Family Business researchers, practitioners and speakers bring their knowledge and experience to the Center’s members in a variety of formats and venues. Topics include those relevant to families in business, as well as topics that are critical to the success of all businesses. Speakers share tools and strategies with members during interactive programs on family business topics ranging from leadership and ownership succession and estate planning to working in sibling/cousin teams and dealing with conflict. Programs also touch on the challenges and opportunities of doing business in a time of change and uncertainty and incorporate topics such as employees and the workplace, technology and data, and staying relevant.
Weatherhead’s Center for Family Business programs are exclusively for family business members – owners, senior leaders, rising leaders, family working and not working in the business and non-family executives. Please contact Laura Bonnet at 216-368-1701 or familybusiness@case.edu if you are interested in learning more about the programs or the benefits of joining the Center.
"The Center for Family Business has been an invaluable resource that fosters an unparalleled thought-provoking and collaborative environment for family enterprises of all sizes and industries to share insights and strategies. The discussions are tailored to address the unique challenges that only family businesses face like succession planning and balancing personal and professional roles. This is a community where understanding and solutions truly coalesce."
Donny Steinberg, Park Equity Investments
"The content of the forums put on by the Center for Family Business has been strong. I have also appreciated the network with other family businesses that it provides."
4th Generation Manufacturer/Retailer
Remaining Programs for the 2026 Program Year
Family Business Series
The Family Business Series are half-day programs taught by family business experts. The programs are held at the Tinkham Veale University Center and complimentary parking is available in the Campus Center Garage. The general schedule for the programs is as follows:
- 7:30-8:30 AM – breakfast and registration
- 8:30-11:30 AM – program
Family businesses are welcome to attend a first Family Business Series program as our guest.
Driving Sustainable Innovation for Future Generations
Pramodita Sharma, PhD – Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Mission driven family enterprises astutely adopt a sustainable development mindset to innovate and outperform rivals in the short-term. This mindset is also used to identify value creation investments for the long-term. With longer temporal vistas and freedom from quarterly reporting to public, private multigenerational family firms are uniquely positioned to excel amidst rapidly changing environmental pressures. Using case examples, this interactive program will illustrate the opportunities, challenges and practicalities of sustainable innovation strategy, inspiring ideas for your own enterprise.
Dr. Sharma is a professor at the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business, former editor of Family Business Review, co-founder of the Family Enterprise Research Conference (FERC), part of a family enterprise, and co-author of eleven books including Patient Capital: The Role of Family Firms in Sustainable Business and Pioneering Business Families of Sustainable Development.
Building the Playbook: Protecting your Family and Business from the 5 D’s
Guest speaker: Amy Wirtz, Family & Business Success - Wednesday, August 26, 2026
You’ve spent generations building your business to be a beacon of hope for your family, employees, and community—but have you built the 'playbook' to keep that beacon lit when life gets messy? Join us to master the Five D’s—Death, Disability, Disaster, Disagreement, and Divorce—and turn contingency planning from a legal chore into a final act of stewardship. Through breakout discussions, we will explore the 'what, how, and where' of the Five D's, including how your business documents and personal estate plans can prevent 'accidental partnerships' and ensure your legacy remains a source of stability. Don’t leave your family’s future to chance; protect the people who matter most.
This session is led by Amy Wirtz, owner of Family & Business Success, senior consultant with The Family Business Consulting Group, and a practicing lawyer with 27 years of experience in guiding family enterprises through complex transitions.
Branding without Bragging: How to Balance Family and Business in your Marketing
Guest speakers: Meghan Lynch and Laura Brown, Six-Point Strategy - Wednesday, October 14, 2026
In family enterprises, the brand is more than a logo—it reflects trust, reputation, and longterm consistency. The program focuses on how values, continuity, and family identity show up externally—shaping market perception and reinforcing confidence in the business across generations and during period of growth. Participants will understand how to intentionally leverage their family story and reputation capital as strategic assets in the marketplace without overexposure or loss of authenticity.
This program features guest speakers Meghan Lynch and Laura Brown of Six Point Strategy, who bring extensive experience guiding family businesses through growth and succession with practical, intentional brand leadership.
Next Gen Development: Preparing Future Family Business Leaders
Todd Smith, CFAR (The Center for Applied Research, Inc.) - Wednesday, February 17, 2027
Preparing the next generation is one of the most important—and often most complex—tasks for any multi-generational family business. This program will dive into proven strategies for engaging, educating, and inspiring rising-generation family members for future leadership and ownership roles. Through interactive discussions and practical case studies, you’ll discover how to foster commitment, build essential skills, and create pathways for meaningful involvement. Whether your family is beginning succession planning or already nurturing young talent, this program offers actionable guidance to support all generations in ensuring a strong legacy.
Todd Smith, Principal at CFAR, is a seasoned consultant with over twenty years of experience advising family and owner-led businesses. His work focuses on governance, education, and strategic planning, and he is renowned for helping families navigate the unique dynamics of succession and leadership development.
Ownership, Decision-Making and Governance Through Transition
Kirby Rosplock, Tamarind Learning - Wednesday, April 14, 2027
When a family business faces a transition—whether in leadership, ownership, management, or all three—the question is rarely whether to change. The real question is: Are we ready? Participants will explore how to clarify who holds authority and who deserves a voice, how to engage family members who may never work in the business, and how to surface essential conversations before urgency forces the issue. The program emphasizes process over prescription, helping families move from informal decisionmaking toward governance readiness through the right fit, approach, and process. Designed for families at any stage, participants will leave with practical tools, shared language, and a roadmap for engaging their families in more intentional, productive transitionrelated conversations—protecting their business, legacy, and wealth for generations to come.
Kirby Rosplock, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Tamarind Partners, a world-renowned speaker, trusted advisor, and award-winning author who has spent more than 25 years helping business-owning families navigate the intersection of wealth, governance, and generational transition. She is also a fourth-generation shareholder, owner and board member of her family’s 120-year-old business.
Company Chats
Company Chats invite you to explore the captivating stories behind some of America's most cherished family businesses. These events are designed to celebrate the legacy, craftsmanship, and innovation that define successful family enterprises. Through engaging presentations, panel discussions and Q&A, participants will hear firsthand from leaders who have navigated the challenges and triumphs of steering their family businesses. Each session provides unique insights into the strategies, values, and stories that have shaped these companies, offering inspiration and practical lessons for attendees.