation and marketing initiatives.Ìý
Harry is pursuing his MBA at Boston College.
Mahal Hackett
Development Assistant, Gift Planning
Phone: (617) 552-9084
mahal.hackett@bc.edu
Mahal Hackett joined the Gift Planning team in September 2024. As a development assistant for Gift Planning, Mahal supports the team’s work to increase philanthropic support for the University through planned gifts. Prior to joining the Gift Planning team, Mahal served as a NextGen intern on the Èȵ㱬ÁÏÈë¿Ú Advancement Talent team.Ìý
Mahal studied political science at the University of New Hampshire before transferring to Boston College to complete his degree in philosophy. He has worked as a community organizer for the Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation and the University of New Hampshire Foundation, and as an intramural referee for Boston College Recreation.
Megan Wilmot
Development Assistant,ÌýGift Planning
Phone: 617-552-3016
megan.wilmot@bc.edu
Megan joined the Gift Planning team in April 2023 and helps to coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Gift Planning team in their efforts to increase philanthropic support to the University through planned gifts.Ìý
She is a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a degree in psychology and an English minor. Prior to joining the Èȵ㱬ÁÏÈë¿Ú community, Megan worked in human resources at Scipher Medicine. In her free time, Megan enjoys yoga, hiking, reading/writing fantasy, baking, and spoiling her cat, Alfie.