Vision & Mission
To bridge the education, communication, and awareness gaps that exist among families around family wealth. To support, educate, and inspire beneficiaries and their families to be extraordinary stewards of wealth and possibility.
To bridge the education, communication, and awareness gaps that exist among families around family wealth. To support, educate, and inspire beneficiaries and their families to be extraordinary stewards of wealth and possibility.
Tamarind Learning’s online learning environment provides vital education on the cornerstones of wealth and stewardship in the form of multi-course programs and a professional designation. Inspired by its clients, Tamarind Learning® identified the changing needs of wealthy families who struggle to educate their heirs, especially in a safe, secure, remote, and self-paced environment. Education options are available to those who desire to earn a designation by completing the Accredited Beneficiary Stewardship Designation (ABS)® or who simply want to audit the ABS Designation. For those who are focused on specific learning needs, Tamarind Learning offers learning programs focused on specific topic areas.
Developed by and for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Beneficiaries and their Advisors
If unsure about how this applies to you, speak with a Tamarind Learning associate. The nature of your asset(s), the scale of wealth, and your knowledge and interest as a beneficiary all play into the best learning program fit
Documents such as your will, trust, financial statements, and estate plan are not required but can enhance your experience through applied learning assignments
While not required, your ability to work with your trustee and other advisors may enhance your experience with the applied learning assignments
All learning programs are in English, utilizing mixed media elements such as audio, visual, and experiential
Learning program content progresses from introductory to advance with some courses building and being more advanced
Provides vision, leadership and strategic direction for the company.
Born into a very successful enterprising family, Kirby learned family wealth basics the way most affluent offspring do (or don’t)
Tamarind Learning’s instructors are unparalleled in the industry and in their areas of expertise. Each has a unique blend of academic and practical acumen in the family office and family wealth fields.
The Tamarind Learning Education Council is comprised of industry experts, leading authors, advisors, and practitioners who provide expert opinions and guidance on Tamarind Learning’s curriculum including course content, structure, design, and rigor. Council members contribute to our courses and webinars, in certain cases, by providing thought leadership and guidance to applied learning and deliverables.
Dr. Jaffe, a member of Wise Counsel Research, is a San Francisco-based advisor to families about family business, governance, wealth and philanthropy. He is author of Borrowed from Your Grandchildren: The Evolution of 100-Year Family Enterprises; ...
A Partner in the Personal Wealth, Estates and Trusts Practice, Russell Fishkind focuses his practice on high net worth estate planning, business succession planning, family office consulting, estate administration and probate litigation.
Dr. Victoria Vysotina is the Chief Investment Officer of a single-family office located in New York. As their CIO, Dr. Vysotina is responsible for all aspects of managing a diverse portfolio of assets including venture capital, private equity, and marketable securities, both funds, and direct investments.
She is the Hayes Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship/Founder of the Entrepreneurship Programs at The University of North Carolina Greensboro. Her research includes women-owned family businesses, family business franchising, and the Psychological Capital (PsyCap) ...
Rita Gatta received a B.S. in Finance from New York University. She is a licensed C.P.A. in New Jersey. Rita worked for Single Family Offices in New York/New Jersey for over 12 years, in public accounting for over 11 years, and money management/wealth advisory for 5 years.
The Tamarind Learning team is comprised of educated professionals trained in disciplines vital to the family office. Members have held leadership positions in family offices and also in their family enterprises. Our understanding of both of these sides provides a unique purview which enhances client family relationships and elevates solutions beyond technical excellence
John manages the operations at Tamarind Partners and consults and leads our real estate transactions.
Kelly leads course development and the Tamarind Learning online learning system. She also leads digital and traditional marketing and public relations initiatives.
Todd is responsible for managing all technical aspects of Tamarind Learning. He is also involved in the creation of interactive content and video production.
Born into a very successful enterprising family, Kirby learned family wealth basics the way most affluent offspring do (or don’t). . . in real time, around the board or dining room table. Humbled by her upbringing, today Kirby is a recognized teacher, advisor, author, and speaker in the family wealth industry. She is the founder of Tamarind Partners, Inc., a research, advisory, and consultancy firm where she and her team work with families, operators, advisors, and institutions connected to the family office landscape. Kirby provides leading edge insights, knowledge, and family education that is curated, practical, and hands-on. Kirby is Dean of Family Office at the Purposeful Planning Institute, a Fellow and Family Governance Faculty of the Family Firm Institute (FFI), co-trustee of the Harbeck Family Foundation, and is on the advisory board of Merton Venture Philanthropy and the board of directors of Hope Trust. She speaks and consults internationally on her research, books, and experiences with wealth and enterprising families.
Dr. Jaffe, a member of Wise Counsel Research, is a San Francisco-based advisor to families about family business, governance, wealth and philanthropy. He is author of Borrowed from Your Grandchildren: The Evolution of 100-Year Family Enterprises; Cross Cultures: How Global Families Negotiate Change Across Generations; Stewardship in your Family Enterprise: Developing Responsible Family Leadership Across Generations, and Working With the Ones You Love. His global insights have led to teaching or consulting engagements in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. The Family Firm Institute awarded him the 2017 International Award for service, and in 2005 he received the Beckhard Award for service to the field. In 2020 he was awarded a special commendation as an individual thought leader in the field of wealth management by the Family Wealth Report. He has a BA degree in Philosophy, MA in Management, and Ph.D. in sociology, all from Yale University, and professor emeritus of organizational systems and psychology at Saybrook University in San Francisco.
A Partner in the Personal Wealth, Estates and Trusts Practice, Russell Fishkind focuses his practice on high net worth estate planning, business succession planning, family office consulting, estate administration and probate litigation.
Prior to joining the Firm, Russell served as Chair of the Trusts & Estates Team at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A. in Woodbridge, New Jersey. Following law school, he was a trust and estate administrator and financial officer for the United States Trust Company of New York. He was also the founding partner of Rudolph & Fishkind in New York City and East Brunswick, New Jersey.
Russell is an Assistant Adjunct Professor in New York University's Department of Finance, Taxation and Law where he teaches estate and business succession planning. He frequently writes and lectures about trusts and estates related issues. He is the author of Legacy of a Lifetime, a layman's guide to understanding estate matters; a co-author of J.K. Lasser Pro'sTM Estate Business Succession Planning - A Legal Guide to Wealth Transfer, and the author of Probate Wars of the Rich & Famous: An Insider's Guide to Estate Planning and Probate Litigation.
Dr. Victoria Vysotina is the Chief Investment Officer of a single-family office located in New York. As their CIO, Dr. Vysotina is responsible for all aspects of managing a diverse portfolio of assets including venture capital, private equity, and marketable securities, both funds, and direct investments. Dr. Vysotina has nearly 20 years of experience in capital markets and investment management. She began her career working in the fixed income divisions of Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse. During her tenure on Wall Street she gained an in-depth knowledge of fixed income markets and managed a number of high-profile distressed restructurings, both sovereign and corporate globally.
Dr. Vysotina moved to asset management in 2003 and later became a member of the Investment Committee with HSBC’s Alternative Investment Group that oversaw over $40bn in hedge fund investments. In 2007 she joined the Rockefeller Foundation as a Portfolio Manager for the $1bn hedge fund and distressed portfolios and a co-Manager for the fixed income, portable alpha and long-only equity portfolios. Dr. Vysotina founded a consulting firm V V Strategic Group in 2011 which provides a range of services to family offices from a full outsourced CIO capability to custom portfolio diagnostic engagements with focus on asset allocation, risk management and manager selection across traditional public (equity and fixed income) and alternative asset classes. Dr. Vysotina received her Ph.D. in Mathematics from Emory University. She continues to be a passionate supporter of the education field and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in New York.
She is the Hayes Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship/Founder of the Entrepreneurship Programs at The University of North Carolina Greensboro. Her research includes women-owned family businesses, family business franchising, and the Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and creativity of family businesses that includes 24 refereed journal articles and 37 presentations on family business out of over 100 refereed journal articles. She is a Certified Family Business Advisor and Fellow with the Family Firm Institute. She is the recipient of the Barbara Hollander Award for lifelong contributions to family business.
Rita Gatta received a B.S. in Finance from New York University. She is a licensed C.P.A. in New Jersey. Rita worked for Single Family Offices in New York/New Jersey for over 12 years, in public accounting for over 11 years, and money management/wealth advisory for 5 years.
After both children left home for college in 2016, Rita relocated to Jupiter, Florida for her husband’s business venture and a more desirable lifestyle.
Rita Gatta founded Tandem Wealth Consultants LLC in July 2018. Tandem is an outsource CFO solution which provides remote back office services to single family offices. Her focus as a CFO for Single Family Offices is tax planning. Although all aspects of accounting, reporting, treasury and the “bucket of SFO activities” have greatly benefited her clients, her tax planning strategies implemented have led to her success.
John manages the operations at Tamarind Partners and consults and leads our real estate transactions. He is an experienced business leader, visionary, and entrepreneur with a commitment to improvement, who has facilitated teams and organizations to achieve breakthrough successes. John’s career and experience are multi-faceted. He is experienced in real estate, finance, operations, accounting, tax, IT, project management, conflict resolution, legal, and marketing. John’s early career started with a third-generation family business where he worked for more than a decade. He worked in project management for Florida Power and Light and Northwestern Mutual, and he is an experienced business owner. John successfully launched an antique furniture import business which was sold in 2013, co-founded a family office direct investment business in 2016, and has grown Tamarind Partners into the success it is today. John earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and earned his MBA in Finance from Florida Atlantic University. He holds a real estate license in the State of Florida and served in the United States Marine Corps Infantry. In his free time, John takes his two talented daughters to their events and he also enjoys traveling, golf, tennis, and hockey.
Kelly leads course development and the Tamarind Learning online learning system. She also leads digital and traditional marketing and public relations initiatives. Kelly supports client engagements and industry events, including research studies, diagnostic reports, and presentations. With more than 25 years consumer marketing, research, and client service experience working with some of the most respected companies in the world, her specialties include strategic planning, research, brand strategy, marketing communications, innovation, and general business management. Kelly leverages these skills at Tamarind Partners in her broad role. Kelly earned a Master’s degree in Advertising and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations Policy Problems with a minor in Business from Michigan State University.
Todd is responsible for managing all technical aspects of Tamarind Learning. He is also involved in the creation of interactive content and video production.