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Schedule

2019 Families in Business Conference

Family Values, Business Value

Thursday, September 26, 2019

12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Lower Level Lobby, Breazzano Center, Collegetown

Registration, networking and lunch – Opening comments and welcome message

Daniel G. Van Der Vliet, The John and Dyan Smith Executive Director of Family Business, Cornell University

2:00 – 4:30 pm
LL23, Breazzano Center, Collegetown

Leadership Agility – Family Business Master Class

Greg McCann, McCann & Associates and Cornell Family Business Scholar

Family enterprise, by its very nature, is among the most complex and integrated of systems in contemporary society. Now, more than ever, families who work together need agile leaders who can navigate this complexity within the context of exponential change and diverse stakeholder interests. Family enterprises are dealing with not only the exponential change that faces us all, but also the even greater complexity of involving family. In this in-depth workshop, participants will explore:

  • What is your role as a leader within the family and business system?
  • When should you be leaning in and taking charge and when should you be leaning back and developing others—even allowing them to make mistakes?
  • How might you develop an ongoing practice for yourself and your family, and your organization to be a more effective leader?

Concurrent panel sessions

221, Breazzano Center, Collegetown

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Panel I

“Family, Wealth and Values”

  • Susan Fulford, Managing Director, Dynamic Legacy Inc.
  • John Warnick, Founder of the Purposeful Planning Institute
  • Moderated by Carol Wittmeyer, Cornell Family Business Scholar 

There are many complexities generated as business success is sustained and wealth is accumulated. Managing the transition of the business and the transfer of wealth do not go hand in hand, although they often do need to occur simultaneously. Leading succession planners and wealth managers share their work from the field and observations based on case studies and first-hand experience.

3:15 – 4:15 pm – Panel II
Current Findings in Family Business Research

  • Margarita Tsoutsoura, John and Dyan Professor of Management and Family Business
  • Daniela Scur, Assistant Professor of Strategy, Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
  • Welsey Sine PhD ’01, Professor, Johnson Graduate School of Management

The Smith Family Business Initiative is dedicated to expanding the knowledge base in family business. The Smith Family Business Initiative has funded specifically seven new research studies in family enterprise, reaching many corners of the globe and spanning many industries. Join Professors Tsoutsoura and Scur for a discussion of these studies as well as other research initiatives currently underway.

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Statler Hotel, Carrier Ballroom
“A Taste of Family Business” – Welcome Reception

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Statler Hotel, Carrier Ballroom

Dinner and keynote – “Longevity and Legacy”

Mitzi Perdue & Pierre duPont

Facilitated by Eric Taylor, BS ’05, MBA ‘ 13, Administrative Vice President, National Investment Advisory Lead, Wilmington Trust

Family values provide continuity that can outlast any business entity. In the United States, certain names resonate in the business lexicon; duPont and Perdue are two of them. Mitzi Perdue, the wife of the late Frank Perdue, and descendant of the Henderson family, founders of the Sheraton Corporation, and Pierre duPont, a 10th generation descendant of the duPont family on his father’s side and descendant of the Wood family, proprietors of the Wawa chain of stores on his mother’s side. With multiple family business and legacies to manage, Ms. Purdue and Mr. duPont will share  how each family approaches legacy, sharing family values across generations, and preparing future family members for success.

Friday, September 27, 2019

8:00 am – 9:00 am
Dyson Atrium, Sage Hall
Networking and breakfast

9:00 am – 10:00 am
B09, Sage Hall

Opening comments by Mark Nelson, Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean, Johnson Graduate School of Management

Friday kick-off: “Family Business Confidential”  

Ariana Blossom, Blossom Coaching, will be the story-telling coach 

Telling stories is critical for families; it is a powerful tool for transmitting our emotions, for framing critical issues and for curating important events for future generations. Listen in on these four Moth/TED style  stories from family business that will cover important life moments, family decisions and critical business events.

10:15 am – 11:15 am
B09, Sage Hall
Panel III – Next Gen Now: Innovations, Investments, and Inspirations  

Moderated by Steve Gal ’88, Senior Lecturer of Management and Cornell Family Business Scholar

At the crux of every family business is a new generation of business leaders seeking to leave their mark on the future of the enterprise. Some have new ideas, others seek different platforms, while still others contemplate outside moves. Join a panel of Cornell alumni who each are exploring new pathways for themselves and their families.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
B09, Sage Hall
Panel IV –  We Are Market Basket: A Case Study in family values, workplace culture, family governance and community connections.

Market Basket, a popular New England supermarket chain company was so treasured and trusted that people literally took to the streets – by the thousands – to save it.  After long-time, CEO Arthur T. Demoulas was ousted by his cousin Arthur S. Demoulas, the company’s managers and rank-and-file workers struck back. Set against a backdrop of bad blood and corporate greed, author Daniel Korschun and family goverance expert David Spitulnik delve deeper into the family matters and governance issues that created this volatile case.

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm 
Lunch in the Dyson Atrium, Sage Hall
 

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
“A Matriarch, A Successor and a Next Gen Walk into a Room…”

Afternoon Tea with the Harney’s: Elyse, Mike ‘77, and Alex Harney – Harney and Sons Tea

Introductions of the Harney family by Kevin Hallock, Joseph R. Rich Professor of Economics and Human Resource Studies and Dean, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

It started as a hobby in the basement of the White Hart Inn in Salisbury, Connecticut and was shared only with inn guests. Now, over 30 years later, their 90,000 square foot facility in Millerton, New York ships to fans across the globe. Elyse, Mike, and Alex Harney will trace the origins and evolution of their family’s business, the tea industry, key events and family members through the years.

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Closing comments and conference concludes