The Family Business Consulting Group’s board of directors has appointed Kristi Daeda as the firm’s new president to lead the organization’s operational and strategic initiatives. Drew Mendoza, managing principal since 1999, will focus entirely on guiding prospective client families to the right resources in his new role as senior advisor.
“The board followed a lengthy, collaborative process which included input from all levels of the organization to select Drew’s successor. Kristi was the board’s unanimous choice!” said Steve McClure, FBCG board chair and principal consultant. “I can’t emphasize more the excitement I have for our future. With a shared vision, appropriate governance, structure and processes, we have the foundation to perpetuate our firm across generations, much like the families we serve.”
Since joining FBCG in 2013, Kristi has led a variety of practice areas including family and corporate governance, family enterprise education, intellectual property development, marketing, institutional relations, and research on family enterprise topics. She is a member of the Family Firm Institute where she’s contributed to their publication The Practitioner and serves on steering committees for the Family Wealth Alliance and the Private Directors Association national board.
Drew’s career with FBCG began in 1994 as a founding owner, serving as a principal consultant for five years before moving into his managing principal role in 1999. “We evolved from a start-up company to a professional client service business under Drew’s leadership, with strict adherence to our values,” explained Steve.
During his tenure, Drew guided the company’s operations, growth, strategy and consultant vetting. He has also conducted thousands of intake assessments to help families reach alignment on their family enterprise needs and match these families to the right consulting solution. In 2017, Drew received the prestigious Richard Beckhard Practice Award from the Family Firm Institute for his outstanding contributions to the field of family business practice. He is the fifth FBCG member to earn this honor.
“Over my 30-year career, I’ve learned the importance of raising the talent bar for each successive leader while making sure they are a good cultural fit,” explained Drew. “Kristi’s contributions to the field and our firm coupled with her professional and academic pedigree have me fully confident that the board made a fantastic choice.”