Beginning with the end in mind is the backbone of a successful and elegant exit.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
4:00–5:00 PM ET
Live Webinar + Q&A
Virtual Event – Free to Attend
Every successful business transition begins with a plan. In this session, we’ll explore why planning your exit from day one is essential to building long-term value, attracting the right buyers, and preserving your legacy.
The webinar brings together industry leaders in exit planning, law, and institutional investments to share insights into the strategies Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®) use to maximize outcomes and protect owners from leaving money on the table. Whether your exit is years away or just over the horizon, this discussion will show you how foresight today leads to freedom tomorrow.
Who Should Attend
- Business owners and founders considering selling their company in the next 1–10 years
- Women entrepreneurs seeking strategies for building long-term value and designing successful exits
- C-suite executives responsible for growth, succession, or acquisition preparation
- Family business leaders planning generational transitions or succession strategies
- Advisors and trusted partners (CPAs, attorneys, financial planners) who guide clients through exit and transition planning
- Investors and board members interested in protecting and enhancing enterprise value through proactive exit planning
Attendees will learn:
- Why superior exit planning from day one matters, and how a CEPA®-certified advisor helps maximize business value and secure the best outcomes.
- Key legal considerations for selling your business, from corporate governance and advance housekeeping, to structuring acquisition agreements and protecting your interests during the transition.
- How to build intrinsic value that attracts premium buyers by strengthening leadership, reducing risk, and aligning strategy with long-term goals.
Meet the Speakers
Natalie Roberts, CEPA®
CEO, iKadre
For Natalie Roberts, Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), longtime M&A executive, and CEO of iKadre, the foundation of every successful exit is superior exit planning, starting the day the business is launched.
Natalie’s mission is clear: empower women entrepreneurs to align their business journey with the future they envision. Having led Hewlett-Packard’s $13.9 billion acquisition of EDS and guided countless founders through transitions, she has seen firsthand how planning with the end in mind builds confidence, preserves value, and leaves a lasting legacy.
Russell Ballew, MBA, CPWA®, CEPA®, CFP®
Private Institutional Client Advisor, Raymond James
Russell Ballew collaborates with Chief Investment Officers (CIOs) to cultivate continuous improvement and build enduring legacies. With over 15 years of experience in financial planning and investment management, he helps clients, including UHNW and family offices, align benevolent purpose with sustainable growth.
Russell’s advisory philosophy centers on Kaizen, improving 1% every day through disciplined strategy and long-term commitment to best practices that protect and enhance enterprise value.
Joshua Mandel
Managing Partner, The Mandel Family Office
Joshua Mandel leads The Mandel Family Office, advising high-net-worth families and corporate leaders on integrated legal, accounting, and wealth management strategies. With over 20 years of experience across finance, healthcare, and technology, he specializes in tax mitigation, estate structuring, and long-term value preservation.
Before founding the firm, Joshua directed corporate strategy at McKesson, leading a billion-dollar acquisition, and held leadership roles at Novartis Oncology, AbbVie, and Goldman Sachs. He earned his M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.A. with honors from Brown University.
John S. (Jack) Baumann
Partner, Cogent Law LLP
Jack Baumann is a corporate attorney with more than 35 years of experience in mergers & acquisitions, private equity, complex corporate transactions, and securities offerings. His background includes senior roles at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and leadership as Chief Legal Officer for Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) and Syncor International (NASDAQ: SCOR).
Jack orchestrated Public Storage’s $5 billion hostile acquisition of Shurgard Storage Centers, the first hostile and all-stock acquisition of a REIT. At Cogent, he has recently represented clients in banking, biotech, energy, fintech, healthcare, and telecom, while serving as lead counsel on strategic acquisitions, financings, and reorganizations.
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Time: 4:00–5:00 PM ET (45 minutes + 15-minute Q&A)
Where: Virtual Event (Free to Attend)
Will recordings be provided?
Yes. Registrants will receive the recording and slides for the session they register for.
Can I submit questions?
Yes. You can submit questions during our live webinar.