Member Spotlight: A Conversation with Beatrice Giribaldi Groak
Q: Your family has a deep history of innovation and leadership in industries like logistics, textiles, and printing. How has this heritage influenced your approach to restructuring your family office today?
My family's legacy in logistics and printing has had a significant impact on my approach today. Growing up among pioneers taught me the crucial values of resilience and strategic foresight. This heritage inspires me to prioritise sustainable investments and embrace technological advancements. In particular, our experience in the fashion industry has highlighted its cyclical nature and the time it takes to establish a successful brand. This understanding has made me more cautious about diving headfirst into fashion opportunities, encouraging a more mindful approach to investment in this sector.
Q: You’ve had an impressive career advising governments, the EU, and private clients on reputation risk and privacy. What are the most significant lessons you’ve learned from working at the intersection of geopolitics and high-stakes risk management?
Throughout my career advising governments, the EU, corporates, and high-net-worth clients, I learned that transparent communication is essential for building trust during challenging times. Operating at the intersection of geopolitics and reputation management revealed the critical need for cultural awareness and adaptable strategies to address high-stakes situations. These lessons have shaped my approach, emphasising the importance of ethical decision-making and proactive risk management in complex environments.
Q: You’ve said, “Be the change that you want to see,” is a philosophy that drives you. How has this shaped your approach to leadership, and what gives you the most meaning in your work and life?
My guiding philosophy, 'Be the change that you want to see,' significantly shapes my approach to leadership. It inspires me to lead by example, placing a strong emphasis on mentorship and empowerment. I find immense fulfillment in helping others navigate their challenges. I am actively engaged in various initiatives that advocate for women’s safety, equality, and the support necessary to realise these objectives. I truly believe that creating a secure and equitable society demands collective effort and commitment
Q: Your passion for travel and rare watches connects you to your grandpa and the family culture. How do these hobbies influence your perspective on life and your work in the family office?
My passions for travel and collecting rare watches are closely tied to my family's entrepreneurial spirit. Travel not only broadens my perspective but also enriches my understanding of diverse cultures, which ultimately informs my work. Collecting rare watches connects me to craftsmanship and innovation, a passion my maternal grandfather had, which reminds me to appreciate the journey while focusing on long-term objectives. Both passions inspire me to integrate tradition and modernity in my professional pursuits.
Q: As a fellow with the Aspen Institute, you’ve been part of discussions about the future of leadership. What do you think are the key qualities the next generation of leaders must embrace to create meaningful change in the world?
I believe the next generation of leaders must embrace adaptability, empathy, and ethical integrity to drive meaningful change in today’s world. An open mindset that fosters learning, collaboration, and innovative thinking will empower young leaders to tackle complex challenges effectively. It’s also important for them to support initiatives that prioritise equality and create pathways for women to thrive, ensuring a more inclusive future for all.
Beatrice Giribaldi Groak is a dynamic leader with a strong family heritage and a career that spans geopolitics, risk management, and family office leadership. Half Italian and half Czech, she's from a lineage of pioneers in logistics and printing. Her maternal grandfather founded Italy’s first logistics company in the 1960s, connecting all of the country's major cities. After selling the company to TNT in the 1990s, her grandfather became one of Europe’s first activist investors. On her paternal side, her Czech family’s legacy includes groundbreaking contributions to printing and photocopying in the late 1800s and 1900s, with her grandfather holding significant patents and dominating the industry. After WWII, being from a Jewish family, her grandfather fled Czechoslovakia to the UK where he continued inventing new patents.
Beatrice forged her own path in geopolitics, working in Moscow and advising high-net-worth individuals, governments, and the EU on reputation risk, privacy, and the risks of emerging technologies like AI. She later founded her own firm to provide tailored, transparent services to private clients. Today, she is focused on helping restructure her family office and navigating the dynamics of multigenerational wealth management. Beatrice’s passions for travel, rare watches, and empowering women reflect her forward-thinking approach, while her Aspen Institute fellowship underscores her commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders