EP 86: Aquanetta Betts | Building a Legacy Through Strategic Charitable Giving

Episode 86: Aquanetta Betts | Building a Legacy Through Strategic Charitable Giving In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode of the Wills, Women & Wealth Podcast, Attorney Elsa W. Smith sits down with philanthropy strategist and legacy advocate Aquanetta Betts to explore how charitable giving can become a powerful part of a woman’s legacy. Aquanetta is the founder and principal consultant of Johnson Betts, LLC, where she helps nonprofits, faith-based organizations, professional advisors, and charitable individuals develop impactful planned giving and philanthropic strategies.  As Aquanetta explains, meaningful charitable giving is not about the size of your bank account—it’s about aligning your resources, values, and life experiences with the causes that matter most to you. Drawing from her work helping individuals create intentional giving strategies, Aquanetta shares practical ways professional women can incorporate philanthropy into their estate plans, use beneficiary designations to support charitable causes, and build a lasting impact that extends beyond their lifetime. Together, Elsa and Aquanetta discuss how charitable giving can become a meaningful expression of purpose, family values, and legacy—and why every woman has the ability to make a difference, regardless of her level of wealth. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why philanthropy is not just for wealthy families • The importance of identifying specific causes instead of giving broadly • Practical ways to align charitable giving with your personal values and lived experiences • Why charitable giving often resonates deeply with professional women and communities of color • How charitable gifts can be incorporated into an estate plan • Ways beneficiary designations on life insurance policies and financial accounts can support charitable causes • Common mistakes people make when they fail to review beneficiary designations over time • How often you should revisit your charitable goals and giving strategy • The inspiring story of a scholarship fund created from a family's loss and transformed into a lasting legacy • What an endowment fund is and why it can be a powerful legacy-building tool • How to balance supporting family members while also supporting charitable causes • and more But this conversation is about more than charitable donations. It's about intentional living. Because legacy is not simply about what you leave behind—it's about the values you pass forward. Through thoughtful charitable giving, women can create opportunities, strengthen communities, honor loved ones, and make an impact that continues for generations. This episode is a powerful reminder that legacy planning isn't only about protecting assets. It's also about using your resources with purpose and creating a lasting reflection of what matters most to you. SUBSCRIBE Follow this podcast and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5-star review—it helps more women and families access this empowering information. STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR GUEST ✔️ Connect with Aquanetta Betts on LinkedIn: @aquanettabetts ✔️ Learn more about her work and charitable giving initiatives: JohnsonBetts.com STAY CONNECTED WITH THE HOST ✔️ Connect with Attorney Elsa W. Smith:⁠ https://linktr.ee/elsawsmithlaw⁠ ✔️ Visit us at ⁠elsawsmithlaw.com⁠ ✔️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube ✔️ Book a complimentary 15-minute assessment call for estate planning, probate, or business formation (MD & DC only) DISCLAIMERS Information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Please do your own due diligence before hiring an attorney. SPONSOR This podcast is sponsored by the Law Offices of Elsa W. Smith, LLC—a wills, estate planning, and probate firm serving Maryland and the District of Columbia. Learn more at ⁠elsawsmithlaw.com⁠. © 2026 Law Offices of Elsa W. Smith, LLC. All rights reserved.