Who We Remember Kate Bright on her grandmother - An Activist with a Smile
We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?" and "How does your family's story shape your own personal and professional legacy?"
Today's guest: Kate Bright, CEO and Founder of UMBRA International
Kate's's pick: Her grandmother, Olive Duncan
Sound Bites
- “You can protest on the picket line, fight for what's right—and still be wearing matching gloves, a hat, and polished shoes. Why not?”
- "She gave birth to my mother in an air raid. If that’s not a story about strength, I don’t know what is."
- "If you know who you are, you know where you're going. That’s what this journey into Olive’s life has given me—and what I hope to pass on."
Summary
Security specialist and business founder Kate Bright brings to life the remarkable story of her grandmother, Olive Duncan—a glamorous rebel born in 1912 London who defied societal norms with style and strength. Raised amid war, Olive lost her father young, raised three daughters, got divorced when few women dared, and even protested forced retirement wrapped in a Union Jack. As Kate uncovers her grandmother’s past, she reflects on intergenerational resilience, the enduring power of feminine identity, and the impact of storytelling as a tool for connection, protection, and purpose. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to a woman ahead of her time—and a reminder that legacy lives on in both action and spirit.
About Kate
Kate Bright is the founder and CEO of UMBRA International, a pioneering security firm that helps ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families feel safe through her signature “secure lifestyle” approach—a human-centered, holistic take on personal protection. A former family office executive and a Chartered Security Professional, Kate sits at the intersection of discretion, strategy, and care. Proudly British and Irish, with Danish and Bavarian roots, she brings a rare combination of elegance, clarity, and strength to everything she does—whether advising governments on national security policy or mentoring the next generation of leaders. She’s also an unapologetically hands-on auntie, a passionate community advocate, and an experiential memory-maker (not the arts-and-crafts type, as she says).
Join Us
Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats.
Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember."
Credits
Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here