Navigating the family office landscape can be a real challenge, whether you’re a family member, a professional, or someone looking to support the ecosystem.

This environment is filled with various personalities, complex dynamics, and intricate hierarchies that can feel overwhelming, particularly for young individuals and, in my experience, for women.

While plenty of wonderful people and opportunities exist in this field, there are also some hurdles to overcome.

This isn’t meant to apply to everyone and is not targeted against anyone; it’s simply sharing my past experiences, which may not resonate with you but could help others shape better industry outcomes.

You can take what speaks to you or leave it behind.

Firstly, I am grateful for my opportunities and experiences because they helped shape who I am today. I am far from perfect, but I am happy to support others.

For instance, submitting timesheets during my maternity leave—a challenge I faced several years ago—was daunting because I needed to ensure my medical and pension contributions continued despite having no income.

During my second maternity leave, I found it hard to shake off the worry that my colleagues were managing my workload while I took care of my newborn, and they even reminded me of that.

When it became clear that I earned half of what others in similar roles earned, I was told I needed to negotiate better. This was a great tip, and I did apply it to future negotiations.

Still, I understood the importance of being part of something bigger than my career. I also understood that by now, most firms would have adjusted their practices to ensure fair treatment and payment.

Although changing the world can seem overwhelming, we each have the power to impact others’ lives positively.

However, it troubles me to think that if my daughter decides to work for someone else, she might have to wait around 134 years to earn a fair salary. If she wants a family, how will this impact her career?

This reality makes me cautious about encouraging her to follow a traditional path until it aligns more closely with our family values of fairness.

This is why the upcoming International Family Office Summit, Female-Fit Family Offices, is significant to me.

To cultivate a better world, we must promote balance, respect, and opportunities for everyone.

I’m dedicated to paving the way for fewer obstacles and more opportunities for others.

Collectively, our experiences will resonate with and empower the younger generation as they forge their paths and reflect on how far we have come. Anyone who wishes to bring better solutions to the family office world will support our mission.

It’s truly inspiring to see presenters inviting their spouses to the summit; these small gestures represent our progress toward fostering a more equitable environment.

By coming together and amplifying our voices, we can aim higher and achieve more incredible things for the global community.