The John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises is reenergizing its global alumni gatherings, creating intimate opportunities for family business leaders to connect, learn and grow together.
The Family Business Exchange series has included recent dinners in Manila, Toronto and London, bringing together alumni and local family business leaders to share insights and strengthen cross-generational ties. In London, sixth-generation business leader Ed Brenninkmeijer ’14 MBA hosted guests, while faculty director Matt Allen shared the latest research on family enterprises.
In Toronto, attendees gathered after hours at the flagship Harry Rosen menswear store, hosted by third-generation CEO Ian Rosen ’16 MBA. The evening offered space for candid conversations about succession, innovation and the evolving role of family leadership in today’s business landscape.
These events are part of a growing global effort at Kellogg to foster a deeper understanding of regional family enterprise dynamics — and to expand community not just among Kellogg alumni, but across generations of business-owning families. Future gatherings are being planned for São Paulo, Japan, India and Dubai.
The center is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and noted the milestone at its annual re: connect conference at the Kellogg Global Hub this past spring.
The full-day event convened alumni, family leaders and faculty to reflect on the center’s impact and explore the future of family enterprise education. The theme, “The Next 25 Years,” invited participants to think boldly about the evolving role of families in shaping the global economy.