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DC Family Business Forum

About DC Family Business Forum

The mission of the DC Family Business Forum is to promote and foster the growth and ongoing success of family businesses through learning, sharing and creating effective solutions regarding the critical issues and challenges confronting family businesses in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Presentations and seminars are supported entirely by multi-disciplinary sponsors who are involved in working with family businesses as part of their routine practice.

Attendance to lectures and presentations sponsored by the DC Family Business Forum is offered by invitation only to a limited number of family-owned businesses. Participation in activities is restricted to invitees and sponsors. An invitation is extended by sponsors to family businesses who have the ability to benefit from and participate in the lecture series. Invited businesses will generally have a family member with controlling interest in the business and at least one family member currently employed in the business.

Sponsors

Baker Tilly short bio
Cardinal Bank short bio
Greenberg, Wexler & Eig, LLC short bio
J.P. Morgan short bio
Reed Smith short bio

2017-2018 Schedule

Family Systems and Family Governance
September 12, 2017 - Ellen Perry (GenSpring)

Ellen Perry, Founder and Managing Partner of Wealthbridge Partners, a firm that helps large, multi-generational families manage their wealth and family dynamics, will provide practical advice for wealthy families dealing with family tension, raising children to do what is right and helping to ensure that future generations lead grounded, meaningful lives in and out of the family business.

Estate Planning and Equalization Techniques
November 14, 2017 - Speaker Panel

What do you do when one child is firmly “in the business” and other children have pursued other careers? How do you keep some engage while letting others forge their own path? Do you pay everyone equally? Do you leave the business to one or all? After all, fair is not always equal. If you want the business to continue after you’re gone, and if you want your kids to succeed in their chosen professions (whether it’s the family business or not), it is imperative you take the time now to equalize their inheritance in a logical manner. There are several strategies that, with advanced planning, can facilitate not only an equal transfer, but an equitable transfer. Our panel of experts will discuss these strategies and explore options that may work for you and your family.

Philanthropy Dinner
December 7, 2017 - J.P. Morgan Philanthropy Team

This dinner is a small workshop for select families to discuss the intricacies of developing a philanthropic mission, communicating the mission and deploying the assets.

Family Security Discussion
January 9, 2018 - Kris Coleman (RedFive Security)

With over 20 years’ experience in the security and protective intelligence services industry, Kris Coleman’s depth and range of experiences in the public and private sector have allowed Kris and his team to specialize in high quality, proactive, and discrete security services. Kris has served with the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and as a Principal at Good Harbor Consulting and Senior Instructor at Accelligence. He will discuss how to keep your family safe, your identity secure and your cyber-life private.

Family Failures - How It Went Wrong
March 13, 2018 - Kane Companies

No one goes into a family business expecting it fail, but the fact is that only about 30% of family businesses survive into the second generation, 12% are still viable into the third generation, and only about 3% of all family businesses operate into the fourth generation or beyond. There is a disconnect between the optimistic belief of today’s family business owners and the reality of the massive failure of family companies to survive through the generations. Where and why does it go wrong? A number of factors can play into the failure of a family business, but experts believe the number one leading cause is lack of communication and expectation between generations.

Planting the Seeds for a Successful Transition
April 19, 2018 - Winery Family

Successful family businesses take on many shapes and forms. Just because they might happen to be a successful winery in Napa Valley doesn’t mean that they don’t have the same issues and concerns as a successful real estate company in DC. Join the winemaking team of ___ from ___ winery for a lively discussion about how they transitioned their business from one generation to the next followed by a wine tasting and wine dinner featuring their wines.

Working Through Dynamic Change
May 8, 2018 - Speaker

Not every family business is all sunshine and roses. Many family businesses encounter devastating disruptions – both inside and outside – along the way. Children heading in different directions, divorce, step-children, and more all factor into the dynamics of family business. Dennis Ratner and former spouse and business partner Ann Ratner will discuss how to work through the challenges that arise from a family business and how to work through them for the sake of the company and the next generation.

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