In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite interviews Wes Van Rite, a leading expert in building science and commissioning for high-end residential estates. They discuss the essential role of commissioning in ensuring luxury homes meet owners’ expectations for comfort, efficiency, and performance. Wes explains how proactive collaboration among general contractors, owner’s representatives, and commissioning agents prevents costly issues and enhances long-term value. Listeners gain practical insights into managing complex construction projects, the importance of clear communication, and why commissioning is vital for ultra-high-net-worth families building or renovating large estates.

Engineered Projects Consulting

https://www.engdproj.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-van-rite-epc/

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite interviews Wes Van Rite, a leading expert in building science and commissioning for high-end residential homes. They discuss the essential role of commissioning in ensuring luxury homes meet owners’ expectations for comfort, efficiency, and performance. Wes explains how proactive collaboration among general contractors, owner’s representatives, and commissioning agents prevents costly issues and enhances long-term value. Listeners gain practical insights into managing complex construction projects, the importance of clear communication, and why commissioning is vital for ultra-high-net-worth families building or renovating large estates.

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite welcomes Jeff Lambert of LHT Consulting Group to discuss the vital yet often overlooked topic of funeral planning for high-net-worth families. Drawing on decades of experience, Jeff shares best practices for proactive, personalized memorial planning, highlights the benefits of expert coordination, and offers practical strategies for family offices to navigate sensitive end-of-life conversations. The episode underscores how thoughtful planning eases emotional burdens, honors individual legacies, and ensures seamless execution for families with significant public profiles.

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, Christi introduces Koby Willbanks from Continuum Legal, discussing her unique role as a concierge general counsel for family enterprises and family offices. Kobe explains her background, encompassing organizational psychology, high-net-worth divorces, commercial litigation, and business transactional work, all contributing to her expertise as a legal generalist.

The conversation explores the importance of having a generalist legal advisor who can coordinate various specialist legal services, implement efficient legal operations, and prevent litigation. The episode also delves into the benefits of a subscription model for legal services, how Kobe collaborates with in-house legal teams, and provides actionable advice for families to better manage their legal spend and interactions with legal professionals. The discussion emphasizes the significance of finding the right legal representative who understands the client's needs and can provide practical, integrated legal advice.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:45 Kobe Wilbanks' Background and Career Journey

02:13 Role of a Concierge General Counsel

04:32 Creating a Unique Legal Firm

08:24 Challenges and Solutions in Family Legal Services

12:09 Legal Budgeting and Cost Management

16:57 Collaborative Legal Strategies

28:57 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite speaks with Yvette Conn, co-founder of Life Book Memoirs, about the critical importance of documenting family histories. They discuss how capturing personal and business stories preserves legacies, fosters understanding, and prevents future conflicts. Yvette shares insights into Life Book Memoirs’ personalized approach, the emotional impact of storytelling, and the practical benefits for families. Listeners are encouraged to consider memoirs as a powerful tool for strengthening family identity and ensuring that values, lessons, and achievements are passed down to future generations.

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite interviews Caitlin Hannon, President of Building Impact Partners. Caitlin shares her journey in philanthropy and offers expert insights on how families can align their giving with personal values for greater impact and fulfillment. The discussion covers strategic, relationship-driven approaches to philanthropy, managing donation requests, and the importance of ongoing reflection and adaptation. Listeners gain practical advice on developing a philanthropic strategy that moves beyond traditional giving, empowering families to create meaningful, lasting change in their communities.

Building Impact Partners

Caitlin Hannon - LinkedIn

You can find Suzy on Linked in at: Suzy Riedman

Family Wealth Dynamics - www.familywealthdynamics.com

Family Office Success Podcast: Episode Summary

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite converses with Suzy Riedman, founder of Family Wealth Dynamics. They delve into the emotional complexities and interpersonal challenges families face with inherited wealth. Suzy shares her personal journey of inheriting wealth and how it led her to help families navigate these sensitive issues. The discussion emphasizes the importance of open communication, tailored conversations, and facilitated family meetings to address wealth dynamics effectively. Suzy advocates for proactive dialogue to foster understanding and strengthen family relationships, ensuring a positive legacy for future generations.

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite interviews Mohamed Elzomor, co-founder of Nines, a software company that streamlines household management for high-net-worth families. Mohamed shares his journey from personal trainer to tech entrepreneur, highlighting the inefficiencies he observed in managing elite households. The discussion covers key challenges such as disorganization, poor communication, and lack of continuity in staff management. Mohamed explains how Nines addresses these issues with a centralized platform, improving operational efficiency and enhancing the quality of life for families and their staff.

www.ninesliving.com

Linked In

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite interviews Thomasina Williams, an expert in family leadership development. Thomasina shares her journey from practicing law to focusing on philanthropic strategy and family dynamics. The conversation highlights the importance of effective communication and leadership within wealthy families, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and constructive dialogue. Thomasina discusses the risks of avoiding difficult conversations and the benefits of fostering open communication to strengthen family relationships and ensure long-term success. The episode offers valuable insights into managing family wealth and navigating complex family dynamics.

Develop Family Leaders

Thomasina Williams Linked In

In this episode of the Family Office Success Podcast, host Christi Van Rite leads a discussion on healthcare navigation for family offices, featuring Dr. Brian Dooreck, a seasoned healthcare professional. Dr. Dooreck shares his extensive medical background and emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and preparation in navigating the healthcare system. The conversation highlights the critical role of healthcare navigators in ensuring families receive timely and appropriate care, especially during emergencies. The episode underscores the need for integrating healthcare management into family office services, advocating for proactive planning and effective communication to improve healthcare outcomes for families.

For more information on Dr. Dooreck, please check out Executive Health Navigation