Noted Family Office Leader Stephan Roche joins BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors Partnership Group

Former Walton Family Enterprises CEO expands BanyanGlobal’s family office capabilities as the preeminent advisor to owners of the world’s leading family businesses

(Boston) – March 5, 2025 – Today, BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors announced that Stephan Roche, former CEO of Walton Enterprises and COO of Cascade Asset Management – the private investment office for Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation – has joined BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors as Partner. Stephan previously worked with Banyan as both a client and Senior Advisor prior to joining the firm.

Along with his leadership roles at two of the world’s largest family offices, Stephan also served as a strategy consultant with Bain & Company. The combination of these experiences will strengthen Banyan’s position as the preeminent family business advisory firm.

“Our previous work with Stephan made it immediately clear that his experience leading two premier family organizations would benefit both our clients and Banyan,” said Ben Francois, Banyan’s Managing Partner. “Stephan drew upon those experiences and his training as a strategy consultant to establish himself as a trusted advisor to these families while helping them transform their enterprises to meet the needs of current and future generations.

Stephan started his career in brand management at Procter & Gamble and has since held roles of increasing seniority across various industries including as a fintech entrepreneur and CEO of a venture capital investment firm. This broad array of industry and investment experience helped equip Stephan to successfully manage the multi-dimensioned challenges of working with complex family systems.

“I knew immediately that Banyan’s mission and values aligned closely with my own,” said Roche. “As a client, I felt the Banyan team didn’t impose themselves as ‘gurus’ but rather took the time to listen and understand the unique nuances of the family and their ambitions. This fidelity to understanding the family’s needs led to far better and lasting outcomes. I found Banyan’s approach appealing in a way that made me want to help contribute to what firm is building.”

Stephan is a recognized expert in family governance, family office strategy, and family wealth stewardship and is frequently asked to speak on topics ranging from family office leadership to stewarding wealth with purpose. Additionally, he is a member of the Family Office Initiative advisory board for the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. In addition to his executive roles, Stephan sits on multiple family business boards including Tauck Inc., which just celebrated its 100-year anniversary as a family-owned business.

Stephan received his BA from Princeton University and his MBA at Harvard Business School. He is based in Seattle, WA where he lives with his wife. He is the proud father of adult triplets.

For any questions or inquiries please contact: Karen Dillon, Editorial Director, kdillon@banyan.global