Heir Readiness Program and Succession Planning

Where intergenerational wealth families go for governance and crisis training

How is the Heir Readiness Program different from traditional wealth planning programs?

Wealth planning answers, "How will assets be transferred or structured?" The Heir Readiness Program asks a different question: "Who will be prepared to steward them?" We simulate real governance environments, offering the Heir a space to practice decision-making under conditions of stress and uncertainty. Simulations range from everyday proposal evaluation to crisis simulations e.g. technology disruption, hostile takeovers, pandemic, extreme weather events from climate change.

In an era marked by polycrisis, the governance of family enterprises, cultural institutions, and private wealth structures have become increasingly complex. Our workshops draw on our Certificate Board Leadership Program on Quantum and AI, well reviewed by private and corporate directors.  For families with intergenerational wealth, the bottom line is almost always: when is it the right time to call the concierge and arrange for a helicopter evacuation?

1. Meeting with the Principal(s)

Schedule a free 30-minute on-boarding session with our Co-Managing Directors to understand your concerns. If you would like to move forward, we will then schedule follow-up meetings as needed.

2. Meeting with the Heir

We listen to the interests and concerns of the Heir and prepare for project-based workshops.

3. Project-based workshops

We offer a series of project-based workshops, where the Principal(s) and the Heir will engage in interactive exercises focused on decision-making at board and executive levels.

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Why do families choose this program?

We offer intergenerational coaching. Some might turn to AI. We prepare you for the big moments in life when AI fails and the generational divide widens. Intergenerational wealth is an emotional affair. The Heir Readiness Program frames the Great Wealth Transfer not just as a static transfer of assets, but a continuous evolution of family leadership, identity, and relationships. For Principals proactively thinking about succession planning, the Heir Readiness Program brings a cutting edge approach to governance, private wealth, and family continuity.

Email for a free consultation

Get in touch with our Co-Managing Directors either at Marvin@UnbuiltLabs.com or Marguerite@UnbuiltLabs.com to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. Please include a link to the Principals’ Linkedin or web profiles and 1-2 sentences about the Heir. This program is only open to clients with billing addresses in the US, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and the EU at this time.

  • The most dangerous sentence in a board meeting is, "I don't understand this, but let's move on." Well reviewed by private and corporate directors, Quantum Oaks’ compact program sets the standard as the first and the leading board certificate program in quantum. Learn more

  • As part of our Emerging Board Leaders Program, we invite leading universities to nominate graduate students to our Certificate Board Leadership Program and bring a fresh perspective to board conversations. This includes one of the graduate schools at Columbia University in New York.

  • As a private sector think tank, we decline government contracts, government contractors, as well as the management and board members of government or public agencies — from all countries — as a risk management measure. We also decline Politically Exposed Persons (PEP). Examples of PEP include but is not limited to Head of States, politicians, legislators, political party officials, management at state owned enterprises, as well as the members of the judiciary, military, or diplomatic functions of a government. In some cases we are able to accommodate people from international organizations, multilateral organizations, and development banks. Please email Advisory@UnbuiltLabs.com if you have any questions.

Leadership

Marguerite Van Cook, Ph.D.

Co-Managing Director

From Marguerite's early days at the Treasury department at IBM in the 70s, working alongside colleagues on room-sized computers, she now brings her expertise to Quantum Oaks Advisory at Unbuilt Labs supporting boards on quantum computing vision and strategies. Marguerite Van Cook came to New York with her punk band The Innocents, after touring the UK with The Clash. She has been an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. Marguerite has been a speaker at the UN, Boards Impact Forum, Williams College, Whitney Museum, MOMA, and other institutions. She serves on the Board of Unbuilt Labs. She is the President of the Board at Visual AIDS, and the President Emeritus of Howl Arts Inc.

Marguerite@UnbuiltLabs.com

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Marvin Cheung

Co-Managing Director

Marvin is a board member and strategy advisor, who specializes in delivering actionable insights in high-risk environments. He holds judge, reviewer, and mentor roles at Johns Hopkins, MIT, Kellogg-Morgan Stanley, and Yale University. Recognized for his astute understanding of complex global systems, he chairs the Global Consortium for Systems Research and serves on the Board of Unbuilt Labs as well as various advisory boards. He has been an Expert on Strategic Planning and a Global Diplomacy Fellow at the United Nations, where he was advised by a former member of the UN Security Council. He has given talks at the UN, MIT, Board Impact Forum, ChairX, and other institutions.

Marvin@UnbuiltLabs.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Financial literacy is only one part of readiness. Future stewards must also learn how to evaluate proposals, balance competing priorities, oversee advisors, and make decisions that affect multiple stakeholders. The program develops governance capabilities rather than investment skills alone.

  • Quantum Oaks complements your existing advisory team. Your legal, tax, investment, and family office professionals provide technical expertise. We focus on governance — the human dimension of stewardship. Our role is to help Heirs get excited to lead, ask better questions, and see the world from different perspectives.

  • The next generation will inherit a world shaped by technologies that boards and investors are already evaluating today. Younger generations often have an intuitive understanding of emerging technologies, giving them an edge in recognizing transformative businesses and identifying investment opportunities that experienced Principals may overlook. This creates an opportunity for mutual learning.

  • No. The workshops use structured governance exercises and public case studies rather than requiring families to disclose sensitive information. The emphasis is on strengthening decision-making frameworks that can later be applied within the family's own circumstances. Please do not share confidential information.

  • No, however, Chatham House Rules apply to create a trusted forum. Please do not disclose confidential information.

  • Families leave with more than a prepared Heir. They establish a stronger relationship between generations, and an ongoing relationship with Quantum Oaks. The objective is not simply a transfer of wealth, but the cultivation of capable stewards who will guide the family's legacy for generations to come.

  • Yes. One of the greatest advantages of the program is offering Heirs access to our alumni in different Quantum Oaks programs. We are delighted to make introductions where appropriate.

  • No, the decision always rests with the family. The Heir Readiness Program is not an assessment or endorsement process. It is a preparation journey that helps future leaders understand the responsibilities they may one day inherit, while giving Principals greater confidence that the family's legacy will be guided with purpose.