Chief Innovation Officer
UI Charitable
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are a flexible and tax-efficient charitable giving vehicle. By learning specific strategies to properly utilize a DAF, financial professionals can help clients maximize their philanthropic impact while optimizing their financial planning in alignment with their values and long-term goals.
Sarah joined UI Charitable Advisors as the Chief Innovation Officer and is focused on establishing best practices across the organization. She came with many years of experience working for financial services firms including Salomon Brothers, Salomon Smith Barney, and Citigroup. She has held roles on the buy-side and the sell-side, both as an advisor and as an investor. She has also held a number of operating roles at large organizations, including Leucadia Corporation and Overstock.com, and smaller ventures such as Daily Bread LLC, Zane Benefits, and Next Gear Solutions. She earned a BA from Wellesley College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Shareholder/Attorney
Kirton McConkie
This session provides valuable insights into leveraging charitable trusts for tax-efficient giving and financial planning. Understanding the opportunities for charitable planning, such as qualified charitable distributions from IRAs and donations of appreciated property, can help optimize tax benefits. The session will also cover the intricacies of charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) and charitable lead trusts (CLTs), explaining how they can be used to manage income, maximize deductions, and plan for retirement or wealth transfer. By diving deeper into the characteristics and strategic uses of CLTs and CRTs, attendees can learn how to tailor these tools to their clients' needs, ensuring effective philanthropy and financial planning. This knowledge is crucial for providing comprehensive advice to clients and enhancing the financial professional's expertise, ultimately leading to better client outcomes and business growth.
Geoff Germane is a member of the firm's Tax and Estate Planning practice section. His focus is on estate, tax, business, and asset protection planning. He advises individuals and business owners on legally sound strategies to protect their assets and reduce or eliminate taxes. He counsels clients on legacy planning to maximize intergenerational wealth and reduce family stress and tension.
Mr. Germane is certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® with the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and as an Estate Planning Law Specialist with the Estate Law Specialist Board.
Partner
MyCPA Accounting
Attending this presentation is essential for financial professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve in navigating the complex and ever-changing tax landscape. You'll gain a deep understanding of the 2017 tax law, its upcoming expiration, and the potential impacts on your clients. The session will also cover proposed changes by President Trump and provide actionable strategies to optimize tax planning, including charitable donations, income timing, and estate tax preparation. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to guide your clients confidently through these transitions and ensure their financial well-being.
Angie Morris graduated from Brigham Young University with a MAcc. She is a member of the AICPA and the UACPA. She enjoys working with clients to minimize their taxes and helping them to understand their financial world. She has served as the treasurer of the Utah Association of CPAs, the treasurer of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, President of the Women’s Business Network, and President of the UACPA Southern Chapter. She is currently the Chair for the Housing Authority of Utah County and the treasurer of the Utah Valley Estate Planning Council. Angie loves spending time at Lake Powell, cheering for the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team, and a St. Louis Cardinals fan. March Madness is the best time of year, but it sure creates conflicts with the CPA world!
Chief Executive Officer, UVU Foundation VP,
Institutional Advancement
This session will showcase how Utah Valley University is shaping the future of business, innovation, and economic growth. Attendees will gain valuable insights into UVU’s impact on the local and regional economy as opportunities to collaborate and leverage university resources for success are explored. Key topics include:
Dr. Kyle A. Reyes serves as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Utah Valley University (UVU)—the largest university in the state of Utah with nearly 45,000 students. During his 20+ years at UVU, Kyle has served as VP of Student Affairs, Senior Diversity & Inclusion Officer, and Chief of Staff to the President. Dr. Reyes is also a tenured Associate Professor of Education at UVU and taught courses in Multicultural Education, Family & Community Partnerships, and Arts-based Integration. He is currently wrapping up a 5-year book project entitled, Lenses of Humanity: How Reflection, Connection, and Empathy Can Change Our World.
Utah Valley University
Director, Woodbury School of Business Money Success Center
Ryan is an award-winning educator who teaches the Financial Counseling courses as part of the Financial Planning program at Utah Valley University (UVU). He is also the Director of the UVU Money Success Center.
Ryan received his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in Family Finance and master’s degree in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University. His goal is to teach financial planners, coaches, and counselors how to use simple, evidence-based practices to provide outstanding client care. In addition to finance, he enjoys learning and teaching about communication, financial psychology, habits, change and similar topics.
Ryan is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) professional and an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®). Ryan served on the AFCPE (Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education) Board of Directors from 2017-2021 where he served as Treasurer and President. Ryan is the author of the books Student Loan Planning, Make Positive Changes, and co-editor of the book Financial Counseling. orld.
Peterson Wealth Advisors
Founder and Managing Partner
Scott Peterson is the founder and managing partner of Peterson Wealth Advisors. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1986 and is a Chartered Financial Consultant™. Scott and his team of Certified Financial Planners™ specialize in financial management for retirees. Scott has broken ground in the retirement planning industry as the architect of the Perennial Income Model™, a planning tool that helps retirees manage their investments throughout retirement.
Scott wrote the book on managing money during retirement entitled, Plan on Living: The Retiree’s Guide to Lasting Income & Enduring Wealth. Scott is a teacher at heart and is a regular presenter at BYU’s Education Week. Scott and the Peterson Wealth Advisor’s team teach classes at various universities and companies to the employees who are preparing to retire. Peterson Wealth Advisors currently manages the finances for more than 700 households of retirees spread across the United States.
Senior Partner
Keeler Thomas
This presentation will benefit business owners and financial advisors alike. The focus on exit planning addresses critical challenges, such as accurately valuing the business, preparing for a successful sale within the family, or within the business, or to an outside buyer, and ensuring a smooth transition. We will introduce The UVU Family Enterprise Center and its mission: to provide education and insights on economic conditions, networking with other family business owners, legal and tax updates, business value optimization, funding business growth, and exit planning for family-owned businesses. The Center will provide essential knowledge and networking to navigate the complexities of running and/or transitioning a family business. This presentation will introduce business owners to the insights needed to thrive, grow, and secure their legacy for future generations, and supports advisors to assist their clients in this critical process.
John is a Principal, Co-founder, and Senior Partner of Keeler Thomas. He has been educating and working in the financial, estate, and business planning industry for over 40 years. A highly respected and sought after presenter, John taught financial and family continuity principles over the years in numerous venues across the United States. He is a published author and co-author. John directs the comprehensive wealth management programs (Family Office Services) for the firm’s clients. He spearheaded the firm’s Family Legacy emphasis which is creating continuity of wealth and unity for families from generation to generation.
John has extended the Family Legacy emphasis into the Keeler Thomas Business Value Optimization service. Business value optimization, succession, purchase strategies, funding expansion and growth needs, are most effective when driven and sustained by the family’s shared vision for the future.
Mr. Unice earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Brigham Young University. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), a Certified Heritage Design Professional ™(HDP) and holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation.
Senior Partner
Keeler Thomas
This presentation will enhance participant’s understanding of financial markets and investment strategies and will cover key trends, economic indicators, market timing and strategies to manage risk and optimize returns using practical examples of market acceptance and portfolio performance analysis.
Cary Wasden is a Senior Partner of Keeler Thomas. Cary directs the Enterprise Solutions program, a service dedicated to working with small businesses and their owners to help them better understand their business’s value and how it can be optimized. Cary also serves as a member of Keeler Thomas’ investment committee. Cary Wasden is a seasoned Wall Street analyst and entrepreneur. Cary studied at Brigham Young University for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He also attended The Ohio State University for additional graduate training. He worked for thirty years as an investment analyst on Wall Street where he was a top-ranked analyst in the world and was credited with being the analyst that uncovered Enron. Cary has started, led, and exited several entrepreneurial ventures. He also teaches finance at Utah Valley University. Cary is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®). Cary has been a professional in residence at Utah Valley University since 2015.
CEPA: Certified Exit Planning Advisor
CFP: Certified Financial Planner Board
CLE: Utah State Bar Continuing Legal Education
CPE: Utah Association of CPAs (UACPA)
LIFE: Utah Insurance Department
PACE: Professional Achievement in Continuing Education
