TheLiveBigWay® Digest: A New Chapter

Dear Readers,

More than forty years ago, Elissa Buie and Dr. Dave Yeske began their financial planning careers. Eighteen years ago, they founded Yeske Buie, merging their prior firms. Seventeen, fourteen, and thirteen years ago, Yusuf Abugideiri, Lauren Mireles, and Lauren Stansell were hired, and over the course of the next decade, significantly contributed to the excellence of the firm and proved themselves to be natural leaders. Seven years ago, this second generation of leaders became partners. And a year ago, it was announced that Elissa and Dave would be retiring at the end of 2025.

The one absolute requirement for this to happen was certainty that Clients would always receive financial planning from Yeske Buie at the same level of excellence and personal connection that Dave and Elissa set as a standard from day one. While positive changes will occur, the firm’s longstanding worldview and value system are constant, ensuring that the standards you’ve come to expect will continue.

Here’s what you can expect as we move forward together:

What’s Changing

Meet Our C3Os

The firm’s three next-generation owners, Yusuf, Lauren, and Lauren, will serve as Co-CEOs going forward. They are affectionately referred to as the C3Os (Star Wars jokes welcome). After more than a decade of working together, they are a leadership team whose combined strengths form a whole that is greater than its parts.

For the past year, the C3O trio has been leading “as if” Elissa and Dave were retired, consulting with them regularly during leadership meetings for feedback, passing ideas by them, and pursuing their thoughts, while making the decisions. This has proven their readiness for the job. And it has only deepened the firm’s confidence that you will continue to be well served under their direction and leadership.

What’s Not Changing

The YeskeBuie Way

The YeskeBuie standard of excellence is non-negotiable. The only changes you will see are ongoing improvements as we continue to be a learning, evolving leader in our profession.

Our Commitment to Independence

We are committed to being independently owned, as we firmly believe this is the only way to serve you The YeskeBuie Way. The firm will continue to offer real financial planning (strategic and human-focused) to real human beings for whom we care from the bottom of our hearts. This commitment can only be achieved by remaining independent and retaining ownership and, thereby, decision-making and Client focus. Our focus will always be on empowering you to pursue your Live Big^® life.

The Continued Wisdom and Input of Our Founders

While Elissa and Dave will no longer participate in the firm’s tactical operations, they remain part-owners and will be Co-Chairs of the Board. Their decades of experience and wisdom are a gift, and the team is grateful to be able to lean on them for mentorship, strategic planning, and “big stuff.” Elissa and Dave will also attend future social events – retirement celebrations are planned for July 16, 2026 in San Francisco and August 6, 2026 in Virginia. They look forward to keeping up with the goings on in your lives and humorously predict they will be “harder to shake than a bad habit.”

Passing the Torch

This metaphor feels fitting. There isn’t a new torch. It’s the same Live Big torch YeskeBuie has always held, rooted in the philosophy, worldview, values, and practices that define The YeskeBuie Way. That torch will now be carried by Yusuf, Lauren, and Lauren. The path this torch has traveled will be honored moving into the future. And the C3Os, along with the entire YeskeBuie team, will forge a new path with the same destination – providing excellent financial planning in order to empower Clients to pursue their Live Big lives.

We are all deeply grateful to be on this journey with you, for you, and because of you – our beloved Clients, the heart of YeskeBuie.

Sincerely,

The YeskeBuie Team