Events
Virtual Forums
Our Virtual Forums are interactive discussion sessions led by IFE staff and Babson faculty on topics related to family entrepreneurship. Our fall virtual forums will include the Live Case Study series, Networking by Industry, and Master Classes led by Babson Faculty. Students, parents, and alumni come to learn, share, and connect with other entrepreneurial families around the world. (Schedule of our Fall programs will be announced shortly.)
IFE Office Hours
As Babson moves to a remote campus, we look forward to engaging with you virtually. We know there is so much that you are working through the midst of this uncertain time, and would like to offer you virtual office hours with IFE Nulsen Family Executive Director, Lauri Union, and IFE Associate Director, Benjapon Jivasantikarn, to share and discuss topics that are relevant to you right now.
We invite you to use this time to share where you are and some of the things you are grappling with (e.g., school, business, family, personal), and use this opportunity to get feedback, input, and connection to resources in the Babson community. This is a great way for you to learn how the IFE and the broader Babson community can help you on your journey. We look forward to talking with you.
Tuesdays, 9:00 - 11:00 am and Thursdays, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
IFE Office Hours with Benjapon Jivasantikarn, Associate Director
About Benjapon Jivasantikarn
I am passionate about working with entrepreneurial leaders who are committed to creating positive change in their communities.
Growing up in an extended family that operated a variety of family enterprises, I have seen firsthand the opportunities and challenges of family entrepreneurship – but more importantly, I see the potential of family entrepreneurs to create real and positive change in their communities.
As an alumna, I appreciate how Babson prepared me to be entrepreneurial in different sectors throughout my career. I started out my career in corporate consulting, advising clients on business incentives and valuations in a variety of industries, including financial services, consumer products, and technology. My work included liaising with our international offices in in Southeast Asia.
In my social sector work, I led consulting engagements in strategic planning, growth planning, performance measurement, board restructuring, and prospectus and road show development for fundraising. I have extensive experience helping clients compellingly articulate their work to a funder audience, and have demonstrated success launching and running national initiatives and programs.
My entrepreneurial journey included starting an innovative food-services concept with family, advising early-stage entrepreneurs, and serving on the board of a family foundation supporting education in Thailand.
My passion for entrepreneurship and social impact came from my experience growing up in northern Thailand. I witnessed a clear discrepancy in life outcomes between those born into privilege and access, and those born into poverty. I saw my father -- a social entrepreneur -- strive against all odds to found a nonprofit college in my hometown, giving rural youth access to higher education. I saw how the trajectory of one’s life can be changed through entrepreneurship, education, and opportunity.
I am excited to be working with our next generation of Babson entrepreneurial leaders who are committed to creating economic and social value around the world.
Please register by clicking on the date of your choice below.
| July 7th | July 9th | July 14th | July 16th |
| July 21st | July 23rd | July 28th | July 30th |
| August 4th | August 6th | August 11th | August 13th |
| August 18th | August 20th | August 25th | August 27th |
Past Events
Masterclass with Professor Matt Allen: Entrepreneurship across generations: unlocking the entrepreneurial capability of the family
June 11th, 10:00 - 11:00am EST
Please join Professor Matt Allen, founder of Babson's Family Entrepreneurship Amplifier Program and advisor of numerous global family businesses, in this interactive discussion about how to unlock the entrepreneurial capability of the family across generations. Bring your questions, challenges, and experiences to learn from and share with Professor Allen and the other participants.
Masterclass with Professor Scott Taylor: Rethinking Leadership in Entrepreneurial Families
May 28th, 10:00 - 11:00am EST
Join Prof. Scott Taylor for an engaging discussion on how our definition of an effective family entrepreneurship leader is changing during these turbulent times and what this means for you and your family. At this time when life has become more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA), traditional leadership approaches are insufficient and ineffective. Resonant family business leaders focus on the overall emotional tone they set and make an authentic effort to develop a meaningful connection with their employees, family, and other constituents they lead. We will examine the emotional and social connections to outstanding family entrepreneurship leadership.
This session is ideal for family entrepreneurs who hold or aspire to hold leadership positions at work, at home, or in the community.
Family Entrepreneurship Live Case Study: Diunsa and the Power of the Next Gen
May 21st, 10:00 – 11:00 EST
Join IFE Executive Director Lauri Union for this fun, interactive live case study featuring the Faraj family and Diunsa, the largest department store group in Honduras. The Faraj family needed to transform their business from brick and mortar retail to online literally overnight as the Covid crisis hit Honduras. This seems like an impossible task, but the next gen took it on. What would you do? Share your ideas and learn how the Faraj siblings, recent Babson grads and 3rd generation of the family business, successfully transformed their family business in less than a month.
Masterclass with Professor Leslie Charm: How Boards Can Help Entrepreneurial Families Move Forward
Wednesday, May 13th, 10:00 - 11:00AM. EST
In this two-way question and answer exchange, family entrepreneurship and turnaround expert Professor Leslie Charm will lead an interactive discussion about how boards can help entrepreneurial families move forward in times of crisis and beyond.
Case Study: Managing on the Downside, with Professor Ed Marram
May 7th, 10:00 - 11:00am EST
Join Babson Professor Ed Marram in this active case study session that asks the question "How can you best prepare your family business to weather a rapid downturn?" Under the guidance of Professor Marram, create an action plan for Stan Treanor and his family business, Abilene Engine Company, as the coronavirus pandemic looms.
Manufacturing Networking by Industry with Professor Prasad Ramakrishnan
April 23rd, 9:00 - 10:00am EST
Join Adjunct Faculty Prasad Ramakrishnan, highly experienced senior executive in the manufacturing industry, at our first virtual networking by industry event. Students, parents and alumni are invited to network with and learn from your fellow family entrepreneurs and Professor Ramakrishnan. Professor Ramakrishnan has held leadership positions at some of the largest global companies in the manufacturing sector, including family businesses Triumph International (CHF 2B) and Ford Motor, as well as General Electric and Alstom.
Pop-up Forum with Professor Matt Allen - How Family Businesses Can Lead, Now and in the Post Crisis World
April 16th, 10:00 - 11:00am EST
Join Professor Allen, the IFE Team and your fellow family entrepreneurs for a discussion about how entrepreneurial families can navigate these challenging times and lead in the post crisis world. Professor Allen is the founder of Babson's Family Entrepreneurship Amplifier Program and has advised numerous global family businesses.
Family Entrepreneurship Pop-up Forum - How Family Businesses Can Lead, Now and in the Post Crisis World
April 2nd, 10:00 - 11:00am EST
We welcome you to join us in this pop-up forum to share your experience in and ideas on how entrepreneurial families can navigate through times of crisis and be an aspiration to others. To prepare for this session, please consider how your family business is positioning itself to stay strong in this challenging time or has led in the past. Ask a family member to share a past story or current anecdote with you. Lauri Union, Nulsen Family Executive Director, and Benjapon Jivasantikarn, Associate Director, will moderate the conversation and also share their insights.
April 10th, 2020
IFE Office Hours with Jay Rao, Professor, Technology, Operations and Information Management
Dr. Rao teaches extensively in the Babson Executive Education programs. His executive teaching and consulting is in the areas of innovation, implementation of innovation initiatives within firms, corporate entrepreneurship and customer experience innovation. Dr. Rao also teaches 2 elective courses in the Babson MBA programs – (1) Leading Innovation: Gorillas, Chimps & Monkeys and (2) #CX #UX #DX Innovation.
His research has appeared in The Sloan Management Review, Journal of Innovative Management, The European Business Review, The European Financial Review, Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly and others. He is the author of the book “The Discipline and Culture of Innovation.” He has written several business cases on a range of topics: Innovation Strategy, Innovation Culture, Leading Innovation, Customer Service, and Strategy Execution.
His detailed profile is on his Faculty Profile page.
Dr. Rao could guide students in the following topics:
- Strategy of the Family Enterprise
- Innovation & Family Enterprise Transformation
- Family Entrepreneurial Leadership & Enterprise Culture
- What is my (the Babson student's) role in the above 3 topics
April 2nd, 2020
Family Entrepreneurship Pop-up Forum:
How Can Entrepreneurship Families Lead -- now and in the post-crisis world?
We welcome you to join us in this pop-up forum to share your experience in and ideas on how entrepreneurial families can navigate through times of crisis and be an aspiration to others.
To prepare for this session, please consider how your family business is positioning itself to stay strong in this challenging time or has led in the past. Ask a family member to share a past story or current anecdote with you!
Lauri Union, Nulsen Family Executive Director, and Benjapon Jivasantikarn, Associate Director, will moderate the conversation and also share their insights.
March 24th, 2020
How 2 Tuesdays: How 2 Jumpstart and Lead Your Organization's Digital Transformation
The digitalization of products, processes, and business models is accelerating the rate of change in every industry and how organizations deliver value. The digital transformation strategy for any organization, from startup to family business, can vary. In this How 2 Tuesday, you will learn how to assess your organization’s digital maturity level and explore the key digital capabilities and technologies you can use to design a digital transformation strategy for your business.
Co-Hosted by the Blank Center and the Institute for Family Entrepreneurship.
February 13th, 2020
Family Entrepreneurship Networking by Industry: Finance Group
Jeff Browne is the Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Financial Advisor, and Portfolio Manager at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. Jeff joined Merrill Lynch full time in 2007. He focuses on identifying clients' wealth management needs, creating customized strategies, including asset allocations, to address those needs, and providing periodic portfolio reviews. Jeff prides himself on assisting clients in preserving and growing their wealth, as well as, guiding those clients in navigating the retirement process, so they can spend time doing what they enjoy most. Jeff currently holds his Series 7 and 66 FINRA registrations. Jeff has been named to Forbes/SHOOK "America's Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors" in 2017 and 2018. Jeff was recently named to Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for 2019.
February 12th, 2020
Family Entrepreneurship Amplifier: Info Session for Undergraduate Students
Take the and explore your family’s entrepreneurial legacy -- together with your family! Strengthening family businesses has been a core of Babson’s mission since its founding in 1919. The recently launched Institute for Family Entrepreneurship is deepening that commitment. Under the guidance of the lead professors, who are experts in the field of Family Entrepreneurship, students explore with their parents various aspects of their family’ entrepreneurial legacy. Offered only at Babson, the Amplifier Course’s immersive experience fosters the growth of the family’s entrepreneurial legacy by co-creating a shared family vision that engages the next generation. Learn more about the course at our information session.
February 11th, 2020
Family Entrepreneurship Networking by Industry: Agribusiness/Food Group
Dave Volante '03, one of 3 siblings in the 4th genration owners of Volante Farms, a local farm founded by Dave's great great grandparents Peter and Caterina Volante in 1917. Learn how Dave transformed his family business from a small truck farm to an all-season farm that includes a modern farm stand, a 16,000-square feet, Dutch style green house, and 35 acres of farmland!
February 6th, 2020
IFE Office Hours with Ruben Mancha, Assistant Professor of Information Systems
Ruben Mancha is an Assistant Professor of Information Systems in the Technology, Operations, and Information Management Division, and faculty director of the Digital Experience Initiative. In 2017, he was a recipient of the Best 40-Under-40 Business School Professors award by Poets and Quants. Dr. Mancha's research is in the areas of digital innovation, emerging technologies, and sustainability. His research has been published in journals such as Decision Support Systems, Journal of Business Strategy, Ivey Business Journal, Business Horizons, International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, Journal of Information Technology Management, and Journal of Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance, and Management. He has also contributed essays to a number of edited books, such as Contemporary Perspectives in Data Mining II and Encyclopedia of Research Design. He teaches information technology courses at Olin Graduate School of Management and digital transformation courses at Babson Executive Education. Before completing his doctoral studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Dr. Mancha held consulting and research positions in the food and biotechnology industries in Spain and the U.S.
Professor Mancha is available to meet with students during the IFE office hours.
January 24th, 2020
Office Hours with IFE Entrepreneur-in-Residence Stephen Martiros
Stephen Martiros ’83, MBA’85 is an expert in integrated wealth management and family office strategies. An experienced entrepreneur in the fields of online financial education, cloud computing, and knowledge networks, Stephen is the founder and CEO of Financial Building Blocks®, an unbiased financial knowledge platform. Stephen was previously Managing Partner at CCC Alliance, a private knowledge network for single family offices and was the founder of Summitas, a secure single family office and multi-family office portal. Stephen serves as Chair of the Advisory Board and an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Institute for Family Entrepreneurship.
Stephen is available to meet with students during his office hours.
November 21st, 2019
Live Case Study with the CEO of one of the largest Real Estate Family Businesses in the U.S.
Join IFE Executive Director Lauri Union for this fun, interactive live case study featuring the CEO of a Florida-based real estate conglomerate. We are not sharing the name because that would give away too much about the case! In our live case study, you will have the chance to hear this CEO’s story and a dilemma they have faced. Decide what decision you would make and then find out what really happened! Our guest will talk about how they balance family legacy and obligation, while staying true to their own personal aspirations.
Participants will apply concepts from design thinking to this family context and decide which path would best serve their family business and themselves.
November 15th, 2019
Office Hours with IFE Entrepreneur-in-Residence Stephen Martiros
Stephen Martiros ’83, MBA’85 is an expert in integrated wealth management and family office strategies. An experienced entrepreneur in the fields of online financial education, cloud computing, and knowledge networks, Stephen is the founder and CEO of Financial Building Blocks®, an unbiased financial knowledge platform. Stephen was previously Managing Partner at CCC Alliance, a private knowledge network for single family offices and was the founder of Summitas, a secure single family office and multi-family office portal. Stephen serves as Chair of the Advisory Board and an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Institute for Family Entrepreneurship.
Stephen is available to meet with students during his monthly office hours.
October 30th, 2019
Family Entrepreneurship Networking by Industry: Manufacturing Group
Networking by Industry event has been the IFE’s most popular event to date. We're excited to announce that Matt Boyd from Boyd Technologies will be hosting our first industry-specific networking event for undergrads and grads who are looking to network with family entrepreneurship students from across campus while learning from a seasoned family entrepreneur in the manufacturing industry. Learn how Matt transformed his family business from a paper converter to a manufacturer of specialty medical devices!
October 18th, 2019
Office Hours with IFE Entrepreneur-in-Residence Stephen Martiros
Stephen Martiros ’83, MBA’85 is an expert in integrated wealth management and family office strategies. An experienced entrepreneur in the fields of online financial education, cloud computing, and knowledge networks, Stephen is the founder and CEO of Financial Building Blocks®, an unbiased financial knowledge platform. Stephen was previously Managing Partner at CCC Alliance, a private knowledge network for single family offices and was the founder of Summitas, a secure single family office and multi-family office portal. Stephen serves as Chair of the Advisory Board and an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Institute for Family Entrepreneurship.
Stephen is available to meet with students during his monthly office hours.
September 20th, 2019
Family Entrepreneurship Networking by Industry Lunch at BCW
Networking by Industry is our most popular family entrepreneurship event. Over 200 guests who are from a family entrepreneurship background in various industries from around the world joined us in this fun, interactive cocktail reception style lunch during Babson Connect Worldwide (BCW) 2019.
September 12, 2019
IFE Open House Fall 2019
Students learned about the wide range of innovative offerings at the Institute for Family Entrepreneurship (IFE) in this fun early evening event.
April 11th, 2019
Founder's Summit
IFE Executive Director Lauri Union leding a discussion with an entrepreneurial family about how they have passed their entrepreneurship from one generation to the next. You can watch the recordings here.
April 8th, 2019
Information for Graduate Students: Family Entrepreneurship Courses and Programs for 2019-20
The IFE leasdership team explained how you can focus your time at Babson to understand your family’s entrepreneurial legacy and use that to achieve your goals. For more details of our offerings and to watch the recordings of the session, please visit our Family Entrepreneurship Courses page.
April 4th, 2019
Live Case Study with Nick Ragland, Co-President of Gorilla Glue Company
In this fun, interactive live case study, Professor Ed Marram and IFE Executive Director Lauri Union, talked to Nick Ragland, MBA '00 how his family grew tiny Lutz Tool into a rapidly growing international brand powerhouse. At this juncture, the family has some major decisions to make. Participants applied concepts from design thinking to this family context and then held their own Ragland family meeting to decide what they would do.
February 27th, 2019
The Family Entrepreneurship Amplifier Course Information Session
Family Entrepreneurship Networking by Industry
February 26th, 2019
