Topics & Outcomes

Susan’s most requested topic! A motivational discussion of the “soft issues” of the Ultra-High-Net-Worth community, for UHNW families and the professional advisors who serve them — or want to!

  • Families of Wealth – your clients and prospects
  • Wealth managers and advisors
  • Insurance professionals
  • Financial planners
  • Estate planners

Topics include:

  • How much to give, and when? How much to tell, and when?
  • The equal vs. equitable debate
  • Communication is Everything
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Family Governance / Family Meetings
  • Family Philanthropy

This talk guides financial advisors, wealth advisors and business advisors with essential tools to help steer your family business founder clients down the emotionally fraught path of succession planning.

Six Steps to Planning and Operating a Family Charitable Foundation

 

There is much guidance to those creating a trust on who they should select to be trustee, but there is very little advice to those named as trustee to help them determine whether to accept the appointment, and how to manage their fiduciary relationship with the trust beneficiaries. Susan will share her Top 10 Tips for Trustees to help you avoid getting sued.

Upcoming and Recent Speaking Engagements

Structuring the Family Office for Fairness: Estate Planning, Succession, and Governance Strategies

August 25th – 26th, 2026

Southampton, NY

In Person Event

Speaker on “Structuring the Family Office for Fairness: Estate Planning, Succession, and Governance Strategies” at Opal Group’s Family Office & Private Wealth Legacy Summit 2026, on August 25-26th at the Parrish Art Museum in Southampton. Comprised of single and multi-family offices from the tri-state area, as well as the Hamptons, with focused networking opportunities and fireside chats with family office leaders.

Family Governance and The Family Office: Planning for the Next Generation

July 27-29, 2026

Newport, RI

In Person Event

Speaker on “Family Governance and The Single Family Office: Planning for the Next Generation” at the Opal Family Office & Private Wealth Management Forum 2026, in Newport, RI.

Reinventing the Family Office: Agility, Governance, and Generational Change

March 10, 2026

New York City

In Person Event

Speaker on “Reinventing the Family Office: Agility, Governance, and Generational Change” at the Opal Family Office Winter Forum in my hometown of NYC, on March 10, 2026.

Keynote Speaker for the Collier Community Foundation in Naples, FL

February 5-6, 2026

Naples, FL

In Person Event

Keynote speaker for the Collier Community Foundation in Naples, FL at their Fundholder Event on Feb 5, 2026, and their Professional Advisor Council luncheon on Feb 6, 2026.

Central New York Community Foundation Annual Professional Advisor Continuing Education Seminar

October 30, 2025

Virtual Event

Virtual Speaker for the Central New York Community Foundation at their Annual Professional Advisor Continuing Education Seminar on Thursday, October 30, 2025, on Family Wealth: A Hard Look at the “Soft” Issues.

Many groups now enjoy virtual access to speakers, without the outlay to reimburse travel expenses. If you are planning a virtual event, let’s hop on a call and explore whether I might be a good speaker for your event!

Trusts, Estate Planning & Asset Protection: Safeguarding Wealth for Generations

October 22-24, 2025

Napa, CA

In Person Event

Speaker on “Trusts, Estate Planning & Asset Protection: Safeguarding Wealth for Generations” at the Opal Family Office & Private Wealth Management Forum West 2025, in Napa, CA.