About the Forum

An independent initiative to advance best practice for families and individuals responsible for significant wealth.

Ruth McKenzie

Ruth McKenzie
Founder and Convenor

Why I Created the Family Capital Design Forum

Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked across private wealth, family offices, start-ups, not-for-profits and professional services in Australia and New Zealand. My experience spans governance, philanthropy, granting and distributions, strategic partnerships and connecting people with the right expertise. Increasingly, I found myself being approached by individuals and families asking similar questions: How do we structure our wealth? Do we need a family office? Who should we engage? What should we manage ourselves, and what can we learn from others who have been through it?

These conversations inspired me to create the Family Capital Design Forum – an independent, practical forum focused not on investment opportunities, but on everything that sits around them: structure, governance, decision-making, family engagement and long-term stewardship.

New Zealand felt like the natural place to begin. Having worked closely with its private wealth and philanthropic communities for many years, I’ve seen the depth of entrepreneurial talent, expertise and family wealth that exists here. I believe there’s a real opportunity to bring people together, encourage greater knowledge-sharing and build a more connected family capital community. Above all, my aim is simple: to get the right people in the room, sharing experiences, asking questions and learning from one another.

Ruth McKenzie
Founder & Convenor, Family Capital Design Forum

Get in touch

If you're interested in attending or supporting the Forum, Ruth would love to hear from you.