Family Business Audiocast
The Family Business Audiocast series brings together experts from the global family office and business ecosystem. Each episode explores topics such as governance, culture, corporate strategy, growth, and mission alignment. The podcast emphasizes the importance of high-quality advisors, investors, partners, and resources for family boards and owners. It was founded in 2022 and is produced by R. Adam Smith.
Episodes
Episode 4: Ruby Hugueny on the Family Business Enterprise
Download the transcript as a PDF here!: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nddvqisqf8t34aajkvmip/4-Post-Podcast-Ruby-Hugueny-June-2023.pdf?rlkey=7co0gxceerh6gw2jf66rvfqvm&st=5ksvoc3e&dl=0Download the episode here!: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1n731fvd9kxupvfqorahv/Audiocast-Ruby-Hugueny-With-Intro-Outro-2023-06-19.mp3?rlkey=87y3lui96jk4irhh0n7wnntu1&st=rqphyc9v&dl=0
Episode 5: Navigating Family Office Management with Harvard's Christina Wing
In this episode, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Christina Wing, founder of Wingspan Legacy Partners and Harvard Business School faculty member. Christina shares her expertise on family enterprise legacies, drawing from her experience as a former CEO of a family wealth office and her work at Harvard. She explores how families can design meaningful legacies through effective communication, succession p
Episode 6: Building Strategic Family Enterprise Systems with Richard Wolkowitz
R. Adam Smith welcomes Richard Wolkowitz, founder of Xylogenesis, a family advisory company. Drawing from decades of experience serving hundreds of families, Richard shares insights on filling the integration gap between family wealth office operations and family dynamics. He explores post-COVID shifts in next-generation engagement, emphasizing governance as the "heartbeat" of successful family en
Episode 7: John Bailey Explores Family Financial Planning in the AI Era
Host R. Adam Smith welcomes John Bailey, founder and managing partner of Lumenai Investments. Drawing from his extensive experience in the family investment office sector, John discusses how his firm revolutionizes portfolio management using artificial intelligence and data science. He explains the evolution of his approach from traditional asset management to AI-driven strategies, highlighting ho
Episode 8: Academic Insights on Family Enterprise Innovation with Professor Matt Hughes
R. Adam Smith welcomes Professor Matt Hughes, Schultz Distinguished Professor of Family Business and Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Leicester. Drawing from both academic research and practical insights, Matt discusses how family enterprise systems balance tradition with innovation. He explores the crucial role of corporate governance in unlocking entrepreneurial
Episode 9: Building Meaningful Relationships in Family Enterprise with Bruce Kasanoff
R. Adam Smith welcomes Bruce Kasanoff, a Wharton MBA graduate with over 800,000 LinkedIn followers and founder of Bend Reality. Bruce shares insights on how family enterprise leaders can elevate their personal and business presence through consistent communication about what matters most. He explores how privately-held businesses can utilize LinkedIn to strengthen targeted relationships while main
Episode 10: Exploring Family Enterprise Governance and Continuity with Angelo Robles
R. Adam Smith welcomes Angelo Robles, founder and chairman of Angelo Robles Enterprises, which includes Family Office TV and SFO Continuity. Drawing from decades of experience advising the world's most successful families, Angelo shares critical insights on family investment office sustainability. He emphasizes that while most family offices focus 60% on money, 30% on legal matters, and just 10% o
Episode 11: Guillermo Salazar on Building Sustainable Family Wealth Across Generations
In this episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Guillermo Salazar, a global family office expert and founder of Exaudi Family Business Consulting. Salazar shares powerful insights on family business succession, emphasizing the importance of understanding family narratives and values as foundations for effective wealth management. He discusses how Latin American family
Episode 12: Technology & Governance in Family Office Management with Phil Strassler and Adriana Zaluka
In the twelfth episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Phil Strassler (founder of Strassler LLC) and Adriana Zaluka (founder of MyFotech). These family office veterans share their expertise on technology integration, mission statements, and governance structures that drive family wealth office success. Phil discusses how effective mission statements and family charter
Episode 13: Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Family Financial Planning with Alfredo De Massis
In the thirteenth episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Professor Alfredo De Massis, one of the world's leading family business academics. De Massis shares insights from his extensive experience with entrepreneurial families across multiple countries, highlighting four key challenges facing today's family wealth office ecosystem: patrimony administration, succession
Episode 14: The Habsburg Dynasty: A Masterclass in the Family Business Enterprise
In this extraordinary episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes His Imperial and Royal Highness Sandor Habsburg, descendant of Empress Maria Theresa, Catherine the Great, and Queen Victoria. Drawing from his family's nearly thousand-year legacy, Habsburg shares profound wisdom on building sustainable family enterprise systems that transcend generations. He emphasizes re
Episode 15: European Family Financial Planning Models with Massimo Bau
In this episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Massimo Bau, Senior Associate Professor in Family Business and Ownership at Jönköping International Business School in Sweden and Director of the Center for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership. Bau discusses the evolution of family business education, highlighting how programs have expanded beyond one-size-fits-all app
Episode 16: The "Sticky Baton" Problem in Family Enterprise Succession with David Werdiger
In the sixteenth episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes David Werdiger, a consultant to family businesses and author of "Transition." Drawing from his own experience as a founder who sold his business, Werdiger shares insights on succession planning challenges, particularly the "sticky baton" syndrome where founders struggle to relinquish control. He emphasizes the i
Episode 17: Preparing Next-Gen Leaders in Family Enterprise with Jason Ma & Michelle Bross
In the seventeenth episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Jason Ma (founder and CEO of 3EQ) and Michelle Bross (founder of Tresynergy Family Office). Bross shares her journey from real estate entrepreneur to family office founder after a significant liquidity event, describing her innovative three-bucket approach to family wealth management inspired by her children's
Episode 18: Governance Structures in Global Family Enterprise with Elizabeth Bagger & Lena Chihab
In this episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Elizabeth Bagger (founder of Avante) and Lena Chihab (manager of FBN Levant) to discuss family business governance across global contexts. The experts explore the primary challenges family businesses face when establishing effective governance structures, highlighting family dynamics, intergenerational communication, and
Episode 19: Navigating Complex Family Business Enterprise Systems with Peter Vogel
In the nineteenth episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Peter Vogel, Director of the Global Family Business Center at IMD Business School and Debiopharm Chair for Family Philanthropy. Vogel discusses his approach as a "pracademic" who bridges rigorous academic research with practical frameworks for family enterprises. He explains how family businesses evolve over ge
Episode 20: The $3B Family Enterprise Journey with Kyle Chapman
In this milestone episode, R. Adam Smith welcomes Kyle Chapman, President of Barry W. Miller Group, a $3 billion industrial manufacturing conglomerate. Chapman details how his family wealth office evolved from a $20 million company to a global enterprise while maintaining their people-centered leadership philosophy. The conversation explores the unique hybrid private equity model they've developed
Episode 21: Building Multi-Generational Family Wealth Office Success with Karen Costa
R. Adam Smith welcomes Karen Costa, National Leader of the Family Office Advisory Center for RSM US. With over 20 years of tax consulting experience, Costa shares valuable insights on the evolution of family wealth office services and explores the holistic approach needed for effective family financial planning. The conversation honors her colleague Tony Wood's legacy while examining the intricaci
Episode 22: The Five C's of Family Enterprise Sustainability with Dave Specht
R. Adam Smith welcomes Dave Specht, Director of the Drucker School Global Family Business Institute and renowned family enterprise advisor. Drawing from his extensive experience at Wells Fargo and as author of "The Family Business Whisperer," Specht shares his expertise on succession planning through his innovative "Five C's" framework - contingency plans, cash flow planning, compensation, communi
Episode 23: Navigating Business Transitions in Family Wealth Office Structures with PNC Experts Emily Bouchard and Jim Benedict
R. Adam Smith welcomes Emily Bouchard and Jim Benedict from PNC Private Bank Hawthorn for an insightful discussion on guiding ultra-high-net-worth families through business transitions. As leaders in family enterprise advisory, they share complementary perspectives on the multifaceted challenges families face before, during, and after selling a business. The conversation explores crucial pre-sale
Episode 24: Wendy Diamond on Navigating Strategic Growth in Family Wealth Office Structures
R. Adam Smith welcomes Wendy Diamond, Chicago Office Tax Managing Partner and head of the US Family Enterprise platform at Deloitte. With over 25 years of experience advising multi-generational businesses, Diamond shares valuable insights on family office management challenges and strategic growth opportunities in today's complex business environment. The conversation explores key findings from De
Episode 25: Applying Venture Capital Principles to Family Business Enterprise with Ilya Strebulaev
R. Adam Smith welcomes Ilya Strebulaev, tenured professor of finance and private equity at Stanford Graduate School of Business and founder/director of the Stanford GSB Venture Capital Initiative. Celebrating 20 years at Stanford, Strebulaev shares insights from his extensive research and teaching experience in venture capital and entrepreneurial finance. The conversation explores his recently pub
Episode 26: Drew Sheinman & Brett Johnson: Revolutionizing Sports Investment for Family Offices
In this episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes sports industry veterans Drew Sheinman (Brand Velocity Group) and Brett Johnson (Benevolent Capital). The guests explore how their unique investment platforms are revolutionizing the sports industry through family-focused approaches. Drew shares BVG's innovative "Share the Gains" program, allocating 10% of carried intere
Episode 27: Why Selling - Not Gifting - Is Key to Family Enterprise Continuity with Tom Deans
R. Adam Smith welcomes Tom Deans, international best-selling author and global authority on family wealth transfers. Drawing from his groundbreaking book "Every Family's Business" (with over 1 million copies sold in 100+ countries), Deans challenges conventional wisdom about family business succession planning. He presents a compelling case for selling family businesses to the next generation at f
Episode 28: The Dimmer Switch Approach to Family Businesses with Valerie Galinskaya
In this episode, R. Adam Smith welcomes Valerie Galinskaya, Managing Director and Head of the Merrill Center for Family Wealth. With 18 years of experience helping ultra-high-net-worth families, Valerie shares insights on effective family financial planning strategies and the importance of intentional communication about wealth. She discusses her framework of Five Core Competencies for family weal
Episode 29: Kirby Rosplock on Financial Literacy and Wealth Succession Planning
R. Adam Smith welcomes Dr. Kirby Rosplock, founder of Tamarind Partners and Tamarind Learning, to discuss the educational gaps facing family enterprises. With over 20 years of experience, Kirby shares insights on how her educational platform addresses crucial knowledge deficits in trust beneficiaries and next-generation family members. The conversation explores how family financial planning educat
Episode 30: Strategic Family Office Management with Shaun Parkin of Hall Road Investments
R. Adam Smith welcomes Shaun Parkin, founder of Hall Road Investments, an Australian firm specializing in family office investment governance. Drawing from over 25 years of experience in asset management, Shaun shares insights on how his company helps family offices develop robust investment committee structures and reporting infrastructure. The conversation explores the increasing complexity of a
Episode 31: The Art of Letting Go: Kristi Daeda on Family Business Transitions
R. Adam Smith welcomes Kristi Daeda, CEO of The Family Business Consulting Group, to discuss the nuances of family business governance and succession planning. Drawing on insights from her 30 years of experience, Kristi shares how family enterprise leaders can build durable relationships and decision-making structures that withstand generational transitions. She emphasizes that effective family go
Episode 32: The Wealth 3.0 Paradigm: Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Family Enterprises with Jim Grubman
R. Adam Smith welcomes Jim Grubman, founder of Family Wealth Consulting and pioneering thought leader in the family business space. With over three decades of experience, Jim discusses his groundbreaking Wealth 3.0 paradigm, which shifts family wealth advising from fear-based strategies toward engagement and resilience. Throughout the conversation, Jim offers profound insights on preparing next-ge
Episode 33: Creating Lasting Family Legacy Through Effective Governance and Communication
R. Adam Smith hosts an insightful panel discussion with three renowned family business experts: Jason Ma (CEO of ThreeEQ), Emily Bouchard (family wealth transition specialist), and Chelsea Toler (next-gen researcher and Logictry co-founder). This dynamic conversation explores the tensions between generational approaches to family investment, entrepreneurship, and governance. The panelists share pr
Episode 34: Brandon Henry on Managing Illiquid Assets in Family Business Enterprises
In this episode, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Brandon Henry, founder of Mosaic Advisors. Brandon shares insights from his work advising first-generation family enterprise owners whose wealth is primarily tied to illiquid assets. The conversation explores the intersection of family wealth office technical planning and the human dynamics that shape family legacy decisions. Brandon's unique "fixed fee
Episode 35: Bobby Stover on the Four Pillars of Family Enterprise Success
R. Adam Smith welcomes Bobby Stover, leader of Ernst & Young's Americas Family Enterprise and Family Office Business. Bobby shares his framework of four essential pillars for successful family enterprise longevity: growth strategy, company capitalization, shareholder liquidity, and generational transition strategy. The conversation explores how technology is blurring the lines between single a
Episode 36: Christina Wing and Maryann Bell on Legacy as a Living Concept
R. Adam Smith welcomes Christina Wing and Maryann Bell of Wingspan Legacy Partners for an illuminating discussion on family enterprise governance and multi-generational wealth stewardship. Christina, who teaches "Demystifying Families in Business" at Harvard Business School, and Maryann bring their extensive experience helping elite families navigate the complexities of succession planning. The co
Episode 37: Bridget Kustin and Emanuela Rondi on the Evolution of Family Enterprise Impact
R. Adam Smith welcomes economic anthropologist Bridget Kustin of Oxford Saïd Business School and Associate Professor Emanuela Rondi of the University of Bergamo for an insightful academic perspective on family enterprise dynamics. Kustin shares findings from the Ownership Project 2.0, examining how ultra-wealthy families approach impact investment and the disconnect between their self-perception a
Episode 38: Bridging Crypto and Philanthropy in Family Business with Robbie Heeger
R. Adam Smith welcomes Robbie Heeger, founder and CEO of Endaoment, the first blockchain-powered community foundation revolutionizing philanthropy for digital asset holders. Heeger shares how his journey began with a simple quest for tax efficiency when donating cryptocurrency, revealing the gap in the market for donor-advised funds (DAFs) that could accept digital assets. The conversation explore
Episode 39: Talent Acquisition for Family Office Management with Bill Stranberg
R. Adam Smith welcomes Bill Stranberg, second-generation leader and managing partner at Stranberg, a firm specializing in executive search and talent strategy for family-owned businesses. Drawing from his own experience joining his parents' firm in 2013, Stranberg shares insights on the delicate balance between honoring family legacy while pursuing evolution and growth. The conversation explores t
Episode 40: Navigating Trustee Liability in Family Estate Planning with Judith Pearson
In this fortieth episode of The Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Judith Pearson, founder of Precision Brokers and Nomadx. As a recognized leader in fiduciary risk management, Judith shares insights on evolving trust structures and insurance innovations that protect family wealth. The conversation explores private trust companies across different states, the shift in next-generatio
Episode 41: Succession Planning and Family Office Management with Octavian Pilati
R. Adam Smith welcomes Octavian Pilati, an investor, strategist, and founder of The Anti-Fragile Family consultancy. Born into an Austrian aristocratic family with a millennium of heritage, Octavian shares his unique journey into family enterprise leadership following a crisis. The conversation explores critical aspects of family financial planning in multigenerational contexts, including next-gen
Episode 42: The Three Pillars of Wealth Legacy with Adrienne Penta and Lane McDonald
Adrienne Penta and Lane McDonald from SCS Financial Services join host R. Adam Smith to discuss the complex interplay between family wealth management, next-generation preparation, and legacy building. Adrienne shares insights on using philanthropy as a gateway for meaningful family conversations about wealth purpose, while Lane explores how emotional detachment in investing yields better outcomes
Episode 43: Richard Wolkowitz on Bridging Generational Gaps in Family Business
This week on the The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes back Richard Wolkowitz, founder of Xylogenesis and trusted family enterprise advisor. Wolkowitz breaks down nine critical differences between founder mentality and family mentality that impact family business succession. The conversation explores how governance structures can bridge these differences, the evolution of entr
Episode 44: Family Financial Planning Across Generations with Shelley Forsythe
R. Adam Smith hosts Shelley Forsythe, Director and Family Office Lead at BMO Private Wealth. With extensive experience in family governance, Shelley advises multi-generational families on building resilient structures that balance business priorities with family harmony. She discusses how BMO's platform integrates family office services with wealth management, serving over 700 families globally. S
Episode 45: Legacy, Control, and Socioemotional Wealth with Luis Gomez-Mejia & Ignacio Requejo
On this episode of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes two of the world's foremost experts in family enterprise research: Luis Gomez-Mejia and Ignacio Requejo. Together, they explore the often-misunderstood dynamics of family business ownership, from the foundational role of socioemotional wealth to the ways family control affects decision-making, family office management,
Episode 46: Laura Gambineri on Governance, Global Planning & Legacy in the Family Enterprise
On Episode 46 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Laura Nanette Gambineri-Giese, LL.M. TEP, founder of Trusted Governance and expert in cross-border family estate planning, Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), and family governance. Drawing on her experience with internationally active family enterprises, Laura shares insights on combining technical family wealth str
Episode 47: David Burleigh on Aligning Capital, Interests, and Mission in the Family Business
On Episode 47 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes David W. Burleigh, esteemed family business expert, fiduciary, and author of Take Ownership of What You Own: Build Your Confidence to Navigate the World of Trusts and Family Enterprise. An attorney by training, David has spent his career helping multi-generational family businesses structure ownership—not just what they o
Episode 48: Roger Vincent on Partnership-Driven Private Equity and Building Long-Term Alignment
On Episode 48 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Roger Vincent, founder and Chief Investment Officer of Summation Capital, a new investment firm delivering endowment-style access to private equity for family wealth offices, multi-generational family businesses, and mission-driven investors. With decades of experience in private markets, Roger previously led Cornell Univ
Episode 49: Kimberly Eddleston on Driving Innovation Across Generations and Families Navigating Legacy
On Episode 49 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith sits down with Dr. Kimberly Eddleston, Schulze Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Montoni Research Fellow at Northeastern University’s D’Amore‑McKim School of Business, as well as a Research Fellow with Cornell’s Smith Family Business Initiative. Named in Stanford University’s top 2% of scientists and one of Family Capital’
Episode 50: Jennifer East on Aligning Family Business Generations and Building Governance for Lasting Family Unity
On Episode 50 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Jennifer East, Founder of ONIDA Family Advisors and a globally recognized advisor to family enterprises and family offices. With two decades of experience guiding multigenerational families across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, Jennifer has built a reputation for helping family businesses strengthen governance, ali
Episode 51: Rick Holton on Leading Family Businesses and Building Communities of Like-Minded Entrepreneurs
On Episode 51 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Rick Holton, a seasoned family business leader, investor, and advisor whose career spans operating companies, venture capital, and private equity. As President of Holton Companies, Rick has guided a multi-generational enterprise while also fostering growth for early-stage and middle-market businesses.In this conversation, Rick
Episode 52: Karen McNeill on Using Family Stories to Strengthen the Multi-Generational Family Business
Dr. Karen McNeill brings her unique expertise in history and culture to the world of multi-generational wealth advising. As founder of Verdandi and Associates and Dean of Family Stories at the Purposeful Planning Institute, she reveals how family narratives serve as strategic assets for family enterprise continuity. Karen discusses her research into women and philanthropy, highlighting figures lik
Episode 53: Henry Brandts-Giesen on Asia's Rising Wealth and the Future of Family Office Services
Henry Brandts-Giesen, global co-chair of Dentons' high net worth group, explores the rapid evolution of private wealth in Asia and the professionalization of family office services. The conversation examines Singapore's emergence as a global wealth hub, the complexities of intergenerational transitions, and the critical role of governance in sustainable family wealth management. Brandts-Giesen sha
Episode 54: John Koeppel on the Evolution of Family Business Enterprise Transactions Through Independent Sponsors
John Koeppel, partner at Lippes Mathias LLP and leader of their private equity and independent sponsor practice, joins host R. Adam Smith to explore how independent sponsors are transforming direct deal making. With over 250 transactions closed, Koeppel shares insights on why family investment office structures are increasingly backing fundless sponsors, the strategic advantages of flexible deal s
Episode 55: Suzanne Gyorgy on Leveraging Art Collections in Family Wealth Management
Suzanne Gyorgy, Partner at Emigrant Bank Fine Art Finance, shares her expertise on the intersection of art and wealth management. With over 35 years of experience advising collectors and institutions, Suzanne explores how family wealth office strategies incorporate art as an asset class. The conversation covers art finance fundamentals, leveraging collections for liquidity without selling, a
Episode 56: Dr. Jan-Philipp Ahrens on AI, Big Data, and Family Enterprise Research
Dr. Jan-Philipp Ahrens, leading scholar at the University of Mannheim, discusses his groundbreaking research at the intersection of family enterprise, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. As a fifth-generation family business successor, Jan brings personal insight to his academic work leading an interdisciplinary research group that combines data science with traditional business research.
Episode 57: David Werdiger on the Power of Pause in Family Enterprise Leadership
David Werdiger returns to discuss his Power of Pause Institute and the concept of time as a critical leadership asset. Drawing from his experience as a second-generation family business enterprise member and decades advising high net worth families, David explores how family enterprise leaders can create clarity through intentional pause rather than constant urgency. The conversation covers stewar
Episode 58: Building Learning Systems for Family Enterprise Continuity with Jeremy Cheng
Jeremy Cheng, Principal at Lansberg Gersick Advisors, shares his approach to building learning capacity for enterprise families across Asia and beyond. Broadcasting from Hong Kong, Jeremy discusses the evolution of family business enterprise education, the importance of continuous curriculum development, and how families can embrace portfolio thinking for rising generations. He explores cultural d
Episode 59: Emily Balentine Barbour on Multi-Generational Wealth and Family Legacy at Balentine
Emily Balentine Barbour, Partner and Head of Client Engagement and Family Legacy at Balentine, shares her unique perspective as a third-generation member of an Atlanta-based wealth management firm. The conversation explores Balentine's journey from sale to major bank during the financial crisis back to independence in 2010, now managing $8.5 billion under advisement. Emily discusses the evolution
Episode 60: The Leadership Principles Behind Enduring Institutions and Family Enterprise with James Rosebush
James Rosebush — Reagan White House veteran, author, and family office advisor — draws direct lines between presidential leadership and multigenerational stewardship. Having worked alongside Reagan as Chief of Staff to the First Lady, Rosebush witnessed firsthand how indifference to public opinion, deep spiritual conviction, and a relentless drive to understand "what is really going on" shaped one
Episode 61: Philip Marcovici on Why Family Enterprise Fails Across Generations
Philip Marcovici — international tax lawyer, author, and advisor to ultra-high-net-worth families — joins R. Adam Smith to explore what it takes for a family enterprise to endure across generations. Drawing on decades of advising families across Asia, Europe, and beyond, Philip challenges the assumption that culture determines planning outcomes, arguing that wealth's destructive potential is unive
Episode 62: Long-Term Stewardship Within Family Enterprise Kelly Pollock and Betsy Cohen
Kelly Pollock, CEO of the Burgess Family Foundation, and Betsy Cohen, philanthropic futurist and founder of FutureGood, join R. Adam Smith for a wide-ranging conversation on strategic philanthropy, community impact, and the evolving role of family enterprise in shaping long-term social change. Drawing on decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, trust banking, and futurism, Kelly and Betsy ex
Episode 63: Amy Griman on Trust, Governance, and Human Readiness in Family Office Services
Amy Griman — founder of Delta Creative Group and former global president of the BMO Family Office — joins R. Adam Smith to explore what she calls the readiness gap: the distance between technically sound estate and governance structures and a family's actual preparedness to act on them. Drawing on more than 30 years at the intersection of trust law, family office services, and human capital, Amy u
Episode 64: Luke Jernagan on Building Family Office Services That Go Beyond the Balance Sheet
Luke Jernagan, Director of Family Learning and Culture at Matter Family Office, joins R. Adam Smith for a conversation about the relational and human dimensions of managing multi-generational wealth. Luke traces his unusual path from Episcopal ministry to family advisory work, and describes how Matter structures its engagement model around communication, shared values, and generational learning —
Episode 65: Stephan Gerwert on Family Wealth, Succession Planning, and the German Family Enterprise Ecosystem
Stephan Gerwert, Head of Family Office Services at PwC Deutschland, joins R. Adam Smith for a wide-ranging conversation on what it takes to build and sustain a modern family office — particularly within Germany's uniquely secretive ultra-high-net-worth landscape. Stephan draws on a career that spans big-bank wealth management, leading a Swiss single-family office, and co-founding a fintech platfor
Episode 66: Dennis Jaffe on Governance, Legacy, and the Family Business Enterprise
Dennis Jaffe — organizational psychologist, senior research fellow at Banyan Global, and one of the founding voices in family enterprise consulting — joins R. Adam Smith to explore why succession so often stalls between intention and execution. Drawing on decades of work with global families and his recent collaboration with J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Dennis reframes succession not as a single
Episode 67: Raising Stewards of Wealth — Susan Schoenfeld on Family Enterprise
Susan R. Schoenfeld, JD, LLM, CPA, MBA, CEO and founder of Wealth Legacy Advisors, joins R. Adam Smith to explore the human dimensions of multigenerational wealth. Drawing on a career that spans tax law, trust administration, and service as a family ambassador at a $600 million single family office, Susan discusses how families can build governance structures, develop next gen leaders, and navigat
