Mentorship

The Smith Family Business Initiative connects Cornell students and recent alumni with experienced family business leaders, advisors, and scholars through two mentorship platforms, the Sam Seltzer ’48 Mentors Forum, which offers an annual, in-person day of one-on-one mentoring, and the Mentorscape platform, which provides 24/7 access to mentors across the SFBI network.

Held each March, typically in New York City, the Sam Seltzer ’48 Mentors Forum brings together Cornell students and recent alumni with family business leaders, advisors, and scholars for one-on-one mentoring and coaching sessions. The Forum offers participants the opportunity to have focused conversations, gain practical insights, and build relationships with experienced members of the family business community.

Meanwhile, Mentorscape extends the impact of the Mentors Forum throughout the year. This year-round platform connects Cornell students and recent alumni with mentors across the SFBI network based on their interests and areas where they are seeking guidance. SFBI helps facilitate these connections through a confidential inquiry process, making it easier for participants to access the diverse expertise within this community at any time.

The Sam Seltzer Mentors Forum and the Mentorscape provide meaningful support as you navigate your own personal family business journey, provide opportunities to ask questions, gain perspective, build relationships, and learn from those who have been there before.

Mentors Forum

Annual networking event that connects current students and recent alumni with scholars, advisors and family business leaders for 1:1 mentoring sessions and group networking opportunities.

Mentorscape

An online platform that provides year-round access to our slate of mentors.