Impact Wealth Magazine Summer 2021 by Impact Wealth

SUMMER 2021

zERO-g

Textured Elegance:

FALL

FASHION

The Weightless Experience

Diamonds

as a ‘Brilliant’ Investment

How Colombia’s

Flora Growth Is Changing the Cannabis Industry

Navigating from Harbor to Home

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Angela Swift

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Contents events

Palm Beach Welcomes the Elite Exclusive 1640 Society Family Office Wealth Forum By Hillary Latos

INVESTING

Startup Sees Strong Demand To Make Diamonds an Investable Asset By Rich Monetti

Why Billionaires Are Backing CMORQ’s Altruistic Mission to Create Inclusive Capitalism

12 22

By Davis Richardson

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Role of NAD in Cellular Function: Does Tru Niagen’s NR Supplement Hold the Key to Slowing the Effects of the Aging Process? By Hillary Latos

AVIV CLINIC A Regenerative Respite for Self Improvement By Amy Poliakoff

Profiles

Ivana De Maria Little Girls with Dreams Become Women with Vision By Yvonne Beri

Carole Crisт The Former First Lady of Florida Leads the Way in Impact Investing By Amy Poliakoff

TIM HENTSCHEL 30 Tim Hentschel of HotelPlanner eagerly awaits a Return to Worldwide Travel after the Pandemic By Rich Monetti

feature

Move Over Canada How Colombia’s Flora Growth Is Changing The Cannabis Industry By Davis Richardson and Rich Monetti

STYLE & FASHION

luxury lifestyle

Textured Elegance

Miami Rhapsody

Global citizen programmes Beyond the hype; the practicalities and pleasures of living abroad as a digital nomad

By Hillary Latos

By Candice Beaumont

By Charles L. Barnes

74 44

How the Zero-G Experience Is Mainstreaming Space Tourism By Davis Richardson

Lamborghini Urus A Statement of a Life Well Lived By Kyle Edward

Mercedes AMG GLE63 S Monstrous V8 Power

thought leadership

By Rich Monetti

By Kyle Edward

Rolls-Royce Landspeed Collection

To Get Your Kids Into Elite 80 How Colleges Without Scandals By Jason Ma

By Kyle Edward

How to Find & Hire the Right Domestic Professionals in the Middle of a Pandemic By Aleksandra Kardwell

La Vie en Roses By Hillary Latos

Sheila B. Driscoll Wants to Take Care of the World and Inspire Women to Show the Way

Philanthropy

Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Creating Young Leaders By Hillary Latos

Editor’s Note

Disrupters, Game Changers and Trailblazers As we have all experienced an unprecedented reset this past year, this forced us to look inward to discover changes that we need to make within ourselves to lead a more fulfilling life and initiate change from within. Throughout my editorial career I have been able to meet and interview some of the most charismatic successful entrepreneurs in the world who shaped their own upward trajectory and often the words- disrupter, game changer, trailblazer often characterize this rare breed. Some of the best ideas were generated from a willingness to question the status quo, think outside the box, identify an opportunity and fill the white space. With the world changing on a daily basis, we’re left with an abundance of new opportunities to pivot and thrive. Our cover story this month was Flora Growth – a vertically integrated Canadian cannabis company that is disrupting the cannabanoid industry with a lower cost of high quality production with global distribution across three continents. Wall street investors agree and since their IPO earlier this summer, Flora has seen its stock surge over 400% since its debut, with boundless potential. Diamonds were always a girl’s best friend, and now thanks to Diamond Standard it is a tradeable fungilble token. Fintech veteran and serial entrepreneur, Cormac McKinney saw a “brilliant” opportunity in a trillion dollar natural resource. He created the first electronic diamond exchange and created a uniform valued coin comprised of this brilliant hard asset that can also be transacted as a token on a blockchain. A next gen trailblazer we featured is Ivana De Maria, the great great granddaughter of the legacy Televisia media family who is carving her own path in the media world. Though she is only in her early 20s, she has executive produced her first TV series on HBO about Orianna Falacci . Realizing there was an untapped market for stories as the new currency, she also launched Storyplace- a digital platform for people around the world to tell their stories in a safe, empathy driven community, with a chance of bringing them to the big screen. With crisp temperatures ahead and the fall charity circuit ahead, we are excited to showcase a glamorous fashion editorial that was shot by Charles Barnes and Udo Spreitzenbarth. Philanthropy is always at the heart of every family office and this issue we featured Dame Sheila Driscoll who shares some of her exciting projects underway from helping women in the film industry to creating sustainable farming in the arid desert of Saudi Arabia and UAE. Also, we spoke with sports legend Derek Jeter and his sister Sharlee Jeter about how they are creating the next generation of leaders. Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, the Turn 2 Foundation has donated over $30 Million to its programs that have changed the lives of thousands of inner city children in Western Michigan and NYC by empowering them with valuable skill sets and teaching them leadership skills to bestow to others in the community.

Hillary Latos Editor in Chief hillary@impactwealthmagazine.com

Creating Wealth. Creating Impact. Summer 2021 Issue

Hillary Latos Editor in Chief

Candice Beaumont Managing Editor

Emil Pavlov Art Director

Charles Barnes, Udo Spreitzenbarth Contributing Photographers

Tanya Tauthong Kass Fashion Editor

Yvonne Beri, Kyle Edwards, Jason Ma, Rich Monetti, Amy Poliakoff, Davis Richardson Contributing Writers

Colin Thompson

Director of Sponsorship

Angela Gorman, Adam Weiss Publishers

Martin Weiss Associate Publisher

Impact Wealth Media LLC 222 Broadway, 18th Floor New York, NY 212 542 3146 www.impactwealth.org info@impactwealth.org

Impact Wealth Magazine is published quarterly. Copyright 2020 by Impact Wealth Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are welcome on an exclusive basis, but Impact Wealth Magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited materials submitted. Printed in the U.S.A.

EVENTS

Palm Beach Welcomes the Elite Exclusive

1640 Society Family Office Wealth Forum By Hillary Latos Billionaires converged in Palm Beach at a private country club for the 1640 Society Family Office Wealth Forum which was limited to 100 people. This annual forum, labelled as the “Davos of the Hamptons” is traditionally held in Southampton every August, and for the first time this spring, the 1640 Society held a forum in Palm Beach. The sold out, invitationonly event brought together leading family members, family offices, and wealthy leaders from around the globe for closed door ‘family to family’ private discussions about issues affecting the global elite and top one percent. Because of the exclusivity, there is a rigorous approval process, and only a few hundred families are approved by a steering committee to join on an annual basis. Members include some of the most prominent family members, heirs and ultra high net worth investors from across the globe such as the Pitcairns, Kennedy’s, Bush, Firestone’s, Ford’s, Rockefeller’s, Bronfman’s, Kettering, Getty’s, Kluge, Pritzker’s, Johnson’s, Heinz, Hunt’s, Musk, along with international attendees such as the Mittal family from India and the Pears family from Europe. The Forum was shortened to a half day, with timely and thought provoking panels such as, building a legacy through charitable giving

with billionaire philanthropists Audrey and Martin Gruss, the benefits of private island ownership from a Bahamian family who owns several Bahamian islands including the only one in the world with its own jet runway, achieving longevity through alternative medicine and hyperbaric treatments at AVIV medical clinics, and investing in a post CV19 world through entrepreneurship with Latin American mogul Sandro Salsano and Outback Steakhouse founder Tim Gannon. Several CEO and CIOs of family offices and sovereign wealth funds joined Rick Pitcairn, CIO of Pitcairn to discuss asset allocation strategies.

After a hiatus of social “live” events, families were happy to go out again to network and socialize with old friends while making new connections. The eve of the forum, guests attended an exclusive cocktail party at an oceanfront penthouse at 3550 South Ocean Blvd and feted philanthropist Audrey Gruss at the Impact Wealth cover party following the forum. Given its success, this 1640 Society Family Office Wealth Forum will become an annual spring event held in Palm Beach. Hamptonsconference.com

redefining the Real Estate Journey

Property presented by Jamie Mazuryk, as featured in Albany Real Producers Magazine, is this beautifully manicured home in the heart of Guilderland at 6630 Fuller Station Road. This craftsman style custom designed 8,500 square foot home sits on over 7 acres of land and is listed for just under $2 Million. Three floors of indoor living space include a grand scale living room, gourmet kitchen with two islands, a walk in pantry with a wet bar and fully lined copper sinks and countertop.

Jamie Mazuryk Homes Team CM Fox Real Estate Redefining the Real Estate Journey @jamiemazurykhomes

Enjoy all seasons outdoor living with their sprawling stone patio accented with a large stone fireplace.

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INVESTING

Diamonds are an Uncorrelated and Underallocated Asset Diamonds are a $1.2 trillion natural resource - more than silver and platinum combined. However, diamonds have always lacked the benefits of price discovery, transparency, liquidity, and low transaction fees. In market terms, there was too much friction for investors to properly be able to invest in diamonds as a commodity. “Diamonds have always been attractive to investors, and yet stubbornly out of reach,” explained Cormac Kinney, Founder & CEO of Diamond Standard, a fintech startup that just received regulatory approval for the world’s first and only fungible diamond commodity.

Startup Sees Strong Demand To Make

DIAMONDS an Investable Asset When it comes to investing in commodities, are gold, silver or platinum the only way to go? Hard assets are limited and protect against inflation because they’re not someone else’s liability. But what about producing returns when other hard assets fall? By Rich Monetti

“Countless attempts were made to index diamond prices as an investment product, but the index prices were not actionable, so no one could obtain regulatory approval,” said Kinney. The entrepreneur was ready to take on the challenge. Tapping into his knowledge of modern technology like automatic market making, wireless technology, and optical authentication, Kinney has created a breakthrough. With innovations cited in nearly 4,000 U.S. Patents, Kinney has been the founder of four software startups acquired by public companies. He is a quant finance pioneer who invented heatmaps, designed over 100 institutional trading systems, and perfected sentiment analysis for statistical arbitrage, using it to manage over $500 million for Tudor and Millennium. He also played his cards right in life when he first met and eventually married influential jewelry designer Mimi So in New York. Known for her iconic jewels, accessories, and a large celebrity clientele, So’s company was founded as a partnership with luxury conglomerate Richemont, which subsequently sold its interest to Mimi So. With a new understanding of the frictions in the diamond business, Kinney focused on solving the challenge of creating a standardized diamond commodity. He knew that these factors would make diamonds an especially valuable addition to any investor portfolio.

Diamond Standard Exchange purchases only ethically sourced stones, using a regulatorapproved, automated and transparent process. For its initial commodity offering, the company placed over five million bids to purchase tens of thousands of diamonds from around the world. The diamonds that made the final cut met Diamond Standard’s high bar for ethical sourcing, quality, and value per dollar. A Breakthrough: Physical Coin plus Blockchain Token Using the diamonds purchased on its Exchange, the brilliance really starts. To make Diamond Standard Coins equivalent, the diamonds embedded inside are selected through a statistical sampling process. “Every diamond is unique, but every Diamond Standard Coin is equal. Diamond Standard pioneered a transparent and fair process, using computer science to accomplish this for the first time ever,” said Kinney.

Buying Brilliance via the Diamond Standard Exchange

Every diamond is unique, but every Diamond Standard Coin is equal. Diamond Standard pioneered a transparent and fair process, using computer science to accomplish this for the first time ever.

Every coin must comprise a statistically valid sample of the primary diamond characteristics, such as carat weight, color, and clarity, for natural white diamonds. “This means that we discover, price and deliver the entire yield curve of diamonds, for the first time ever,” said Kinney. Every stone is GIA graded and has a digital certificate, always accessible by the coin owner and prospective buyers. These GIA graded diamonds are then reinspected by another lab, the International Gemological Institute (IGI), which assembles the diamonds into Coins. GIA and IGI serve as objective third parties, allowing investors to purchase Diamond Standard Coins with confidence. Delivered as a physical coin, this regulator-approved commodity can be transacted as a token on a blockchain.

Kinney saw an opportunity in a trillion dollar natural resource market that was largely untapped. He came up with a way to become a market maker and launched the first electronic Diamond Standard Exchange.

Unlike crypto assets, a Diamond Standard token is backed by a rare and valuable natural resource. A diamond cannot be hacked. It is not vulnerable to the whims of wild “tech bro” speculation, because the real-world market drives diamond value.

“We founded Diamond Standard Exchange in collaboration with one hundred of the largest diamond vendors in the world. Every time we buy a diamond, we make a transparent bid, to force price discovery. We can't buy in secret,” said Kinney.

By building an ultra-secure coin around the diamonds – the resin, dots, chip, and QR code, Diamond Standard achieved the world’s first and only regulator-approved method to produce, deliver, and transact a fair and fungible standardized diamond commodity.

INVESTING

The Word is Out: Diamond Returns are Building

of the strongest bull markets in a generation. In the same period, gold fell by 10%.

Diamond Standard recently announced a follow-on offering for its subscribers of the Diamond Standard Coin. The offering is capped at $50 million, across five series of $10 million each. The initial series is priced at $5,750 per Coin. Subsequent series will follow immediately and be priced by then-current diamond values.

“By investing now, before diamonds are added to the commodities index, investors have the opportunity to beat the freight train of investors that will be accessing them via alternative means,” said Kinney.

In addition to preparing for spot trading on digital exchanges, Diamond Standard commodity futures are approved for listing on MGEX via CME Globex, and an ETF has applied to list on the NYSE under the ticker DIAM, which offerings are subject to regulatory approvals by the CFTC and SEC respectively.

“Expect a secular phase of position building, a one-time commodity super cycle,” added Kinney. Investors are more organized and aggressively seek returns of newly available assets, and in particular the store of wealth and low correlation benefits of diamonds. “We believe that the growth of demand will significantly outstrip the ability to organize the global supply of consumers,” said Kinney.

ing. They're not rare,” Kinney clarified, and the science is pretty easy to spot by examining the chemical structure. The transparency also ensures that blood diamonds and synthetic diamonds aren’t among inventory, while mining companies must agree to fair labor practices and also adhere to market manipulation rules. “So in effect, we're cleaning up the entire diamond supply chain,” Kinney said. The fact that Diamond Standard has no vested interest goes a long way too. “We don't care if diamonds go up, if they go down, our job is to be the regulated commodity assembler,” he said. “We bid on diamonds, we pay whatever it takes. The market always tells us the price. We never set the price even for our own product,” said Kinney.

Timing is Everything Given the rise in market volatility, in part sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic and investor’s increased interest in hard assets, diamonds are seeing an uptick in popularity. In the case of diamonds, there is no more supply, which means the new demand will lead to an increase in price. In the one year since the announcement of the Diamond Standard commodity, diamond prices have gained 31%. In the four months since the IPO of the Coin, diamonds (and the Coin) gained 15%. This stunning performance matches the S&P 500 — during one

Fast forward one global pandemic, and the diamond industry certainly hasn’t faded from view. If anything, it has only taken on greater importance. Over the past year, there has been explosive growth in the industry as many investors continue to see diamonds as a big winner from lockdowns around the globe as access to rival luxury offerings was limited. Avoiding Lab-Grown Diamonds The company won’t be tapping into labgrown diamonds ever. “The price of lab grown diamonds has fallen by half over two years, and it's going to continue fall-

Consumer Supply: Diamond Standard Recycling and Sustainability Diamond Standard’s business model has one more component that will increase market transparency. Going forward, Kinney knows not to rely solely on business vendors for sourcing all of the diamonds. “Our largest suppliers are going to be consumers who already own diamonds. We created a company called Diamond Standard Recycling, where we buy back diamonds at fair prices,’ said Kinney.

By investing now, before diamonds are added to the commodities index, investors have the opportunity to beat the freight train of investors that will be accessing them via alternative means.

The novelty is a win-win on both sides. “We're going to really surprise consumers when we launch later in 2021,” he said. “We’re going to pay a lot more for those old diamonds you have in a drawer, because we've unlocked the true market value,” Kinney boasted. On the retail side, Diamond Standard has companies like Tiffany & Co. following closely. “They're very excited because we're creating pricing transparency and liquidity. Consumers buying diamonds in jewelry can now feel confident they are paying a fair price,” said Kinney. As the market leader in buying and selling diamonds, Diamond Standard will fulfill its mission in making its brilliant commodity a liquid hard asset like gold. “Diamond prices are artificially very low, because there never was investment demand from individuals and institutions. With our ability to support both supply and demand on a global basis, we think prices will continue to go up,” Kinney stated. The production of the Coin and the investment offerings are regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and internally audited by Deloitte. Diamond Standard is also partnered with Brinks, a global leader in security, custody, and transportation services. Over time, this relationship is expected to provide investors and exchanges with custody options at Brinks facilities worldwide. To learn more about Diamond Standard, please visit: www.diamondstandard.co 15

INVESTING

CMORQ’s founder, Hossein Azari, knows firsthand the consequences of disastrous monetary policy.

Why Billionaires Are Backing CMORQ’s Altruistic Mission to Create

Inclusive Capitalism By Davis Richardson

Growing up in Iran in the aftermath of the 1979 Revolution, his family stuffed suitcases of US Dollars to contend with hyper-inflation. Faced with rapidly devaluing local currency, preserving value became a matter of survival to build a better life. “Growing up I remember I bought ice creams for 50 Rial (Iran’s currency) to 5000 Rial.” Azari said, a 100x increase on the price of daily usual things under 20 years!

“In the West, we take for granted a sound economic system that safeguards its citizens’ money through financial institutions. But nothing is certain in this world, and governments are always subject to change,” the entrepreneur tells Impact Wealth. “Decentralization is the best path for ensuring an individual truly owns their capital and is not beholden to government or centralized entities with their own agendas.” Azari went on to obtain both a PhD in Computer Science and master’s degree in Statistics from Harvard University. While receiving his MBA from Columbia, he founded the personal finance app Clarity Money--which was built on the premise of helping users lower their monthly bills. Using Artificial Intelligence to draw attention to repeating transactions and other spending patterns, the app empowered a wide range of users with varying income levels to make healthier financial decisions. Ascent of Money author

Imagine if you owned part of the bank to whom you lend, borrow from, save in, and got your mortgages, auto, and student loans. Returning value to consumers will create a positive feedback loop that leads to inclusive capitalism and a more productive economy. and academic titan Niall Ferguson recognized the value of this upstart, serving on the company’s board of advisors. Clarity Money was later acquired by Goldman Sachs and remains an essential component of the investment bank’s consumer financial services. Despite the success of his first venture, Azari knew incremental changes to the existing financial system wouldn’t be enough to produce the structural change necessary for individuals to own their capital. As the cryptocurrency landscape grew larger than Bitcoin, spinning off a separate decentralized finance ‘Wild West’ led by Ethereum, Azari recognized the value these services could have for everyday people. “Banks penalize low-income and marginalized individuals for not maintaining a certain amount in their checking accounts,” explains Azari. “The system is designed to keep individuals trapped in poverty. DeFi solves this problem by eliminating centralized powers incentivized to prey off the less fortunate.” The entrepreneur founded CMORQ in 2018. The company has integrated into the DeFi landscape seamlessly, giving users cryptocurrency wallets and the ability to earn higher interest payments than traditional savings accounts (CMORQ finds users the highest rates of return through decentralized protocols

built on top of Ethereum and other blockchain networks). A number of high profile investors are backing the venture, including billionaire Ricardo Marino of Itau Unibanco. “Decentralized finance has grown to enable transactions of hundreds of billions of dollars and is growing faster than any other financial platform,” continues Azari. “Imagine if you owned part of the bank to whom you lend, borrow from, save in, and got your mortgages, auto, and student loans. Returning value to consumers will create a positive feedback loop that leads to inclusive capitalism and a more productive economy.” DeFi has come under greater scrutiny by regulators, and recently led to a showdown

on Capitol Hill as Democratic lawmakers sought to fund their infrastructure package off taxes on cryptocurrency. Despite the volatility arising from any emerging market, Azari is confident the United States will lead the space, and use cryptocurrency to spread democratic values. “The narrative that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are somehow a threat to the U.S. dollar has been undermined by the fact that China is banning it,” says the entrepreneur. “If Bitcoin was any threat to the dollar, China wouldn’t be banning it.” The altruist adds he welcomes responsible legislation that will legitimize the space, which would codify into law a framework empowering ordinary people.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Role of NAD in Cellular Function Does Tru Niagen’s NR Supplement Hold the Key to Slowing the Effects of the Aging Process? By Hillary Latos The search for the fountain of youth has always been a quest since the beginning of time. With advances in science we have come closer to understanding the aging process and how to slow this down and ChromaDex may have an answer for at least living healthier longer. The most recent pre-clinical and clinical findings suggest that boosting NAD+ levels with nicotinamide riboside holds the potential for slowing the aging process and reducing damage caused by metabolic stress. Though competitors may suggest that resveratrol and NMN have the same effects, nicoti-

namide riboside or NR found in their patented Tru Niagen®, is the most effecient and clinically validated supplement to increase NAD levels and has received regulatory acceptance in key global markets. NMN lacks an established transport mechanism into cells and resveratrol has been a scientific disappointment since research began nearly two decades ago. Niagen® nicotinamide riboside, however, is very special, according to ChromaDex. In the high stakes game of biotech and science, the narrative between ChromaDex and

their former ingredient customer Elysium Health plays out like a Hollywood drama with an intriguing story of alleged underhanded business practices by Elysium filled with patent infringements and blatant corporate theft that sounds eerily similar to other arrogant Silicon Valley startups. Here, Impact Wealth Magazine speaks to Rob Fried, the CEO of ChromaDex to find out more about the science behind this game changing supplement and how it works within our cellular structure and it’s meteoric rise as a science-based integrated nutraceutical company that is one to watch.

IW: What sets ChromaDex apart from your other competitors?

IW: Why does our NAD and mitochondria decline so rapidly with age?

RF: What’s exciting is this molecule NAD, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme that is involved in most of the important metabolic functions within the cell most notably energy metabolism and cell repair.

RF: As we age, the pathways for producing NAD become less efficient. At the same time, there is an accumulation of damage to cells that require more NAD for repair. The combination of less production and increased demand, results in lower NAD levels as we age. What we have shown is that Niagen nicotinamide riboside has its own unique pathway to producing NAD, completely separate from all of the existing mechanisms, that is upregulated, or increased, when the cell is stressed. A preclinical study this year showed that when the cell is stressed out, such as fighting off a virus, it specifically seeks out NR to replenish NAD. That’s why we know that NR, may have unique potential in this area of research.

Most of us have heard of mitochondria, the “battery pack of the cell.” Mitochondria exist within our cells and combine nutrients from food that we eat with oxygen from air that we breathe and convert them into energy. That energy is then transferred into ATP molecules that deliver the energy to rest of the cell. Mitochondria need NAD to function. When there are low levels of NAD, it leads to fewer and poorly functioning mitochondria. What we have shown is that by taking Niagen, not only do you have higher NAD, but additional stronger mitochondria and more ATP molecules, which means more energy in the cells. But NAD is not only involved in mitochondrial function or energy metabolism. There are other critical NAD-dependent processes that go on inside the cell. The day we are born, our DNA starts to become damaged. And when that damage accumulates and gets severe, it can turn into disease or decay. But within the cell, there are these enzymes that actually repair that damage in real time, as it happens. Those enzymes are called PARP enzymes and they are heavily dependent on NAD. When PARP enzymes are working hard, they consume NAD, which is one of the reasons why you feel so exhausted when you’re fighting an illness or disease. People get treatment for a disease and they feel so wiped out. Why are they wiped out? Because the repair mechanisms consume most of the NAD normally reserved for energy production. By elevating NAD, you have stronger, more energy producing and functional cells with more mitochondria and more youthfulness. When we are young, NAD and mitochondria are abundant. In total, Niagen has been proven in 11 published, peer reviewed, clinical studies to be safe and/or effective.

IW: What makes your Tru Niagen’s NR so different than your competitors? RF: We are the only safe and legal source of Niagen. We have a wide portfolio of patents and safety, regulatory acceptance. We also have a number of partnerships, one of which is with Nestlé Health Science. In October of 2020, we announced that Tru Niagen® would be available in Nestlé Health Science’s Celltrient™ Cellular Energy, a proteinbased flavored drink mix to help renew natural processes that decline as we age. The actual inventor is our chief scientific advisor, Dr. Charles Brenner, who discovered NR as a precursor to NAD at Dartmouth in the early 2000s. Competitors selling nicotinamide riboside, such as Elysium’s Basis product, are infringing on the patents licensed from Dartmouth. They are also infringing on manufacturing patents held by our supplier W.R. Grace, who filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Elysium. We have several legal actions against them for nonpayment of bills, theft of trade secrets, false advertising and, with Dartmouth College, for willful patent infringement. There is more about these cases on the public docket.

IW: You have to wonder why do you have to hurt the partner that’s supplying the key ingredient to you? It is difficult to know what motivates people. College and business school graduates today commonly want to disrupt the world and become billionaires by 30. Some enter the business world with a hubristic attitude. “Fake it till you make it.” If you see a vulnerability, pounce. Not that greed is new, but technology has shown what is possible in a short period of time and that has spawned many attempts. Some venture capital investors nurture their entrepreneurs to operate ethically and with the long term in mind. Some push to cut corners at any expense. “We expect 5x our money in three years.” IW: This story plays like a Hollywood script. How did you make the transition from Hollywood to leading a science company? I am attracted to enterprise building, specifically of companies that could have a positive impact I never perceived myself as a Hollywood mogul. I’ve made movies, but I never dreamed of being a filmmaker. I went from Hollywood to internet to healthcare because the technology and science were inspiring. In the late 1990s, I invested in two companies in the anti-aging space and ever since have been an avid reader of scientific developments. It was 2013 when NAD started to become an actionable thing. In December, 2012, a study was published showing the impact on mice when you elevated NAD levels. That was a turning point for me. Soon thereafter, I learned that the best way to elevate NAD was nicotinamide riboside which was controlled by a company nearby in Irvine. I started buying stock and eventually went on their Board of Directors. The founder and former CEO, Frank Jaksch presently is engaged with developing the company’s business and industry relationships at ChromaDex. We have converted a testing lab and ingredient supplier into a global consumer facing internet company. And there is a lot more to come. www.chromadex.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

AVIV CLINIC A Regenerative Respite for Self Improvement Aging is an inevitable part of life. What if you could slow down the aging process? Well today you can. Located in Central Florida is Aviv Clinics,the first of its kind medical center that focuses on improving brain performance in the U.S. whose parent company, Aviv Scientific, recently closed on their second round of funding, bringing in $22 million. The Aviv Medical Program offers a personalized program of regenerative restoration as you age. A multidisciplinary medical program combining an array of cognitive, physical and nutritional components, built around a unique, state-of-theart Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) facility and protocol, is truly one of a kind. By Amy Poliakoff

“To come and join an organization which helps people in the aging process, that helps them before they have dementia, before their quality of life begins to diminish, and helps them before they lose their independence and autonomy is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We are building a program that transcends healthcare in a unique way,” said CEO, David Globig. The Aviv Clinic medical team consists of an entire team of clinicians from around the country specifically hired by Globig. The dedicated team of internal medicine physicians, neuropsychologists, physiologists, physical therapists, dieticians, and nurses work together with a common goal to transform the aging process with a focus on how to improve the way the brain and the body perform. Aviv Clinics leverages science combined with service to deliver a personalized experience to help every client be their best. All clients undergo the Aviv Assessment, which involves an in-depth medical evaluation that examines genes, bloodwork and cognitive function. The results help create a customized personal treatment plan that combines HBOT sessions, cognitive and physical training and nutritional coaching. 20

Designed by the Australian company, Fink, the suite fits 14 people. During HBOT, the first ten minutes feels like you are taking off in an airplane until the air is fully pressurized to 2 ATA, which is the equivalent of being 33 feet below sea level. After ten minutes you put on a mask to breathe 100 percent pure oxygen. The pressure of the chamber along with pure

oxygen permeates the patient's tissues raising the oxygen levels 10 to 15 times over that of normal conditions. Seated in the hyperbaric suite, patients are given brain exercises to complete on electronic tablets. Aviv Clinics’ Hyperbaric Suites are the largest custom-built and most sophisticated chambers worldwide.

Neuropsychologists are keeping track of patient’s progress with the brain exercises during the treatments. Whether an individual is looking to improve short term memory or perhaps improve their attention span, carefully curated exercises are created to enhance overall brain performance. For 60 consecutive HBOT treatments, patients sit inside Aviv’s hyperbaric uite breathing pure oxygen. The 12-week program currently costs 45,000 dollars. This includes every single aspect of the program from the assessment, the consultations with Aviv’s medical staff (physicians, dieticians and physiologists), the tailored HBOT program, andanalysis that measures patient’s progress and improved overall physical and cognitive performance. All programs are individualized at Aviv Clinics and patients discuss their goals from brain health to all aspects of physical improvement, finish the program receiving pictures of their brain, body composition analysis, cardiopulmonary assessments and how well they process oxygen among other things. With a clear study of the brain and understanding how a lack of blood flow to the brain can cause cognitive decline, Aviv Clinics knows how to enhance performance in the aging brain and body. “Aviv Clinics’ hyperbaric oxygen protocol increases the saturation of oxygen in the tissues and significantly increases levels of stem cells in our body. This combination assists in the generation of new blood vessels resulting in improved blood flow to damaged tissues which correlates with improved physical and cognitive function,” says Globig. A curated program, one of its kind in the world, this experience is a medical advancement.

The investment in one’s health and wellness is a focus of the community around Aviv Clinics.. Aviv Clinics’ Central Florida location provides a lifestyle of social connectivity for those near retirement. Aviv Clinics helps you find a home to rent as you spend three months investing in your health. With a focus to improve the aging process through the personalized treatment plan, Aviv Clinics caters to anyone wanting to improve cognitive function. Professional football players who may have experienced a concussion, a CEO, and any working individual who wants to focus on memory improvements can come to Aviv Clinics for a respite from the busy hustle and bustle of everyday life for a personalized plan of self-improvement.

The non-invasive HBOT has proven to increase energy, improve physical performance, enhance memory and improve cognitive function. Aviv Clinics provides a lifestyle change to help support all of the improvements of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

“From our perspective, aging is a disease. In order to achieve regeneration we are taking people into a hyberbaric chamber to increase blood oxygenation to high levels and then do a rapid decline. This decline triggers all of the regenerative cascade that we need in order to rejuvenate tissue,” said Shai Efrati, M.D. and cofounder of Aviv clinics.

In today’s world, where modern medicine is constantly evolving, it is a true achievement in healthcare to see Dr. Efrati and the Aviv team of doctors and clinicians create a true escape from the hazards of society to focus on regenerative and restorative healing.

The Aviv Medical Program was developed by Dr. Shai Efrati, Director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research at the Shamir Medical Center, one of the leading teaching hospitals in Israel. Over 200,000 hyperbaric sessions have been conducted in Tel Aviv and serve as the foundation of research for the Aviv Medical Program. Over 7,500 people have received treatment applying Dr. Efrati’s protocols.

www.aviv-clinics.com . 21

PROFILE

Little Girls with Dreams Become Women with Vision

Ivana De Maria The Next Gen Media Visionary By Yvonne Beri

Even kids of business moguls have many of the same experiences as everyone else. They go to school, make friends, have interests, think about their careers and life path, what’s your story?

Though only in her 20’s, it may seem like she’s figured it all out, but she’s only just started… As a Nextgen daughter of Gina Diez Barroso and the great great granddaughter of the legacy Televisia media family - Ivana De Maria (born Ivana Maria Moreno-Valle Diez-Barroso) is one of 5 siblings making her own mark and following her heart, which seems to run in the family. The family is known for never taking no for an answer and seeing unlimited possibilities, making the world better, and empowering others to do the same. Born in San Diego and raised in Mexico City, she attended high school at the Institute Le Rosey in Switzerland and then completed a

bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in Finance and Law at Boston University, MA. Following her passion, she attended summer intensives at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. Ivana is an accomplished producer, actress and tech entrepreneur. She has starred in a number of films as well as TV shows. She was a producer on the Netflix television series MONARCA and is an Executive Producer for an upcoming Limited Series based on the life of renowned journalist Oriana Fallaci. Ivana is also the Founder and CEO of StoryPlace, an empathydriven platform where people around the world share stories and turn their stories into content. The platform has over 30,000 active users in 92 countries around the world.

Well, I was born in San Diego, and grew up in Mexico City, right until I was 15. Even though the population of Mexico City is about 22 million people, it’s actually a very small society and very traditional. It inspired me to want to explore the world to have different experiences. The plan was for me to go to Switzerland for a year and then come back after the year ended, but I never went back. I stayed for three. I graduated high school in Switzerland and then went on to Boston University for my Bachelors Degree. I studied finance and law, for the sake of learning. It wasn’t necessarily the career I wanted to pursue after graduation. This was very confusing for pretty much everyone around me at the time. I would confuse them even more, because during the summers, instead of doing internships, like all my classmates, I would go to acting school. Everyone, except for my family, was like, “What? Why are you doing this? It's a waste of time”. They couldn't understand that I genuinely just wanted to learn for the sake of learning. Besides that, finance and law are two things that affect your day to day, whatever you do. So, what does a person with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Law from Boston University do after they graduate?

PROFILE

I moved to LA to pursue acting full time, or so I thought. The acting world, or system, is old (outdated) and has complicated rules that make no sense at all. To be considered for work, you need a reel, but you can’t get a reel unless you've worked, so it was constantly like which comes first, the chicken or the egg? I hated it. I also really don't have the personality to be waiting for people to call me to give me an opportunity. I needed to be proactively doing things. What was your approach to making things work for you? I called my brother who's a director, and I said, you know, “apparently, I need a reel, how do I get a reel”? He said, “Oh, I hate reels, make a short film?”. I said, “What do you mean a short film?” I told him that I had no idea how to make a short film. He said, you know how. I sat down, and I started thinking, and this is honestly how I've pretty much addressed any unknown factor in life, by using logic of some sort. “What do I want to say? What character do I want to portray?" I started writing and writing, a name, an age and created a journal of this character. From there, the story was created. Then I needed a camera and someone to operate it as well as a costume designer. I started learning all of these things, without realizing I started producing. Just figuring stuff out and putting it all together meant you're a producer. I produced two short films, which I wrote and acted in. They did great at festival circuits. I was so happy. It was great taking ownership and not waiting for an opportunity. You taking ownership and not waiting for an opportunity is really inspiring for anyone at any age or place in life. What did you do next being that you were the new kid in LA? I leveraged my love for learning for the sake of learning. I made it a point to meet people for the sake of meeting. When I got to LA I really wasn't a social butterfly. I had close friends. I just hated the awkwardness of meeting someone new but I realized I needed to meet people. So, I started to schedule meetings for the sake of meeting people. Whenever some-

body would suggest that there is someone I should meet, or you would get along so well with this person, I would always say “put us in touch”. I wouldn't even wait a minute. I feel like when an opportunity is presented, you should follow through immediately. Because I didn’t have an agenda, people were very confused. At the end of the meeting, they would say, “what can I do for you” and I would respond, “nothing really, it's great to meet you and thank you for your stories.” From those meetings came the most amazing opportunities. One of them was a journalist my mother knew, Giselle Ferndandez. She had the rights to a book by Oriana Fallaci, an Italian journalist and an amazing woman, I fell in love with Oriana, her story, the book, and Giselle. When I initially met my mom's friend for lunch, I was thinking it

was going to be one of those, “if you need anything in LA give me a call” meetings. Instead, it turned into a four hour lunch. Was that how the HBO TV series about Oriana Falacci came about? Yes, that’s how I partnered on that project and initially we were working on making it a feature film. But we were thrilled when we got a call from HBO asking to hear the pitch as a possible TV series. I thought producing HBO dramas would happen at the end of my career, it was just so surreal. Then another reality check, I had no manager, no agent, no writer, like nothing of what supposedly you need in entertainment. We only had the story…

PROFILE

How did you prepare for the meeting with HBO? We had been talking about this story so much and going over our take on the story. Basically, we walked in and told the story to the two heads of drama, at the time, and they absolutely loved it and a week later they called and said, great, we want to do it, we want to make the series. You're both on as executive producers. It all happened so fast. What was that like? It was very surreal. Everyone around me kept saying, “oh that doesn't happen”, you're so lucky, this is impossible blah, blah, blah. Initially that made me very insecure about what I had accomplished. Was this all luck which essentially says, “imposter syndrome all the way”. Then when I actually understood, this is not how things happen, but it did happen, something must be changing? It was becoming clear to me that stories were the new currency. If you have a good story and you know how to tell it, along with perseverance, that seems to be enough. I said, “oh my God, there's another way”. I don't need to give up on my dream of taking stories to screens. I can approach it a different way. Interesting, stories are the new currency? What was your new path? I started finding stories instead of finding agents and managers. I said to myself, “Okay,

I want to find more stories”. I asked around, I searched online, I couldn't find normal, organic, real, authentic stories. All I could find were journalistic types of stories. Social media has a lot of content, but has very little substance, depth, or truth, right? That was pretty much it. I addressed the unknown factor, by using logic, which got me thinking. Is that how StoryPlace was born? Yes, it was. I was challenged when I couldn't find stories easily, some sort of a database of stories, it was so simple in my mind. I started thinking, if I could find what I am looking for, what would it look like? Then it came to me, because we live in a digital era I needed a digital platform. It was the path to explore. It would have to be a safe space where people would dare share truth, their passions, tribulations, and joys. In its technological bones it would be something like a social media platform, except that people who dare be themselves. I kept thinking, why are there so many social media platforms, and yet, none of them have true or actual stories? I decided I would reverse engineer these social platforms and create a platform that would eliminate all the factors that I felt were impeding people from sharing real stories. Finding a developer was the biggest challenge because the right developer is very specific to each project. There is this huge

I kept thinking, why are there so many social media platforms, and yet, none of them have true or actual stories? I decided I would reverse engineer these social platforms and create a platform that would eliminate all the factors that I felt were impeding people from sharing real stories.

gap of translating between the visionary entrepreneur founder and the technology developer that still needs so much translation. Trial and error and many learning experiences later, I finally found the right developer. So how do you summarize “Storyplace”? After realizing the importance and the impact of connecting people through stories, StoryPlace came into being. I am a firm believer in promoting empathy in the world, and I do that through stories. Storyplace opens the doors for the world to tell their stories, and to give everyone a chance to take their stories to the big screens. On a practical level, it is a social platform where people around the world share stories with each other, in a safe, empathy driven community, that appreciates vulnerability and celebrates our differences as human beings. We also offer resources and tools for people who want to turn their stories into content, whether that is film, tv, books, or podcasts. The stories being told across content are meant to represent us all, so we should all have the chance to tell those stories. Which philanthropies do you support ? I am on the board of Justice For Migrant Women and San Fernando Valley Children Refugee Center.

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PROFILE

Carole Crist The Former First Lady of Florida Leads the Way in Impact Investing Carole Crist sees her role in society as one of public benefit. After an esteemed career in private business and public life, now, it’s all about how, why and who she can help.. By Amy Poliakoff

Crist is a native New Yorker who grew up in Roslyn, Long Island. While her business sense is somewhat innate, she was able to develop her acumen both through qualitative learning and academia. She earned a degree from Georgetown University Business School, and also took the reins of her family’s 100-year old Halloween business - which she helped lead for 25 years.

While many know Carole Crist as the former First Lady of Florida, she is equally known in philanthropic circles as a champion for those in need. Her personal and professional experiences in public and private life have honed her understanding of the impoverished, the unfortunate or the underserved, which has granted her a keen vantage point on the “who” and “how” one can make a difference. 28

Her success in this industry, plus her experience as a public figure, seemed to set the stage perfectly for a career in “impact investing.” Impact investing is purpose and mission-driven, where people invest money to advance a social or moral agenda and expand opportunity. Through developing new sectors of economies, or new technologies nationally and globally, impact investing is the proverbial “rising tide that lifts all boats” - to paraphrase President John F. Kennedy. And, if impact investing is the tide, then Carole Crist is a wavemaker. Carole is the Founder and CEO of CLC Global Advisors, an organization that works alongside select clients, family offices and colleagues whose shared objective is to invest capital

and build businesses that can have the most impact around the world. Carole has worked with tycoons, innovators, disruptors, and pioneers - across a variety of fields - to address problems and propose innovative solutions to expand horizons for the underserved. “Most impact investment opportunities today are introducing a technologically enabled product or service that enhances and optimizes how people live or how companies operate and do business,” says Crist. “When investing both our human and financial capital with the goal of helping others, we have the ability to fundamentally transform industries - and in turn, transform lives for the better. ‘Disruptive technology’ shakes up the way things are and brings 21st century solutions to the problems facing humankind,” Crist said. Disruptive technologies typically focus on areas like artificial intelligence, automation, clean energy, DNA sequencing, FinTech and blockchain technology. “The investment community has endless choices for opportunities to allocate their capital—why not deploy it ‘with a purpose’ into ventures that have a positive impact on people’s lives? The good news is that there has been a palpable shift in the mindset and missions of family offices and investment firms globally to do just that - and I try to elevate the conversation on this topic wherever I go.” she continues. The natural transition of Crist into impact investing came both through an existing personal and professional network, but also through hard work and dedication. Night and day, Carole’s work is not finished, and she views herself as a conduit between those with means and the communities, or regions of the world, in most need. Coining the phrase “Capital with a Conscience,” Carole began to make waves in various industries and get the buy-in from many leaders who have been able to catalyze change in their respective spaces. Crist’s sense of purpose is only surpassed by her determination to do good, traveling across the globe to rally support around the causes that she sees as most important to the advancement of society as a whole. In 2019, Carole brought this philosophy to the world stage. Attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Crist

of opportunity for women remains one of her foremost passions. She emphasizes that only 2% of venture capital dollars go to companies founded by women—a tremendous disparity she hopes to address, both through raising awareness and active engagement in the female-startup world.

surrounded herself with some of the world’s most notable business leaders, political figures, and heads of state, in order to learn more about public policy, geopolitical issues and the importance of ESG practices, and how they relate to valuing businesses in the future. She returned with a renewed sense of enthusiasm - which was only compounded by new collaborations and partnerships developed at the global economic mecca. “It was a spectacular opportunity where I was able to connect with leaders in both the public and private sectors. We focused not only on emerging industries, but also on the policies and principles that would encourage investment with impact. I left this conference feeling inspired and with the hope that our journey was only getting started. “That was when I decided to create my own mini-version of the WEF, which I jokingly called ‘Davos West.’ In February 2019, I produced my first Tech Summit at The Yale Club in New York City— the financial and economic capitol of the world. I brought together my new friends and colleagues from all different states and other countries to continue this important dialogue. It was a wonderful event—the attendees really appreciated the intimate setting and also enjoyed the amazing speakers on the panels, which covered a wide range of topical issues.” Carole’s intention to serve is not solely professional, as she is actively engaged in philanthropy and dedicates a significant amount of her time, energy and resources as a prolific fundraiser for charitable causes. In her per-

sonal life, she holds various titles and positions on the Boards of local and national charities. While she still resides full-time in Florida, Carole travels the United States to aid in philanthropic endeavors - spending much of the summer months on Long Island’s East End, where she chairs some of the most successful charity events in the continental Northeast. Over the years, Carole has hosted the Red Cross Ball in Southampton, the CASA Gala in Florida to help victims of abuse, and later this month will be hosting the SOFO Gala, alongside her longtime friend and wildlife conservationist, Andy Sabin. This spectacular event benefits the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center in Bridgehampton. She is also serving as Co-Chair for The Angel Ball in Southampton, which raises money for cancer research through Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, named for Denise Rich’s late daughter. This star-studded event honors outstanding individuals who have made significant humanitarian and philanthropic contributions in support of cancer research. Carole’s strength is “connecting the dots” for the charity—from publicizing the events and gathering attendees, to recruiting others to help sponsor these events, her efforts vastly increase the sums of money raised while advancing the organization’s mission immeasurably. “I truly believe that we are all connected and feel it is our duty and obligation as ‘citizens of the world’ to do what we can to improve people’s lives and the world we live in,” Crist says. However, while she is involved in countless philanthropic endeavors, the advancement

“As a mother of two daughters and having been chosen to lead a family business by my father, I decided that there is no more important cause than fostering entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities for women in the business world and do all we can to fuel their success. Of all the social justice causes that exist in today’s world, I see elevating women as my highest calling,” she says. “It would be a great joy for me to mentor women and teach them how to build and grow a business—not only to change a person‘s life, but to support job creation and economic development led by women.” “If I do my part helping women break into various emerging technologies and fields - as well as the world of venture capital - I am confident that we will be looking at a more equitable, inclusive and successful world for future generations,” Crist concludes. On July 1st of this year, Crist and her good friend Zach Erdem, Hamptons restaurateur, kicked off the summer social season with a private event at Zach’s hot spot, Blu Mar in Southampton. The special guests celebrated not only the 4th of July, but also America’s return to freedom from the pandemic. Fresh off the social scene of Palm Beach and Miami, guests enjoyed resuming in person festivities. “It was great to finally see Carole again in person—she is an incredible host. With vaccinations, we are all at ease and can get together,” said Sergio Nicolosi, one of the attendees. “We can all return to normal and sponsor in person events for great causes. Carole brings people together—it is something that comes natural to her,” said her close friend and financial advisor, Greg Matthews. Carole’s expansive network makes her one of the leading hosts of the charity gala season, allowing her to be involved with numerous organizations that reflect her commitment for giving back. In the charity circuit, Carole found the perfect outlet for her work ethic. Now, with Covid-19 coming to an end, Crist can once again be the perfect host.

PROFILE

Tim Hentschel of HotelPlanner eagerly awaits a Return to Worldwide Travel

after the Pandemic Growing up, Tim Hentschel’s family owned several hotels, so the CEO of HotelPlanner has deep roots in the hospitality industry. One of the challenges he noticed early on was how difficult it was for travelers to procure a hotel rate or quote. Traditionally, administrators would gather the complex information on group travelers, and the process would continue over and over until a figure was finally arrived at. Tim Hentschel soon realized the opportunity to simplify the process and launched HotelPlanner.com in 2004. Here’s how it works. When you visit the booking site, all you need to do is provide your desired location, dates, number of rooms and your budget, and then hotels instantaneously bid for your business. Having provided streamlined services to millions of event planners and travelers over nearly two decades, this travel entrepreneur and innovator is now looking ahead to see what it will take to navigate his business in a post-pandemic world. Tim is the recipient of the prestigious 2018 Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award, an annual award given by the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Tim’s alma mater. Importantly, Tim generously gives back to the community every year with major philanthropic and sponsorship efforts supporting St. Jude’s Hospital. By Rich Monetti

I still believe that mergers and acquisition will be dominant in the landscape in the next two years. The main reason is that travel companies got hit hard, and to survive, big and small companies are consolidating.

What do you see ahead for international travel? Tim Hentschel (TH): We don’t foresee a full return until probably the second half of 2022. There are still so many questions about which countries are allowing travelers, and the requirements and rules are changing constantly. For instance, one minute a country is allowing another country passage and then all of a sudden, they change it. So, staying ahead of the shifting landscape becomes almost impossible, and there’s no way to reliably book international travel. As a result, people obviously don’t want to commit to a large price tag. That said, we’re hopeful that as vaccinations rates continue trending higher, things will eventually get back to normal. In the meantime, do you think there will be more travel within people’s own countries… Or will that be a wait and see type of situation? TH: We are reaching high levels of vaccination in the US, mask standards are coming off and there is a daily push to return to normal. So, we have seen a boom in domestic travel right now, and there are promising signs in the UK. But mainland Europe has not had a lot of progress in terms of coming out of lockdown, and I am living the same situation in Singapore as we speak. We are not allowed to go to our offices, and the restaurants and bars are shutdown. The Olympics in Japan are also in jeopardy, and in trying to prepare, the Japanese are doing what they can in super lockdown mode. So within all these constraints, what are your latest initiatives and projects? TH: As you know, bigger groups have been severely suppressed for a while. The days of group travel with 50 people may be over. A group five or six people is becoming more the norm. We call them a micro group. So, we’re really trying to focus on specific demographics and offer them the deepest discounts that we can. We have offered incentives like moving small wedding parties, booking sporting events, or the Memorial Day through Independence Day discount package we just offered all U.S. veterans and their families. There’s also a demand for friends getting together and couples looking for getaways. Anything to get to the open spaces, we are seeing camping, mountain trips and beach days. It is just a smaller group market.

What are you looking forward to the most as far as travel goes and a return to normalcy? TH: I’d like to see the whole pandemic thing be over and have Covid go the way of SARS and MERS. So, I can’t wait to talk about the pandemic in the past tense. This way everybody can have the freedom to go wherever they want. But it’s still going to be very hard to get back to that normal - especially as doubt hangs over people’s heads. On the other hand, so many people want the end, and they’re itching for a vacation. One that will finally take their mind off everything else. What do you think are the biggest opportunities for people in the travel industry and how will the landscape change? TH: I still believe that mergers and acquisition will be dominant in the landscape in the next two years. The main reason is that travel companies got hit hard, and to survive, big and small companies are consolidating. For instance, the travel management arm of Expedia was recently sold to American Express Travel, and as corporate travel is coming back, mergers by nature spur efficiencies and innovation. The result across the industry will mean expanded opportunities. And finally, tell us just a little bit about your background and how you got into this field? TH: I graduated with a degree in hospitality management from Cornell, and my family had been in the industry for a long time. We owned several hotels and operated a tour business in California. So, hospitality was in my blood. Then after I graduated, I did a short stint in Manhattan in the banking industry. That got me into the entrepreneurial spirit. I was an analyst tracking and grading emerging companies that were coming out of the dot com boom. Out of that experience, I decided to move back to California and do my own thing. Travel tech made the most sense, and that’s how HotelPlanner got started. www.hotelplanner.com

FEATURE

Move Over Canada

How Colombia’s Flora Growth Is Changing The Cannabis Industry In 2020, Canada was the world’s foremost exporter of dried cannabis flower as well as oils and extracts. Today, Colombian producers are now nipping at the heels and poised to surpass their Canadians peers based on recently revised cannabis legislation that positions the country to become the global cannabis leader. Although its sophisticated infrastructure, distribution, and exports of some cannabis goods such as medicinal oils and extracts were well known, Colombia had previously disallowed the export of dried cannabis flower. That changed on July 23rd when Colombian President Ivan Duque signed the decree to end the prohibition on the export of dried cannabis flower, in turn creating a new global opportunity for Colombian producers, especially those who already have an established worldwide distribution platform and currently receive international recognition for their products and brands – enter Flora Growth. By Davis Richardson and Rich Monetti

FEATURE

Colombia’s Cannabis Market Is Set To Make Big Global Impact Since Flora Growth completed its successful IPO on the NASDAQ exchange back in May, the company has thrust Latin American-grown cannabis into the mainstream. Cultivated on a sprawling 247-acre outdoor farm and grown in the most fertile soil in Colombia, Flora has quickly earned a reputation for its optimized cultivation strategy and traditional consumer packaged goods focused approach. With Colombia poised to become the low-cost leader in global cannabis production, investors continue to recognize Flora Growth for its strategic global growth strategy and market position, leveraging its flagship low-cost cultivation operation to feed into its premium brand portfolio and global distribution channels. Upon signing the decree, President Duque quoted experts in saying legal cannabis will represent a $64 billion global market by 2024, while noting that cannabis will serve as a tool for “economic reactivation” in Colombia post the COVID-19 pandemic. “According to a 2019 study, in Colombia, the cannabis sector generated 17.3 agricultural jobs per hectare," said Colombia’s Minister of Justice Wilson Ruiz. The Columbian government seems determined to catapult the country into global leadership

as a legal cannabis exporter in order to boost the economy and create many more jobs at home. “We would like to thank the Colombian government and all of the parties involved with passing this legislation,” said Flora Growth President and CEO, Luis Merchan. The reformed legislation will improve access to cannabis products for Colombians and puts the Central American country in prime position to supply the global cannabis market. “On the ground we take a very rigorous approach to our cultivation efforts, which are rooted in science and extremely data-driven,” Merchan tells Impact Wealth. “What separates us from our competitors is the love that we have for the plant, people, and land. There’s a misconception that cannabis operators are solely focused on overcoming regulation. The entire process begins with the genetics as well as the soil from which the cannabis is grown.” The flora doesn’t grow itself, though, and Colombian green thumbs have a leg up. Home to one the world’s largest cut-flower industries, the labor force has substantial agricultural knowledge and is able to produce a high-quality cannabis product at an extremely low-cost. “This incredibly experienced and talented team that we’ve built will ensure our success from the ground up,” added Merchan.

Flora also has a home court advantage that ups the abilities of its production activities. Located near the equator, select regions of Colombia have the ideal climate for the cultivation of cannabis. Receiving 12.5 hours of natural sunlight 365 days a year, natural onsite water springs, mountain cover to protect against unwanted pollenization, and the all-outdoor organic acreage, this fortuitous combination cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Following The Money In Global Cannabis In tandem with the government changes, Colombia now becomes a major player in the international cannabis market. So much so that the international competition looks pretty faint in Flora’s rear-view, because the company’s high-quality product comes in well below North American prices. Cosechemos, Flora’s Colombian cultivation property, has maximized this cultivation potential by achieving a production cost below $0.06 per gram of dried flower; this figure represents a 60% lower production cost than its closest domestic competitor, and a fraction of what North American cannabis cultivators have acknowledged as their all-in cost - typically well in excess of $1 per gram of dried flower.

flower and derivatives. The company expects to ship its premium cannabis products upon completion of its first commercial harvest and the acquisition of necessary import licenses.

What separates us from our competitors is the love that we have for the plant, people, and land. There’s a misconception that cannabis operators are solely focused on overcoming regulation. The entire process begins with the genetics as well as the soil from which the cannabis is grown.

When asked about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on global cannabis companies, Merchan said he believes those that have been able to become more efficient with spend and more cautious with maximizing their infrastructure will be the ones to succeed. “Companies that have been focusing on delivering revenues and improving their fundamentals are the ones that are going to survive long-term,” he said. The CEO said Flora Growth established very strict health and safety protocols across cultivation, laboratories, and offices to ensure the company keeps its employees, partners, and consumers safe and healthy. Marketing Opportunity For New Products New data from Prohibition Partners shows a huge increase in cannabis exports from Canada in 2020, as well as a changing network of countries that are importing from established producers in Canada. Customs data provides a measure of the value of shipments, defined by ‘values declared on export documents which usually reflect the transaction value’. As these values are left largely to the discretion of the exporter, they are not as precise a measure as the weight quantities. The total customs value of medical cannabis exports in Canada in 2020 was US$43 million, which is a considerable 229% increase compared to 2019. Most (83%) of this value originates from dried cannabis flower sales, though more oil sales likely occurred outside of these figures due to inconsistent reporting by exporters. Given that pundits are predicting a $64 billion global market by 2024 and the inherent strategic advantages that Colombian producers have, there is significant upside for them to fill that gap in a significant segment of the global market that was previously inaccessible.

Back inside their own borders, a key impediment has been removed on the local level. Cannabis production will no longer face the legislative limits of previous cannabis marketing restrictions. Flora will be able to increase awareness across its portfolio of products, and its vast network of 1,500+ distribution points within Colombia should see a significant boost. The legislative advantages don’t end there either. The sale and distribution of psychoactive (high-THC) dried cannabis flower now falls under the legal umbrella, which accounts for over 50% of international sales demand. Thus, Colombian cultivators like Flora have now gained access to this massive segment of the global market that was previously inaccessible. Therefore, as an immediate impact, Flora rapidly executed a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) with an international medical cannabis company with operations in Portugal and Malta and supply agreements in the EU to supply its dried

Of course, the worldwide interest and medicinally proven benefits of cannabis are also covered in the legal shift. In turn, Flora is again positioned to establish another foothold in a crucial consumer segment both within Colombia and abroad. Custom formulas are pharmaceutical products prescribed and prepared by pharmacists to meet the unique needs of patients. Intended to complement medical prescriptions, Flora is way ahead of the game and holds licenses to produce these unique products for mass consumption through its Flora Lab division. “We’re also very pleased to now be able to bring new and existing wellness products to market. We have a loyal and passionate following and are very eager to meet the demand that we have long been receiving,” said Merchan. Already having existing relationships with drugstore chains throughout Colombia will allow Flora to maximize this opportunity. In order to rapidly take advantage of that new category, Flora formed a joint venture with Canadian based Avaria Inc, the manufacturer and owner of KaLaya – an award-winning pain cream distributed nation-wide across Canada. Flora will be responsible for managing the registration, sales, and distribution of KaLaya products in Colombia, Mexico, and other LATAM countries, while Avaria will supply finished products. Further, Flora Lab will work to produce KaLaya’s CBD-infused products using cannabis from Flora’s cultivation facility. These products are expected to be distributed across LATAM using Flora Lab’s established distribution channels, with the aim of exporting to the U.S. market, where Avaria is currently launching the KaLaya brand. Flora also recently announced an international sales agreement to enter the Australian medical cannabis and over-the-counter cannabidiol (CBD) market importantly coincides with the Australian government’s downgrade of CBD from Schedule 4 to Schedule 3 and clears the way for consumers to purchase CBD products over-the-counter. The forecast is more than promising. The Australian medical cannabis market is expected to surpass AU$200 million in 2021

FEATURE

and notes strong patient growth metrics by a factor of 15 times over the past two years, according to the data firm FreshLeaf Analytics. Even more promising, Prohibition Partners, estimates that the Australian medical cannabis market could reach US$1.5 billion by 2025. However, the jump off down under already goes beyond a simple sales agreement. Flora has signed a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) with Evergreen Pharmacare Pty Ltd - a licensed Australian importer and distributor of medical cannabis products. Born out of a necessity for its patients to have quicker access to premium, affordable, AUGMP-certified medication, Evergreen has the roots required to success, and Flora can’t wait to help escalate its growth spurt. “The agreement with Evergreen will allow us to establish a local partner in Australia, while generating incremental revenue from our Colombian cannabis facility as legislation evolves within Australia,” said Jason Warnock, Chief Revenue Officer of

Flora Growth. “This agreement also provides significant potential upside by allowing us to work with Australian regulators directly and bring our premium brands and established product formulations to the over-the-counter CBD market. Down-scheduling CBD fits well with Flora's long term consumer product strategy of providing proven cannabinoid wellness and beauty products to consumers around the world and we are excited to work with our partners on this new opportunity.” Well entrenched, Evergreen works closely with qualified healthcare practitioners - who are primarily physicians and pharmacists - to provide medical cannabis products to patients, while educating them about the authorization and use of medical cannabis. All that awaits the transpacific collaboration is the commercial harvest and first shipment of medical-grade cannabis products by Flora, and Warnock sees nothing but success.

Running the other way, the feeling is mutual. “We are absolutely thrilled to enter into this agreement with Flora and to provide Australian cannabis patients with access to premium medical-grade cannabis products at a more affordable price point than ever before due to Flora’s strategic low-cost cultivation and processing operations, as well as their global logistics expertise,” said Tristan Hyodo, Chairman of Evergreen. That said, Flora Growth isn’t stuck in a southeastern corner of the Earth when it comes to CBD. Another Letter of Intent from a South African firm called Kiricann was signed which brings more opportunities into the fold. With operations in South Africa and distribution agreements in Germany and the EU, Kiricann imports and distributes medical CBD products, while working with patients and numerous wellness practitioners to educate about the authorization and benefits of medical cannabis.

Global Cannabis CPG: The Dawn Of A New Era The global cannabis market is turning from one of pure speculation to one underpinned by solid fundamentals and real investment opportunities. Consistent revenue growth, high-margin products, and growing brand recognition are strong indicators of potential future success in any almost sector. Combine these attributes with the burgeoning Colombian cannabis market and operators that have a history of executing – like the Flora Growth management team - and it might just deliver some eye-popping results; move over Canada, because Flora is built to grow! During the second half of the year, the Flora team will be working hard to leverage its existing product portfolio and distribution channels to quickly deliver its cannabis products to Colombians and international partners, especially the new products that it’s now permitted to manufacture and sell as a result of the cannabis legislative changes within Colombia. “Over the coming weeks, we’ll be working hard to ramp up activities at our Cosechemos facility and Flora Lab, completing more revenue-generating sales and distribution agree-

ments, research and development projects to produce innovative cannabis products, and additional activity regarding strategic investment and partnerships,” said Merchan. Earlier this year, Fortune Business Insights noted that it foresees the global cannabis market reaching $97.35 billion by 2026 with 32.9% compound annual growth. Certainly, the legal cannabis market appears destined for impressive growth, which breeds bullishness in major players throughout the world. Once the final regulatory hurdles are cleared, Flora will serve as a pipeline connecting the emerging US, EU, Australian, and Latin American markets. “We choose where and with whom we do business very carefully,” explains Luis. “In addition to our Latin American infrastructure, we have partnered or are in discussions with several major U.S. distributors and retailers and are in the process of moving our headquarters to Miami.” North or south, east or west, none of that matters as much as the pride, commitment, and care that will allow Flora Growth to reach the world with its premium cannabis products and dynamic brands.

Style & Fashion

Textured

ELE G AN C E B Y C harles L . B arnes

Photographer: Charles L. Barnes - @charles.l.barnes – charlie@cbarnesphotography.com Producer: Melissa Rodwell - @breedfix – melissa@melissarodwell.com Model: Alena Frolova - @alena_frolova - frolova19950710@gmail.com Agency: @officialmodelsny Fashion Director & Stylist: Tanya Tauthong-Kass – @tanyatauthongkass - tanya.tauthong@gmail.com Assistant Stylist: Jessica Zakowski - @jesszakowski/ - jesszakowski@optonline.net Intern Stylist: Madison Pine - @maddypine - maddypine160@gmail.com MUA: Alex T - @alextbeauty - alextbeauty@gmail.com Hair Stylist: Niko Weddle - @nikoweddle - nikoweddle@gmail.com Manicurist: Rachel Shim - @rachelshimnails - rachelshimnails@gmail.com Agency: @fordartists Digitech: Tyler Mitchell - @tylermitchellphotography - tyler@tylermitchell.photography Retouch: Lara Chrome - @ larachrome.retouch - larachrome.retouch@gmail.com

Giambattista Valli x H&M Red Gown @CLOAK Wardrobe Gianvito Rossi Gold Pump LaRuicci Earring & Ring

Giambattista Valli x H&M Red Gown @CLOAK Wardrobe LaRuicci Earring & Ring

Mac Duggal Couture Black Gown www.dodysdresses.com LaRuicci Earring & Ring

Larucci Earrings & Ring

Halston White Dress Nina Ricci Silk Collar @Cloak Wardrobe Zaiken Necklace, Earrings, & Ring Zaiken Jewelry www.zaikenjewelry.com

Karen Sabag Pink Gown Alexis Brittar Earrings Laruicci Ring Stuart Weitzman Silver Sandals

Karen Sabag Pink Gown

Kasha Bali Ring Laruicci Earrings

Gucci Bow Dress Vintage Earrings pearls

Miali Photography by Udo Spreitzenbarth @udophotography

Sisters and former Latvian beauty pageant queens turned entrepreneurs, Diana and Kubasova have created Fast Beauty Co. - the first beauty line in Amazon's incubator program.

Models: Diana Kubasova and Simona Kubasova Prakash @dianakubasova @simonakubasova Styled by @frenchdemeanorstyles Hair by Daniella Guerrero Shot on an Azimut 76

Clothing pulled from @confessional_showroom_miami

White polka dot dress @mirimari_fashion White sequins dress @beautecommetoi 55

Blush Dress @mirimari_fashion

Red Dress @mirimari_fashion 58

Black Hat (model’s own) Black jumpsuit (her personal clothing) 59

White/tan jumpsuit (model's own) 60

Luxury Lifestyle

Global citizen programmes

Beyond the hype; the practicalities and pleasures of living abroad as a digital nomad By Candice Beaumont Gertrude Stein, James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway made it fashionable to live and work abroad when they moved to France in the early part of the 20th century. Decades later, Madonna moved to the UK. Shania Twain chose Switzerland. Sting purchased properties in Italy and various locations in the UK and the US. In the Caribbean, Sean Connery made Lyford Cay in the Bahamas his home, Richard Branson carried his brand to the British Virgin Islands and Iggy Pop spends a lot of time in the Cayman Islands. These celebrities are known for their international property acquisitions and whilst not ordinarily named as such, they serve as examples of global citizens – people who move from the country of their birth and choose to live and work in another jurisdiction. Perhaps once considered an option only for the global elite, this lifestyle is now available to anyone with a laptop and the skills to work or maintain their assets remotely, earning these individuals the moniker digital nomads. Their way of life evokes images of glamour and wanderlust, but beyond the Instagram moments and what appears to be an escape from the daily grind to which most others only aspire, there is the practicalities of becoming resident in the chosen locale(s). As global citizen programmes increase in popularity the considerations for earning residency, whether temporary or permanent, become more complex. So before buying a OneSimCard, installing Google Translator or engaging an estate agent to buy or lease 62

a property abroad, it’s important to understand the criteria most countries require applicants to meet for global citizenship. The Practicalities At the outset of this journey, digital nomads need to decide how and where they want to live, and determine if temporary residency is even permitted. The concept is still relatively new and can take time to identify a suitable option. Once a jurisdiction is chosen, the application process begins. First, there is the letter requesting the “source of funds” from the applicant’s bank. At the base of any residency programme is the necessity for the applicant to prove they are

able to maintain themselves/their family financially without becoming a burden to their host country. With know-your-client and anti-money-laundering legislation becoming increasingly complex, this innocuous document has become a pain-point for many applicants – stating “salary” and “investments” or “trust fund” is simply not enough. Applicants are expected to provide in-depth descriptions of their financial situation and provide notarized copies of financial statements. Secondly, a utility bill no more than three months old is requested in most jurisdictions. On the surface, it’s a simple request, but delays in processing applications often lead to submitting a new utility bill – and hence another delay. Patience becomes critical at this stage.

The Cayman Islands option The Cayman Islands Global Citizen Programme was launched during 2020 to offer a safe, care-free time in paradise to those who were able to work remotely during the COVID-19 crisis. Cayman has very successfully welcomed international guests who are looking for a change of scenery in an environment that has had no community spread of COVID since July 2020. At the same time participants can remain connected, inspired and professionally productive as they live and work remotely in the Cayman Islands for a period of up to two years. The requirements to apply for Cayman’s programme are straightforward and include:

• Provide proof of employment and / or

Police clearance records are another consistent requirement and depending on the jurisdiction, it may be requested from a municipal or federal entity. Some residency programmes will require clearance records dating back at least a decade, which results in additional administrative time for the applicant. Employment letters and health record checks are also necessary parts of the application process – something that Stein, Joyce and Hemingway likely didn’t need to be bothered with a century ago but even the most wellheeled applicant does now. Health insurance is typically mandatory as well and can sometimes prove problematic in finding an international plan which is accepted locally. Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles is opening a bank account abroad, particularly if residency is intended to be temporary, as is the case with global citizen programmes. Local bank accounts prove convenient for paying utility bills and avoiding currency exchange rates but the process to open one may be daunting. Finally, consideration needs to be given to the other members of the household – children, sometimes elderly parents and pets. Immigration authorities will typically require proof of school enrollment prior to approving applications and almost always manage to make importing a pet a complex process. Relocation also requires finding a residence prior to the move, which is rarely an easy process to conduct across the miles. Pre COVID, a mini vacation often made the search

a straightforward process but travel restrictions, quarantine requirements and shelter in place guidelines have made viewing properties a challenge for recent digital nomads. The Pleasures “No pain, no gain.” That adage could not be truer than with a global citizen or other permanent residency programme, for once the paperwork process is complete, the desired lifestyle awaits! Being immersed in a new culture, a new landscape, and a new climate stimulates the senses. Adventure and learning await, as well as opportunities for personal growth. Most global citizens report the delights of the hybrid tourist/resident experience – every day brings discovery of new places and people and yet the security of having a home base takes away the often frenetic tendency of tourists to “see and do” as opposed to true immersion in a community. Global citizenship means working from home, so digital nomads can escape commuting to work, donning corporate attire, long days in offices and often decreased productivity. Global citizenship also gives you a chance to road test a new lifestyle choice before taking the plunge and investing in a more permanent home overseas. Whether you are thinking of investing in a vacation home, or making a more permanent move, global citizen programmes allow you to “test before you buy” a jurisdiction.

income from an organisation outside the Cayman Islands – applicant must evidence a minimum annual income of US $100,000 ($180,000 with multiple dependents)

• Provide proof of legal existence of employer / company

• Provide a bank reference, proof of identity and police clearance certificate from home country

• Proof of health insurance for first 30 days, after which time local health insurance must be obtained Cayman has a variety of beautiful accommodations available for long term lease and stateof-the-art workspace offerings. Additionally, the Islands are home to an array of superlative recreational and cultural activities, wellness facilities and a culinary scene that is secondto-none. Telecommunications services are the best in the Caribbean, there are four hospitals and a ratio of 4.5 doctors/1,000 residents and excellent private schools offering British and American curriculum. A low crime rate, a multicultural community representing 135 nationalities and a tropical year-round climate make island living a wonderful experience. For those searching for the perfect work-life balance, there is no better place to be than Cayman. The relocation specialists at Dart’s real estate brokerage – Provenance Properties, the official Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate in the Cayman Islands - are well-placed to assist you in finding your home or office on the beach in the Cayman Islands. For more information please email relocate@dart.ky. 63

Luxury Lifestyle

How the Zero-G Experience Is Mainstreaming

Space Tourism By Davis Richardson

The media narrative is that only billionaires can experience space. Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson recently became some of the first private citizens to orbit space’s outer edge in their company planes. But these types of experiences will become more affordable to everyday people as the industry develops, according to executives on the cutting edge of this emerging sector. “All of the attention right now is on Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson. But there are more affordable alternatives to experiencing weightlessness and space conditions without building multi-billion dollar companies,” Zero Gravity Corporation’s CEO Matt Gohd tells Impact Wealth. Founded by veteran astronaut Dr. Byron K Lichtenberg and NASA engineer Ray Cronise, Zero Gravity Corporation takes passengers on parabolic flights mirroring the conditions in space. A trip aboard GForce One runs $7,500. We serve breakfast ahead of liftoff, and regravitate post landing with a champagne toast. Once on the flight, passengers experience weightlessness as the pilots fly acrobatic movements called “parabolas.” Unlike simulated experiences, everyone onboard the aircraft experiences true weightlessness and zero gravity conditions.

“Our clients are not just the ultra wealthy,” continues Gohd. “They’re families experiencing adventure tourism for the first time. We’ve also worked with leading research scientists and entertainment networks such as National Geographic and Discovery Channel.” As the first mover in offering the general public these experiences, Zero-G became the first commercial company to gain permission from the Kennedy Space Center to use their shuttle runway and landing facilities to operate its flights. Stephen Hawking, Martha Stewart, and Buzz Aldrin are just a few distinguished passengers who have boarded Zero-G’s G-Force-One plane, a modified Boeing 727-200 built with the same precision as NASA grade vehicles. While Zero-G has thrived over the past decade, Gohd anticipates an increase in demand as pioneers like Bezos and Branson continue bringing renewed interest to the final frontier. “If someone is going to space for the first time, they’re going to need to know how it feels before boarding a spaceship,” quips the CEO.

Luxury Lifestyle

Lamborghini Urus A Statement of a Life Well Lived

What is the Lamborghini Urus really about? Is it just a cynical attempt by Lamborghini to jump on the SUV bandwagon? Can we expect the all-electric Urus next week to compete with the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-tron? In fact, the Urus is an SUV that’s perfectly in-line with Lamborghini’s broader and historic mission, to provide the most luxurious, fantastic street cars anywhere on the market. By Kyle Edward

Not a Ferrari In the beginning, there was Ferrari, and Lamborghini came later to the party. The entire philosophy behind the charging bull was to create unbelievable luxury cars not primarily for the racetrack, which is where Ferrari’s DNA has always been, but for the road. The Urus is an athletic luxury SUV, but it is built mainly for the streets, not for the track. So, what is Urus, then? If it’s not a racing SUV, then what does it mean to own an Urus? Who would want this luxury SUV in a market awash with more high-end SUVs and crossovers than you could shake a stick at? Urus: Built for a Successful Life To own any Lamborghini is a statement of great status, wealth and financial success, but the Urus holds a special place. Lamborghini’s supercars like the Huracan and the Aventador speak to a certain personality and lifestyle. These are the cars that roll up to the casinos in Monte Carlo; to the exclusive New York night spots; to the millionaires’ yacht club in Hong Kong --- you get the idea. The Urus is built for more than that. It’s not just some fancy prop to be seen in. It’s a car for real life; a life well lived. First, with the options for a 3-person back seating row and 22 cubic feet of cargo space, this is actually a pretty serious family car. It’s more expensive than a Ford Galaxy, but it’s ready for that kind of lifestyle.

Second, the Urus is also built for adventure. With a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine producing 627lb-ft of torque at just 2250 rpm means this is a car that can handle just about anything; including a 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds, making it one of the fastest SUVs in the world. Being in a pricey luxury SUV doesn’t and shouldn’t restrict you from where you want to go, so the Urus speaks to a whole new set of lifestyles that other Lamborghini models don’t. The Huracan is for show, but the Urus is for life. Urus: Real Luxury in AWD Unlike the more cramped driver-oriented racing cockpits of brands like Ferrari, the Urus is built to deliver a singular experience in luxury and style. The front sport seats are crafted for maximum comfort with heating, ventilation and optional massage. The controls in the center stack are positioned in a slanting easy-to-reach format --- those that aren’t already mounted on the wheel, that is --- and the Urus owner can customize the rear of the car with either two bucket seats or a 3-seat bench. Everything digital comes with sharp, flawless graphics and audio played through the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system speaks to a car made for enjoyment and not simply driving fast --- though the Urus can do plenty of that, too. What Lamborghini has created is perhaps a pinnacle in SUV engineering. It’s the standard to which now other companies contemplating SUV models --- including Ferrari --- are now looking. All-wheel-drive luxury really never drove so well.

Luxury Lifestyle

Mercedes AMG GLE63 S Monstrous V8 Power

High-Performance with Maximum Comfort On the road and despite its size, the GLE63 S takes corners much more like a sports sedan. This driving dynamic is achieved by the limited-slip rear differential which is included as a standard feature. The AWD also seems to favor the rear axle too since it appears that no more than half the torque ever makes it to the front wheels. Another key performance enhancer is the EQ Boost starter-generator, brilliantly bringing together the starter motor and the alternator into a single electric motor. It helps to add 21-hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for you to call on when you need quick responsive acceleration. It also helps with efficiency when you’re rolling around town.

Mad Power V8 engines tend to be synonymous with awesome power, but 603-hp and 627 lb-ft of torque in a luxury SUV? Yes, please. The GLE63 S Coupe features a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 which can storm from 0 to 60 in just 3.4 seconds, rivalling many supercars. It has a price tag to match, too, starting at $117,050. The powertrain is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and an AWD drivetrain comes as standard, riding on gorgeous 22-inch AMG wheels. It’s not just the speed that amazes, but the amazing deep throaty sound you get from the V8 exhaust. That’s a melodic note to the ear of a true gearhead who is awed by raw engine power and performance. This GLE63 S Coupe also features an addition to its V8 engine in the form of the EQ Boost starter-generator, the benefits of which we’ll cover below.

We had great fun throwing the GLE63 S Coupe around corners in its “Race” drive mode, but we did find one minor flaw when, on occasion, we found the shifting pattern on the 9-speed automatic a little less than “Race” mode worthy. In “Race” mode, it should hold the revs higher even when you’re not throwing down the gas pedal and heavy into the brakes. It’s definitely a small issue, however, since you can easily activate the manual mode and do your own shifts with the wheelmounted paddle shifters. The transmission will get aggressive in “Race” mode, but you need to be driving very aggressively to activate it. We make it sound a lot like a sports car, but the inside is actually just as comfortable and resplendent in opulence as you’d expect a Mercedes-AMG vehicle to be. Every inch of material from the aluminum paddle shifters, to the exclusive and sumptuous Nappa leather seats with “AMG” badging, brushed stainless steel and soft-touch comfortable leather steering wheel and beyond, is oozing the Mercedes-AMG signature of decadence.

Both broader aspects like the optimized lateral support in the front seats with available heating and ventilation, and smaller details like calming 64-color adjustable ambient lighting, and even available AMG-exclusive fragrances, all contribute to an atmosphere of extraordinary comfort and pleasure. Get Aboard the Spaceship – It’s Customizable! Besides the luxury and comfort on the inside, we are still talking about a highperformance vehicle, so expect to find a spaceship-like amount of technology, custom controls and other features. Start by choosing your preferred drive mode: Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, RACE, Trail, and Sand. Not many other SUVs like this give you so much scope to customize your drive. On top of the drive modes, you get premium interior tech features, including a Burmester sound system, wireless phone charging, and two flawless 12.3” digital displays, the first as your instrument cluster and the second as the central infotainment display. The system is intuitive, futuristic and cuttingedge. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard for those wanting to maintain connection with their smartphone. Verdict: An Inescapable and Irresistible Fact of Luxury Life The only real criticism you might lay at the wheels of the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe is that it’s not exactly the most “practical” SUV out there, but that’s really it. Other issues are so minor and subjective, they’re barely worth mentioning. It combines incredible performance with decadent luxury, and while it comes with a high price tag, it’s the perfect way to tell everyone around you, “Here I am!”

Luxury Lifestyle

Rolls-Royce Landspeed Collection

The prestigious Rolls-Royce brand is all about celebrating heritage and tradition while at the same time embracing the newest and most cutting-edge automotive technology and integrating it into that timeless classic build. RollsRoyce is coming out with a new collection of Wraith and Dawn Black Badge models that they are referring to simply as the “Landspeed Collection.” This collection is built to commemorate and celebrate the achievements of British engineer Captain George Eyston in his land speed record-breaking vehicle Thunderbolt, which was originally powered by 2 Rolls-Royce R V12 engines. By Kyle Edward

A Bonneville Interior Starting on the inside, the interior design is meant to help drivers and passengers think of the place where Eyston made many of his greatest achievements, the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. It was there in 1937-1938 that Eyston pursued his most famous land speed records. As you might expect from a RollsRoyce, the key to the story is in the details of the new Landspeed Collection build. First, the interior fascia reflects the location, engraved to reflect the unique texture of the salt flats. Second there’s the steering wheel, the detail on which is showing a depiction of the dark track-line that was left on the surface of the salt flats for each of Eyston’s key runs to break the land speed record. His car, Thunderbolt, was so heavy and so fast that it was incredibly difficult to keep straight and safe when dealing with speeds of 350+mph. To that end, they painted the black lines on the salt flats to help Eyston keep Thunderbolt in line. That track line in the Landspeed Collection goes from the steering wheel and runs continuously up the centerline of the driver’s seat. Looking at the front tunnel, you’ll see laser engravings of the three record speeds that Eyston’s car Thunderbolt achieved during its time on the salt flats, along with silhouettes of the vehicle, now lost to the ages, of course. Next, on the driver’s door there are subtle inclusions of color detail that you might ignore at first as simply an aesthetic choice. In fact, these colors also have a meaning since they are the colors of the ribbons that Eyston received as honors during his life.

Finally, lifting up your head to regard the Starlight Headliner, you might wonder what makes it so special since other Rolls-Royce models have this feature. Or do they? The Landspeed Collection is not simply an arbitrary set of stars, but specifically the stars of the night sky on September 16, 1938, the day on which Eyston set his third and most lasting land speed record of 357.497-mph. A Limited Edition Built for a Legend Anyone interested in getting their hands on one of these Rolls-Royce Landspeed Collection models may be somewhat disappointed to know that production is not just limited, but those models that have been designated for production have already been allocated to customers. Rolls-Royce are limiting production to just 25 in the Dawn Black Badge form, and 35 in the Wraith Black Badge form. But even if you can’t share in the ownership of these cars, the attention to detail throughout the entire build is something to admire greatly. Above we mentioned several of the interior detailing points, but it doesn’t stop at those examples. In truth, every inch of the Landspeed Collection cars acts as a tribute to Eyston and his lifetime achievements. When you look at the bumper inserts on both the Wraith and the Dawn models, you may notice bright yellow accents. An aesthetic design choice? In fact, these inserts are there to reflect the story of Thunderbolt and how the vehicle was at first left unpainted. Why paint it, right? This wasn’t a show model. In fact, the lack of paint proved a serious problem when it came to getting accurate timing of the land

speed attempts. The photo-electric timing devices were unable to properly pick up the polished aluminum body as it ran against the pristine white surface of the salt flats. The solution? Eyston created a delightfully elegant and straightforward answer, which was to paint Thunderbolt with a huge black arrow with a yellow circle. That explains the origin of the yellow and black bumper inserts, as well as the special design of the interior analog clock. The clock features yellow and black details, including black-tipped hands inspired by that huge black arrow on the exterior. A Fitting Tribute With subtle but stylish interior and exterior detailing, the Rolls-Royce Landspeed Collection serves not just as another great set of cars added to the legacy of this luxury car brand, but also a fitting tribute to a great man who took Rolls-Royce engineering prowess to new heights through the employment of their engines in that legendary car, Thunderbolt. You are likely not one of the lucky few allocated one of these beautiful cars, but at least there is still plenty of Rolls-Royce beauty to go around. 71

Luxury Lifestyle

How to Find & Hire the Right Domestic Professionals in the Middle of a Pandemic

Hiring the right domestic professionals for your home to manage your personal and household affairs can be a daunting task, especially in the wake of a pandemic. From referrals and background checks to personality fit within the household, finding good, qualified help is sometimes best left for the professionals, such as Aleksandra Kardwell who runs Hamptons Employment Agency, an award-winning domestic staffing firm that serves the Greater New York Area, New England, California, Florida, and beyond. With offices in New York City, Southampton, Boston, and Boca Raton, HEA provides a full range of professional-quality domestic help, such as managers, housekeepers, couples, chefs, chauffeurs, and other household staff members to meet the individual needs of its client base, which, includes low-key private families, as well as high-profile CEOs, government officials, Hollywood actors, and more. By Aleksandra Kardwell

How has the pandemic affected your business this year? 2021 has been an extremely busy year for us. Competition for good domestic professionals continues to be intense, and salaries—particularly for workers in the Hamptons—have gone up substantially. For example, the going rate for regular housekeepers (not housekeeper/ nannies or housekeeper/cooks) a year or so ago was in the $25-$35 per hour range. For summer 2021, many employers are paying their housekeepers $35 per hour, and some employers are even paying $40-$45 per hour. Most professionals have been working remotely since the beginning of the pandemic. How is this situation playing out with regard to household staff?

Many domestic professionals, such as chefs, housemen, and housekeepers, need to be physically at their employers’ residences to complete their daily duties. During the height of the pandemic, before vaccinations were widely available, we saw employers requiring their staff to remain on the property, even during days off. Also, employers required workers to wear masks all of the time when working at the property. Even now, after their employees get vaccinated, some households are still requesting that staff wear masks. In the case of managers and personal assistants, over the past several months, we’ve seen employers allowing their staff to do a combination of on-premise and remote work. So, many house managers and assistants have been working from home a good percentage of the time.

Recently, a growing number of large corporations announced vaccine mandates. Are you seeing this trend among household employers? Absolutely. Virtually all the employers who contact us require that anyone who works for them be vaccinated. And, of course, this makes total sense. After all, domestic professionals work in their employers’ homes and, in the case of nannies and aides, with children and the sick or elderly. I also would like to mention that, while we’ve seen a tiny percentage of domestic workers push back on vaccines, the vast majority realize they must have received their shots to be employable. In fact, we’re seeing that domestic workers want to be vaccinated for their own protection. Domestics often need to be in close contact with not only their employers and the employers’ family members, but also the employers’ family, friends, and associates. As the country recovers from Covid, how do you see this affecting the market for domestic staff during the last few months of 2021? I think the demand for domestic professionals will remain particularly strong for the foreseeable future. It looks like many employers will continue to work remotely at least some of the time, and this will translate to high demand for help at home—housekeepers, caretakers, nannies, and other domestics. Lots of people have decided to live in The Hamptons year-round or to live in the area more of the time. The demand for second homes in The Hamptons has been strong. Locally, these factors translate into a greater need for domestic staff. Employers should be aware of the fact that good domestic professionals now often have many job opportunities available to them and that the going rate for workers is generally higher than it was before the pandemic. Are you seeing household employer concerns around the delta variant? Based on what we’re hearing, the vast majority of our clients and their family members have been vaccinated. So, most of the household employers we work with have that core

protection. Also, as mentioned, employers are requiring that their staff be vaccinated. These two factors together create significant protection against serious illness for employers. Still, while most of our clients don’t seem particularly concerned about the delta variant, some clients with younger, unvaccinated children have expressed concern. What advice would you give to domestic employers looking to secure staff this fall? There are a couple of things that I would recommend to household employers. If you have good staff in place, you’re in a great position, and you want to stay there. Make sure you treat your employees extra well,

keep them happy, and compensate them appropriately. As mentioned, demand for domestic professionals is very high right now. Good workers can easily transition to high-paying jobs—and sometimes positions that also have favorable work schedules. If, on the other hand, you are looking to hire someone, be ready to act quickly when you find a strong candidate. Good workers are not staying on the market long these days, as many are receiving multiple job offers. You should also be ready to offer market-competitive compensation, which can sometimes be 10-25% higher than the 2019-2020 levels. www.hamptonsemployment.com

Luxury Lifestyle

La Vie en Roses When you think of rose wine often images of the rolling hills of the South of France come to mind as well as beach clubs in St Tropez, and yacht parties in the Aegean Sea. But enjoying rose isn’t just a summer pastime it can be enjoyed year round to bring you back to the blissful and easy summer season. Here is a round up of our favorite summer rose wines. By Hillary Latos

Mirabeau The house of Mirabeau was founded in 2019 by a couple from London, Stephen and Jeany, who decided to leave the bustle of the city and create a winery in the historic village of La Garde-Freinet located between Provence and the Gulf of St Tropez. Seduced by the idyllic countryside and glamour of the French Riviera, this was paradise on earth. They set out to create a collection of world class rose wines comprised of grenache, cinsault, and rolle grown on their 20 hectare estate, and also employ regenerative farming to cultivate the land. The result is a range of refreshing dry pink wines that partner well with a vast array of foods. The gastronomic Etoile Provence Rose is the star of their collection with a 94 point award from Wine & Spirits Magazine, which embodies a perfect balance of minerality and acidity with citrus top notes. Cote des Roses Maisonmirabeau.com Altaneve Altaneve presents a beautifully refined premium dry prosecco from the Valdobbiadene region that is perfect for an aperitivo or celebratory occasion. Awarded the highest D.O.C.G. certification, this small production wine is composed of 100% Glera grapes from a small town in the foothills of the Italian Dolomite Mountains. The flavor profile is delicately balanced with elegant floral and fruity notes and a balanced acidity. The Altaneve sparkling rose is an exclusive blend of 70% pinot noir grapes from the Oltrepo Pavese region in the hills of northwestern Italy and 30% glera grapes from the Valdobbiadene region in Northeastern Italy. The unique blend combines the minerality of the pinot noir grape with the more delicated and softer flavors of the glera grape to create a dry and elegant sparkling rose wine.

Roses are synonymous with summer but truthfully they can be enjoyed year round. Housed in a beautiful bottle with a rose shaped bottom, Gerard Bertrand’s Cote des Roses celebrates the Art of Mediterranean Living. Harvested from the Languedoc region of France, their signature Cote des Roses series includes a crisp Chardonnay with subtle hints of minerality, light Sauvignon Blanc, a dry rose which they are best known for, and also a medium bodied 2018 Pinot Noir. Crafted in the South of France, the warm and windy climate is ideal for ripening the grapes at the right time with high temperatures cooled by warm breezes coupled with an arid limestone soil protected with gravel brought by the rivers and streams of the Languedoc. cote-des-roses.vin/en

www.altaneve.com 74

www.maisonmirabeau.com

Drink responsibly. 75

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Sheila B. Driscoll Wants to Take Care of the World and Inspire Women to Show the Way

Dame Sheila B. Driscoll’s family story dates back most prominently to the mid 19th century when her great grandfather Jeremiah Driscoll struck gold as a 49er. The windfall in hand, he went on to found Driscoll’s - a fresh strawberry seller farm/business that endures today. Four generations later, Sheila Driscoll has left her own mark on Jeremiah’s legacy and takes pride in establishing a long history of business success in her own right. But the lifelong Californian also considers success a function of giving back, and as part of the Sheila B. Driscoll Foundation, her latest initiative comes right out of the headlines. By Rich Monetti

“It really started out of the #Metoo movement, because I was seeing that there were very resilient screenwriters and women in film and in television. But they were having to confront these kinds of oppressive barriers. They had no mentors, and they had no one to guide them through the labyrinth of Hollywood,” asserted Driscoll. A potentially treacherous and very dangerous minefield, the entrenched powers are in a prime position to lay all kinds of traps, while the novice often has no idea of the peril. “So generally it's just a breeding ground for young women to be taken advantage,” lamented Driscoll, “and if you're a newbie and not acquainted with that kind of environment, it can be very disconcerting.” In response, with her many industry contacts who have been there, done that and have the scars, women can hopefully circumvent the old boy Hollywood ways. The goal is that the foundation can encourage more women into the media and entertainment industry, and in putting them in front of the right people,

their creativity can get out of the starting blocks. “If you come out of film school, and you go to any part of the entertainment industry, they just think all you need is a script, a budget, and an actor attached, and you're done,” said the global philanthropist. “It doesn't work that way. There is a lot of groundwork that needs to be covered before you even approach anyone with the script, much less a request for film financing.” Still, optimizing opportunities means focusing efforts on the best resources, and Driscoll sees partnering with Sundance as an appropriate avenue. “Sundance has not only the experience, but a vetting process that identifies the key players,” said Driscoll. “Who are the next directors, who and what is the process of getting filmmakers through their labs, how to train people in all areas of filmmaking, how to screen write and how to do a hundred different things in film and in television from experienced industry professionals.” As a result, Driscoll knows that granting sums in the neighborhood of $50,000 to

$100,000 won’t go to waste. “I think my money would be best used here because these professionals are really in the business of developing raw talent,” said the Monterey Institute of International Studies graduate. Women and people of color being the demographic she hopes to lift up, her foundation’s initiative also extends to another group that Driscoll holds dear. People of Determination is a phrase she has adopted from the United Arab Emirates and is much more preferable to using disabled to identify a group of people. More than a simple nod, Driscoll believes that viewing their individual circumstances as a gift goes much further than hanging a negative connotation on someone. “If people would view them in a more positive light and give them opportunities rather than handouts, they would be amazed,” asserted Driscoll. Of course, she doesn’t mean cordoning off the autistic, the deaf, the blind, and individuals with down syndrome into low-playing, unskilled jobs. ‘I really want a more inclusive

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

If you come out of film school, and you go to any part of the entertainment industry, they just think all you need is a script, a budget, and an actor attached, and you're done. It doesn't work that way. There is a lot of groundwork that needs to be covered before you even approach anyone with the script, much less a request for film financing.

work environment. I have been speaking with Charlie Hammerman, who's really championed this. He has a disability investment fund that is really working to move people of determination into the workforce. It's a brilliant plan,” beamed Driscoll.

Of course, the institute would keep close to the people - especially women and the people of determination. “This would empower inclusiveness that much more in this part of the world. They could farm and bring their crop to the market in a space where everyone can cultivate and grow as people. It will be a loving environment that fosters the economy for all. One that embraces a sense of higher purpose, the epitome of my family’s legacy,” she said.

Great grandmother in tow, the couple left Shasta and bought a small parcel of land in Watsonville, California. “He just wanted to have some farmland to raise berries and apples,” remembered Driscoll.

Ninety-five miles of coastal land eventually amassed, the family continues to adhere to Jeremiah’s formula. “My great grandfather, grandfather and his brothers all realized something extremely important. If you put people's happiness before yours and give them something of value and joy, while giving

“Driscoll’s went into organic mode long before it went national,” said Driscoll. “So they didn't need pesticides.” The impetus to be ahead of the curve didn’t end there either. Beginning in the 1940s, the company started inviting the best and the brightest to share and grow their technology, and Driscoll’s forward thinking established the world over, Sheila has now been asked to help turn desert in Saudi Arabia to farmland. Traveling to the region in October to speak at an alternative investment summit, Driscoll is proposing a food institute to address food insecurity and hopes to enlist AgroTech professionals to lend their expertise. “I’d like to have a roster of rotating professors and food scientists,” said Driscoll.

Panning for gold in 1849 wasn’t necessarily a winning plan for everyone, but Jeremiah’s real success was not being satisfied with material gain. A life is what he was after, and the first part had him marrying the love of his life, Johanna Hickey.

Like his great-granddaughter, the patriarch didn’t limit his vision to the dominant players in society and found strength in diversity. “He worked with the Ohlone Indians. They were the coastal tribe at that time,” she said. “They taught him the secrets of growing berries and farming.” The right combination of soil, water, and sun, he found success but stayed small. “So part of our business tenet is start small, fail small, and that's exactly what he did. And so when he realized what he had done would create what he wanted, he bought more land,” said Driscoll.

thing. “We always invested in people that were smarter than we, and that’s our business principle,” said Driscoll, and the mindset allowed the company to be way out in front of what is considered a standard today.

more value than you charge, you will always have returning customers,” Driscoll implored. 150 years later, Driscoll’s has kept it in the family, and the cohesion is no surprise. “I sat in meetings when I was five years old. I may not have understood anything. But we came together as a family, and we sat at round tables, so no one was in power,” she said. “There was a sense of really sharing the decision-making.” Therefore, with everyone taking ownership, the sense of entitlement that sinks other family businesses hasn’t happened at Driscoll’s. Thus, this family business is always in position to be passed on when the leadership retires. On the other hand, the Driscoll’s have always known that the family doesn’t know every-

An entrepreneur at heart, Sheila has her sights again set on the Middle East - a non-alcoholic beverage for the region,” Driscoll asserted, "This is my baby. This is all mine,” and she has a prototype app that intends to tie to the non-alcoholic beverage sector together. She’s also not afraid to boldly enter a market where many others have already been. “I'm going to create my own Irish whiskey,” Driscoll said. My Business Marketing Imagineer and I have come up with the “perfect” name. This will be a whiskey you can really sit down and enjoy with your beloved on a quiet, romantic evening or sip on your own.” “A “perfect” ending to the day.” Thus, a wealth of business knowledge at her disposal to give another venture a go, Driscoll will never turn her back on others who want to make their own way.

My great grandfather, grandfather and his brothers all realized something extremely important. If you put people's happiness before yours and give them something of value and joy, while giving more value than you charge, you will always have returning customers. “When you get to the top, send the elevator back down,” she fondly quotes Jack Lemmon. And its mentorship through shared wisdom that really pushes her buttons. “You don't have to create wisdom all over again. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel with these traditions. They're there because they work,” she asserted. “They have to be safeguarded and employed because the next generations will be leading the troops. We need to empower them through mentorship, knowledge, wisdom, best practices and governance.” The financial rewards are primed to then follow, but putting money first is not a formula Driscoll recommends. “You're constantly chasing after what's not,” she said. “It's very self-defeating.” Instead, the CEO seeks a certain type of person for her new company, Driscoll Ventures. Enterprising individuals with good hearts who see a higher purpose for commerce and want to put their talents to things that have never been done. Interdisciplinary business creators if you will. “Those are the people that I have closest to me and with whom I want to partner,” said Driscoll. She still does have a little extra focus on women, though, but that’s not out of the selfinterest of her sex. “We’re nurturing, we take care of the world. Let's educate women and let them do what they can do,” she concluded. “They will take care and bring the world back.”

How To Get Your Kids Into Elite Colleges

Without Scandals

I am sure you became aware of the college admissions scandal led by ringleader Rick Singer. Mr. Singer and a number of wealthy parents are now in jail. While parents do want the best for their kids, there is a fine line between preparing your kids well vs. being grossly unethical. Jason Ma, CEO and Chief Mentor, ThreeEQ

This year, the Ivy League schools and other elite colleges and universities have reported their lowest admit rates in history. Meanwhile, in reality, many students lucky enough to attend these highly competitive schools are stressed-out or anxiety-ridden. This is exacerbated by the pandemic, which has wreaked havoc across the entire college prep, admissions, and attendance space. From an elite college’s perspective, booksmart high schoolers with lots of extracurricular activities are a dime a dozen. Unfortunately, the Ivies, Stanford, MIT, and other very elite schools can accept only a small fraction of their highly qualified applicants (e.g., Harvard’s latest freshmen admit rate: under 4%). I have uncomfortably seen some amazing kids—valedictorians with a perfect SAT or ACT score, a 4.0/4.0 unweighted GPA with strong curriculum rigor, lots of extracurricular activities, and many honors/awards—get flatly rejected by a top Ivy or Stanford. So, just what does it take to get admitted? How to truly prepare well for college and beyond? Throughout high school, young achievers must learn how to realize their authentic best self, while navigating the complex and often stressful college planning and application process. My perspective is that college should be an integral part of a much longer journey. I encourage my own private client

families to wisely think THROUGH college (with long-term gains), and NOT just AT college (short-sightedness). It is vital to help kids understand both themselves and the world, express their individuality and passions both in writing and in speech, and develop their mindsets and soft skills—early on. With over 20,000 hours of elite college, leadership, career, and life success coaching, mentoring, writing, speaking, and applied research under my belt, I would say that, besides academic and standardized testing performance, the success ingredients include: 1. Building good habits. Part of my pattern recognition is that truly successful, high-achieving students have built sound habits. They developed not only time management skills and an ability to focus (despite online distractions), but also a few sustained, genuine interests (“passions”) pursued through the bulk of their high school years. They built strong character traits or a skill set that would add value to and help inspire the community of peers and faculty in college and beyond. 2. Finding your inner voice. My successful students were coachable and committed, and learned to express themselves effectively. This includes writing cogent college app essays, building good relationships with key people, and garnering outstanding third-party recommendation letters. Of utmost importance, essays and rec letters are key opportunities to communicate a student’s values, attitudes, and goals. They give the applicant a personality and facilitate the admissions staff to choose the students they want. 3. Starting early and executing well. These days, applying to ten or more colleges is common. Students end up writing dozens of essays, as well as short takes and detailed college app forms, and engaging in some private school interviews during the college app season. “So stressful” are words I hear often from under-prepared college applicants (especially those who start building their stories and skills late)—while they also attack a heavy senior year course load, AP exams, purposeful activities, and if still not done, the SAT or ACT. To produce authentic, high-quality writings that stand out from the crowd, a student must have life experiences upon which he/she has done deep reflection, emotional maturity,

and lots of practice communicating orally and in writing with a helpful support cast. 4. Honing a growth and contribution mindset. The humility to continuously learn and improve is key to a growth mindset. I value integrity, contribution, growth, connection, and a passion for excellence, and help instill these values in my students. I believe in guiding students holistically, strategically, and pragmatically—including the enhancement of their belief system and skills in critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and leadership—while helping them reflect on their experiences and find their own voice. I have hacked the secrets to mentoring and coaching achievers for notable success and well-being. Honing students’ pragmatic emotional, social, and leadership intelligence (“3EQ”) is embedded in my own 1:1 mentoring process. I’ve counseled 1-on-1 hundreds of students who were admitted to the 8 Ivy League institutions, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, UChicago, Duke, UC Berkeley, Georgetown, and ALL other top universities and liberal arts colleges. It is heartening to see many are rising in career and in life with joy and compassion as next-gen leaders. Building a strong character and story takes years. It can’t be conjured up “just in time” during the high school senior year. Learning to think, speak, and write effectively is a slow-cooking process, not popcorn-quick microwaving.

Jason Ma Jason Ma is Founder CEO and Chief Mentor of ThreeEQ, a family-owned, premier education and business advisory firm. He is author of the acclaimed book, Young Leaders 3.0: Stories, Insights, and Tips for Next-Generation Achievers, and is former Forbes contributor on Mentoring Young Leaders for elite college admissions, higher education, leadership, and entrepreneurship success. Jason was a delegate to the Forbes Global CEO Conference for 8 years before Forbes Media was acquired. He is a leading member of the B20, the official G20 dialogue with the global business community, serving on the Employment (Future of Work) and Education Task Force. Known as Chief Mentor of Next-Gen Leaders in Family Office and high-level circles, Jason is also a sought-after speaker. To learn about Jason’s work, visit www.ThreeEQ.com.

Wisely support your kids to start early, reduce stress, achieve greater success— and learn, work, and live more happily!

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Philanthropy

Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Creating Young Leaders In 1996, during his rookie season with the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter and his father, Dr. Charles Jeter, founded The Turn 2 Foundation to motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “Turn 2” healthy lifestyles. Twenty five years later, The Turn 2 Foundation has given back more than $30 Million and continues to build on that legacy by creating programs designed to foster leadership development, academic excellence, positive behavior and social change for hundreds of young people. As a close knit family, Derek’s sister, Sharlee Jeter, is president of the Foundation and prides themselves on the fact that 75% of all money raised goes straight back into their programs and initiatives with only 25% going towards operating costs. By Hillary Latos 82

When Derek and his father started the Turn 2 Foundation, their programs were created to reflect who he is as a person, how he’s lived his life, and how important it’s been for him to be a role mode as a person and less of as an athlete. Derek Jeter states, “When we created The Turn 2 Foundation in 1996, my hope was that we’d be able to make a positive impact in young peoples’ lives by motivating them to rise above negative influences and lead healthy lifestyles. Since then, Turn 2 has grown into something truly amazing that has exceeded my dreams when I was a rookie with the Yankees, and I’m so grateful for the support we’ve received over the years. Through our programs, we have been able to help thousands of young people excel both personally and academically, and ultimately recognize and achieve their fullest potential. Witnessing the transformation in the students we serve, and their passion and commitment to creating positive change, is what inspires me every day. As we celebrate 25 years, I’m looking forward to our next chapter. We are focused on strengthening Turn 2’s programs, deepening our impact, and providing more youth across the country with the tools, resources and guidance they need to serve as leaders in their communities and thrive.” – Derek Jeter, founder of The Turn 2 Foundation Turn 2’s signature initiative is the Jeter’s Leaders program – a four-year leadership development program that fosters academic achievement, positive behavior and social change among high school students in New York City and Kalamazoo, Michigan who serve as ambassadors for Derek in their communities through a highly selective program that admits 40 students in each location. Students begin as freshman and remain in the program throughout all four years of high school and serve as role models in their communities and are involved in programs that promote healthy lifestyles, serve their communities, and further their academic and professional development. Every summer Turn 2 has a leadership conference which brings all of the students together. Over the past 15 years, 100% of students in the program graduated high school and have been accepted into college. Jeter also recognized that leadership qualities can be fostered and nurtured at an even younger age. Turn 2 Us is an elementary school-based mental health initiative for New York City students, created in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in 2001. Their programs teach students mindfulness exercises, anti-bullying education, healthy

lifestyles practices that promote mental well-being and academic success, and more. Additionally, the Derek Jeter Center at Phoenix House in Florida provides critical resources and support to teens struggling with substance abuse. Since its founding in 2008, the Derek Jeter Center has helped thousands of youth overcome struggles with addiction. In 2017, Turn 2 and Phoenix House unveiled a newly renovated Derek Jeter Center, which enabled the facility to double its treatment capacity. Turn 2 also presented a donation of $150,000, surpassing $1 million in contributions from the Foundation to Phoenix House since the center’s inception. With an impressive track record of creating the next generation of leaders and operating the foundation with minimal operating costs over the last quarter of a century Sharlee Jeter sheds some advice on creating and sustaining a family foundation. “Get a really good team around you. When we first started out, the first thing my dad did was to bring different people on board who were good in different areas to donate their time, like a programming director, accountant, partner development. He just really prided himself on having a lot of strong people that wanted to support what we were doing around us that can help us and realized that we didn't have the answer to everything. Also, my dad always emphasized that we can be audited at any time, and he implemented a yearly audit that we did on our own to ensure everything is being done the proper way which is crucial for running a nonprofit.” What is it like to work with one of the most successful athletes in the world, who just happens to be your brother? Sharlee muses, “I do love it. It can be difficult at times because

you have to separate your personal life from business. It's very difficult because we work not just on our foundation, but also on his businesses as well, but we've always worked together as a family and have always been a very close family. I've learned a lot from the experience. I think that what we were able to do successfully as a family and with me working with him is knowing what our roles were and not overlapping too much, and he trusts me with that job role. He allows me to do my job without trying to change things or to do things. He has a lot of input in what we do, but he trusts that I'm going to do my job well. It hasn’t always been roses but we've worked well together over the years.” As part of their annual fundraising efforts, on October 6th, The Turn 2 Foundation will celebrate its 25th anniversary during its Annual Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street. The Annual Dinner will raise significant funds to enable Turn 2 to provide more young people with the tools needed to create positive change, serve as leaders in their communities, and pursue healthy, successfully lives. To learn more about the Annual Dinner, please visit www.turn2foundation.org. 83

INVESTING IN THE CARIBBEAN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Overlooked region. Undervalued companies. Huge opportunities.

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The Diamond Standard Coin

Invest Brilliantly The Diamond Standard Coin is the only regulator-approved diamond commodity. Every coin has the same value, so you can trade them quickly and easily, like gold.

During past recessions, gem-quality diamonds have outperformed stocks and bonds, yet most investors—even trilliondollar asset managers don’t leverage this hard asset. The estimated value of the above ground diamond supply is $1.2 trillion, but 99% of that is used solely for jewelry. Just the remaining 1% is held by investors, mostly trading through art auction houses. Compare that to investor

holdings of precious metals: approximately 30% of the world’s gold, 19% of silver, 17% of platinum and 15% of both palladium and rhodium. If 15% of pent-up demand is unlocked by a market-traded diamond commodity, investor allocations could amount to $180 billion at current values.

Precious metals are proven investments in periods of recession, uncertainty and economic crisis. In 2020, gold actually outperformed the S&P 500 stock index, reaching an all-time high price of $2,067 per ounce. The ability to use diamonds as a liquid investment offers investors an opportunity to diversify portfolios and protect against inflation, and possibly generate a substantial return.

The World’s Only Regulator Approved Diamond Commodity NYSE

CME | MGEX | MIAX

DIAM Diamond Standard has filed to launch an exchange-traded fund to be listed on the NYSE under the ticker DIAM, subject to SEC approval.

Diamond Standard offerings are regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and internally audited by Deloitte.

Commodity futures are in development to list and trade on MGEX via CME Globex and the MIAX Options Exchange, both subject to CFTC approval.

diamondstandard.co 833-777-DIAM

Zero-G, The Weightless Experience® Branson and Bezos recently experienced weightlessness, now it’s your turn! The Zero-G Experience® is a once in a lifetime opportunity to float, flip and and soar in a zero gravity environment. Passengers will board our modified Being 727 and experience 7-8 minutes of weightlessness total. This is not a simulation- it’s real life, minus gravity. Join Zero-G for an incredible day filled with fun, space, and zero gravity. Zero-G is the world’s only FAA certified provider of weightless flights.

Impact Wealth Magazine Summer 2021

Articles inside

TiM HeNTsCHeL Tim Hentschel of HotelPlanner eagerly awaits a Return to Worldwide Travel after the Pandemic

CARoLe CRisт The Former First Lady of Florida Leads the Way in Impact Investing

Why Billionaires Are Backing CMORQ’s Altruistic Mission to Create Inclusive Capitalism

Startup Sees Strong Demand To Make Diamonds an Investable Asset

Palm Beach Welcomes the Elite Exclusive 1640 Society Family Office Wealth Forum

iVANA De MARiA Little Girls with Dreams Become Women with Vision

THe RoLe of NAD iN CeLLuLAR fuNCTioN