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by Colleen Kowalski on March 23, 2023
The 2023 Exit Planning Summit heads back to Scottsdale, Arizona this May. This year we are thrilled to have over 40 speakers, over 30 industry partners, 16 breakout sessions, five Power Sessions, and three supplemental workshops in our Summit lineup.
March is Women’s History Month. As we celebrate the women in the EPI Community, this month we are highlighting some of the incredible women who will share their knowledge and insights with our network at the 2023 Exit Planning Summit.
Today we introduce one of our speakers and partners, Shelley Lightfoot.
Meet Shelley Lightfoot:
As a lifelong financial and legal services professional, Shelley’s unique combination of experience, passion, and creativity is an excellent contribution to her objective of helping wealth advisors attract and engage clients through collaborative efforts with other advisors.
Shelley has been engaged in the financial services industry since 1986; having held various executive management positions including Vice President of Investments, Compliance Officer, Operations Manager, Sr. Management Consultant, and Business Development Manager. Born and raised in Kansas City, MO (most recently Overland Park KS), Shelley moved to the San Diego area in 2007 while employed with Bank of America, Inc.
During her 5-year tenure with BofA, Shelley was second in command of 80 branch locations with 112 employees; extending her industry experience to virtually all areas of financial services, including branch management, regulatory compliance audits, sales supervision, business plan coaching, operational efficiency, and national policy review. In addition, Shelley has also successfully provided independent compliance and management consulting for financial advisors and broker-dealers.
Since early 2009, Shelley has enjoyed her role as the Executive Director and Partner in 3 unique brands:
The Southern California Institute is a Thought Leader Community providing resources, education, and advice via collaborative think tanks, events, programs, online content, and introductions.
Strazzeri Mancini LLP helps affluent families get to the heart of highly relevant matters and resolve messes in the areas of integrated tax and estate planning, business succession, and family governance counseling.
The Founders Group leads business owners through all phases of transition where increased clarity, net cash flow, and market value expand and solidify choices for business transition: if, when, how, how much, and to whom.
What made you eager to speak at the 2023 Exit Planning Summit?
Shelley: Because of our long-time involvement in the EPI Community, new CEPAs often approach us for advice about how to add exit planning to their practice. Speaking at the Summit will help us spread that message on a larger scale versus one by one.
What can Summit attendees expect from your sessions this May?
Shelley: Well, I am excited to say it turns out I will be involved in three different sessions and workshops! Although all three have a different focus, my underlying message will be that to build a thriving practice around exit planning, advisors need to choose their role in the process, and then build a collaborative team to do what they don’t want to.
In addition, success is not just about our technical skills, we need to spend equal time building our community, a message that is based on benefit and process, and a pre-engagement process that weeds out those advisors and clients who are not a good fit.
Other than your sessions, what are you most looking forward to about the Summit?
Shelley: I am excited to see people in person rather than just on Zoom!
Who are your role models in business?
Shelley: I just can’t seem to narrow this one down. I’d have to say it’s a culmination of all my prior and current bosses, co-workers, and partners. I will say I’ve also learned a lot from role models I don’t want to emulate - but mostly from kick-ass, super-smart people who don’t have to prove it and understand that everything always boils down to your relationships, both personally and professionally.
How have you served as a role model for others in your industry and in your personal life?
Shelley: I serve as a role model by actively listening and seeking to understand all sides to every story.
March is Women’s History Month. As a woman in the exit planning industry, do you believe there is parity in the industry? If not, what do you think would improve gender parity in the industry?
Shelley: No, I don’t think we are there yet, but I also don’t get hung up on it. It’s one of those things that tend to get bigger the more you make of it and just ends up alienating other great opportunities with male business partners. We all have something to bring to the table regardless of gender.
This year, we are hosting the first-ever Women in Exit Planning Symposium after the Exit Planning Summit. This event is open for men and women to attend. How does the inclusion of this event make you feel about the growth of the exit planning community?
Shelley: Well, the lack of parity can’t get better if men aren’t on board too. So, I believe it would be counter-productive to take steps toward fixing it by excluding them. I am excited about this opportunity for men and women to learn from the experts in this Symposium.
What advice do you have for women looking to start their own business or grow their business?
Shelley: It sounds simple but it drives everything - find great partners you truly like and trust.
Register for the Exit Planning Summit
This year, Exit Planning Institute is hosting the first-ever Women in Exit Planning Symposium after the Exit Planning Summit. The Women in Exit Planning Symposium will bring together women advisors, business owners, and men who work on women business owners’ advisory teams. This event will foster collaboration between all different advisor specialties together in the exit planning community. It will feature a panel of female exit planners who will share best practices, discuss challenges women face in the exit planning profession, and how to build value in your business. Additionally, the symposium offers a chance for exit planning professionals to network with other women across the advisory community.
Bundle your Exit Planning Summit registration with the Women in Exit Planning Symposium for four days filled with incredible exit planning and business development content.
