Family Office Principles

In this episode, Keith Lender, Chief Investment Officer of Lender Management, takes us inside a family office built on the legacy of Lender’s Bagels, and the landmark tax court case that helped define what it means for a family office to operate as a true trade or business. Keith shares how he moved from teaching high school math to leading the office his father built, and the years-long audit battle that ultimately led to the “Lender ruling.”Our conversation explores the mechanics of the profits infrastructure and the Lender structure, the generational tension between honoring a parent’s legacy and rethinking it for the next generation, and the skills required to lead a family office long-term. Most candidly, Keith walks us through the family’s current decision to unwind the office altogether — what prompted it, the emotional weight behind it, and the lessons in knowing when to let go.

In this episode, family office principal, two-time founder, and early-stage investor Maia Monell shares how two startup exits and a lifelong seat at the family table have shaped her approach to stewardship. Maia walks us through building a mother-daughter venture vehicle, co-founding a collective that helps women principals invest with agency, and bringing her family members' separate strengths together to build a stronger office.Our conversation explores why a family office should run like a business, from formal investment committees to the one trusted non-family advisor every family needs, and how clear guardrails keep money talk away from the dinner table. It's an honest look at what it takes to professionalize an office while keeping the family close.

In this episode, Felipe Fernandez, family office leader based in Cabo, Mexico, joins us to share how his family’s liquidity event in 2013 became the catalyst for a portfolio that is now roughly 95% impact-focused. Drawing on a legacy of conscious capitalism rooted in his grandfather’s experience with Grupo Modelo, Felipe walks through how his family embraced deep, intentional impact investing across asset classes.

Our conversation explores Felipe’s three guiding principles: family alignment, starting local, and measuring impact with rigor. He shares how “regenerative relationships” and a systems-level approach to community needs have shaped both his philanthropic and for-profit investment strategy. We’re pleased to share this thoughtful look at what it means to use business as a force for good.

In this episode, Ariel Segal Eck, Managing Director at Segal Ventures, takes us inside a family office direct investing practice built on relationships, representation, and a deeply personal approach to capital allocation. Drawing on her work alongside her father and cousin, Ariel shares how the family evolved from direct investments into a fund-of-funds model — and how that shift has increased both their returns and their impact.

Our conversation explores the power of connection in a family office investor context, from the family’s “bookstore protocol” they use to build connections with fund managers and entrepreneurs, to the steps they take to ensure every family member — even those not involved in the investing — feels seen and represented by the portfolio. We’re pleased to share this candid look at what it takes to use venture capital not just to generate returns, but to hold a family together.

In this episode, Jamie Biddle, founding partner and CEO of Verdis Investment Management, takes us inside one of America’s oldest family offices and the evolution of family stewardship across ten generations. Drawing on his background in venture capital and private equity, Jamie shares how he stepped into leadership at age 40 and rebuilt the family office as a modern, endowment-style investment platform.

Our conversation explores the power of long time horizons, disciplined asset allocation, and data-driven decision-making — from managing intergenerational tensions to rethinking how families approach venture capital at scale. It’s a rare, candid look at what it takes to preserve capital, culture, and cohesion over centuries.

Disclaimer:

Verdis Investment Management, LLC (“Verdis”) is a Registered Investment Advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. Registration as an Investment Advisor does not imply any level of skill or training. The views expressed in this presentation reflect those of Verdis as of the date of recording. Any views are subject to change at any time based on market or other conditions, and Verdis disclaims any responsibility to update such views. This commentary is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or an offer of investment advisory services. Furthermore, Verdis is neither an attorney nor an accountant, and no portion of the views expressed by Verdis in this presentation should be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice. Because investment decisions are based on numerous factors, these views may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any portfolio or strategy. The information contained herein has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed by Verdis as to its accuracy or completeness. This information does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, an interest in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Certain information contained herein has been obtained from other parties. While such sources are believed to be reliable, neither Verdis nor its respective affiliates assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information presented.

In this episode, Jessica Millstone (Managing Director, Copper Wire Ventures) shares the story behind her family office and how she and her sister stepped into leadership after growing up far from the traditional wealth-management world. Raised in their father’s scrap-metal business, neither sister expected to return — until Jessica proposed launching a venture fund with their dad, a project that ultimately brought the family closer together.

When their father passed away, Jessica and her sister inherited both the family office and the responsibility of shaping its future. Together, they’ve reimagined the enterprise — professionalizing the structure, aligning it with their own values, and building on the lessons their father passed down about partnership, communication, and keeping family at the center.

This conversation offers a candid look at next-gen stewardship, sibling collaboration, and how two sisters are honoring their father’s legacy while creating something entirely their own.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the second season of Family Office Principals! This time we’re joined by Blake Pendleton, Director of Business Development at Pathstone. Listen in to learn about his career development and three core principles he has chosen to share:

* Clarity over complexity

* Know your strengths, outsource the rest

* Engage the next generation early but authentically

Welcome to Season 2 of Family Office Principals! For this first installment, we’re welcoming Blake Pendleton, Business Development Director at Pathstone, a partner-owned multi-family office serving UHNW families, single family offices, foundations, and endowments.

Join host and 1W CEO Scott Saslow to learn about Blake’s professional journey and his three principles he has chosen to share:

* Clarity over complexity

* Know your strengths, outsource the rest

* Engage the next generation early but authentically

Welcome to Season 2 of Family Office Principals! For this first installment, we’re welcoming Blake Pendleton, Business Development Director at Pathstone, a partner-owned multi-family office serving UHNW families, single family offices, foundations, and endowments.

Join host and 1W CEO Scott Saslow to learn about Blake’s professional journey and his three principles he has chosen to share:

* Clarity over complexity

* Know your strengths, outsource the rest

* Engage the next generation early but authentically

We're grateful to be joined by Marlis Jansen, Co-Founder and CEO of Graddha, LLC., an advisory organization serving individuals and families as they navigate the complexities of wealth.

Join us as we dive into several key principles Marlis has developed through the course of her career and experience within her own family’s office:

* The importance of developing the family office as a learning organization. How is that accomplished?

* Access is not the same as inclusion. How can family offices become truly inclusive?

* The family office is an extension or reflection of the broader family system. What implications does that have?