At the UHNW Institute, we believe the most transformative insights in wealth management don’t live in spreadsheets—they live in stories. One story we rarely hear, yet absolutely need, is the beneficiary experience: what it feels like to receive wealth, to inherit expectations, and to grow into stewardship.

We invite you, member firms, and the families you serve to join us in the Beneficiary Stories Initiative (BSI).

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This initiative is a curated series of short audio and video conversations with beneficiaries and inheritors who are willing to share, candidly and thoughtfully, what the journey has been like—emotionally, relationally, and practically.

THE INSTITUTE is proud to partner with Amy Hart Clyne, Pitcairn’s Chief Knowledge & Learning Officer, and Dennis Jaffe, Senior Research Fellow at Banyan Global—co-authors of Finding Her Voice and Creating a Legacy. Together, we’re shaping conversations that move beyond technical transfer toward human continuity—identity, purpose, voice, and belonging within a legacy.

These interviews will be shared within the UHNW Institute community—advisors, family enterprise leaders, and family members—so that the learning circulates where it can do the most good.

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Why now? Because the beneficiary journey is often private, complex, and easily misunderstood. People navigate shifting family dynamics, public and private identity, stewardship expectations, and the challenge of finding purpose amid privilege.

When beneficiaries speak in their own words—about what prepared them, what surprised them, the lessons learned as they reflect back and what they wish they’d known—they offer a practical compass for peers, and a powerful lens for advisors. Your teams will see where we as an industry help most and where silence or structures alone aren’t enough.

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We’ll start with some background and then ask for reflections on: Who first shared information about the trust? What information was shared? Were questions answered? Has access to information increased over time? Is the trustee a trust company or an individual? Do beneficiaries have the power to remove/replace the trustee? Has that option been exercised? Does the trustee have a clear picture of personal goals and objectives? What lessons learned would benefit future beneficiaries, or other families considering transferring wealth in trust? Etc.

We’re conducting this with the utmost care and sensitivity.

• Conversations are recorded in a private, interview-style setting with Amy Hart Clyne and Dennis Jaffe.

• Participation is voluntary and fully consent-based.

• Each participant has the opportunity to review and edit their audio or video to their comfort level before anything is shared.

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Here’s how you can help: invite your client families to consider sharing a story—named or anonymous. Be the bridge. If a client is curious, we’ll handle the process with discretion and care.

To learn more or to connect a potential participant, please reach out to Angelique LeDoux at aledoux@uhnwinstitute.org. You can also reply directly or visit UHNWinstitute.org.

Together, let’s ensure the next chapter of wealth is guided by the voices of those who live it.