A Visionary Leader in Wealth Transformation
Stacy Kehren Idema, Founder and Managing Director of Equati, stands at the intersection of family business heritage, intuitive feminine leadership, and innovative technology. With over 26 years of experience, she has navigated diverse industries—from financial services and mobile to healthcare—moving between agile startups and Fortune 4 companies.
In 2019, driven by an unwavering inner fire, Stacy fully embraced her entrepreneurial spirit, founding Equati and Global Collective. As a ‘Relationship First’ leader, her philosophy challenges traditional paradigms, tackling biases and systemic barriers with determination and forward-thinking strategies. Her mission is clear: to revolutionize wealth perception and management through regenerative AI and data-driven approaches.
The Great Wealth Transfer: A Pivotal Moment for Family Offices
Family offices today stand at a critical juncture, playing a central role in generational wealth stewardship. With an estimated $84 trillion set to transfer hands over the next few decades, women are poised to inherit 70% of global wealth within two generations.
This shift is more than just financial—it represents a transformation in values. Millennials and women, the primary beneficiaries of this wealth transfer, prioritize:
✔ Social responsibility
✔ Sustainability
✔ Long-term impact
To remain relevant, family offices must adapt their investment strategies to align with these evolving priorities. This requires a fundamental rethinking of wealth management, governance, and decision-making frameworks.
The Genesis of Equati: A Personal and Professional Evolution
Stacy’s journey began in the heart of a family business, where she experienced firsthand the challenges of generational entrepreneurship, entrenched values, and gender barriers. She spent 26 years in corporate, where despite the industry, the glass ceiling remained intact.
Her career spanned:
✔ Agile startups – where she cultivated an innovation-first mindset
✔ Fortune 4 companies – where she gained deep strategic and operational insight
However, 2019 marked a turning point. A transformative trip to London reignited her entrepreneurial drive, leading to the creation of Equati and Global Collective. Confronted with systemic biases limiting wealth distribution and opportunity, Stacy redefined business norms, bringing fresh perspectives, innovation, and unwavering determination.
Values-Aligned Investment: A New Wealth Paradigm
Traditional wealth management relies on financial performance metrics, but values-aligned investment introduces a broader, impact-driven approach. This evolved strategy integrates ethical considerations, sustainability, and long-term family visions, ensuring that wealth contributes positively to society and the environment.
However, transitioning to a values-aligned model presents operational challenges:
1. Blind Spots Replace Insights
Family offices accustomed to traditional investment metrics may struggle to quantify social and environmental impact. This can lead to missed opportunities or unforeseen risks, as non-financial factors become more complex to assess.
2. Emotional Bias vs. Rational Decision-Making
Balancing personal or family values with objective financial strategy can be challenging. Emotional intelligence is vital, but over-reliance on emotion can cloud judgment, leading to decisions that align ethically but lack financial rigor.
3. Governance Gaps Elevate Investment Risk
Introducing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria requires modernized governance structures. Traditional frameworks may not fully address the complexities of values-based investing, increasing risk exposure if not managed effectively.
Technology’s Role: AI as an Enabler of Change
As family offices adapt to shifting wealth dynamics, technology—especially AI—is becoming indispensable. AI enhances:
✔ Investment decision-making – By integrating social, ethical, and environmental data
✔ Operational efficiency – By streamlining administrative and governance processes
✔ Personalized wealth strategies – By tailoring investment approaches to individual family values
By leveraging AI and data-driven insights, family offices can seamlessly align their portfolios with modern wealth management principles, ensuring both profitability and purpose.
Shaping the Future of Wealth: Purpose Meets Profit
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, family offices aren’t just wealth managers—they’re legacy builders. As they navigate the largest wealth transfer in history, they must embrace transformation across:
✔ Values-driven investing
✔ Inclusive leadership
✔ Technological innovation
Equati is at the forefront of this revolution, embodying the spirit of innovation, resilience, and purpose. The message is clear:
The future of wealth isn’t just about accumulation—it’s about impact.
By integrating purpose with profit, family offices can redefine success, ensuring that wealth serves not only financial growth but also the broader good of society and the environment.