By Ian Sale, Partner | President | Chief Operating Officer
I’m a husband and the father of three daughters.
I have also been a professional for over three decades and absolutely love my work. Yet, my role at home influences how I see the world more than any title I’ve ever held. It shapes how I listen and how I lead. It also influences how seriously I take the responsibility to help build a future where opportunity isn’t limited by outdated ideas about who belongs in the room.
That’s why I paid attention to the Kentucky Derby this weekend. When Golden Tempo crossed the finish line, the winning trainer, Cherie DeVaux, didn’t just win a race. She changed the record books. For the first time, the horse standing in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs was trained by a woman. It happened in a sport defined by tradition, legacy, and barriers that have taken a long time to move.
As the results came in, I thought less about the purse or the trophy. I thought about my daughters. I was focused on what it means for young ladies to see proof that excellence opens doors regardless of gender. Preparation, skill, and work ethic matter. Progress is often a slow, steady march that arrives quietly but is still very much in reach for my daughters.
That belief sits at the center of Sendero’s Women’s Initiative. We’ve seen firsthand that women may experience wealth differently as a result of various factors, including longer life expectancies, career pauses, caregiving responsibilities, and, often, the need to step into financial leadership during moments of transition or uncertainty. Too often, this industry has talked at women instead of building environments designed with them in mind.
The Women’s Initiative exists to change that. It’s focused on education that is designed to build confidence, not dependence. We encourage conversations that are direct, practical, and honest, and a community that recognizes the many roles women hold—professionals, mothers, daughters, caregivers, leaders, and decision‑makers. The Women’s Initiative is focused on meeting women where they are and inviting them fully into their financial lives.
As a father, that matters to me. I want my daughters to grow up in a world where financial literacy is expected, not optional. Where questions are welcomed and where their voice in meaningful decisions is expected. I want them to see women leading with competence and conviction, whether that’s in finance, sports, business, or anywhere else their ambition takes them.
Cherie DeVaux’s win matters not because she was “the first,” but because she won on merit, preparation, and resilience. At Sendero, we believe progress works the same way. You don’t wait for permission to lead. You build the platform, invite others in, and raise the standard along the way.
For my daughters, for the women we serve at Sendero, and for a future where moments like DeVaux’s Kentucky Derby win feel less remarkable, because they’re finally expected.
That’s a finish line worth chasing.
Discover more about our Women’s Initiative
Join us for our Women’s Mix & Mingle Event on May 19th
Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice or a recommendation to take any particular action. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sendero Wealth Management, LLC. Sendero Family Enterprise, LLC (“SFE”) is an affiliate of Sendero Wealth Management, LLC (“SWM”) and provides consulting, educational, and family office services. SFE does not provide investment advisory services. Investment advisory services are offered separately through Sendero Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Participation in the Women’s Initiative or related events does not establish an advisory relationship with SWM.
