Family offices are unlike any other investment environment. Their mission extends beyond capital growth to legacy preservation and multi-generational trust. Few understand this balance better than Steven Koinis, a senior executive and trusted advisor who has served as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) to prominent family offices across the United States, the Middle East, and Europe.
With a background that spans sovereign wealth funds, private equity, and global investment management, Koinis has overseen more than $1.5 billion in capital commitments throughout his career, experience that has shaped what he calls the “stewardship of purpose”—an approach that frames wealth management as both financial responsibility and generational continuity.
Knowing the Family Before the Portfolio
For Koinis, capital is the means to sustain and enhance family continuity, not the end itself. This people-first approach sets the role of a family office CIO apart from traditional investment management. “Great CIOs start with listening, not allocation,” says Koinis. “You’re not just managing capital—you’re stewarding a vision that spans generations.”
That vision requires careful attention to the family’s story, values, and long-term objectives. Risk appetite is only one dimension of the equation. True effectiveness lies in understanding how a family defines its legacy and ensuring that investment decisions reinforce rather than erode that identity.
Building Global Pipelines with Discipline
Family offices are increasingly global in scope, tapping into opportunities in private equity, real estate, venture, and alternative assets. However, with such breadth comes the need for careful curation.
“Curate, don’t chase,” Koinis says. “Source globally, but maintain a rigorous due-diligence process. The goal is a high-conviction, high-integrity pipeline built on trusted relationships and repeatable standards.”
Having led direct investment and merchant banking efforts at the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, Koinis knows firsthand the power of expansive networks paired with methodical vetting: relationships may open doors, but consistency and integrity sustain performance.
Governance as the Bedrock of Trust
Wealth is as much a matter of emotion as of finance. Navigating the dynamics between wealth creators and inheritors requires good governance in addition to solid investment acumen.
Governance is an enabler of both family harmony and investment performance, and provides the structure needed to manage complexity, align stakeholders, and maintain transparency. “Structure builds trust,” Koinis says. “CIOs translate complexity for every generation—creating clarity between wealth creators and inheritors.”
He stresses the importance of clear committees, regular reporting periods, and open communication. These frameworks foster trust across generations and prevent misunderstandings from undermining long-term objectives.
Playing the Long Game
The CIO’s role will remain central to ensuring that capital and purpose move forward together. Koinis’s insights serve as a valuable blueprint for those stepping into the role or advising families navigating this complex landscape. His perspective reflects decades of experience helping families balance growth with preservation, opportunity with risk, and individuality with unity.
The result is not just financial stewardship but the reinforcement of legacies that endure across generations. “Being a family office CIO is about protecting purpose as much as capital,” he reflects. “Serve with discretion, discipline, and alignment—and always play the long game.”
To learn more about Steven Koinis’s work and insights, connect with him on LinkedIn or visit his website.
