Sam Seltzer ’48 Mentors Forum


The Sam Seltzer ’48 Mentors Forum is a vast network that connects current Cornell students and recent alumni with scholars, advisors, and family business leaders for one-on-one mentoring and coaching sessions. Students have the exceptional opportunity to select their own agendas and interest areas for exploration during the time spent with their mentors.  Cornell Family Business mentors are carefully selected to provide for a diversity of experience and expertise.

2022 Sam Seltzer ’48 Mentors Forum

The 2022 Sam Seltzer ’48 Mentors Forum took place on Friday, April 22nd at the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island.

Kshitij Mutha

“It was a pleasure to be a part of the Mentor’s Forum last year. I was amazed to see the depth and breadth of experiences that the mentors brought with them. Having personal conversations with owners of other family businesses and with family business consultants came as a great learning experience, and I was surprised by the kind of support that the mentors provided during the forum and after. This is has been one of my best experiences at Cornell.”

Kshitij Mutha, MBA ’20, President, Family Business Club
A student with a mentor in the lobby at the Tata Innovation Center
A student listens to his mentor's commentary

Common discussion topics among mentees

Students are increasingly seeking out opportunities to interact with family business industry leaders on a variety of topics, including:

  • New business opportunities
  • Career opportunities
  • Returning, or not returning, to the family business
  • The role of women in their family’s business
  • Leadership
  • New perspectives
  • Succession planning
  • Family wealth and values
  • Conflict
  • Family office and governance
  • Family enterprise advising and the role of consultants
  • Legal considerations in family business

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Eligible student participants

The Mentors Forum is open to all current Cornell students and recent alumni who have graduated within the past five years.

Take advantage of a wealth of information from senior family business leaders and advisors in a one-on-one setting.


Students listen to Dann Van Der Vliet in a classroom setting

Serving as a mentor or coach

You can have an impact on the lives of our students and the next generation of family business leaders.

For more information about serving as a Cornell Family Business mentor,  please contact our executive director.

Contact Daniel Van Der Vliet

“I’m so glad I was able to attend. I got some fantastic advice and will definitely be in touch with the folks I spoke to. This could not have come at a better time for me, as my mom is looking to start formal succession talks next week.” — Mentors Forum Participant


Cornell Family Business Mentorscape

To view our current list of mentors, explore connections, and make an appointment, please view our Cornell Family Business Mentorscape.

Two women mentors
Three men talking

“I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. Counting all the incredible takeaways would be impossible. I hope to keep alive my relationships with very valuable mentors and new friendships.”

— Mentors Forum Participant

For more information, contact:

Erin Kelly, assistant director
607.255.4869
eak58@cornell.edu

The Mentors Forum is made possible through the generous support of Sam Seltzer ’48 (ENG) and Jason Fein ’85, MPS ’91 (SHA).