Each year, the Boston Estate Planning Council seeks officer, board director, and honorary director candidates to serve on its board of directors. The Council seeks individuals with a strong understanding of the organization, who possess a strategic mindset, and who demonstrate expertise in their practice area. The available positions include president elect, secretary, treasurer, honorary director, and board director.

BEPC members with full or emeritus member status are invited to submit their candidacy or nominate a fellow member. Self nominations are strongly encouraged. The BEPC Board Nominations Committee and the BEPC Officer Nominations Committee will consider all nominees who formally submit their candidacy by the established deadline.

Candidates are evaluated based on their competencies and experiences, not on the number of nominations received for a given position. Previous board experience is not required. If you believe you have the experience and competencies to serve on the board, please submit your candidacy. No further extensions will be granted.

BEPC members with full or emeritus member status are invited to submit their candidacy or nominate a fellow member. Self nominations are strongly encouraged. The BEPC Board Nominations Committee and the BEPC Officer Nominations Committee will consider all nominees who formally submit their candidacy by the established deadline.

Candidates are evaluated based on their competencies and experiences, not on the number of nominations received for a given position. Previous board experience is not required. If you believe you have the experience and competencies to serve on the board, please submit your candidacy. The deadline is 8 am ET, Monday, December 1, 2025.

BEPC Appoints New Officers, Including Long-time Leader Thomas E. Francione as President 

As part of BEPC’s seamless leadership transition, Thomas E. Francione, CTFA, AEP®, ATFA, previously BEPC’s president-elect, moves into the role of president. The chief fiduciary officer at Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Trust, LLC, Francione has been an active member of BEPC for nearly two decades, served as an officer since 2023, and has chaired numerous committees.

“As the 95th president of BEPC, I am proud to be part of a long legacy of professionals who have helped to shape this organization into what it is today – one of the largest, most vibrant, and well-respected estate planning councils in the country”, said Thomas E. Francione, president of BEPC. “This year marks an important chapter for us. We’re launching a new strategic plan that reflects the values at the heart of BEPC, to cultivate excellence among estate planning professionals. This plan isn’t just about where we’re going, it’s about who we are and the kind of organization we’re committed to being.”

Alisa Kim O’Neil, JD, CTFA, AEP®, CDFA®, principal at CAPTRUST, becomes BEPC’s past president and will continue to serve on the BEPC Board of Directors.

BEPC appointed three additional officers for the 2025-2026 term: Crestwood Advisors Managing Director and Wealth Strategist Katherine M. Sheehan, JD, AEP®, as president-elect; Dwight Rudd Insurance Managing Partner Barbara Targum, CIC, CAPI, continues as treasurer; and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. Managing Director and Senior Wealth Planner Nicole Jackson Leslie, as secretary.

BEPC’s Board of Directors Welcomes Four New Directors and an Honorary Director

As part of the Council’s continued focus on industry leadership, BEPC’s membership elected four new directors to join the existing board:

• Andrew Clark, CPA, AEP®, managing director, CBIZ
• Timothy F. King, managing director, private wealth advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
• Sarah R. Moore, CLU®, director, advisor relations, The Coyle Company
• Valerie Sussman, JD, CAP®, AEP®, legal counsel to philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, Hurwit & Associates
  

The BEPC membership also elected Mary H. Schmidt, JD, LL.M. (Taxation), AEP®, counsel at Verrill, to serve as the honorary director for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

About BEPC

The Boston Estate Planning Council (BEPC) is a community of approximately 700 dynamic, diverse and collaborative professionals dedicated to advancing the field of estate planning through fostering connections within the Council; educational programming and professional development for every stage of one’s career; thought leadership to promote subject matter expertise; and meaningful service and collaborative partnerships.

The Boston Estate Planning Council is one of the oldest and largest interdisciplinary estate planning councils in the country, tracing its roots back to 1930. The Council is a member of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, the leading professional organization for estate planners. BEPC was previously honored by NAEPC as a 5-Star Council in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and received the Council of Excellence Award in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023, and 2024. More information is available at http://www.bepc.org.

###

Vision

Cultivating excellence for estate planning professionals.

Mission

BEPC is a community of dynamic, diverse and collaborative professionals dedicated to advancing the field of estate planning through:

• Fostering connections within the Council;
• Educational programming and professional development for every stage of one’s career;
• Thought leadership to promote subject matter expertise; and
• Meaningful service and collaborative partnerships.

These statements reflect BEPC’s renewed commitment to empowering members in their careers, advancing professional excellence, and strengthening the estate planning community.

The new vision and mission also set the foundation for BEPC’s forthcoming strategic plan, to be finalized in FY26, which will focus on three core goals: Engage & Serve, Education & Professional Excellence, and Community & Collaboration.

We invite all members to explore these statements and join us in bringing them to life through BEPC’s programs, relationships, and leadership.

Your voice matters in shaping the future of BEPC! Cast your vote today. 

BEPC members with full or emeritus member status are invited to submit their candidacy or nominate a fellow member. Self nominations are strongly encouraged. The Board Nominations Committee and the Officer Nominations Committee will consider all nominees who formally submit their candidacy by the established deadline.

Candidates are evaluated based on their competencies and experiences, not on the number of nominations received for a given position. Previous board experience is not required. If you believe you have the experience and competencies to serve on the board, please submit your candidacy by January 13, 2025.

Learn More and Submit a Nomination

BEPC Appoints New Officers, Including Long-time Leader Alisa Kim O’Neil as President

As part of BEPC’s seamless leadership transition, Alisa Kim O’Neil, JD, CTFA, AEP®, CDFA®, previously BEPC’s president-elect, moves into the role of president. A co-chief planning officer at Boston Financial Management, Kim O’Neil has been an active member of BEPC for close to 20 years, served as an officer since 2021, and has chaired numerous committees.

“I am very excited to be the 94^th president of the Boston Estate Planning Council”, said Alisa Kim O’Neil, president of BEPC. “I extend my gratitude to my fellow officers, board members, and committee leaders and members for their unwavering dedication, commitment, and camaraderie. I encourage new members to get involved and make BEPC your own. Our organization consistently rises to meet the challenges posed by the ever-evolving landscape of estate planning. The changes we have implemented, and will continue to pursue, enhance our capacity to provide exceptional value to our members.”

Richelle Maguire, CPA, AEP®, partner at PKF O’Connor Davies, becomes BEPC’s past president and will continue to serve on the BEPC Board of Directors.

BEPC appointed three additional officers for the 2024-2025 term: Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Trust, LLC Head of Fiduciary Services Thomas Francione, CTFA, AEP® as president-elect; Dwight Rudd Insurance Managing Partner Barbara Targum, CIC, CAPI as treasurer; and Crestwood Advisors Managing Director and Wealth Strategist Katherine M. Sheehan, JD, AEP®, as secretary.

BEPC’s Board of Directors Welcomes Four New Directors and an Honorary Director

As part of the Council’s continued focus on industry leadership, BEPC’s membership elected four new directors to join the existing board:

• Gerald E. Baker, JD, executive vice president and head of business risk, Wilmington Trust

• Brandon P. Fink, CFP®, AEP®, financial advisor, Claro Advisors

• Dara Lynn S. Freytag, Esq., LL.M., AEP®, partner, Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, P.C.

• Amy K. Phelan, CPA, MST, AEP®, tax shareholder, Tonneson + Co

The BEPC membership also elected Laura K. Barooshian, CPA, AEP®, CAP®, partner at PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, to serve as the honorary director for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

About BEPC

The Boston Estate Planning Council (BEPC) is a multi-disciplinary community of approximately 700 estate and wealth planning professionals. The Council provides educational programs and networking opportunities to help its members build and strengthen relationships, learn about ideas and strategies, and share thought leadership.

The Boston Estate Planning Council is one of the oldest and largest interdisciplinary estate planning councils in the country, tracing its roots back to 1930. The Council is an active affiliate of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC). BEPC has been honored by NAEPC with the Council of Excellence Award in 2023, 2022, 2017, 2016, and 2015. NAEPC also named BEPC a 5-Star Council from 2018 to 2020. More information is available at http://www.bepc.org.

###