9th Annual Fall Forum
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Fall Forum 2025 – October 9 & 10
Sponsors
We would like to thank all of our sponsors! Without all of them, this event would not be possible. Thank you so much for your contributions to this event!
Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Speakers
Patrick Alyward
Patrick Alyward is the founder and CEO of TRUSTworthy Consultants. He has 30+ years within the banking and wealth management industry with focuses on fiduciary compliance (risk management), policies/procedures, process improvement/operations, sales, and training. He has an extensive network and was recently with RIC (Resource Insurance Consultants) where he was CEO and Board member partnering with over 200 banks and trust companies (including 6 of the top 7 U.S. banks). Before that, Patrick served in various fiduciary roles such as:
- General Manager with CCH (Wolters Kluwer) where he started a fiduciary tax preparation outsourcing practice.
- Executive roles at National City/PNC Bank for 15 years managing fiduciary functions and staff in multiple states. He was an Executive Vice President and Chief Fiduciary Officer where he led all regulatory examinations and managed specialized teams such as fiduciary tax, estate settlement, unique assets, court accountings, and middle office.
Patrick also previously worked at EY and KPMG in fiduciary tax leadership roles and started his career at Fleet Bank in Providence, RI.
Patrick actively serves on boards and is an advisor to organizations associated with the fiduciary industry. Patrick is a frequent speaker at wealth management conferences and author on various fiduciary topics. He is a recognized expert in fiduciary and compliance strategies.
Bill Boersma
Bill Boersma is a nationally recognized expert in life insurance consulting, analysis, research and management, with a career dedicated to serving wealthy business owners & professionals and their advisors. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Bill is the founder and driving force behind OC Consulting Group, where he specializes in estate planning, business succession, and charitable strategies. His expertise is critical to life insurance integrated planning success made possible by his knowledge, experience, attention and utilizations of tools not available to most consumers and advisors. His expertise is sought after by estate planning attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, family offices, financial planning professionals and non-profits who value his pragmatic approach and ability to challenge industry orthodoxy.
Bill’s comprehensive services include simple second opinions to in-depth, actuarially defensible analysis, policy acquisition & divestiture support, independent modeling & stress testing, tax analysis, policy valuations, portfolio optimization, life settlements… if it has to do with life insurance, OC has been there and has a track record of fixing problems, delivering significant value and offering tailored solutions. With extensive experience in litigation support and expert witness testimony, Bill’s work often helps clients avoid trial, though he is well-versed in courtroom and FINRA arbitration proceedings.
In addition to his consulting work, Bill is a seasoned speaker and writer, contributing to numerous financial and industry publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Trusts & Estates, Bloomberg, Leimberg Services, Accounting Today, the NAEPC Journal, the Financial Services Professional Journal and National Underwriter, among others. He speaks at estate planning councils, legal and accounting conferences and insurance associations across the country. His professional licenses include Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) and Licensed Insurance Counselor (LIC). Due to his work with securities-based products, Bill is also a Registered Rep, an Investment Advisor Representative and a licensed agent. With extensive experience in litigation support and expert witness testimony, Bill’s work often helps clients avoid trial, though he is well-versed in courtroom and FINRA arbitration proceedings. His leadership roles in multiple professional associations further underscore his commitment to advancing the field of life insurance and financial services.
Jennifer Bunkers
Ms. Bunkers is a partner with the Redstone Law Firm, LLP, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She received her J.D. degree in Law from the University of South Dakota and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Sioux Falls. A significant portion of Jennifer’s practice is devoted to representing individuals to craft their estate plans. Clients appreciate Jennifer’s extensive knowledge and her personal approach to tailoring clients’ estate plans to fit their wishes in a practical and tax-efficient manner.
Jennifer is also well-respected for her expertise in the area of dynasty trusts, representing both fiduciaries and beneficiaries on all aspects of trust administration. Since her appointment by Governor Dennis Daugaard in 2011, Jennifer has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Trust Administration Review and Reform and currently chairs the committee. Clients find that her extensive experience with trust administration, reformation, decanting and modification is a tremendous benefit to those who have availed themselves of the flexible and progressive trust laws of South Dakota.
In an effort to actively incorporate her passion for philanthropy into her law practice, Jennifer became a Charted Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP). Employing this additional area of expertise allows Jennifer to bring meaningful, tangible value to her clients and community.
Jennifer is married to her husband Jon, a fourth-generation farmer, and together they are raising two awesome teenagers. In her spare time Jen volunteers for numerous church and community activities, currently serving as the Chair of Volunteers of America – Dakotas Foundation, Inc., Vice Chair of the Avera McKennan Hospital and a member of the board of directors for the South Dakota Ag Foundation.
Sam Donaldson
Samuel A. Donaldson, J.D. LL.M., Prior to joining GSU Law in 2012, Professor Donaldson was on the faculty at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle for 13 years. During his tenure at the University of Washington, he was a five-time recipient of the Philip A. Trautman Professor of the Year award from the School of Law’s Student Bar Association. Professor Donaldson served for two years as Associate Dean for Academic Administration and for six years as the Director of the law school’s Graduate Program in Taxation.
Professor Donaldson teaches a number of tax and estate planning courses, as well as courses in the areas of property, commercial law and professional responsibility. He is a nationally recognized speaker on federal taxation and estate planning at professional conferences and continuing education seminars.
Professor Donaldson is an Academic Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and a member of the Bar in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. Among his scholarly works, he is a co-author of the popular West casebook, Federal Income Tax: A Contemporary Approach, and a co-author of the Price on Contemporary Estate Planning treatise published by Wolters Kluwer.
Professor Donaldson has served as the Harry R. Horrow Visiting Professor of International Law at Northwestern University and a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
An amateur crossword constructor, Professor Donaldson’s puzzles have been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and other outlets.
P. Daniel Donohue
P. Daniel Donohue is a lawyer with the law firm of Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, L.L.P., in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he has practiced law since 1974. Mr. Donohue is 1971 graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BBA in Accounting with honors) and a 1974 graduate of the University of South Dakota’s David L. Knudson School of Law. He is a former President of the Sioux Falls Estate Planning Council and the Minnehaha County Bar Association. His practice involves estate planning, with an emphasis on trust administration, and real estate with an emphasis on development, zoning and assessed valuation. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a former member of the College’s Board of Regents, and more recently served as a Director of the College’s Foundation where he sat on the Financial Management and Audit Committees. He is also member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Mr. Donohue is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who in American Lawyers, Chambers USA, Chambers USA High Net Worth (HNW) and Super Lawyers – South Dakota. Mr. Donohue has lectured on private trust companies, trust administration and trust situs issues at meetings of the following organizations: the American Bar Association, the University of Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute, the University of Miami Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, the New York City Estate Planning Council, the Minnesota Estate Planning and Trust Law Section’s Annual Conference, and Regional and National Meetings of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He has served as a member of the South Dakota Governor’s Task Force on Trust Administration Review and Reform. He and his partners have assisted banks, accounting firms, law firms, and family offices establish over sixty-five public and private trust companies in South Dakota. Mr. Donohue and his wife, Laurie, have been married forty-eight years and live in Sioux Falls. They have three daughters, Erin Snyder of Dallas, Texas, Margaret Green of Edina, Minnesota, and Liz Wheeler of Sioux Falls. Mr. Donohue continues to be active with non-profit organizations in the Sioux Falls area where he has served as a Board member of Sanford Health Foundation, LifeScape (fka Children’s Care Hospital and School), Children’s Care Foundation, Sioux Falls Catholic Schools Foundation, Junior Achievement of South Dakota, Inc., Sioux Council Inc (BSA), Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls, Dakota Gold Soccer Club USA, and Girls Club of Sioux Falls, Inc.
Scott Filmore
Scott has over 20 years of experience providing estate planning, tax, and estate and trust administration services. He has provided guidance to ultra-high net worth clients regarding a variety of issues, including sophisticated strategies to minimize estate, gift, generation-skipping transfer and fiduciary income taxes; business succession; and charitable giving. Scott uses his in-depth understanding of these areas to consistently develop innovative and customized solutions to meet each client’s unique goals regarding the transfer of wealth. Scott also regularly works within advisory teams consisting of professionals (both inside and outside RSM) with diverse expertise to ensure each client can implement a holistic wealth planning strategy that meets the client’s tax, legal, investment, business and family goals.
Before joining RSM, Scott spent over 17 years as a practicing attorney, focusing entirely on estate planning, tax and trust and estate administration. Scott was also a senior wealth strategist at an investment advisory firm, providing guidance to firm clients regarding these same matters.
Patrick Goetzinger
Pat is a partner with Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, & Ashmore, LLP, where he leads the firm’s Business and Estate Planning Group. He practices in the areas of Business and Estate Planning with a focus on family-run businesses, affluent individuals, business transactions, and real property law.
Pat is past President of the South Dakota State Bar Association and the South Dakota Bar Foundation (and currently a director). He is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a Fellow in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Pat served on the American Bar Association Board of Governors and South Dakota Trust Association Board of Directors. He is listed among the Best Lawyers in America, Great Plains Super Lawyers, Chambers USA’s High Net Worth rankings, and America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in Corporate/Commercial Law and Real Estate Law, and Private Wealth Law. Pat received the 2022 Marshall M. McKusick Award, given annually to an outstanding member of the South Dakota Bar for contributions to the legal profession.
Pat has been actively involved in drafting and supporting the enactment of trust and business legislation in South Dakota legislature. He has managed this through his service to the South Dakota State Bar Association and from his appointment to the Governor’s Task Force on Trust Reform and Administration since its inception in 1997. He has been appointed to this task force by the last five successive governors.
Pat’s desire to give back to his profession and the state is demonstrated by being the founder of Project Rural Practice, an initiative to restock rural main streets with attorneys and improve access to justice in rural areas. Pat especially enjoys the connection to the Black Hills and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial provided by his lifetime membership in the Mount Rushmore Society.
Pat serves as counsel for several trust companies with offices in South Dakota, and represents a wide array of businesses in all sizes, including beverage distributors, food service, hi-tech manufacturers, Main Street businesses, agricultural operations and family-owned businesses. Pat served as lead counsel on some of the largest transactions in the state, including what was at the time (2015) the largest ranch sale in South Dakota.
Patrick Martin
Patrick W. Martin is a Shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys at Law in San Antonio, Texas. With more than 30 years of legal experience, Patrick Martin’s practice focuses on a wide range of international tax issues. He assists domestic and foreign privately held companies, global investors, funds and other business entities with their international tax treaty planning strategies as well as worldwide investments and financing structures.
Martin also advises multi-national families on issues related to worldwide income, estate, gift, inheritance, and tax withholding planning, as well as international wealth preservation structures. Martin has a wealth of experience in international tax controversies and routinely defends international taxpayers before the relevant tax authorities, including the IRS.
Martin obtained his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, where he was the Thomas More Scholar. He also studied international law (Regimen Jurídico de Los Negocios Internacionales en México) at La Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City. He is a prolific writer and speaker, discussing international tax issues.
Martin is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel (ACTC) and of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel (ACTEC). He is also the former chair of the State Bar of California, Taxation Section.
Martin also served as an adjunct law professor at the LLM Tax program at the University of San Diego School of Law for several years teaching the LLM course of International Estate Planning.
Martin has been named to Best Lawyers in America since 2015, to Top Lawyers by San Diego Magazine since 2014, and to California Super Lawyers between 2007 and 2019. Other accolades include the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of San Diego School of Law and the V. Judson Klein Award from the State Bar of California.
Elizabeth Mylan
Elizabeth Mylan serves as the Director of Compliance at Cornerstone Private Asset Trust Company, LLC (“Cornerstone”), where she leads the company’s Governance, Risk, and Compliance (“GRC”) programs. She specializes in designing and implementing regulatory frameworks tailored to trust and investment services.
In addition to her role at Cornerstone, Elizabeth holds a leadership position within the BGM Group, with which Cornerstone is affiliated. There, she contributes to institutional oversight and strategic compliance initiatives.
Elizabeth is a Fellow of the International Compliance Association (United Kingdom) and holds both an International Diploma in Governance, Risk, and Compliance and an International Advanced Certificate in Compliance and Financial Crime, awarded through the University of Manchester. She has also completed Master Class-level training in International Compliance and Anti-Corruption Practices at the George Washington University Law School in the United States.
Her compliance expertise spans multiple jurisdictions, combining deep knowledge of both offshore and onshore regulatory environments. She is a certified Notary Public in South Dakota, holds a professional certification in estate law from Canada, and formerly served as a Commissioner for Oaths in the British Virgin Islands (the “BVI”). She also served as an Executive Member of the BVI Association of Compliance Officers.
Elizabeth attributes much of her success to the BVI, premier trust and corporate services financial services jurisdiction recognized for its robust regulatory and compliance framework. With over 28 years of experience, her career includes eight years as an independent compliance consultant for several high-profile trust and corporate service providers operating in and from the BVI. Prior to relocating to the United States in 2023, she served for four years as Senior Manager of Risk & Compliance at JTC (BVI) Limited.
Outside of her professional life, Elizabeth is a proud mother to an adult daughter. She finds personal fulfillment in swimming in the pristine waters of the BVI, along with gardening, hand embroidery, and antiquing.
Recently, Elizabeth has expanded her thought leadership through the publication of two insightful articles exploring the complexities of financial compliance and the intersection of legislation and political influence:
She has recently authored two thought leadership publications addressing financial compliance and the intersection of legislation and political influence:
Piercing America’s Corporate Veil: A History of U.S. AML and CTF Legislation This article explores the evolution of U.S. anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws, with key references to the BVI.
The Common Ground in Partisan Times: How Democratic and Republican Administrations Align on Financial Services Legislation on American Wealth Preservation
A follow-up analysis focusing on bipartisan consensus around the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its impact on U.S. financial services and international jurisdictions.
Brad Pesicka
Brad is a graduate of Augustana University, where he earned a degree in Economics and Business Administration. He later obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law and is an active member of the State Bar of South Dakota. His academic foundation, combined with a career dedicated to financial oversight, underscores his regulatory acumen and leadership. Since 2014, Brad has served within the South Dakota Division of Banking, where he has played an integral role in supervising and regulating the state’s-chartered trust companies. He began as a Financial Institution Examiner, conducting comprehensive examinations to assess compliance with applicable statutes and sound fiduciary practices. He was later appointed Trust Training Director, overseeing examiner education and institutional outreach efforts to ensure regulatory consistency and industry engagement. Following this, Brad was promoted to Chief Trust Examiner, where he led examination teams and provided subject matter expertise on fiduciary operations. In May 2025, he was appointed Deputy Director, Trust, assuming a senior leadership role responsible for strategic regulatory oversight and policy development for South Dakota’s internally/nationally recognized trust industry. With over a decade of progressive regulatory experience, Brad brings deep insight into fiduciary supervision, compliance risk, and governance standards, reinforcing the Division’s commitment to maintaining the safety, soundness, and integrity of South Dakota’s trust charter framework.
Anthony Sutton
Anthony Sutton is a partner at Reiter Law Firm where he practices in both state and federal court in South Dakota. A majority of Anthony’s practice is devoted to representing beneficiaries in trust and estate litigation matters. He also represents individual fiduciaries in litigation, including personal representatives, trustees, or attorneys-in-fact. He has represented clients in trust and estate litigation matters involving small family farms, real estate disputes, multipurpose business entities, and international dynasty trusts. Anthony lives in Sioux Falls with his wife and four children.
Jason Sutton
Jason Sutton is a partner at the Boyce Law Firm, LLP, where he has a broad litigation practice in federal and state courts. A substantial portion of Jason’s practice includes representing parties in trust and estate litigation matters. Although Jason typically represents fiduciaries, he also represents beneficiaries and other interested parties in trust litigation matters. He has represented clients in matters involving everything from a small family farm trust to international dynastic trusts. He also is a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Trust Administration Review and Reform. He lives in Sioux Falls with his wife and four children.
Stefan Szwarc
Stefan Szwarc, attorney, is a partner and co-founder of Halbach | Szwarc Law Firm. Stefan is a highly regarded attorney with nearly 10 years of experience in estate, business, tax, and asset protection planning. As a partner and co-founder of Halbach|Szwarc Law Firm, Stefan is dedicated to helping clients build and understand comprehensive and effective plans tailored to their unique needs.
Born in Canada and having lived abroad, Stefan moved to South Dakota at the age of 10. He graduated from Augustana College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law. His diverse background and experiences have shaped his precise, analytical, client-focused, and solutions-driven approach to law.
Stefan specializes in estate planning, business planning, tax strategies, and asset protection. His clients range from local families and individuals setting up their first wills or trusts to high-net-worth professionals and multinational business leaders establishing and administering complex, legacy-focused plans. Stefan’s approach ensures that both legacy needs and current lifestyles are meticulously planned for, providing his clients with a sense of comfort and understanding.
Stefan is passionate about providing the highest quality service, with a focus on his clients above all else. He works closely with clients throughout the planning process, ensuring they understand the meaning and mechanics of their plans. His background as a Wealth Planner influences every plan he works on, aiming to accomplish the clients’ most important goals with precision and clarity.
Stefan’s commitment to his community is evident through his extensive involvement. He serves as the Board Treasurer for the Compass Center and as an officer of the Sports Car Club of Siouxland. Additionally, he volunteers as a teacher with Junior Achievement of South Dakota and has previously served as a Diplomat with the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. These roles allow Stefan to give back to a community that has been integral to his personal and professional growth.
Jordan Vitek
Jordan is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Criminal Justice. He also holds a Juris Doctor with a concentration in Estate Planning from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Since 2018, Jordan has held leadership roles at Trust Trust Company, where he led teams focused on ensuring compliance with complex regulatory requirements. A seasoned fiduciary professional, Jordan brings extensive experience in trust and estate administration. In 2025, he joined Wealth Enhancement as the firm’s Chief Fiduciary Officer. In this role, he oversees legal compliance and operational risk management, and serves as a key contributor to the company’s strategic growth initiatives. He also works closely with clients and stakeholders to deliver customized fiduciary solutions. Jordan and his wife reside in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with their daughter and son. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, woodworking, and volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America.
Nicholas Wilwerding
Nicholas (Nick) serves Bridges Trust Company as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Nick is responsible for the strategic direction of the Company, overseeing all aspects of the firm’s investment strategies, client portfolios, and financial operations. Most importantly, he is accountable for maintaining and enhancing Bridges Trust’s values-based culture. With nearly two decades of industry experience, he actively collaborates with colleagues and clients to uphold the Company’s commitments to its workforce, clientele, and community leaders.
Nick received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from Creighton University. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation in 2009 and the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation in 2019.
Outside of his professional duties, Nick remains involved in community service. He is a participating member of the CAP Advisory Board, serves on the Endowment Investment Committee at Creighton University, and holds board positions at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and Marian Board of Trustees. Nick’s philanthropic endeavors extend to supporting St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church & School, showcasing his dedication to both his personal values and the wider community.
Dave Zimbeck
Dave is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law and has been a practicing attorney for over 40 years. From 1985 to 1990, he served as Legal Counsel for the South Dakota Division of Banking (the “Division”), where he was responsible for bank supervisory activities, drafting administrative rules and proposed legislation, and representing the Division before the legislature on banking-related matters. He subsequently spent 26 years with Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. and Citibank, N.A., serving in senior legal roles, including Associate General Counsel and General Counsel. His areas of responsibility included vendor management, corporate governance, regulatory and governmental affairs at both the state and federal levels, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, and responses to consumer complaints and governmental inquiries. From 2017 to 2025, Dave served as Compliance Officer and Legal Counsel for South Dakota Trust Company (“SDTC”). In this capacity, he led the development and implementation of SDTC’s BSA/AML compliance program, including the creation of internal training frameworks and the enhancement of client transaction monitoring protocols. Since 2016, he has also served on the Board of Directors of First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard, where he currently chairs the Audit Committee. Now recently retired, Dave is enjoying the opportunity to catch up on long-postponed home and landscaping projects. He also dedicates more time to staying active and caring for his beloved Labrador. He and his wife look forward to traveling more frequently, with plans to explore national parks and international destinations in the years ahead.
Presented by the South Dakota Trust Association