Peer Groups

Content includes relevant business speakers, member facility site visits, and personal check-ins. Each group is strictly confidential and moderated by a professional facilitator. Members of the same family business will never be placed together in the same group. Meetings take place once every other month for 4-6 hours over a 12-month period.

Launching in 2024. Our HR Cohort provides a thinktank opportunity for certified and experienced HR professionals in family businesses (non-family members are welcome to join). Cohort members can safely spark conversations about many issues, including effective ways to manage ever-changing employment laws. Meetings will occur quarterly for 4-6 hours over a 12-month period.

Launching in 2024. Our Governance Cohort brings together family business members who run shareholder meetings, family meetings, family councils, and/or boards (directors or advisors). Meetings will occur quarterly for 4-6 hours over a 12-month period.

Piloted in 2022-23. Our Stakeholder Relations Cohort brings together family business members who work within a family office. This group gathers quarterly (3 times virtually for 90 minutes and one time in-person for a half day).

Groups are made up of 8-10 people. Participants are assigned to a group based on their life stage and role within their business and/or family. Family members and competitors are never grouped together.

Groups meet an average of 6 times each year for approximately 4-6 hours. Meeting dates, times, and locations are agreed upon by group members. Each group is responsible for defining their own learning goals and purpose.

Members commit to a minimum of two years participation. They participate in the co-creation of content (topics, ideas, concepts, etc.); remain open, honest and willing to share; and hold themselves accountable to one another.

Each peer group is moderated by a professionally trained and certified facilitator whose primary role is to build unity and cohesiveness in the group. They also secure guest speakers, coordinate logistics, and administer an annual assessment survey. Facilitators meet one-to-one with each group member twice a year to discuss group experiences.

The Center is responsible for overseeing and compensating the peer group facilitator; providing resources to group members such as reading materials, subject matter expert referrals, and best processes; and providing administrative and structural support as needed.