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The CMA Family Business Speaker Series is an annual event designed to provide a learning opportunity for family business owners and their advisers. Our keynote speakers generally talk for about 45 minutes on a particular topic of interest to family business owners, field questions and answers for about 30 minutes, and conduct an extended Q&A with our Family Business Forum members.

It’s a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from noteworthy family business owners about what works and what doesn’t within their family operations—taking home lessons and advice you can use to improve your own family venture.

Family Business Speaker Series 2025
Featured Speaker: Rich Gund, The Gund Company

Join us for the 2025 Family Business Speaker Series featuring Rich Gund, a third-generation leader at The Gund Company. Since joining the family business in 1992 alongside his brother Steve, Rich has been instrumental in guiding the company’s growth and evolution. Now, as they begin transitioning leadership to the fourth generation—including Rich’s son, Krai, and Steve’s son, Collin—Rich will share valuable insights on navigating generational shifts within a family-owned enterprise.

Presentation Highlights:

  • 1995 to 2025: Our Family & Business Transformation

  • Best Practices for Family Businesses

  • The Importance of Culture

This event offers a unique opportunity to learn firsthand from a seasoned family business leader about effective strategies for managing generational transitions and fostering a strong organizational culture.

Click Here to Register

 

 

Past Speakers:

2024 – Bruce Williams, US Tool

2023 – Alaina Macia, Medical Transportation Management

2019 – Shawn Gorman and Steve Smith, L.L. Bean

2018 – Jamie Richardson, White Castle

2017 – Tom Phillips, Weekends Only

2016 – Chris Eckert, Eckert’s

2015 – Herschend Family Entertainment

2014 – Bill DeWitt III, St. Louis Cardinals

2013 – Billy Busch Brewing

2012 – Andy Taylor, Enterprise Holdings (Enterprise Mobility)

2011 – John Tracy, Dot Foods

2010 – Drew Mendoza, efamilybusiness

2009 – Steve McCLure, Family Business Consulting

2008/2007 – John Ward, Kelogg School of Management

 

Click here to view all our family business services.