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About the International Succession Association
The International Succession Planning Association® (ISPA) is the leading
professional community for advisors who help family business owners plan,
prepare, and successfully transition their companies.
Mission
ISPA is the global professional association advancing the practice of succession planning.
Vision
Succession planning is a globally recognized professional discipline essential to successful business and ownership transitions.
Who We Serve
ISPA serves all professionals who contribute to the highly inter-disciplinary practice of succession planning. This includes:
- Succession Planners
- Financial Planners
- Accountants and Bookkeepers
- Attorneys
- Insurance Professionals
- Wealth Managers
- Estate Planners
- Family Business Consultants and Advisors
Professional Standards & Credential Stewardship
ISPA is the steward of the Certified Succession Planner (CSP™) and is committed to building a professional credential grounded in education, ethical conduct, and ongoing professional development.
The CSP™ designation is awarded to professionals who complete ISPA’s CSP™ curriculum and agree to uphold ISPA’s professional standards, including the following core principles:
- Act with integrity and honesty in professional activities
- Practice within areas of professional competence
- Treat clients, colleagues, and stakeholders with fairness and respect
- Protect confidential and sensitive information
- Disclose and appropriately manage conflicts of interest
- Represent the CSP™ designation accurately and professionally
The Succession Matrix®
The Succession Matrix® identifies the key factors that reliably influence whether a business can transition successfully to the next generation.
Each factor is critical on its own, but they are also interdependent—strength in one area can offset weaknesses in another, while multiple shortfalls increase the risk of failure.
To help owners and advisors evaluate these strengths and vulnerabilities, ISPA created the Succession Planning Assessment (SPA™), a diagnostic tool built on the Matrix’s framework.
Leadership
Kelly Maheu, JD - CEO
Kelly Maheu is an association executive with a proven track record of building professional authority, scaling education and credentialing programs, and fostering cross-industry collaboration across the insurance, financial-services, and technology sectors. Her career has focused on developing the partnerships, standards, and programs that help professionals navigate complexity, risk, and long-term change.
Most recently, Kelly led partnerships and industry relations for a leading insurance technology organization, where she oversaw strategic relationships across insurance and financial services. Her work centered on aligning stakeholders, advancing collaboration, and supporting advisors, brokerages, and carriers in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Earlier in her career, Kelly held senior leadership roles across media, education, and association organizations, where she led professional education initiatives, advanced planning and compliance-focused content, credentialing programs, and the launch of industry-recognized certifications. She has also served in executive leadership roles supporting philanthropic and foundation-based initiatives.
Kelly holds a Juris Doctor and a bachelor’s degree, and is a published author and frequent thought leader. She brings a cross-disciplinary perspective to her leadership of ISPA, with a focus on elevating the profession through education, credentialing, and collaboration. She is based in Orlando, Florida.
