A Conversation with Elena Iacono, Founder of LegacyNex
Legacy planning goes beyond ensuring the financial well-being of loved ones and supporting the causes close to one’s heart. It is also about capturing the stories, values, and motivations that can be passed down through generations.
In honour of May being recognized as “Leave a Legacy” month, we at Food Banks Canada were delighted to sit down with Elena Iacono, the founder of LegacyNex to ask her a few questions. LegacyNex is redefining the concept of legacy by assisting individuals and families in preserving these invaluable insights through written life guides, legacy letters, and multimedia storytelling.
What inspired you to start LegacyNex? Can you share a bit about what services you offer?
Elena: LegacyNex was founded on my belief that the value of our lives lies not just in financial assets, but in the wisdom, stories, and values we pass down. I’m passionate about helping people preserve and share their legacies in meaningful ways. Through audio/video recordings, legacy letters, and life guides, LegacyNex helps individuals and families document their personal stories, experiences, and values, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom, love, and life lessons, rather than just material wealth.
What does legacy giving mean to you, and why is it something that people should consider?
Elena: To me, legacy giving isn’t just about giving away assets—it’s about passing down the essence of who you are and what you stand for. It’s the opportunity to shape the future by sharing the wisdom you’ve gained over your lifetime. Whether it’s through a gift of time, knowledge, or resources, legacy giving allows individuals to ensure that their values and life lessons live on long after they’re gone. People should consider legacy giving because it’s a way to leave behind something far more meaningful than just material wealth. It’s about creating a positive, lasting impact on future generations, guiding them through the challenges of life with the knowledge and wisdom of those who came before them.
What do you believe is missing from traditional inheritance or estate planning that LegacyNex is trying to bring to the table?
Elena: Traditional inheritance and estate planning focus primarily on the distribution of material assets. What’s often missing is the emotional, personal, and cultural inheritance—the intangible things that really shape a person’s identity. LegacyNex brings a more holistic perspective, encouraging people to document their personal stories, values, and life lessons, in addition to their financial legacy. We help individuals create a legacy that goes beyond wealth, one that shapes future generations by preserving the wisdom, experiences, and lessons they’ve accumulated throughout their lives.
What emotional or generational gap are you hoping to bridge through LegacyNex?
Elena: I’m hoping to bridge the gap between generations by fostering deeper connections through storytelling. In today’s fast-paced world, we often miss the opportunity to truly connect with older generations and understand their experiences, struggles, and lessons learned. LegacyNex offers a platform to close this gap, ensuring that the stories of the past are heard, appreciated, and can guide future generations. It’s about creating a sense of continuity, where wisdom and values are passed down, helping to strengthen relationships and offer clarity in times of uncertainty.
What kind of impact do you hope LegacyNex will have – for individuals, as well as families who receive the offerings you provide?
Elena: I hope LegacyNex will have a profound impact on individuals and families by providing them with the tools to preserve their legacies in a meaningful way. For individuals, it’s about offering peace of mind that their stories and values are documented and will continue to inspire and guide their loved ones. For families, it’s about creating a stronger, more connected foundation—one that transcends generations and serves as a touchstone in times of difficulty. The legacy of wisdom, love, and guidance we help create has the potential to bring families closer together, create healing, and provide strength to navigate life’s challenges.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Elena: I’d like to emphasize that legacy work is about more than just remembering the past—it’s about empowering future generations. In uncertain and trying times, we need to look beyond material wealth and focus on what truly lasts: the values, experiences, and insights that shape who we are. LegacyNex is here to help individuals not only document their legacies but to help future generations learn from them, grow from them, and continue them. It’s about creating mentors, not just memories.
To learn more about the services that LegacyNex offers, you can visit the website at www.legacynex.com. You can also listen to Elena’s new podcast Echoes of Us, a conversation about the stories, voices, and wisdom that shape our lives on Apple Podcast or Spotify.