Cornell University's Smith Family Business Initiative and University of St. Thomas Family Business Center: A conversation with Dann Van Der Vliet and Jon Keimig. | The Family Biz Show Ep. 134

Where can family business owners turn when the hardest challenges aren’t just about running the company—but navigating the family behind it?

You don’t have to figure out the complexities of family business alone.

“Who can we talk to about the issues we can’t discuss anywhere else?”

“How do we start conversations about succession before it becomes urgent?”

“How do we prepare the next generation without pushing them into the business?”

“How can we make better decisions together as our family and business grow more complex?”

“Everything is going well. Why should we start preparing now?”

This conversation shows you where to start.

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Michael Palumbos sits down with Dann Van Der Vliet of Cornell University’s Smith Family Business Initiative and Jon Keimig of the University of St. Thomas Family Business Center for an inside look at how university-based family business programs educate, connect, and support business families.

While their programs operate differently, Dann and Jon share a common mission: helping family businesses navigate challenges that extend far beyond day-to-day operations.

From educational programs and peer groups to research, community events, and opportunities for next-generation leaders, family business centers can give families something that is often difficult to find elsewhere—a trusted environment to ask questions, learn from other families, and have conversations they may have been avoiding.

Dann Van Der Vliet has spent more than two decades working in family business education. At Cornell, he has helped build an ecosystem connecting students, alumni, family business owners, researchers, practitioners, and family office executives through education, outreach, and research.

Jon Keimig leads the University of St. Thomas Family Business Center, whose roots date to 1991. His work is primarily community-facing, supporting family businesses through educational programming, peer groups, executive education, and opportunities for families to learn from one another.

Together, they reveal an important truth: family business support is ultimately about people, relationships, and trust.

Dann describes family business centers as being in the “trust business.” Families often arrive believing they are the only ones dealing with difficult dynamics. Meeting other business families can change that perspective and create a safe environment for conversations that may not happen with an attorney, accountant, or even around the family table.

And those conversations don’t have to begin with complicated structures.

Dann introduces the distinction between “little g governance” and “big G governance.” Big G governance includes formal policies, bylaws, boards, and other structures. Little g governance can begin much more simply—with good communication.

Sometimes that means sitting down with a parent and asking:

What is your plan for me?

Would you ever sell the business?

What happens when you die?

The questions may be uncomfortable, but starting these conversations early can prepare families for the decisions that become more complicated as the business grows and generations multiply.

Dann and Jon also explain why the best time to prepare may be when everything is going well. Waiting for retirement, conflict, an unexpected death, a market disruption, or another crisis can make already difficult decisions even harder.

Family business centers give families an opportunity to start learning and preparing before they reach that point.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why family business centers can provide a trusted community for owners and families who feel isolated
• How Cornell University’s family business initiative combines education, outreach, and research
• How the University of St. Thomas Family Business Center supports family businesses through community programming and peer learning
• Why trust is at the heart of effective family business education
• How “little g governance” can start with better family communication
• Why difficult conversations about succession, retirement, ownership, and the next generation shouldn’t be postponed
• How family business centers help next-generation leaders explore whether joining the business is right for them
• Why spouses matter even when they aren’t employees or owners
• How communication “triangles” can prevent families from dealing directly with difficult issues
• Why increasing success and multiple generations can create greater complexity
• Why families should prepare for the future while the business and relationships are strong

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to seek support.

Whether you’re an owner thinking about the future, a next-generation family member deciding where you fit, or an advisor working with business families, this conversation offers a closer look at the communities and resources available to help family businesses communicate, prepare, and make more informed decisions together.

Want more conversations and practical insights designed specifically for family businesses?

Explore more episodes of The Family Biz Show and discover insights to help your family business navigate leadership, succession, communication, and long-term continuity:

https://www.familybusinessflywheel.com/podcast