My Experience Joining the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council

By Kourosh Ghaleh, Senior Vice President, Stout

After moving to Philadelphia in August 2023, I was actively looking to meet new people and establish local connections, especially among professionals working in the Trust and Estate space. This led me to my first PEPC event in May 2024. Stepping into a room of new faces felt a little uncomfortable as a newcomer, but the friendly and welcoming nature of the members quickly reassured me. Several individuals made a point to introduce themselves and warmly encouraged me to return to future events.

That initial positive impression grew stronger at the following events. I was encouraged to consider joining a committee as a path to deeper engagement. Becoming involved allowed me to interact with a smaller group of dedicated, active members more closely and actively contribute to the organization. After only a few months of consistent engagement, I was able to meet a multitude of new people and friends, and started to look forward to PEPC events as a chance to see familiar faces.

I’ve also found the programming highly valuable. Coming from a valuation background, the diverse sessions have helped me develop a more holistic perspective. I now regularly see planning through the various viewpoints of key professionals in our field—from wealth managers and attorneys, to financial planners and trustees. 

My engagement with PEPC has also led to meaningful professional opportunities, including partnerships with members I met through the organization, highlighting the value of active involvement.

Since joining, I’ve found the PEPC to be an exceptional organization, distinguished by its strong sense of community. For any new or prospective members, my recommendation is three-fold:

1. Stick with it despite any initial discomfort as the rewards are well worth pushing through.

2. I would echo the advice I received early on: consistency is key to experiencing the full benefits of PEPC.

3. Joining a committee is a great way to increase your engagement, allowing you to contribute while also building stronger, more meaningful relationships. A few suggestions based on my experience:

   1. Start by reviewing the committees listed on the PEPC website and their respective mandates.

   2. Reach out to committee chairs and, if possible, sit in on a meeting to get a feel for the group.

   3. I ultimately joined the Inclusion and Membership Committees, as I was drawn to their focus on strengthening community and enhancing member engagement.

I look forward to continuing to contribute to and benefit from this fantastic group.

Kourosh Ghaleh is a Senior Vice President in Stout’s Valuation Advisory group, where he provides business valuation and financial advisory services in connection with estate and gift planning, corporate transactions, and complex litigation matters. He works with a diverse client base, including private companies, private equity funds, and professional services firms.  Kourosh’s practice focuses on trust and estate planning, shareholder and succession planning, and valuation disputes, with experience supporting tax-sensitive planning strategies and preparing analyses designed to withstand scrutiny in high-stakes planning and dispute contexts.