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    Governing Family Enterprises
    Kellogg School of Management

    Governing Family Enterprises

    Kellogg School of Management, Evanston
    9 daysDuration
    hybridFormat
    EnglishLanguage
    Governance & BoardsTopic

    Available Cohorts

    Choose your preferred start date

    Sep 29 - Oct 9, 2026
    9 days · hybrid · Instructor-Led · Online | Chicago
    Open
    Mar 9 - Mar 19, 2027
    9 days · hybrid · Instructor-Led · Online | Miami
    Open
    Sep 28 - Oct 8, 2027
    9 days · hybrid · Instructor-Led · Online | Evanston
    Open
    $12,000

    All-inclusive program fee

    About This Program

    Explore the specialized knowledge and skills unique to governing a complex family enterprise effectively. In a collaborative, supportive environment alongside representatives of other enterprising families facing similar issues, you and your family owners, board members and executives can tackle together the complex issues of continuity and governance. Guided by a faculty of experts in family business practice, seasoned advisors and leaders of best-in-class family enterprises, you will learn to differentiate the roles and responsibilities of owners, family members (whether involved in management or not), independent directors and executives. As you work through real-world studies with peers from other respected families, you will develop new governance and leadership mindsets and gain confidence in your ability to apply them in practice. You will also see how a common vision can unite family owners in a long-term commitment to continuity. Groups are encouraged but NOT REQUIRED. No more than 5 participants per family enterprise are permitted to attend at one time. Requests for groups of more than five in a single session must be approved by the program’s Academic Director. Please direct your inquiry to the John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises at c-bath@kellogg.northwestern.edu.

    Why Kellogg School of Management?

    Kellogg School of Management stands out for its distinctive emphasis on collaborative leadership, a deep integration of marketing and strategy, and a commitment to developing leaders who drive innovation. Its programs are designed for executives seeking to enhance their general management capabilities through a highly interactive and team-oriented learning environment.

    Your Profile

    • Family and non-family directors, CEOs, board chairs and trustees of family-controlled firms. The enterprise must be 3rd generation or beyond, with a significant number of family owners and minimum annual revenue of US$100m with a preference for $500m or above (1st and 2nd generation enterprises should check out our Forming Family Enterprise Governance program)
    • Family members involved in governing their family councils, family office or their family foundations
    • Family shareholders

    Benefits

    • Define the roles and responsibilities of owners, directors, board chairs, the executive team and the family council
    • Improve your board’s effectiveness
    • Learn about critical governance policies needed to sustain the relationship between the enterprise and the family
    • Learn how a common vision can unite family owners in a long-term commitment to continuity
    • Learn how governance can be used to gain trust among family owners, directors and top management
    • Leverage governance as a key competitive advantage of family business

    What You'll Learn

    • The program will focus on the roles of the board chair, independent directors, family council leadership, and non-family top management. Successful and innovative models of organizational design will be shared.
    • Governance Challenges Facing the Family Business
    • Develop a theory of family business governance
    • Explore how shareholder families evolve
    • Design an appropriate, optimal governance structure for your enterprise
    • Learn how governance structures and policies interact to elicit constructive shareholder engagement and organizational effectiveness
    • Acquire skills needed to lead effectively the processes of governance
    • Confront the contradictions and paradoxes of governance
    • Defining Roles and Responsibilities
    • Understand the roles of owners and the responsibilities of family councils, boards and executive management
    • Learn how best to make a team out of your Board, your family council and of other governance committees
    • Differentiate ruling from governing
    • Manage the extended family
    • Enhance shareholder loyalty, voice and commitment
    • Board Development and Evaluation
    • Improve board decision making
    • Build high-functioning board and family council teams
    • Maximize board and family leadership effectiveness
    • Learn how boards can add distinct value

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to Apply

    1. 1

      Check your eligibility

      Review the entry requirements listed on this page. Most executive programs require 8–15 years of professional experience.

    2. 2

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    3. 3

      Contact the school

      Send a message directly to Kellogg School of Management via Gradia to request a brochure or speak with an admissions advisor.

    4. 4

      Prepare your application

      Gather your CV, reference letters, and any required test scores. Many EMBA programs waive standardised tests for senior candidates.

    5. 5

      Submit your application

      Apply directly through Kellogg School of Management's official application portal.

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