Allen Bettis, founder of The Legacy Associates, LLC, is a nationally recognized advisor to business and financial families, their boards of directors and family offices.  He has twenty years experience consulting with hundreds of family enterprises, and is a frequent speaker on succession, governance, shareholder organization and preparing the next generation for effective ownership. 

As a specialist in organizing effective boards and family councils, Allen is a leader for the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) family business initiative, a faculty member at the annual Governance for Families in Business conference in Freeport, Maine and a frequent presenter for the international Campden Families in Business Conference.  He has served as instructor and advisor for the family business programs at the University of Notre Dame, the University of St. Thomas and the University of Memphis. He maintains the NACD certificate in director education and is an active member of the Family Firm Institute, and international association of family business advisors.

Allen earned a doctorate in counseling from Emory University, and did post graduate study in business administration, marketing and strategic planning at the University of Denver. He received a master of divinity degree from Emory and has practiced as a civil mediator and licensed family therapist.  He has four children and lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Betsy.