For generations, families of wealth have struggled with a familiar outcome: prosperity built in one generation dissipates by the third. Often referred to as the “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves” phenomenon, this cycle is rarely caused by poor financial returns alone. Instead, it stems from misaligned values, lack of communication, governance failures, and legacy plans that focus on assets rather than people.

Lugen Family Office was founded to address these deeper challenges. Rather than approaching wealth solely as something to be transferred, the firm views legacy as a living, evolving system, one that integrates health, purpose, values, governance, stewardship, and influence across generations. Through a selective, project-based model and a proprietary Seven Generation Legacy Process, Lugen Family Office collaborates with families and businesses seeking not just continuity of wealth but continuity of meaning.

Enzo Calamo, the CEO of Lugen Family Office spoke exclusively to Business Honor and discussed their approach to multigenerational legacy planning and values-driven wealth stewardship.

Below is an excerpt from the interview.

Can you describe the original vision behind Lugen Family Office and how that vision has evolved into your current mission of empowering bold, sustainable legacies?

As a Tax and Estate Planning lawyer for several large Canadian financial institutions, I came to realize that many strategies recommended by professionals were aimed at transfering family and business assets to the next generation only. Only a few families planned for the third generation if they had grandkids. Also, most estate plans were designed by the parents at future generations, according with the parent’s desires, and not in alignment with the receiving generations. Finally, lack of communication between family members was common, differences in behaviors were often ignored, punished, or rewarded, and the main focus was on assets, not the family values. These observations highlighted for me why the whole shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations phenomenon was ingrained into the family structure and the advice they were receiving from their professionals.

How does Lugen Family Office differentiate its institutional family office services from traditional private banking or wealth advisory firms?

Lugen Family Office works exclusively on selected legacy projects with each family or business. Our chosen projects must be legacy focused, meaning that the projects are sustainable and impactful for future generations, and must be based upon agreed values by all the participants. The Lugen Family Office team acts as the Consigliere and Project Manager to the family, or business, solely for the purpose of making legacy projects come to life. Unlike most private banks or wealth advisory firms, who primarily use in-house experts and resources, Lugen Family Office accesses our private global family office network, plus works along side with the family’s or business’ trusted advisors, to create the best legacy team for each project. Consequently, Lugen Family Office’s primary mission is to place the right people in the right seats, based on shared values and agreed upon behaviors and open communication, to achieve the desired results.

What measurable outcomes or success indicators do you use to demonstrate value to clients engaging your bespoke legacy planning services?

As legacy projects are meant to be sustainable and impactful for both current and future generations, there are typically many moving parts per project and often unexpected challenges in the process or with the people. As the old saying goes, “how do you eat an Elephant? One bite at a time.” Consequently, in all our legacy projects, we simply focus on achieving the next step in the process. This allows families and businesses to track immediate progress, provides flexibility in the event that any adjustments need to be made to change directions, and gives our clients the option to withdraw from any legacy project if the expected outcome is different than what was initially desired.

Could you explain your proprietary Seven Generation Legacy Process and how it supports multigenerational wealth preservation and governance?

At Lugen Family Office, we created the Seven Generation Legacy Process to help families build purposeful legacies that span multiple generations. Our approach goes beyond financial inheritance, integrating health, mindset, purpose, relationships and stewardship so wealth becomes a living legacy. We guide families to clarify shared values, align actions with mission and invest time and resources intentionally. True wealth includes relationships, impact, knowledge, and virtues, empowering unique abilities while nurturing collaboration. By focusing on long-term stewardship and positive impact, our values-driven, holistic framework ensures wealth thrives across generations leaving a legacy that is meaningful, sustainable and enduring.

With global tax regimes becoming increasingly complex, how does LFO ensure compliance and tax efficiency for cross-border family office structures?

It takes a global family office network to address tax and regulatory requirements. This is why Lugen Family Office needs to be selective on the legacy projects that we engage in. A potential legacy project may be fantastic in its intended scope. However, unless the Lugen Family Office network can contribute to the success of that project, it is in no one’s best interest to collaborate since the right people will not be in the right seats in the process

How is Lugen Family Office leveraging AI, cloud technology, and digital governance tools?

AI, the Cloud, proprietary software, proprietary databases, etc. are crucial in today’s rapidly changing world. Lugen Family Office has always been a leader in experimenting with new technology, innovative ideas, and collaborating with strategic partners that bring together the latest innovations in various industries. However, it can also be very high risk to implement new resources within the legacy process too quickly since we are dealing with traditions, present circumstances, and future dreams. Therefore, Lugen uses internal testing to verify intended results through our proprietary Research Institutes on various aspects of the legacy process.

How does your firm integrate ESG aligned opportunities and philanthropy into legacy planning?

ESG aligned opportunities and philanthropy are core components of any legacy plan. Profits are critical to make any project self-sustaining. However, for a project to be impactful, it is vital that taking care of our planet and helping others be integrated into the plan. This is why Lugen Family Office is very selective of the legacy projects that we engage in. There are many highly qualified professionals, consultants, and wealth management firms that guide families, or businesses, with building models that are profitable. If solely making money is the driving force behind a project, we are typically not the best fit for that opportunity.

What are LFO’s strategic priorities for expansion over the next 3–5 years?

At the present time, Lugen Family Office is planning on building, or buying, the right infrastructure in various countries, and continents, to allow for a local presence. Although travel and technology have started to make our world much more interconnected, building strong local connections in various parts of the world is vital. It takes time to build trust and confidence between people so having local representation and infrastructure in key countries is the next step in our global expansion.

Are there recent milestones or awards that capture what LFO stands for?

Lugen Family Office, and its Founder Enzo Calamo, have won numerous awards recognizing their leadership and innovation in legacy planning, including the 2025 Lifetime Contribution Award from the Financial Hall of Fame, Canada’s Best 20 CEOs to Watch by The Inc. Magazine, and Best Legacy Planning Services Provider by Acquisition International Magazine.

Enzo Calamo – Founder and CEO

Enzo Calamo is the Founder and CEO of Lugen Family Office and a globally recognized authority on legacy planning. With degrees in Commerce, Arts, and Law, and decades of experience in private wealth, family governance, and estate design, his work bridges financial expertise with human-centered legacy strategy.

Also having earned some of the most rigorous financial, estate, and advisory designations in the industry, Mr. Calamo’s career spans decades of leadership across private wealth management, family governance, and strategic legacy design. His philosophy moves well beyond traditional estate and financial planning by integrating health, mindset, family values, philanthropy, and purpose into a holistic framework known as the Seven Generation Legacy Process, a proprietary methodology designed to help families build living legacies rather than simply transfer assets.

“Lugen Family Office works on selected legacy projects rather than offering consistent wealth management services. Every engagement must be legacy focused meaning it is designed to be sustainable, impactful, and aligned with shared values across generations.”