Legacy Beyond Wealth: Preserving Your Family Story
One of the most meaningful gifts we can give future generations is a written record of our family—its stories, experiences, lessons, and history. Without putting those memories into words, important pieces of our family story can be lost over time.
In this Conversation Circle, we’ll explore the value of documenting family history and the many ways to approach the process. NAPFA member Warren Mackensen will share his experience writing a memoir as a first-generation American, beginning with individual stories of notable events rather than following a traditional chronological autobiography. Inspired by Jim Stovall’s The Ultimate Gift, he ultimately organized his memoir around eighteen “gifts,” including the gifts of family, real estate, submarine service, travel, health, opportunity, and giving.
We’ll discuss what motivates us to preserve our stories, how to get started when the task feels overwhelming, creative approaches to organizing a family history, and the role an editor or writing partner can play in shaping the finished work.
Come prepared to share your own ideas, experiences, or aspirations around capturing the stories that matter—and leave with greater confidence that writing your family history is a worthwhile gift for generations to come.
Presenter: Warren Mackenson
Warren graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in electrical engineering and served five years in the U.S. Navy aboard a nuclear submarine. He later became a registered professional engineer, earned an MBA, and served as pre-operational test supervisor during construction of the Seabrook nuclear power plant. During that time, he earned his CFP® certification in 1989 while also running a seasonal tax preparation business to support his family.
In 1991, Warren founded Mackensen & Company, a fee-only comprehensive financial planning firm in Hampton, New Hampshire, where tax preparation has always been integrated into his financial planning services. A NAPFA member since 1991, Warren has been an active contributor to the NAPFA New Hampshire Study Group and served six years on the NAPFA National Board of Directors, including four years as treasurer. He received NAPFA’s Robert J. Underwood Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and was recognized as one of NAPFA’s 30 most influential members during its 30th anniversary in 2013.
Warren also founded ProTracker Software in 1997 after demonstrating his ProTracker CRM program at a NAPFA regional conference and responding to strong member interest. Today, ProTracker Advantage® RMD helps advisors calculate and track more than 60 RMD calculation methods. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Warren has been documenting his family history and life story in an autobiography, Chester Boy, preserving stories and memories for his wife, three sons, four grandchildren, and future generations.
Audience: Everyone
As part of our commitment to fostering open and honest dialogue, please be advised that recordings of Conversation Circles are strictly prohibited. This measure is in place to uphold the privacy and comfort of all participants. Additionally, we kindly request that attendees refrain from engaging in sales or promotion of products or services during the session.
Noncompliance with these guidelines may lead to removal from the session and from future NAPFA programs. Your cooperation in creating a respectful and conducive environment for discussion is greatly appreciated.