BEPC names new president and board for 2026-2027

The Boston Estate Planning Council announced new leadership for the 2026-2027 term, effective July 1, 2026, with Katherine M. Sheehan moving into the president role. The changes bring new officers and board members into one of Greater Boston’s largest estate planning groups as it looks to expand engagement and programming.

Why it matters: - The Boston Estate Planning Council is one of the oldest and largest interdisciplinary estate planning councils in the country. - New leadership shapes programming, professional development and industry connections for roughly 700 members across Greater Boston. - The transition affects a council tied to the broader estate planning field through the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.

What happened: - The Boston Estate Planning Council announced its president, officers and board of directors for the 2026-2027 year. - The new term takes effect July 1, 2026. - Katherine M. Sheehan, JD, AEP®, moves from president-elect to president. - Sheehan is managing director and wealth strategist at Crestwood Advisors. - Thomas E. Francione, CTFA, AEP®, ATFA, becomes past president and remains on the board. - Barbara Targum, CIC, CAPI, becomes president-elect. - Nicole Jackson Leslie, JD, AEP®, becomes treasurer. - Maureen M. Villadelgado, Esq., AEP®, becomes secretary.

The details: - Sheehan has been a BEPC member for more than two decades. - Sheehan has served as an officer since 2024 and chaired multiple committees. - BEPC said the leadership team includes broad representation across the estate planning industry. - The council elected four at-large directors to the board: John W. Donahue, Esq., LL.M., AEP®, partner at Wilchins Cosentino & Novins LLP; Kristina L. Foreman, JD, CTFA, AEP®, manager of estate and financial planning at CAPTRUST; Jennifer M. Hall, CFP®, AEP®, wealth manager and financial planner at Appleton Partners, Inc.; and Nikki Marie Sherwood, Esq., LL.M., AEP®, partner at Nutter. - Members also elected Joshua S. Miller, JD, CFP®, AEP®, TEP, chief executive officer at Minot’s Light Management, as honorary director for the 2026-2027 term. - BEPC describes itself as a community of about 700 collaborative professionals focused on estate planning connections, education, professional development, thought leadership and service. - The council traces its roots to 1930. - BEPC is a member of NAEPC. - BEPC was named a Five-Star Council by NAEPC in 2018, 2019 and 2020. - BEPC received NAEPC’s Council of Excellence Award in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. - More information is available at the council's website. - BEPC also shared a LinkedIn page: Boston Estate Planning Council.

Between the lines: - The leadership slate suggests continuity more than disruption, with an internal promotion into the president role and an outgoing president staying on the board. - The mix of attorneys, financial professionals, trust and insurance specialists points to BEPC’s interdisciplinary model. - Sheehan’s comments point to a focus on member engagement and cross-discipline networking in the year ahead.

What's next: - The 2026-2027 leadership term begins July 1, 2026. - Sheehan said she expects increased engagement, dynamic programming and new opportunities for professionals to connect and learn from one another. - The new board will guide BEPC’s educational programming, professional development and member outreach over the coming year.