Estate Planning Awareness Month: Reflections from the Empathy Alliance
Estate Planning Awareness Month each October reminds us of the value of preparing for life’s inevitable transitions. At Empathy, we know estate planning is not only about protecting assets; it’s about protecting people. That’s why we established the Empathy Alliance—a coalition of industry leaders directly investing in compassionate technology to build resilience and readiness for life’s most challenging chapters. United by a belief in collective action, and led by Empathy in partnership with global organizations, firms, and innovators, the Alliance is redefining how individuals, families, and institutions prepare for and navigate moments of change with clarity and confidence.
Estate planning is ultimately about legacy and how we prepare, protect, and provide guidance for the people and communities we care about. The voices of our Alliance members capture that from many angles, reflecting both professional expertise and personal values.
Reflections from Alliance members
Securian Financial
“Estate planning is deeply personal; it's about the people we love and the legacy we leave. At Securian Financial, we combine practical solutions with compassionate guidance, ensuring families have both the financial tools and emotional support needed during life's most challenging moments.” — Sid Gandhi, Executive Vice President of Employee Benefits Solutions, Securian Financial / Executive Sponsor for Artificial Intelligence
Citi Impact Fund
“Grief and loss are universal, and the financial strain they place on families make difficult times even harder. To me, financial resilience means empowering families with the tools and support they need to weather those moments, so stability and continuity are never out of reach.” — Meredith Shields, Managing Director, Head of the Citi Impact Fund
TIAA
“When losing a loved one, there are both emotional and financial challenges that a family will have to face. A thoughtfully prepared estate plan can avoid unnecessary delay and allow assets to reach family members with greater efficiency, allowing them to focus on healing during a difficult time.” — Colleen Carcone, Director of Wealth Planning Strategies, TIAA Wealth Management
MunichRe Ventures
“Estate planning should not be a privilege—every family deserves access to tools that protect their legacy and provide financial security for future generations. When estate planning is made available to everybody, this strengthens the foundation of financial resilience that enables families to weather life's uncertainties and build lasting prosperity.” — Holger Reinhold, Head of Business Development & Portfolio Steering Life (ERGO Germany, a MunichRe Company)
Empathy
“My legacy is both shield and compass: a shield of security to protect my family when I no longer can, and a compass of values to guide them forward. Wealth can provide stability, but values provide continuity, anchoring us across generations no matter what storms arrive.” — Yonaton Bergman, Co-Founder, Empathy
Looking Ahead Together
The Empathy Alliance was built to advance compassionate technology at scale with solutions that deliver clarity, connection, and support when families need it most. These reflections on financial resilience and Estate Planning Awareness Month underscore the role institutions and innovators can play in shaping a future where planning is simpler, resilience is stronger, and legacy is about more than numbers on a screen.
This Estate Planning Awareness Month, we’re proud to stand alongside member organizations in the Alliance and to continue building tools that make it easier for families to emerge stronger through life’s hardest moments.