Elena Iacono: Passing Down More Than Possessions

When Elena Iacono lost her father, the grief ran deeper than she expected. Yes, there was sadness, but also something more elusive—an aching disconnect from the values and stories that had once shaped her. “I feel like I’ve lost touch with the values that made him him,” she reflected. “But I’m working really hard to remember the best of who he was so I can take that with me.”

That realization sparked something in Elena. As a well-being professional, she already spent her days thinking about how people could live with more clarity and purpose. But personally, she was beginning to see a different kind of inheritance—one that wasn’t about money or material goods.

“I’m trying to get people to learn from the most important people in their lives, so they can carry those values forward,” she said. “It gives people such great well-being.”

So she took action. In 2023, Elena founded Legacy Next, a Canadian organization that helps people document and preserve the non-financial essence of their lives—their values, stories, and wisdom. Think of it as the missing chapter in your estate plan.

Through Legacy Next, Elena works with people at all stages of life—some facing illness, others simply reflecting. They capture their legacy in written “life playbooks,” audio messages, and video reflections.

One grandfather wrote a book of lessons for each grandchild.

A childless woman passed on leadership insights to her niece.

“It’s not overly manufactured,” Elena said. “It’s just very real—something people can return to and reflect on as they go through life.”

She’s not alone in seeing the need. With the massive intergenerational wealth transfer underway, families are beginning to realize that a will and a bank account aren’t enough. According to Elena, 60% of Canadians don’t have a will—and even more have no inheritance plans in place.

“Nobody wants to touch this topic,” she said. “But there’s something about knowing someone’s values that brings comfort and guidance. It’s proof they were here.”

Of course, building a values-based legacy business isn’t easy. Elena described moments of exhaustion and doubt, and the emotional weight of absorbing her clients’ deeply personal stories. Still, she stays grounded in her mission.

“My tenacity comes from remembering my end goal,” she said. “I know my time is short on this earth, so I’m trying to just do my best.”

It’s also changed her perspective. She’s learned to see past surface judgments and appreciate the “nuances that make people them.” And she’s realized that role models aren’t always celebrities or CEOs—they’re everywhere, hidden in the people we love.

Her advice to others? Don’t wait. “You don’t have to be a multimillionaire to do this exercise.

Everybody has something to transfer to the future,” she said. “Let’s capture the best of who we are.”