Episode #3 Stephan Roche: Integrity and the Dark Side of Wealth

Stephan Roche is a CEO, investor, strategic advisor, and venture capital and family office executive.

Holder of a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton and an MBA from Harvard, Stephan served as the CEO of a family office for one of the wealthiest American families. By the end of his tenure as CEO, he had grown the family office from 50 to 500; helped steer the organization through turbulent social and economic circumstances; and built relationships with best-selling authors, world-renown scientists, athletes, and billionaires.

Simultaneously, Stephan also confronted the dark, shadow side of wealth – the impropriety, abuses of power, degradation of ethics and over-importance of wealth as a defining part of one’s identity.

Today, Stephan is the CEO of SemperVirens, a venture capital firm within the Sequoia group. SemperVirens provides advisory, mentorship, and capital to startups poised to make a positive impact in the world, fostering an asymmetric portfolio of investments in women, BIPOC, and diverse founders with grand visions for company growth and outsized impact.

Key Takeaways
- Imposter syndrome can manifest in different ways, including feeling like an imposter due to lack of expertise, feeling out of alignment with external validation, and feeling qualified but not fulfilled in a role.
- Success is multi-dimensional and goes beyond traditional metrics of achievement, encompassing personal relationships, values, and alignment with oneself.
- Parental influence on career choices can impact an individual's sense of fulfillment and alignment with their chosen path.
- Procter & Gamble's approach to feedback and leadership training emphasizes the value of junior team members' input and the importance of learning from others in a collaborative environment.
- In the business world, collaboration and benchmarking are essential for success, while academia often emphasizes individual achievement and originality. Formal education often leaves individuals unprepared for the real-world skills needed for success in business.
- The power of integrity lies in doing the right thing, always, and building trusted relationships.
- Wealth reveals and amplifies a person's values and does not fundamentally change who they are.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction, Childhood and Career Journey
13:14
Discussion on Imposter Syndrome and Success
38:09
Navigating the Gaps in Formal Education
55:56
The Multifaceted Nature of Wealth
01:21:29
Creating Positive Impact: Personal Experiences and Perspectives