Planning Ahead as an Act of Love: Jennifer McConnell on Legacy & Succession

In this episode of Everlake, John McNicholas sits down with Jennifer McConnell of LivingLegacy.ie to explore a topic most of us avoid, but all of us will face: advanced planning, succession, and the legacy we leave behind.Drawing on an extraordinary career that spans crisis management in Haiti, humanitarian work in Papua New Guinea, and leadership roles in Irish nonprofits, Jennifer brings a rare depth of experience to a subject that is as practical as it is human.John and Jennifer unpack why planning ahead isn’t morbid—it’s an act of love. They discuss what families and business owners often overlook when preparing for the future, from enduring powers of attorney and digital assets, to succession in family enterprises and community organisations.Jennifer also shares the surprising emotional and psychological benefits that come from getting your affairs in order: greater clarity, greater freedom, and a renewed ability to live fully in the present.Main Topics Discussed in this Episode:Advanced planning & “death admin” – why it’s important to put wills, enduring powers of attorney, digital access and practical instructions in place long before they’re needed.Redefining legacy – seeing legacy not just as what happens after you die, but the mark you’re already making through your relationships, values, choices and even things like memoir writing.Succession in business and community organisations – how family businesses, SMEs and nonprofits can plan for leadership handover, avoid founder syndrome, and protect the mission beyond any one person.Overcoming fear, procrastination and overwhelm – the emotional barriers to planning, and how accountability, deadlines, checklists and small steps can make the process manageable.Working with advisers and support networks – how financial planners, solicitors, tax advisers, doctors and services like Living Legacy can work together to help you plan well and reduce the burden on your family.Get in touch with Jennifer:Website: https://www.livinglegacy.ie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcconnell/Instagram: @livinglegacy.ieChapters:(00:00) – Introduction to Jennifer McConnell(03:00) – Crisis management lessons that shaped Living Legacy(07:20) – Jennifer’s accident and the “what if” moment(12:00) – Why we avoid advanced planning(15:40) – Digital legacy, passwords, and modern life admin(19:10) – Using birthdays as an annual planning checkpoint(20:40) – Succession planning in families and organisations(24:50) – Founder syndrome and letting go(28:20) – Values, communication, and organisational culture(32:10) – Legacy as who you are today(38:00) – Preparing for financial, legal, and practical realities(43:30) – How planning frees your present life---Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Everlake podcast!If you'd like to work with us, head to https://www.everlake.ie/ and follow the instructions to book a consultation. If you enjoy this podcast, please share it with a friend or colleague and leave us a rating & review on your podcast app.LinkedIn ||

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