The Exit Planning Institute® (EPI) is proud to introduce the EPI Thought Leadership Council, a distinguished group of industry experts dedicated to advancing the practice of exit planning and elevating outcomes for business owners and advisors alike. This initiative reinforces EPI’s commitment to thought leadership, practical education, and excellence in the field.
What is the Thought Leadership Council?
The EPI Thought Leadership Council is a select assembly of highly respected Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®) whose work consistently demonstrates deep mastery of the Value Acceleration Methodology™, the foundational framework that defines effective exit planning. These professionals are leaders in their own practices and serve as trusted voices in the broader exit planning ecosystem, shaping how advisors help business owners build significant value and achieve meaningful transitions.
Council members are outstanding practitioners, educators, innovators, and communicators. They represent EPI in the media, share insights through speaking engagements and publications, and act as go-to resources for trends, strategies, and real-world application of exit planning principles.
What Does the Council Do?
The Thought Leadership Council amplifies EPI’s mission by:
- Elevating the profession through public representation of exit planning best practices.
- Supporting the advisor community with expert commentary, thought pieces, and media engagement.
- Mentoring the next generation of advisors and thought leaders through shared insight and professional examples.
- Contributing to industry conversations on topics ranging from Value Acceleration to business owner readiness and long-term strategy.
- Providing direct feedback on the Value Acceleration Methodology to help EPI evolve it in the CEPA program.
Council Members act as extensions of EPI in the broader market, helping define standards of excellence and inspiring growth both for exit planning as a discipline and for advisors looking to deepen their impact.
When and Where is the Council Active?
The Thought Leadership Council is active year-round and integrated within EPI’s ongoing programming, from the Exit Planning Summit and EPI Academy courses to EPI’s media outreach and content initiatives. Through articles, interviews, webinars, and events, Council members bring their expertise to the forefront of every major discussion affecting the profession today.
Whether it’s providing commentary for industry publications or sharing practical tools with fellow advisors, the Council’s presence helps ensure that thoughtful, evidence-based perspectives are available whenever and wherever they’re needed.
Why the Thought Leadership Council Matters
The formation of the Thought Leadership Council reflects EPI’s strategic vision to strengthen the exit planning profession by elevating its collective voice. Exit planning is inherently complex, requiring strategic foresight, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and deep empathy for business owners navigating major transitions. The Council supports this by:
- Bridging experience and education: Members bring decades of combined experience across finance, operations, accounting, family business consulting, and coaching, all grounded in the Value Acceleration Methodology.
- Driving industry credibility: By representing EPI in the media and public sphere, Council members reinforce exit planning as a recognized, standards-based profession.
- Enhancing the advisor community: Advisors at every stage of their career benefit from access to the insights and expertise of Thought Leadership Council members, helping them serve business owners more effectively and confidently.
- Inspiring innovation: The Council plays an important role in shaping how the profession evolves, spotlighting new ideas, emerging trends, and best practices that empower advisors to stay ahead of change and deliver greater value.
Who are the Council Members?
The Thought Leadership Council includes a diverse group of seasoned CEPAs who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, real-world success, and a passion for educating others. The EPI Thought Leadership Council consists of:
- Justin Goodbread, CEPA®, CFP®, CVGA®
- Renee Russo, CEPA®
- Amy Wirtz, CEPA®, JD
- Joe Strazzeri, CEPA®, Esq.
- Jesse Abercrombie, CEPA®, AAMS, CDFA®
- Julie Keyes, CEPA®
Read their bios and learn more about each member on our Thought Leadership page here.
Looking Ahead
As exit planning continues to grow and evolve, the Thought Leadership Council will serve as a catalyst for thoughtful discussion, elevated practice, and community leadership. EPI is proud to support this group of innovators and looks forward to seeing how their insight shapes the profession in the years to come.
For advisors, media, and industry partners, the Council serves as a trusted source of expertise, reinforcing the value of strategic planning, owner-centric advising, and meaningful business transitions.
About the Value Acceleration Methodology™
The Value Acceleration Methodology™ is the strategic framework for executing exit planning, creating value for the business owner’s company while aligning their business, personal, and financial goals. The Value Acceleration Methodology guides the Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Business Owner through three gates (Discover, Prepare, and Decide) with the ultimate goal to move to advanced value creation or to exit the business.
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