eCornell Family Business Leadership Certificate

About the program

The eCornell Family Business Leadership Certificate is a four-course online program designed to help current and future family business leaders navigate the unique challenges of leading a family enterprise. The program explores the interconnected roles of family, ownership, and business, with a focus on relationships, values, wealth stewardship, and governance.

Through practical frameworks, exercises, and real-world application, participants develop tools they can use within their own family and business.

Why this program matters

Family businesses are unique because family, ownership, and business are deeply interconnected. Decisions that may seem straightforward from a business perspective can have lasting implications for family relationships, values, and the future of the enterprise.

This program helps participants better understand these dynamics and develop practical approaches for strengthening relationships, decision-making, and governance across generations.

Who should attend

• Current and next-generation family business leaders and owners
• Family members preparing for future leadership or ownership roles
• Non-family executives and key employees working in family businesses
• Professionals who advise family businesses

What will you gain?

Participants will develop practical tools to:

• Strengthen communication and family relationships
• Better understand their role within the family-business system
• Clarify family values and shared purpose
• Improve accountability and decision-making
• Assess and strengthen family and business governance
• Prepare for the challenges of leading and stewarding a family enterprise across generations