Boston Estate Planning Council Excellence Award 

About the Award

The BEPC Excellence Award (formerly the "Estate Planner of the Year" Award) is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the estate planning profession. The winner is selected following an annual nominations process. This award represents the highest honor that BEPC can bestow upon a member, and the recipient is honored at the association’s yearly Annual Gala.

The award recipient is a wise counselor to clients, a collaborative planner who values the input of other experts, a mentor to young professionals, an educator who willingly and selflessly shares knowledge with colleagues within the field, and an active citizen within the broader community beyond the Council.

Annual Nomination Process

The nomination period for the 2026 award is open now through 12 pm ET November 26, 2025.

Read more about the nomination process and submit your nominee(s).

Only BEPC members may nominate candidates for this prestigious award. Each member may nominate up to three candidates per award cycle.

Award Recipients

2025 Awardee

Sarah M. Allen

Sarah M. Allen is a shareholder and director of Rice, Heard & Bigelow, Inc. BEPC congratulates Sarah on this prestigious honor which is bestowed in recognition of outstanding contributions to the estate planning profession. We invite you to learn more about Sarah Allen's background and to view the press release announcing her as the 2025 BEPC Excellence Award recipient.

Past Awardees