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Kecia Barkawi

CEO, Founding Partner & President of the Board

Kecia founded VALUEworks in 2004 and since, led the development of its holistic, innovative and values-based service offering. Today, she advises key clients on overall wealth structuring, family governance, risk management, estate planning and philanthropy. With her vast experience, creativity and strong interpersonal skills, she coaches women and NextGens on how to cope with family wealth-related challenges and becoming responsible wealth-owners. In addition, Kecia serves on the board of a select number of family companies and charitable foundations, and acts as trustee and as executor for family estates. 

Kecia speaks and publishes on family office, family governance, wealth management, philanthropy topics and empowerment. On a regular basis she acts as judge and serves on the panel of experts at STEP's Private Client Awards in London.

Prior to founding VALUEworks, Kecia worked for GAM in Zurich and Bermuda. In 1998 she joined the private client team of PWC (formerly Coopers & Lybrand) as a vice president. In 2007, Kecia spearheaded the creation of the Swiss Association of Trust Companies (SATC), which she presided until 2012. Her passion for strategic philanthropy led her to co-found the Zurich Roundtable of Philanthropy and initiate the exclusive Swiss Women + Philanthropy network.

In 2021 Kecia was awarded for her "Outstanding Contribution to Wealth Management Thought Leadership" and as "Leading Individual" at the prestigous WealthBriefing Swiss Awards. In 2022 she won Bronze at the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards in the category "Inspirational Women of the Year", followed by a Bronze medall in 2023 as Trustee of the Year - Switzerland.

Kecia holds a Master in Law from the University of Zurich and an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. She speaks five languages.

Kecia is married and lives in the city of Zurich. She is a passionate photographer and an adventurous traveller, having visited over 70 countries with her Nikon gear. She is creative and loves to design and to cook.