The 2024 Families in Business Conference: Making Connections and Learning About Impact
By Mike Weaver, MBA '25
Johnson alumni participate in the conference panel, “Celebrating 10 years of SFBI: Former Club Officers Reflect,” moderated by Vishal Gaur, Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Johnson Graduate School of Management.
Celebrating a Decade of Family Business Leadership at Cornell
Ezra Cornell had a profound mission when starting Cornell University in 1865: “Any Person, Any Study.” 160 years later, Mr. Cornell would be extremely proud of the faculty and staff of the university for embracing this mission despite the complexities of the 21st century. For me, the Smith Family Business Institute (SFBI) at the SC Johnson College of Business has given me a home away from home over the last two years by providing unique opportunities specific to a topic that I care deeply about: Family-Owned Business.
10 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. John (MBA ’74) and Dyan Smith made a transformative gift to Cornell to create a best-in-class initiative that focuses on the challenges and opportunities of family-owned enterprises. While these enterprises operate in the same industries and geographies as publicly traded entities, they face their own unique set of challenges that are often an afterthought in the context of business learning. This gift, coupled with the visionary leadership of Daniel (Dann) Van Der Vliet, The John and Dyan Smith Executive Director of Family Business, has created an environment for students, alumni, and advisors to gather and discuss the issues of family business ownership.
Among the many programs and events SFBI offers is the annual Families in Business Conference, a gathering that unites students, alumni, and leaders from diverse industries to explore key topics relevant to family businesses. It’s also a special occasion to celebrate the stories, successes, challenges, opportunities, and dreams of family businesses from generation to generation. This year’s conference was of particular significance as SFBI celebrated its 10th anniversary and looked back at a decade of achievements.
The Families in Business Conference in Action
On October 10th, following a celebratory dinner the night before at the Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island in New York City that featured a fireside chat between Cristina Mariani-May from Banfi Vintners and Andrew Karolyi, the Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, we gathered from near (Ithaca) and far (Italy) at the Verizon Executive Education Center at the Cornell Tech campus for the annual Families in Business Conference. We started the conference hearing from John and Dyan Smith on their inspiration for the gift that created the SFBI. It was amazing to hear about the progress in creating new forums for Cornellians and the increase in research being carried out by the University.
Next, we heard from former Family Business Club officers—who have all returned to their family businesses since graduating from Cornell—on how their time at Cornell shaped their leadership style, and how SFBI played an important part in their education on running a successful family business. Then, we heard from panellists on a variety of topics relevant to family businesses including sustainability and solutions for waste, bridging cultures, growing the family business in the third generation, and operating in New York City. The conference culminated with a closing keynote entitled “Family Businesses as a Force for Social Good” with Fred Keller ‘67, Founder of Cascade Engineering, as he spoke on the importance of social impact in a discussion with Wesley Sine, John and Dyan Smith Professor of Management and Family Business at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management.
To end the event on a celebratory note, and in the spirit of “a taste of family business,” SFBI presented attendees with a sumptuous display of cheesecake donated by Alan Rosen ‘91, owner of Junior’s Cheesecake in New York City, whipped cream from Lori Gitomer and Tracy Luckow, sister-owners of Whipnotic, and delightful, non-alcoholic cocktails from Delta Croudace, MBA ’12, of Abstinence Spirits.
Final Reflections on Family Business Learning through SFBI
Until I arrived in Ithaca in the Fall of 2023, I had never formed a network of other family business owners, and I rarely spoke about my family’s business with friends or colleagues. Through the SFBI, I have built a network of other next-generation owners who have become trusted friends. I have taken courses with Dann and Rustom Desai, a visiting faculty member at the Johnson School, that have challenged my opinions and encouraged my learning. I have also travelled to Italy to gain some worldly business perspective (and to ensure the wine is still good).
When I reflect on my decision to attend the Johnson School, I am grateful that I factored the SFBI into my decision. Many of my classmates will graduate with esteemed job offers in the banking and consulting industries, and they will be well prepared for success through their learning over the course of their MBA. I feel equally prepared to take a leadership role at my family’s business largely thanks to the gift made by the Smith Family and the founding mission of Ezra Cornell.
Congratulations to the SFBI on your success over the last 10 years. I look forward to the next 10 and beyond.
Mike Weaver, MBA ’25
Mike Weaver is an MBA candidate in the Two-Year MBA Class of 2025. Prior to the Johnson School, Mike worked as a Commercial Account Manager for NetApp in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, since 2022 Mike has served as an Advisory Board Member of his Family’s business, APR Supply Company. At Johnson, Mike serves as the President of the Family Business Club, Co-President of the Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Club, Associate of Big Red Ventures, and a Career Work Group Leader. Upon Graduation, Mike looks forward to beginning his career with APR to bring the company into its 4th generation of family ownership.