Unexpectedly in Leadership – Women Between Role and Reality

What happens if responsibility is suddenly there– without any preparation, without clear roles, and without a framework for decision-making? The facts from the global study ‘Women in Power’ speak for themselves: only a fraction of women knew in advance that they would take on a leadership role – most found themselves suddenly in a position of responsibility. Often without clarity regarding their authority, expectations or scope for action.

In this podcast episode, Nicol Sator, Principal Associate and Head of our Private Wealth Group at DORDA, speaks with Marina Vaughan Spitzy, an international expert in family governance, founder of Tecolote Advisory, a family wealth consultancy, and co-author of the global study “Women in Power”. The focus is on the question of how responsibility truly arises: not through titles or formal structures – but, alongside traditional estate planning, through a family’s human, empathetic, value-driven and intellectual capital. Together, they explore the topic from both a leadership and a legal perspective. They also highlight the crucial role of conflict prevention in family structures – an area where the right guidance can make all the difference. Drawing on Nicol Sators extensive expertise, the conversation shows how thoughtful, proactive approaches help avoid disputes and strengthen long-term stability.