Family Business Audiocast

Dr. Jan-Philipp Ahrens, leading scholar at the University of Mannheim, discusses his groundbreaking research at the intersection of family enterprise, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. As a fifth-generation family business successor, Jan brings personal insight to his academic work leading an interdisciplinary research group that combines data science with traditional business research. The conversation explores how family businesses navigate succession, governance, and digital transformation while maintaining their unique values. Jan introduces his intelligent entity view theory, examining how family wealth office structures and organizational memory influence innovation and sustainability outcomes in an evolving global economy. 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Jan-Philipp Ahrens 02:00 The interdisciplinary research group 03:30 Research focus on sustainability and AI 05:00 Fifth-generation family business experience 08:00 Personal journey through crisis management 12:00 Academic research methodology approach 15:30 Big data and AI in business research 18:00 Sustainability challenges for firms 21:00 Family office management and governance structures 24:00 Innovation and digital transformation 27:30 Female leadership and board diversity 30:00 The intelligent entity view theory 34:00 Organizational memory and routines 36:00 Future of AI integration in firms

 Suzanne Gyorgy, Partner at Emigrant Bank Fine Art Finance, shares her expertise on the intersection of art and wealth management. With over 35 years of experience advising collectors and institutions, Suzanne explores how family wealth office strategies incorporate art as an asset class. The conversation covers art finance fundamentals, leveraging collections for liquidity without selling, and the evolution of collecting across generations. Suzanne discusses family estate planning considerations for collectors, the growing presence of women in the market, and how Emigrant's integrated approach combines advisory, appraisals, and financing services to support families worldwide.  00:00 Introduction to Suzanne Gyorgy 02:09 Core services at Emigrant Fine Art Finance 04:21 Working with family office management structures 06:19 Evolution of art finance and lending 07:37 Leveraging collections for family financial planning 09:53 Art as collateral and succession considerations 13:04 Regulatory landscape and appraisal standards 16:07 Women collectors shaping the market 19:13 Digital transformation in art acquisition 23:20 Viewing art online versus in person 25:16 Next generation collectors and trends 27:47 Liquidity management for family estate planning 28:50 New artists and accessible price points 30:32 Final thoughts on collecting and wealth 31:35 Closing remarks 

John Koeppel, partner at Lippes Mathias LLP and leader of their private equity and independent sponsor practice, joins host R. Adam Smith to explore how independent sponsors are transforming direct deal making. With over 250 transactions closed, Koeppel shares insights on why family investment office structures are increasingly backing fundless sponsors, the strategic advantages of flexible deal structuring, and the critical dynamics between sellers, sponsors, and capital partners. The conversation covers QSBS tax benefits, succession planning for family enterprise transitions, and the essential mentorship role legal advisors play in navigating complex lower middle market transactions. 00:00 - Welcome and introductions 02:17 - John's practice and client base 04:41 - Flexibility in deal structuring 06:09 - Direct deal making expansion 08:54 - Operating expertise and value 10:20 - Deal sourcing strategies 12:53 - Structure and economics 14:40 - GP commitment expectations 16:56 - Post-closing governance 18:59 - Deal timelines 20:42 - Seller rollover equity 22:29 - Exit considerations 24:35 - Common challenges 27:18 - Industry activity levels 29:27 - Seller relationship importance 31:00 - Three-party dynamics 33:22 - Mentorship and persistence 35:35 - Final thoughts and closing

Henry Brandts-Giesen, global co-chair of Dentons' high net worth group, explores the rapid evolution of private wealth in Asia and the professionalization of family office services. The conversation examines Singapore's emergence as a global wealth hub, the complexities of intergenerational transitions, and the critical role of governance in sustainable family wealth management. Brandts-Giesen shares insights on moving from founder-directed models to democratized decision-making structures, emphasizing the importance of human capital alongside financial capital. The discussion addresses philanthropy, social license, and how technology enables more sophisticated family enterprise operations across borders.00:00 - Introduction to Henry Brandts-Giesen and Dentons02:16 - Asia's wealth transformation and Singapore's rise as a hub05:38 - Generational transitions and family office management evolution09:12 - Professionalizing family wealth and governance systems12:46 - Redefining next generation succession planning15:41 - Family capital beyond financial metrics18:00 - Fundamental questions of governance and decision-making21:28 - Philanthropy, impact, and social license for family wealth office structures23:53 - Technology and the future of family business enterprise26:19 - The human element in wealth advisory28:00 - Closing remarks

Dr. Karen McNeill brings her unique expertise in history and culture to the world of multi-generational wealth advising. As founder of Verdandi and Associates and Dean of Family Stories at the Purposeful Planning Institute, she reveals how family narratives serve as strategic assets for family enterprise continuity. Karen discusses her research into women and philanthropy, highlighting figures like Phoebe Hearst who balanced significant charitable impact with savvy investing. She offers practical frameworks for integrating storytelling into family financial planning, governance, and next-generation engagement, demonstrating how shared narratives create coherence and flourishing across generations.00:00 Introduction and welcome 01:55 Karen McNeill's background in history and family wealth advising 03:19 The power of family stories as strategic assets 06:44 Best practices for documenting and preserving family narratives 10:53 Digital tools and platforms for family archives 13:02 The intersection of culture and corporate environment 15:51 Women's historical role in philanthropy 19:51 Using philanthropy to bridge generations 24:53 Expanding philanthropy's impact in America 27:19 The concept of flourishing in multi-generational families 30:19 Untapped potential of family narratives 32:33 Closing remarks

On Episode 51 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Rick Holton, a seasoned family business leader, investor, and advisor whose career spans operating companies, venture capital, and private equity. As President of Holton Companies, Rick has guided a multi-generational enterprise while also fostering growth for early-stage and middle-market businesses.In this conversation, Rick reflects on his experience at the helm of a family business, where he has balanced legacy stewardship with innovation and growth. He speaks candidly about the challenges and opportunities of sustaining an enterprise across generations, and the importance of creating environments where like-minded leaders can exchange ideas and support one another.Drawing on his years as both an operator and investor, Rick shares practical lessons on leadership, strategy, and the power of trusted networks. His perspective underscores the value of aligning vision and execution—not just within a family business, but also in the communities of entrepreneurs and executives he has helped build.

On Episode 50 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Jennifer East, Founder of ONIDA Family Advisors and a globally recognized advisor to family enterprises and family offices. With two decades of experience guiding multigenerational families across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, Jennifer has built a reputation for helping family businesses strengthen governance, align across generations, and prepare rising leaders to steward both assets and values. In this conversation, Jennifer draws on her unique perspective as a second‑generation leader in her own family’s Canadian hospitality business and as co‑steward of Class Afloat, a mission‑driven school at sea with a forty‑year legacy of experiential education. She shares powerful insights on defining shared purpose, designing family governance frameworks that reflect family complexity, and equipping next‑gen members to balance individual aspirations with collective goals. A Fellow of the Family Firm Institute and Chair of Campden Wealth’s European Family Office Forum, Jennifer offers a rare blend of lived experience and professional expertise—illuminating how families can thrive together across generations.

On Episode 49 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith sits down with Dr. Kimberly Eddleston, Schulze Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Montoni Research Fellow at Northeastern University’s D’Amore‑McKim School of Business, as well as a Research Fellow with Cornell’s Smith Family Business Initiative. Named in Stanford University’s top 2% of scientists and one of Family Capital’s top 25 family enterprise academics, Kim has dedicated her career to understanding how family dynamics can spark—and sometimes stifle—innovation within family firms.In this episode, Professor Eddleston reveals her most compelling research on turning family ties into a strategic advantage: crafting family business governance frameworks that evolve with each generation, embedding creative problem‑solving into everyday culture, and leveraging human capital to drive long‑term value. Drawing on examples from her own family’s ventures in real estate, construction, business services, and hospitality, she offers practical insights for next‑gen leaders and seasoned executives alike—showing how to harness family relationships not just as a resource, but as the very engine of a family enterprise.

 On Episode 48 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes Roger Vincent, founder and Chief Investment Officer of Summation Capital, a new investment firm delivering endowment-style access to private equity for family wealth offices, multi-generational family businesses, and mission-driven investors. With decades of experience in private markets, Roger previously led Cornell University's $10 billion private equity portfolio, earning top-quartile performance through deep partnerships with leading GPs. In this episode, Roger unpacks the philosophy behind Summation — how he brings institutional discipline to family enterprises and family offices seeking long-term returns that preserve and grow family wealth across generations. He shares insights on alpha generation, strategic alignment, and why culture and human capital sit at the heart of private equity success for family businesses and multi-generational family enterprises alike. 

 On Episode 47 of the Family Business Audiocast, R. Adam Smith welcomes David W. Burleigh, esteemed family business expert, fiduciary, and author of Take Ownership of What You Own: Build Your Confidence to Navigate the World of Trusts and Family Enterprise. An attorney by training, David has spent his career helping multi-generational family businesses structure ownership—not just what they own, but how—through trusts, LLCs, corporations, and partnerships managing private businesses, real estate, investment portfolios, and legacy property. David brings a rare mix of technical acumen and deep understanding of family dynamics in family enterprises. David dives into the mechanics of ownership design—how legal structures influence control, succession, and unity within families managing family wealth. David's insights illuminate how thoughtful ownership frameworks build confidence, clarity, and continuity across generations for family businesses navigating estate planning and wealth preservation.