Every year at the Exit Planning Institute® (EPI), we honor a pair of employees as our Employee of the Year and Rookie of the Year. These awards honor two employees who set the tone for the whole organization and embody what it means to live by our core values.
Our 2025 Employee and Rookie of the Year are prime examples of Human Capital and Social Capital that ultimately drive value. In celebrating their contributions, we also see how investing in people and relationships strengthens an organization from the inside out.
In the Value Acceleration Methodology™ (VAM), Human Capital is the collection of skills, experience, leadership abilities, and a growth mindset within the business. It is your people's capability to execute today and adapt tomorrow. Social Capital is the web of relationships, trust, and collaboration that connects your team to each other, to your clients, and to your broader community.
In 2025, the building of those intangible capitals was spearheaded by two leaders: Employee of the Year, Mindy Lang, and Rookie of the Year, Sophia Johnson. Together, they show what it looks like when a company intentionally invests in the talent and relationships that sit at the heart of the VAM.
Employee of the Year: Mindy Lang
Our 2025 Employee of the Year, Mindy Lang, serves as Sponsorship and Partnership Manager, a new role on EPI’s Strategic Relationships team. Mindy joined the EPI team in 2024 as an account manager and, within six months, moved to her new role, where she has thrived.
“I have always held myself and others to very high expectations,” Mindy says. “I appreciate this honor very much, but I also feel like I am just being a standard good employee at the same time. The greatest thing about always being a good employee is that you always have a job if you want one.”
Mindy contributes greatly to EPI’s Social Capital, building and deepening relationships with our partners and attendees at the Exit Planning Summit. In doing so, she expands the network, reputation, and trust surrounding EPI, assets crucial to any company’s Social Capital.
“Never be afraid of the future or unknown, and just have confidence in yourself that you can get it done,” she says. “Don't be afraid to ask for help when it's needed, or when you need more clarity. Use your team and be a good teammate in return. At the end of the day, just show up every day with the right attitude and get it done.”
Rookie of the Year: Sophia Johnson
Sophia Johnson, Operations Manager, is EPI’s 2025 Rookie of the Year, having made an immediate impact on our Human Capital by implementing new internal systems for onboarding, performance, and professional development that make people’s days more effective and meaningful.
“I genuinely enjoy building the structure behind the scenes that helps people thrive in their roles. Seeing those ideas come to life—and watching them start to make people’s day-to-day work clearer and more effective—has been incredibly rewarding,” she says.
Sophia has a background in executive and leadership coaching, which informs conversations about team development and professional growth. She is also one of three Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®) on the EPI staff.
That blend of operational experience and coaching mindset enhances the capabilities of everyone at EPI.
“(EPI) is the kind of environment where people are encouraged to learn, improve, and support each other. Being part of a team that is building something meaningful together has made this first year incredibly rewarding,” she says.
Get More Insights into EPI’s Culture in the Annual Exit
Want a deeper look at how culture, Human and Social Capital show up in the real world? Explore the latest issue of the Annual Exit, where we highlight several EPI team members, including Mindy, and how they embrace being value-creating employees.
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