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Money & Generations: A guide for enterprising families and their advisorsAVAILABLE WORLDWIDE FROM SEP 2025This book offers a compelling look at the complex interplay between family, business, and wealth. It provides deep insights into the psychology of money in enterprising families, covering topics such as money scripts that shape individuals' relationships with money, setting dividends and compensation, providing financial education for family owners and stewards, and the role family offices play in protecting and growing family wealth. These themes are translated into practical strategies that support harmony and longterm success across generations.Official book launch Sep 24 at a private NYC event hosted by a leading legacy family office.
Praise for Money & Generations
'A wonderful book that helps families thrive by opening up the hard conversations around money.'
- James E. "Jay" Hughes, Jr., Author of Family Wealth'Essential reading, offering families and advisors tools to protect what matters and to thrive together across generations.'
- Peter Vogel, Professor at IMD Business School'A clear guide to aligning wealth with vision and values — essential for navigating complex family dynamics.'
- Guido Van Herpe, Family CEO La Lorraine Bakery Group, Chair FBN Belgium'A comprehensive, creative, field-tested resource: perfect for preparing families and next gens for wealth stewardship. A must-read!'
- Kirby Rosplock, PhD., Founder and CEO of Tamarind'A clear, practical guide to family wealth; from money beliefs to family dynamics, education, and business. An important contribution to the field.'
- James Grubman PhD, author of Strangers in Paradise and co-author of Wealth 3.0'Breaks taboos and helps families make better money decisions. Fresh, bold, and much needed!'
-Albert-Jan Thomassen, Chair FBN Netherlands'An insightful roadmap for families to turn wealth into unity, purpose, and lasting success.'
– Grace Yoon, Family Office Executive, USA'Exceptionally well written, insightful, and unafraid to tackle taboo topics - this book offers outstanding advice.'
- Adrian Furnham, Professor of Psychology, author and academic'A timely reminder that money, when aligned with purpose and relationships, becomes a powerful force for multigenerational legacy.'
- Jill Barber, President, CYMI Holdings'I wish I could have read this book 15 years ago. It might have brought us to the point where we are now with our family office much faster. Truly a valuable book.'
- Guus van Puijenbroek, Director Strategic & Family Matters, fifth generation family member, VP Capital'A practical guide for wealthy families to navigate dynamics, define purpose, and foster cohesion — a must-read for values-driven leadership.'
- Jill Shipley, Family Wealth Educator and Governance Advisor
About the authors
Anneleen Michiels, Ph.D.
is a professor of finance and family business at Hasselt University (Belgium) whose work explores the intersection of money, governance, and multigenerational enterprises. As a visiting scholar at various business schools worldwide and founder of executive courses for family wealth advisors, she is deeply committed to education and knowledge exchange and shares her expertise through research, publications, keynotes, and executive education. She is the author of ‘Geld & Generaties’ (in Dutch), co-author of ’Money & Generations’, a past Scholar-in-residence at Grand Valley State University, former Family Business Chair at the European Academy of Management (EURAM), and currently serves on the Board of the International Family Enterprise Academy (IFERA). She supports families across Europe and in the US through her role as advisor at Generation6 | Family Enterprise Advisors.Find Anneleen's publications on Google Scholar
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Claudia Astrachan, Ph.D.
is a researcher and advisor specializing in family enterprise governance, cohesion, and continuity. She leads the Family & Business Program at Lucerne School of Business in Switzerland and holds academic appointments at universities in Germany and Sweden. In her role as the Head of the Governance Practice at Generation6 | Family Enterprise Advisors, she works extensively with family enterprises in the US and across Europe. Claudia shares her expertise through research, publications, and executive education, and is co-author of ’Money & Generations’. A former Family Business Chair at the European Academy of Management (EURAM), she currently serves as Chair of the Board of the International Family Enterprise Research Academy (IFERA).Find Claudia's publications on Google Scholar
Keynote & Workshops
We deliver keynotes and workshops for audiences around the world - from business families and next-gen members to advisors, and educators. Whether you're navigating family wealth, shaping financial strategy, or looking for ways to be inspired on the role of money in the enterprising family, our sessions offer clear insights and practical tools.Rooted in research but designed for real-world impact, each talk or workshop is tailored to the audience - blending evidence, relatable stories, and actionable takeaways.Please reach out to us via this contact form to learn more about the possibilies.
Related Articles and Research
We have spent over a decade studying how money and wealth shape relationships, decisions, and identity in enterprising families—and working closely with dozens of families seeking clarity on how to navigate wealth across generations. 'Money & Generations' distills our key insights into a practical guide for families who want to approach financial matters with greater intention, alignment, and understanding.Our other contributions explore specific aspects of this theme:In Punishment, Reward, Control, we examine how financial decisions often serve as unspoken expressions of approval, disappointment, or control within families. Recognizing these patterns can help families shift from reactive habits to more intentional choices. Attitudes Towards Money investigates how generational money scripts shape family conversations and decisions—sometimes creating unnecessary tension or confusion when these beliefs go unexamined.We also explore these themes in greater depth in our academic work:Not All About the Money explores how financial decisions in business families reflect broader family priorities and relational dynamics. Money Education in the Business Family highlights the importance of intentional learning and conversations around money.Together, these pieces offer a range of perspectives for families and advisors seeking greater clarity in navigating money across generations.
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Contact
Whether you’re interested in booking us for a keynote, workshop, interview, or ordering multiple copies of our book, we’d be happy to hear from you!
"With this book, we wanted to create a resource that is both theoretically rigorous
and practically accessible for enterprising families and their many stakeholders.
Understanding how money is embedded in family relationships, how
it influences interactions, and how it shapes decision-making is a crucial step
toward building resilience and ensuring long-term success."
- Anneleen & Claudia
© Anneleen Michiels & Claudia Astrachan, 2025. All rights reserved.