Family Office Principles

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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

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? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

In this episode we’re joined by seasoned entrepreneurial investor Christian Busch for a fascinating discussion on cryptocurrency’s role in the family office. We’ll learn that basics of what crypto is, the biggest names out there, ways to invest, and how families can incorporate crypto into their investment strategy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

Join us for a special mother-son episode of Family Office Principals! We welcome Drew Payne, CEO of Upmetrics, an AI planning tool for entrepreneurs, and Roslyn Payne, President of the Payne Family Foundation and Chair at Upmetrics. We delve into their family's approach to change-making and vision alignment and how family values and dynamics exist in a business environment.. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

In this episode of Family Office Principals, we're joined by Josh Kanter, Founder & CEO at Leafplanner and Principal at Josh Kanter Wealth Advisory Services. Listen in as Josh discusses his professional and family background, the legal tax journey to restore his father's legacy, Leafplanner's origin story, and the importance of holistic planning and clear communication across the family office. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

Welcome to episode 5 of Family Office Principals where we welcome Barney Corning, Co-Founder and Partner at the CCC Alliance, for a discussion about his background and the importance of centering purpose, trust, and humility in both family office goal-setting and operations. Barney highlights the importance of taking things slow and prioritizing the softer, people-focused matters that permeate all family offices. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

In this episode of Family Office Principals, we're joined by Philip Benjamin, Head of the Benjamin Family Office and Managing Partner at Colzen, for a discussion about the transition after his family sold their business, his journey venturing into new investment opportunities, the value of failure, and the importance of early childhood parenting in wealthy families. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

Welcome to the third installment of Family Office Principals where we welcome Scott Peppet, President of the Chai Trust Company that serves the Zell family office. In this episode, we discuss Scott’s professional background, the importance of culture and values in a family office ecosystem, how to be a good leader, involvement of in-laws, and the role of outsourcing. Scott stresses the importance of using holistic family well-being and development as guiding principles and reframing obligations as opportunities, all of which can help unleash the energy of physical capital. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

Join us for our second episode of Family Office Principles, as Chairman of the Alacrity Foundation, Owen Matthews, discusses his upbringing in the context of a successful family, his career journey in entrepreneurship and venture investment, as well as the values and perspective shifts between generations of a family office when it comes to philanthropy, investing, and impact. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com

In this inaugural episode, we’re welcoming Kristen Hull from NIA Impact Capital to discuss her background and interest in impact investing; NIA’s mission, development and strategy; and the broader landscape of sustainable investing among family offices, from challenges to opportunities. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oneworldinvestments.substack.com