Executive Vice President, Thompson & Associates

With more than 30 years of experience as a practicing attorney in charitable and estate planning, Johni Hays is a recognized leader with her expertise in charitable gift planning. Johni is an Executive Vice President with Thompson & Associates. She served as the president of the Charitable Estate Planning Institute and she is the author of the book, Essentials of Annuities and co-author of two books, The Tools and Techniques of Charitable Planning and Message From the Masters—Our Best Donor Stories That Made A Difference. Johni serves on the Smithsonian's Professional Advisors Network in Washington, DC. In 2021, Johni was inducted into the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Hall of Fame and received their Distinguished Service Award in 2020. She also served on its board of directors and has been a charter member of its Leadership Institute. She served on the Editorial Advisory Board for the books Tax Facts on Investments and Tax Facts on Insurance and Employee Benefits

Johni graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1993. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Drake University and graduated magna cum laude in 1988. Johni has been a member of both the Iowa Bar and the Florida Bar since 1993. She resides in Johnston, Iowa, with her husband, Dave Schlindwein.