Host Todd S. Rich and Sherry Pryor Witter,  Managing Partner, Founder, and CIO of the Witter Family Office explore the evolution of a single-family office built on discipline and agility. A Juilliard-trained pianist by age seven and a Wall Street intern by fourteen, Sherry shares her journey from starting her first hedge fund at 22 to co-founding the Witter Family Office in 2011 with her husband Michael, youngest grandson of Wall Street legend Dean Witter. She shares how a philosophy of service shapes every decision she makes, from portfolio construction to parenting, and why she believes each generation must make its own money.  

They discuss:

→Sherry's declaration to be of service, and how it shapes her approach to investing, philanthropy, and parenting

→Why single-family offices can remain nimble and agile

→How the Witter family's military heritage and philanthropic legacy inform investment and giving decisions

→The "micro urgent, macro patient" mindset that now guides her decisions

Todd S. Rich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Sherry Pryor Witter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrypwitter/ 

The Witter Family Office:  https://www.witter.nyc/old-home

Declaration Partners:  https://www.declarationpartners.com

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: https://a.co/d/03u3E9xF

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman: https://a.co/d/0dfRC4K2

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:45) – Sherry’s Declaration 

(00:02:36) - Daughter of a soldier

(00:06:03) – Learning discipline

(00:08:31) - Early start on Wall Street

(00:12:26) - Becoming a trader not a banker

(00:15:08) - Style drift and swinging for home runs

(00:16:15) - Starting a hedge fund at 22

(00:18:33) - The Dean Witter legacy

(00:22:49) - Gen one mindset

(00:27:32) - Crypto and AI 

(00:34:40) - Why single-family office

(00:40:16) - Family office structure and governance

(00:44:50) - Philanthropy and giving back

(00:47:10) - Partnership with purpose

(00:50:35) - Health struggles and gratitude

(00:54:57) - Closing questions

In this episode, Host Todd S. Rich sits down with Will Silverman, Managing Director at Eastdil Secured to explore his unconventional path from investment banking to becoming one of New York City's leading real estate capital markets advisors. The conversation spans the current state of New York real estate from office to multifamily to luxury retail and offers candid perspective on what he believes separates great investors and brokers. The conversation moves beyond market headlines to uncover the practical frameworks that guide complex transactions.  Will also shares memorable advice on career development, the value of cultural literacy, and the habits that have shaped his success.

They discuss:

• Will's declaration: why pretending someone is watching makes you a better professional, parent, and person
• Why the era of "riding the beta" in real estate is over and what idiosyncratic outperformance looks like today
• The inelastic demand for trophy office buildings in Manhattan
• Why Will believes cultural literacy and intellectual breadth create better dealmakers
• Resume and interview advice and why an investment thesis deck changes everything

Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:54) - Will's declaration: Always act like someone's watching

(00:03:33) – Growing up in Queens and falling in love with New York City

(00:08:24) - Getting into real estate brokerage

(00:15:35) - Using data science to differentiate

(00:20:38) – Joining Eastdil Secured and the power of a collaborative culture

(00:24:39) - The state of real estate markets today

(00:28:35) – Office market recovery: idiosyncratic demand and trophy assets

(00:31:12) – AI's impact on office demand

(00:32:52) – New York City multifamily and the Summer of 2021

(00:40:51) – Luxury retail and why brands are buying their flagships

(00:44:10) – What separates great investors and brokers

(00:52:15) – The cultural literacy quiz

(00:56:29) – Resume and career advice

(01:01:29) - Closing questions and book recommendations

In this episode, Todd S. Rich sits down with Tripp Friedler, Founder & Co-Managing Partner at FreeGulliver, to explore a deeply personal and philosophical approach to wealth, purpose, and legacy. Tripp shares the origins of his “Free Gulliver” concept, rooted in the idea that the greatest constraints in life are often self-imposed, and explains how his work focuses on helping individuals understand where they truly are before charting a path forward. The conversation weaves through his unconventional career, family influences, and the emotional turning points that shaped both his business and worldview. From navigating loss to redefining success, Tripp offers a perspective that blends financial strategy with introspection and intentional living.

They discuss:

• The concept of “freeing Gulliver” and how internal constraints hold people back
• Why understanding your true “location” in life is critical before setting goals
• How Tripp’s career evolved from law and insurance into holistic wealth advising
• Tripp’s views on the role of purpose, legacy, and emotional clarity in financial decision-making
• Lessons from personal tragedy and how adversity shapes meaning and resilience

Links:

Tripp on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tripp-friedler-61768616/

FreeGulliver - https://freegulliver.com/

Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/

The Tunnel: A Memoir by Tripp Friedler: https://a.co/d/00zWq0N6

Free Gulliver: Six Swift Lessons In Life Planning by Tripp Friedler: https://a.co/d/0iwgmvAw

The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling by James Hillman: https://a.co/d/01Rafd9P

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: https://a.co/d/0hM8otN7

Topics:

(00:02:20) - Tripp’s Declaration

(00:04:53) - Tripp’s upbringing

(00:15:27) - Career in law

(00:17:51) - Scratching “the itch”

(00:25:23) - Tripp’s unique approach to wealth management

(00:31:54) - Finding the right clients

(00:35:50) – Tripp’s thoughts on how to assign purpose to investing

(00:39:10) - The catalyst for writing a book

(00:44:04) - Finding meaning

(00:46:38) - Living with intentionality

(00:49:23) - Tripp’s Philanthropic work

(00:52:32) - Influential books

(00:53:09) - Advice for listeners

(00:54:56) - Tripp’s pursuit of happiness

In our most recent episode of declarations. and the first episode recorded in front of a live audience, Host Todd S. Rich is joined at the NY Historical by David M. Rubenstein,  Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group and Owner of the Baltimore Orioles, to explore the enduring legacy of the Declaration of Independence and its relevance today. David breaks down the document’s origins, its most influential passage, and the historical context that shaped its meaning. The conversation moves beyond history into the importance of preserving foundational documents, the lessons of the American Revolution, and how those ideals translate into modern investing and leadership. Throughout, David reflects on legacy, philanthropy, and the role individuals play in shaping society over time.

They discuss:

• Why a single sentence in the Declaration became one of the most influential ideas in history
• How the document evolved from a political explanation into a global symbol of equality
• The role of historical preservation in shaping understanding and decision-making
• Lessons from the American Revolution that still apply to democracy and governance today
• How investing, persistence, and long-term thinking can positively impact society

Declaration Partners -  https://www.declarationpartners.com/

Todd on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

David on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-m-rubenstein/

declarations. podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-declarations-podcast

Declaration Partners on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/declaration-partners

NY Historical: https://www.nyhistory.org/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:00:50) - Why the Declaration endures

(00:03:42) – A Famous Sentence

(00:05:14) - Explanation of July 2nd vs July 4th 

(00:09:00) - Patriotic Philanthropy

(00:16:33) – Lessons from the Revolution

(00:25:31) - Legacy and the pursuit of happiness

(00:29:09) – Final disclosures

Todd Rich sits down with Ian Ross, Founder & Managing Principal of SomeraRoad, to explore the mindset and strategy behind building a modern real estate platform rooted in opportunistic investing. Ian shares his “declaration” for SomeraRoad, emphasizing entrepreneurial grit, disciplined execution, and a commitment to continuous learning. The conversation traces his journey from early exposure to real estate and finance through the GFC, to founding his firm and scaling it across multiple verticals. Along the way, Ian explains how identifying dislocation, leaning into complexity, and staying relentlessly curious have shaped both his investment philosophy and company culture.

They discuss:

→ Growing up in LA and learning the hustle early

→ Navigating the 2008 financial crisis on the CMBS desk at Morgan Stanley and later at Jefferies

→ Finding the arbitrage others missed at Triangle Capital Group

→ How SomeraRoad evolved from distressed debt into development, net lease industrial, and aviation infrastructure

→ The opportunities arising from the “One Big Beautiful Bill”

SomeraRoad - https://someraroadinc.com/

Ian on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianrosssomera/

Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:10) - Ian’s Declaration
(00:03:22) - Entrepreneurial grit
(00:04:06) - Childhood and Early Influences
(00:07:11) - Wall Street
(00:16:17) - Starting SomeraRoad
(00:19:40) - Investment philosophy
(00:22:24) - Debt meets development
(00:26:48) - Nashville & New York City
(00:29:40) - Verticals
(00:32:09) – SR Aviation
(00:34:08) - Bonus depreciation
(00:42:57) - Ian’s vision for the next decade
(00:44:43) - Family and balance
(00:45:27) – Closing questions

Host Todd S. Rich speaks with Paul Carbone, Co-founder & President of Pritzker Alternative Strategies and Co-founder & Vice Chairman of Pritzker Private Capital, to discuss his career in investing, the development of family capital platforms, and the role of flexibility in long-term ownership. Paul discusses his professional journey, perspectives on private markets, succession planning, family office collaboration, and the influence of personal experience on leadership and civic engagement.

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:02:05) - Paul’s personal declaration: family and inspiration

(00:04:37) - Paul’s early life and career beginnings

(00:08:21) - Transition to investment banking

(00:11:49) - From investment banking to principal investing

(00:15:04) - The appeal of family capital

(00:23:08) - Building Pritzker Private Capital

(00:28:37) - Navigating competitive dynamics with long duration capital

(00:30:03) - The misconception of patient capital

(00:31:27) - Balancing family capital in competitive markets

(00:33:31) - Transitioning leadership and succession planning

(00:35:59) - Launching Pritzker Alternative Strategies

(00:37:52) - Investing in managers and funds

(00:40:27) - Opportunities in private equity and alternative markets

(00:44:31) - The role of family offices and networks

(00:51:25) - Civic engagement and philanthropy

(00:55:31) - Closing thoughts and reflections

Host Todd S. Rich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Paul Carbone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-carbone-82a1237/

declarations. podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-declarations-podcast 

Declaration Partners Website: https://www.declarationpartners.com/

The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek: https://a.co/d/0cgrhvhq

In this episode of declarations., Host Todd S. Rich sits down with Ray Ritchey, Senior Executive Vice President at Boston Properties, for a wide-ranging conversation reflecting on career, leadership, and gratitude. Ray shares the principles that have guided his professional life, from his early years shaped by family and the Naval Academy to decades building and stewarding long term relationships in real estate. The conversation explores how discipline, patience, and values carried from military service translated into business success, as well as the importance of mentorship and reputation over time. Ray also reflects on legacy, philanthropy, and why staying engaged and purposeful matters at every stage of life.

They discuss:
 • Ray’s declaration of gratitude and how it shaped his personal and professional decisions
 • Lessons from the Naval Academy and how military discipline influenced leadership in business
 • The difference between brokerage and ownership and why long term partnerships matter
 • Building a career by playing the long game and consistently investing in personal reputation
 • Giving back through mentorship and philanthropy, including the impact of the SED Center

Links:

Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/

Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Boston Properties - https://www.bxp.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:56) - Ray's early life and influences
(00:05:40) - Journey to the Naval Academy
(00:10:16) - Transition to real estate
(00:32:49) - Tenant preferences and new developments
(00:35:18) - Challenges and strategies in real estate investment
(00:45:16) - Washington DC real estate market
(00:51:06) - Personal insights and career advice
(00:54:00) - Philanthropy and community impact
(00:58:40) - Looking ahead: legacy and future goals
(01:00:41) - Closing thoughts and reflections

Todd Rich sits down with Bill Woodson, Co-Head & Managing Director of Cynosure Wealth Advisors for a thoughtful conversation on the purpose behind wealth, the evolution of family offices, and the personal experiences that shaped Bill’s worldview. Bill reflects on a childhood shaped by constant relocation, the discipline he built working through college, and an early career that moved unexpectedly from investment management to public accounting and eventually into the family office ecosystem. Throughout the discussion, he offers insight into the complexities wealthy families face, why coordination and governance can be as important as investment considerations for many families, and how trust and communication form the core of constructive advisory relationships. He also shares the motivation behind his book on family offices and the educational initiatives he is helping build to professionalize the field.

They discuss:
 • How early life experiences and working through college shaped Bill’s discipline and confidence
 • Lessons from public accounting that informed his transition into family office leadership
 • The core challenges wealthy families face and why coordination across advisors is often missing
 • The interpersonal and governance dynamics that define successful family office environments
 • Bill’s purpose-driven work developing educational programs and contributing to broader societal impact through family offices

Links:

Podcast Website: https://www.declarationpartners.com/podcast/

Host Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/

The Family Office by William I. Woodson & Edward V. Marshall: https://a.co/d/bf9HBEV

Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson: https://a.co/d/6YUR0uv

00:00 – Introduction
03:00 – Early Life, UC Irvine, and Entering the Investment World
09:15 – Lessons from Public Accounting and Working with Founders
12:30 – Silicon Valley and Building a Multifamily Office
15:00 – Entering Private Banking at Merrill Lynch
18:45 – Trust, Delegation, and Personality Dynamics
20:30 – The Societal Good of Family Offices
23:00 – Writing The Family Office
27:30 – Best Practices and Governance Across Generations
29:30 – The EQ Requirements of Family Office Leaders
33:00 – Choosing Between MFOs, SFOs, and RIAs
34:20 – Behavioral Patterns Among New Wealth vs. Multigenerational Wealth
36:00 – Joining Cynosure Wealth Advisors
41:30 – Investment Philosophy and Alternatives
45:00 – The Great Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy Trends
47:30 – Building Academic Programs at Stanford and Chicago Booth
49:30 – The Origin and Impact of First Graduate
52:30 – Closing Questions

Jimmy Weil joins Host Todd S. Rich on declarations. for a wide-ranging conversation about his upbringing in the Bronx, the lessons he learned on the streets and basketball courts, and the decades he spent building, scaling, and ultimately selling a national paint and coatings company. Jimmy reflects on inheriting a struggling family business, transforming it through niche products and strategic acquisitions, and navigating both near-failure moments and breakout wins. He also shares why he continued building and investing after selling to Benjamin Moore, how he evaluates entrepreneurs today, and why relationships, humor, and resilience have shaped every chapter of his life.

They discuss:
 • Growing up with limited resources, early independence, and learning to read people
 • Building Insl-x by focusing on specialty coatings and smart acquisitions
 • The challenges and breakthroughs of scaling into a national manufacturer
 • Selling the business to Benjamin Moore and deciding not to stay on
 • Active ownership in gas stations, convenience stores, insurance, and cyber businesses
 • How street smarts, teamwork, and persistence have guided his decisions
 • The role of humor, philanthropy, and family throughout his career

Links:

Podcast Website: https://www.declarationpartners.com/podcast/

Host Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/

David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell: https://a.co/d/e3naSyi

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:57) - Jimmy's early life and family background
(00:05:24) - Lessons from the streets and basketball
(00:09:12) - From law school to paint business
(00:12:19) - Scaling challenges and innovations
(00:25:38) - Reflecting on the decision to leave Berkshire Hathaway
(00:27:10) - Venturing into gas stations and convenience stores
(00:30:40) - Investing in insurance and other diverse businesses
(00:33:40) - Lessons from the streets of the Bronx
(00:41:42) - The importance of humor and relationships in business
(00:43:39) - Philanthropy and giving back
(00:45:49) - Balancing work, family, and mentorship
(00:47:07) - Closing thoughts and advice for entrepreneurs
(00:50:45) - Podcast disclaimer and legal information

In this episode of declarations., Host Todd Rich sits down with Michael Spies, Founder of Fuse Strategies, to explore a lifetime of insight at the intersection of global real estate, urban development, and innovation. Michael reflects on his early experiences growing up as the child of immigrants, his time in public service in New York City, and his 30-year career at Tishman Speyer leading global expansion and innovation. The conversation traces his journey from city planning to venture investing, offering lessons on leadership, human capital, and the evolving relationship between the built environment and technology.

We discuss:
 • Lessons from Berlin and the challenges of real estate cycles
 • How good development aligns private value with the public good
 • The evolution of the office sector and rise of short-term, mixed-use spaces
 • The growing role of AI and data in construction and asset management
 • Why human capital, curiosity, and creativity remain the ultimate differentiators

Links:

Michael on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-spies-482810149/

Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:00:59) - Introducing Michael Spies
(00:03:08) - Michael's declaration
(00:04:35) - Early life and influences
(00:16:38) - Lessons from Berlin
(00:18:00) - Leadership principles
(00:23:09) - Mixed-use development
(00:26:58) - Innovations in office space
(00:29:02) - The shift to short-term leases
(00:30:15) - Innovative amenities in office spaces
(00:31:40) - Challenges and changes in the office sector
(00:33:52) - Transition to venture technology and innovation
(00:35:55) - Mentoring entrepreneurs and evaluating talent
(00:39:40) - Impact of AI on real estate
(00:42:17) - Innovative construction and development
(00:45:26) - Integrating art in development projects
(00:50:45) - Personal reflections and advice
(00:52:05) - Closing thoughts and acknowledgements