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Developing the next generation of family business leaders
Become a well-rounded and collaborative family business leader with the resources and research that you’ll only find at Kellogg.
At Kellogg, we know how important it is to understand the fine complexities of leading a family business, the big picture (and many small details) of day-to-day governance and balancing family members and stakeholders so your business succeeds for generations to come.
The John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises at Kellogg is where family business leaders turn for research-based solutions, finely-tuned executive education, mentoring opportunities and thought leadership.
The John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises at Kellogg is where family business leaders turn for research-based solutions, finely-tuned executive education, mentoring opportunities and thought leadership.
Our focus is your success
Learn from family business leaders in the classroom and make lifelong connections with peers and alumni while advancing your knowledge around the unique challenges — and opportunities — of leading a family business.
A diverse curriculum specific to your needs
Maybe it’s a part of your MBA journey. Maybe you’re looking to fine-tune your executive skills. Whatever your need, Kellogg has a path for you here, and we cover it all: from management to governance, financing to conflict resolution, innovation to strategy, succession planning to entrepreneurship — all taught by leading faculty professionals.
Peers for every stage of growth
At Kellogg, you’ll get lifelong connections to learn from and lean on. Our Family Enterprise Club is open to all students, whether you’re a member of a family business, interested in starting one, or want to work with one. The Kellogg Family Business Organization provides a confidential forum for family business members to share their experiences, holds retreats and lunch-and-learns and encourages vigorous peer discussion around family business topics.
A lifelong alumni community
Connect (and reconnect) with family business peers and alumni who are especially involved in the John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises community. Alumni serve as Executives in Residence, are mentors in our Mentoring Circles, teach classes, and speak at conferences and events such as the annual re:connect conference. It’s a peer educational experience unlike any other.
We pioneered family enterprise education
Established in 1999 and renamed the John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises in 2020, we are the leading academic and research center for family enterprise education and research. Our mission is to provide business-owning families with new ways of thinking about the management and leadership of their enterprises.
Learn from the best family business faculty
Today’s research, tomorrow’s solutions
Our research and insights have greatly benefited and improved the ways that today’s families manage and run their businesses all over the world. We continue to pursue fresh, innovative research that expands the reach of our work and addresses the unique and complicated challenges that family businesses face.
