Tag: Legacy Planning
Charitable Giving Strategies to Align Values and Maximize Impact with Elizabeth Wagner (Ep. 14)

Charitable Giving Strategies to Align Values and Maximize Impact with Elizabeth Wagner (Ep. 14)

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Giving is often seen as something reserved for the wealthy, but the truth is far more personal and accessible.

How do you decide where your money, time, and energy can truly make a difference? And how can you feel confident that your contributions are creating real impact?

In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy are joined by Elizabeth Wagner, Senior Vice President and Director of Endowments, Foundations, and Charitable Giving at Bryn Mawr Trust, to explore how individuals at any income level can approach philanthropy with intention. They break down how to evaluate charities, align giving with personal values, and use practical strategies like QCDs and tracking donations. 

The conversation also highlights the role of volunteering, family influence, and simple habits that help donors stay organized and effective.

Key takeaways:

  • How donors can assess if a charity is effective by reviewing leadership, impact reporting, and firsthand experience
  • Why volunteering provides insight into how organizations operate and how funds are actually used
  • A simple notes app strategy to track donations, receipts, and giving habits throughout the year
  • How QCDs and tax strategies can help increase charitable giving without increasing out-of-pocket costs
  • Why aligning giving with personal values and early family influences shapes long term philanthropic habits

Connect with Bryn Mawr Trust: 

Connect with Kate Duffy: 

Connect with Jamie Hopkins: 

Connect with Elizabeth Wagner: 

About our Guest: 

As a connector and advisor to nonprofits and philanthropists, Elizabeth Wagner helps organizations build the long-term financial sustainability their missions deserve while guiding donors toward meaningful impact. She leads the endowment, foundation, and charitable practice at Bryn Mawr Trust, supporting organizations with solutions that strengthen their work today and prepare them for future growth and challenges.

Elizabeth believes every organization should clearly define the role of each asset and use it intentionally to support its mission. She works closely with boards and leadership teams, sharing best practices around investment policy statements, institutional asset allocation, planned giving, and more. She is especially passionate about donor-advised funds, complex gifts, multigenerational giving, and engaging the next generation of philanthropic leaders early.

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The Business Owner’s Guide to a Successful Exit (Ep. 11)

The Business Owner’s Guide to a Successful Exit (Ep. 11)

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What does life look like after selling the business you’ve poured decades into building? How do you prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make?

In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy are joined by Mark Bradford, Director of Wealth Planning at Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, to explore the critical process of exit planning for business owners. They discuss why understanding enterprise value matters more than cash flow, the importance of assembling the right advisory team, and the stark differences between internal and external transitions. The conversation also covers common pitfalls, emotional challenges of letting go, and what happens when business wealth suddenly converts to liquid assets.

Key takeaways:

  • Why 70-80% of small businesses put up for sale fail to sell, and how proper planning changes outcomes
  • The difference between building a job versus building transferable enterprise value in your business
  • How internal family transitions require different strategies than selling to private equity or third parties
  • Why the personal side of exit planning often creates more challenges than the financial aspects
  • What to do before the sale to maximize value and avoid costly mistakes during due diligence

Connect with Bryn Mawr Trust: 

Connect with Kate Duffy: 

Connect with Jamie Hopkins: 

Connect with Mark Bradford: 

About our Guest: 

Mark Bradford is the Director of Wealth Planning, where he leads the wealth planning team. He collaborates closely with advisors to develop and implement the company’s long-term vision for wealth planning, which focuses on enhancing client relationships by providing an exceptional client experience through comprehensive and personalized planning.

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