Tuesday, March 4

9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Alliance Leader Roundtables
Must belong to an Alliance Leader Roundtable to participate.

5:00 pm – Opening Remarks

5:10 pm – The Resilience RX: Culture and Leadership in Changing Times

In this dynamic and rapidly changing world, the key to organizational productivity is resilience. Join Dr. Aditi Nerurkar as she debunks the prevailing conventions of resilience, providing a prescription of evidence-based, practical strategies to boost individual fortitude and strengthen organizational culture. Dr. Nerurkar’s data-informed techniques lessen burnout and stress and increase focus, engagement, and productivity, building a stronger foundation for a more resilient organization and culture.

Speaker:

• Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, Harvard Physician, Author, The Five Resets

6:00 pm – Opening Reception
 

Wednesday, March 5

6:00 am – Optional Recreation Activity

7:30 am – Registration & Breakfast

8:30 am – Welcome Remarks

8:40 am –  Alliance Outlook & Hearing Your Voice

9:50 am – Growth by Design: Exploring Ownership Models

In today’s evolving family wealth landscape, firms are faced with a spectrum of strategic choices to achieve sustainable growth, each with distinct implications for leverage and autonomy.

In this panel discussion, we will explore the unique opportunities and challenges each ownership path presents, helping attendees identify strategies that best align with their vision, values, and desired level of independence.

Speakers:

• Jack Ginter, Chief Executive Officer, Callan Family Office
• Mike LaMena, Chief Executive Officer, Wealthspire Advisors
• Moderated by John Furey, Managing Partner, Advisor Growth Strategies, LLC

10:40 am – Break

11:00 am – Build, Buy or Partner?

As firms scale and adapt to the changing needs of their clients and the industry, they must decide whether to build in-house capabilities, buy solutions, or partner with outside providers. In Build, Buy, or Partner? a panel of experts will dive into a decision-making framework to help firms determine the best approach. Panelists will explore practical methods of assessing when outsourcing drives efficiency, when it compromises quality or control, and what considerations are essential to ensure alignment with firm goals. Attendees will leave with clarity on the benefits and limitations of outsourcing, empowering their firms to make informed and strategic decisions.

Speakers:

• Thierry Brunel, Partner, Chief Investment Strategist, Matter Family Office
• Scott Swanson, Chief Operating Officer, Advisor & Partner, Quantum Financial Advisors, LLC
• Danielle Valkner, Partner, US Family Office Leader, PwC
• Additional speakers to be announced

11:50 am – Table Discussions: Finding Balance

Synthesize insights from throughout the day in a Table Discussion with peer executives facing the same challenges. Through open discussion, attendees will have a chance to share their own experience with outsourcing, ownership structures, and more.

12:30 pm – Lunch

1:50 pm - Alliance Updates

2:05 pm – Scaling the Unscalable 

At family wealth firms, there exists a natural tension between tailoring each client’s experience and achieving scale. For an industry that prides itself on high-touch service, it is anathema to consider sacrificing quality in the name of growth. In this illuminating conversation, panelists will dissect team structures that can make it easier to serve clients efficiently. Together, they will address questions like, “What do the org charts of successful, growing firms look like?”, “How can firms realistically manage scope creep?”, and “What balance of specialists and generalists drive efficient processes?”

Speakers:

• Kevin Casey, Managing Director, Pathstone
• Angela Neumann, Senior Vice President, Sequoia Sentinel Family Office
• John Sleeting, Managing Partner, Family Office Services, Clearwater Capital Partners
• Moderated by Suzy Conley, SVP, Private Wealth Advisor Lead, 

  Westwood Wealth Management

2:55 pm – FWA Talks: Strategic Client Segmentation

For one FWA member firm, the key to striking the balance between growth and customized service offerings was found after thorough evaluation and segmentation of their client base. In this FWA Talks, Ashlee Vieregger, Senior Lead Advisor from The Foster Group will share her firm’s journey through strategic segmentation, culminating in the intentional design of everything from team structure to meeting formats that provide a sense of belonging for their clients. From the philosophical to the tactical, Ashlee will share candid reflections in a compelling case study.

Speaker:

• Ashlee Vieregger, Senior Lead Advisor, The Foster Group

3:25 pm – Recreation

6:00 pm – Dine-Arounds

8:00 pm – Desserts & Drinks After Party
 

Thursday, March 6

8:00 am – Breakfast

9:10 am – Designing Your Employee Equity Program

Employee equity has become a critical tool for attracting top talent and enhancing retention in an increasingly competitive labor market. In this session, panelists will discuss how equity plays a vital role in shaping total compensation packages and establishing long-term employee commitment. Industry leaders will share their insights on guiding employees onto a “partner track” and navigating the complex details involved, including when to bring employees into the funnel and how to define eligibility criteria. Attendees will gain a pragmatic understanding of how peer firms are structuring equity programs that align employee goals with the firm’s long-term vision.

Speakers:

• Jacki Badal, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Laird Norton Wetherby
• Summer Hammons, Chief People Officer, Aspiriant
• Randy Webb, Partner, Brown Advisory
• Moderated by: Royce Ramey, Co-CEO, Versant Capital Management

10:00 am – Future-Proofing Your Talent Pipeline
The rising stars at your firm want more than competitive compensation and work/life balance. They want to know what their future looks like. This session will explore how family offices are structuring and communicating career paths to attract and retain talent. Panelists will discuss strategies for developing career frameworks that support growth and clarity, while also considering the challenges and opportunities posed by onboarding talent from outside the family office space.

Drawing on extensive firsthand experience, industry recruiters will share what candidates look for when making their next move, lessons learned from unsuccessful placements, best practices for equipping industry transplants for success, and what new roles the most innovative firms are hiring for.

Speakers:

• Kathy Freeman Godfrey, Founder & President, Kathy Freeman Company
• Brandon Odell, Partner, Director of Business Consulting, The Ensemble Practice
• Tim Spidel, Managing Partner, Spidel Burnfin
• Moderated by: Kara Pass, President & CEO, Market Street Trust Company

10:50 am – Closing Remarks

11:00 am – Conference Concludes

Thank you to our co-chairs
for helping design this inspiring event!

Katie Berganske-Frank Clearwater Capital Partners	Beka Kohmescher Altair Advisers	Mike LaMena Wealthspire
Angela Neumann Sequoia Sentinel Family Office	Danielle Valkner PwC Private

Rancho Bernardo Inn

17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive
San Diego, CA USA 92128
Website

Tucked away among the rolling hills of San Diego's North County and bounded by a championship golf course and stately private residences, RBI's 265-acre resort is a respite from the mundane. 

Book your room via this link (Note: the room block expires on Monday, Feburary 14th, 2025 but may fill up prior to that date. We recommend booking your accommodations as soon as possible.)

Our room rate for FWA attendees is $379 + taxes and fees.

Check in time: 4pm

Check out time: 11am

The daily hospitality service charge includes the following amenities: 

• Wireless internet
• In-room bottled water
• In-room coffee & tea
• Activities (yoga, lawn games, etc.)
• Fitness center access
• Unlimited driving range use
• Live entertainment
• Game room

We highly encourage you book via the weblink; however, for those looking to speak with a reservations agent, please call 844-226-8262 and ask for the Family Wealth Alliance group rate. 

The office hours of the reservations department are as follows:

Monday-Friday: 8am- 8pm PST

Saturday & Sunday: 8am-6pm PST

Parking: There is a $40 fee per night for each vehicle self-parked and $48 fee per night for each vehicle valet parked at the facility.

Golf: Book your tee time here.

Luxury Spa: Learn more about the spa and book your services  here.
It is recommended to make spa reservations up to four weeks in advance.