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At Kellogg, we know how important it is to understand the fine complexities of leading a family business, the big picture (and many small details) of day-to-day governance and balancing family members and stakeholders so your business succeeds for generations to come.

The John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises at Kellogg is where family business leaders turn for research-based solutions, finely-tuned executive education, mentoring opportunities and thought leadership.

Our focus is your success

Learn from family business leaders in the classroom and make lifelong connections with peers and alumni while advancing your knowledge around the unique challenges — and opportunities — of leading a family business.
A diverse curriculum specific to your needs
Maybe it’s a part of your MBA journey. Maybe you’re looking to fine-tune your executive skills. Whatever your need, Kellogg has a path for you here, and we cover it all: from management to governance, financing to conflict resolution, innovation to strategy, succession planning to entrepreneurship — all taught by leading faculty professionals.
Peers for every stage of growth
At Kellogg, you’ll get lifelong connections to learn from and lean on. Our Family Enterprise Club is open to all students, whether you’re a member of a family business, interested in starting one, or want to work with one. The Kellogg Family Business Organization provides a confidential forum for family business members to share their experiences, holds retreats and lunch-and-learns and encourages vigorous peer discussion around family business topics.
A lifelong alumni community
Connect (and reconnect) with family business peers and alumni who are especially involved in the Center for Family Enterprises community. Alumni serve as Executives in Residence, are mentors in our Mentoring Circles, teach classes, and speak at conferences and events such as the in-person Families Reunion. It’s a peer educational experience unlike any other.
We pioneered family enterprise education
The outstanding work of Kellogg family business professor emeritus John L. Ward established the Center for Family Enterprises as a leading academic and research center. We continue to build on Ward’s work with continued research and insights, establishing us globally as a well-respected leader in family business.

Today’s research, tomorrow’s solutions

Our research and insights have greatly benefited and improved the ways that today’s families manage and run their businesses all over the world. We continue to pursue fresh, innovative research that expands the reach of our work and addresses the unique and complicated challenges that family businesses face.

Contact us about Family Business at Kellogg

Join our mailing list
Carola Frydman
Faculty Director, John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises
c-frydman@kellogg.northwestern.edu
847.467.4457
Kate Hardwick
Administrative Director, John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises 
kate.hardwick@kellogg.northwestern.edu

847.491.5731

Matt Allen
Executive Director, John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises
mathew.allen@kellogg.northwestern.edu
847.467.1082

Elizabeth Reimer
Senior Program Coordinator, John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises 
elizabeth.reimer@kellogg.northwestern.edu