ABOUT US
Our Mission
To cultivate an educational ecosystem where domain experts thrive professionally while helping multigenerational families—from emerging to established—discover purpose, build resilience, and create lasting positive impact. We exist for everyone's thriving.
The Family Office Mastermind Group (FOMG) is a curated community of family principals, next-generation leaders, and domain experts across five core areas of expertise who represent the best of their field. These domains span the full scope of complex family office environments — from infrastructure and people to capital, real assets, and lifestyle — encompassing 38 specialized disciplines.
FOMG is intentionally structured to be intimate, high-integrity, and non-transactional. We limit participation, verify our members, and design gatherings that prioritize meaningful conversation over traditional networking. Our events bring together peers across disciplines and perspectives to exchange ideas on topics ranging from governance and philanthropy to global investing, wellbeing, and risk.
We offer two ways to engage. The broader FOMG Community includes individuals who participate in select gatherings and conversations across the ecosystem. Our Verified Membership is a more curated tier, where participants undergo a formal verification process and gain access to a trusted peer group, member-only experiences, and a more consistent forum for connection and exchange.
What Makes FOMG Different
Recognition of Excellence
We celebrate and elevate the domain experts who dedicate their careers to serving families with distinction. Your expertise is valued, your contribution recognized, and your practice supported.
Serving All Family Stages
FOMG serves families wherever they are in their journey — from those clarifying their purpose to established families seeking to enrich their networks with trusted expertise.
The Family Side of Legacy
Our symposiums explore the dimensions where legacy truly lives: family dynamics, philanthropy, personal growth, and the relationships that sustain thriving families.
A Professional Community
Connect with verified peers across disciplines who understand the unique challenges and rewards of serving family offices. Share insights, collaborate with confidence, and build lasting relationships grounded in trust.
Philanthropic Commitment
We are a community of abundance. Members champion one another’s charitable initiatives, attend philanthropic events together, and create collective impact for causes that matter.
An Intergenerational Perspective
We help families strengthen shared values and purpose across generations — with particular focus on engaging and empowering next-generation members.
Community Values
Excellence
Recognition and celebration of true domain expertise
Purpose
Helping families discover and live their “why”
Prosperity
Supporting the professional and personal success of our members
Service
Dedication to family wellbeing and community impact
Generosity
A community of abundance that gives back
Growth
Continuous learning about what helps families and practices thrive
Connection
Building bridges across disciplines, generations, and communities
Integrity
Doing what's right for families and society
Resilience
Strengthening families to endure and flourish through change
Meet Our Founders
Robert A. Landsness
Co-Founder
As Managing Director of Engel & Völkers (Gestalt Group) Family Office Division, Rob advises principals and managers in the family office industry on residential and commercial real estate investments, as well as niche assets such as fine wine and maritime holdings. He specializes in bespoke team building and consulting, delivering family office solutions where trust, competence, and confidentiality are paramount.
Rob draws on his family’s experience managing both multi- and single-family offices, giving him unique insight into the challenges families face. He connects clients to a curated network of experts and delivers a holistic, long-term approach that goes beyond transactions to managing their full range of interests. His global network provides hyper-local expertise and real value wherever needed.
Before transitioning to real estate, Rob built a decade long career as a sommelier and rare wine manager, overseeing and developing some of the largest private wine collections in the world.
Beyond his professional life, Rob is actively engaged in his community. He supports local charities including The Guardsmen, and has served as Chairman of both the Dining Committee and Wine Committee at the St. Francis Yacht Club. He is also an active member of the Olympic Club.
Rob earned his degree with honors from New York University, where he was consistently named to the Dean’s List. He is also a graduate of the Thacher School.
Christopher A. West
Co-Founder
Christopher has devoted his career to helping families build meaningful legacies through purpose and community connection. With roots in a family known for innovative contributions, including the invention of Doritos, Christopher learned early that true success means creating opportunity for others.
His ventures include Bespoke Private Service and The Greenhouse, but his passion shines brightest at FOMG, where he creates inclusive spaces for domain experts and families to explore purpose, philanthropy, and multigenerational connection. Christopher believes legacy isn't what you leave behind—it's how you lift others up.
Christopher brings his unique ability to see potential where others see challenges, guiding members toward their highest aspirations.
Rachel Christenson
Executive Director
Rachel brings more than two decades of experience helping organizations build the systems, clarity, and momentum they need to grow with intention. As Managing Director of the Family Office Mastermind Group, she leads strategy, operations, and growth for a curated ecosystem of family office principals, founders, next-generation leaders, foundations, and exceptional domain experts. Her focus is creating the operational infrastructure and partnership architecture that allows a high-trust community to scale without losing what makes it extraordinary.
Rachel's career has been defined by a consistent ability to translate ambitious vision into structured execution. She has partnered with CEOs and senior executives across industries to build operating systems, align cross-functional teams, and bring discipline to complex, fast-moving organizations. Earlier in her career, she helped scale Selling Energy into an Inc. 5000 recognized company serving more than 21,000 professionals across North America and Europe, guiding the company through a full digital transformation and platform modernization along the way.
A Wall Street Journal best-selling co-author and three-time Stevie Award winner for Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Rachel is recognized for building high-performance teams at the intersection of technology, strategy, and human connection. She is a board member of Entrepreneurs' Organization San Francisco.
Educational Framework
Symposiums That Elevate Expertise and Build Business
Each FOMG gathering blends education with connection, showcasing domain expert excellence while exploring the challenges families face. Every program is designed to create visibility, thought leadership, and authentic relationships that lead to natural collaboration.
What Domain Experts Gain:
- A platform to share expertise with peers and family offices
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Insight from industry leaders and innovators
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Collaboration with complementary experts for cross-referrals
- Visibility through speaking opportunities and panels
- Relationship-driven business development
- Recognition as a thought leader in the family office ecosystem
Recent Programs & Events:
"Foundations & Philanthropy: State of the Industry"
Featured leaders from Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, Maybach Foundation, and Marin Community Foundation exploring modern philanthropy challenges and opportunities. Domain experts gained insights into foundation priorities and connected with decision-makers.
"Managing Your Collection Like a Pro"
With The Fine Art Group and Bernstein Private Wealth Management, addressing how families protect and manage art and collectibles that represent family heritage. Art advisors, insurance specialists, and security experts built valuable cross-referral relationships.
"Private Security for Families"
Experts from Concentric Advisors, Crisis24, and Red Five Security shared practical insights on protecting loved ones in an increasingly complex world. Security professionals expanded their networks and shared best practices.
"Luxury Travel Insights Webinar"
Leigh Rowan, founder of Savanti Travel and former COO of The Points Guy, shared insider tips on effortless luxury travel, premium access, and travel problem-solving for busy families. Travel advisors in attendance gained both knowledge and connections.
Garden Party at The Madrona, Healdsburg
An intimate offsite gathering in Sonoma wine country for meaningful connections, panel discussions, and curated experiences in a relaxed setting. Members consistently report these intimate gatherings yield their strongest professional relationships.
Philanthropic Gatherings
Members regularly invite each other to their charitable events, creating opportunities to support causes together and strengthen both professional and philanthropic networks.
Program Formats
Monthly In-Person Symposiums
- Confidential, trust-based discussions held under Chatham House Rules.
- Domain experts share case studies, methodologies, and insights that invite meaningful dialogue.
- Table seating for 6–8 participants fosters deep exchange within gatherings of approximately 36 guests.
- Sessions of 2–3 hours provide the time and space for reflection, learning, and genuine connection.
- Each event emphasizes practical wisdom, lived experience, and actionable takeaways that demonstrate true expertise.
Virtual Webinars
- Platform for domain experts to showcase expertise
- Expert speakers on specialized topics
- Interactive Q&A sessions
- Recordings available for members
- Follow-up emails with speaker contact information
- Opportunities to be featured as expert presenter
Offsite Experiences
- Intimate, invitation-only gatherings in distinctive settings
- Curated experiences that blend education and connection
- Panel discussions featuring member expertise
- Facilitated introductions between domain experts and families
- Relaxed atmosphere where business relationships develop naturally
Core Symposium Topics
Family Purpose & Values
- Domain experts in family dynamics, coaching, and leadership share frameworks that strengthen clarity and connection.
- Supporting both emerging and established families as they define and live their purpose.
- Aligning values across generations to sustain shared vision and understanding.
- Building enduring family culture, identity, and traditions that support long-term flourishing.
Philanthropic Impact
- Philanthropy advisors and foundation leaders share insights and best practices that elevate both giving strategy and impact.
- Exploring approaches to strategic giving, foundation management, and measurable outcomes.
- Engaging and empowering next-generation family members to carry forward philanthropic values.
- Creating opportunities for collaborative giving and shared initiatives among FOMG members.
Family Dynamics & Connection
- Family therapists, coaches, and facilitators share proven frameworks for strengthening relationships within complex family systems.
- Supporting families in navigating key life and leadership transitions with empathy and clarity.
- Fostering intergenerational understanding through dialogue, shared experiences, and emotional intelligence.
- Building open communication and deep trust as the foundation for lasting connection and family resilience.
Personal & Family Growth
- Wellness and education experts share evidence-based strategies for thriving across every stage of life.
- Supporting individual development within the broader context of family values and purpose.
- Integrating wellness, longevity, and life design practices that sustain vitality and balance.
- Exploring mentorship, education, and coaching approaches that nurture potential across generations.
Community Engagement
- Exploring models of civic leadership and social responsibility that strengthen families and communities alike.
- Building partnerships with local and global organizations to expand impact and collaboration.
- Creating sustainable, purpose-driven initiatives that align wealth, wisdom, and wellbeing.
- Supporting one another’s charitable efforts and advancing collective impact through shared engagement.