Peer groups are one of the most powerful and best learning forums offered by the Conway Center for Family Business.
They present an opportunity to learn by seeking advice from peers and professionals who have "been there, done that" and who are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. Each peer group has a shared purpose and agreed upon expectations. In addition, participants commit to respecting the confidentiality of group members.
Peer Groups
CEO
This peer group is for Presidents/CEOs. Non-competing family business leaders come together monthly in a confidential environment to discuss business, personal or family business related issues. Participants can seek input and advice when discussing executive level business issues. Accountability, personal support, and feedback from peers are important components of this group.
Facilitator: Jill Hofmans, Executive Director
Frequency: Monthly
Fee: $1500/year
Pre-approval to join? Yes
C-Suite Non-Family Leaders
This peer group is for non-family executives. Non-competing family business leaders come together monthly in a confidential environment to discuss business, personal or family business related issues. Participant can seek input and advice when discussing executive level business issues and the challenges and opportunities of being a non-family leader in a family run business.
Facilitator: Jill Hofmans, Executive Director
Frequency: Monthly
Fee: $500/year
Pre-approval to join? Yes
EOS Integrator
This peer group is for EOS Integrators or the equivalent on the leadership team. These facilitated sessions will provide group members the opportunity to get and share advice on EOS best practices as well as implementation challenges and other issues they are facing.
Please note, this group is for companies that are already running EOS and limited to one member/company.
Facilitator: Kim Troy, Founder and CEO of Civilis Consulting
Frequency: Quarterly
Fee: FREE for Conway Center members
Pre-approval to join? Yes
Leadership Development
This peer group addresses relevant leadership challenges and opportunities while providing the strategies to effectively manage them. This is a very collaborative group open to all that encourages peer-to-peer discussions, provides support to one another while gaining clarity on key leadership challenges.
Facilitator: Jackie Schetter, founder of Lead for Culture
Frequency: Monthly
Fee: FREE for all Conway Center members
Pre-approval to join? No, this is a drop-in group, but meeting RSVP is required
Generously sponsored by Park National Bank
Manufacturing/Logistics C-Level Peer Group
This peer group is for C-Level executives in manufacturing or logistics family-owned businesses. The group meets quarterly over breakfast to discuss industry-specific trends and topics, as well as family business issues. The session topics are decided in advance.
Facilitator: Jeff Cope of JACO Advisory Group
Frequency: Quarterly
Fee: FREE for Conway Center members
Pre-approval to join? Yes
Next Generation Leaders
This peer group is for next generation family business members who are interested in assuming greater leadership roles in their family-owned business. Specific content and group discussion relevant and necessary for growth as a next gen family business leader will be addressed each month. This is a very collaborative group that encourages seeking input and advice when discussing leadership challenges and opportunities of being a next gen.
Facilitator: Mike O'Donnell of Integrated Leadership Systems
Frequency: Monthly
Fee: FREE for Conway Center members
Pre-approval to join? No, but this is a drop-in group for family business members only, meeting RSVP is required
Rising CEO
This peer group is for next gens who are imminently next in line or who have recently taken over running the family business. Non-competing family business leaders come together monthly in a confidential environment to discuss business, personal or family business related issues. Participants can seek input and advice when discussing executive level business issues and the challenges and opportunities of being a next gen.
Facilitator: Jill Hofmans, Executive Director
Frequency: Monthly
Fee: $900/year
Pre-approval to join? Yes
Women In Family Business
This peer group is for women - both family and non-family - who own, work for, or play a supporting role in a family business. Topics addressing leadership, self-care, effective communication, and skills for managing conflict resolution will be the focus of these sessions that allow for connection, sharing, inspiration, and support.
Facilitators: Bea Wolper and Kelly Jasin of Emens Wolper Jacobs & Jasin
Frequency: Monthly
Fee: FREE for all Conway Center members
Pre-approval to join? No, this is a drop-in group, but meeting RSVP is required
Quarterly Roundtables
Human Resources
These collaborative sessions explore hot topics in Human Resources from a family-owned business perspective. The content and collective knowledge of the group provides resources and insight to help make good decisions in a changing business environment. These sessions are beneficial to members who manage the HR functions by default and HR professionals with training and experience - but all are welcome.
Facilitator: Sharon DeLay of GO-HR
Frequency: Quarterly
Fee: FREE for all Conway Center members
Pre-approval to join? No, this is a drop-in group, but meeting RSVP is required
Generously sponsored by Morgan Stanley
Succession Planning
From inter-family dynamics to strategic planning, these interactive sessions will provide the foundation for transitioning the family business to the next generation. This program is not just for founders/owners - attending together with successors or next gens is very important and beneficial.
Facilitator: Facilitated by Bea Wolper of Emens Wolper Jacobs & Jasin and Meredith Sugar of Taft/ Law
Frequency: Quarterly
Fee: FREE for all Conway Center members
Pre-approval to join? No, this is a drop-in group, but meeting RSVP is required
Generously sponsored by Morgan Stanley
Interested in joining a peer group? Not sure how to get started?
Peer Groups are open to all Conway Center members and their employees. Except for the C-Suite Peer Groups – all peer groups are drop-in, you just need to RSVP and show up!
If you have any questions, visit the Peer Group FAQs or contact Amy Dotts, COO and Events Manager at ADotts@FamilyBusinessCenter.com
Peer Groups Frequently Asked Questions
Peer Groups meet monthly and are small groups, ranging from 6-15. These small, topic-driven facilitated groups provide a confidential environment for idea exchange, family business education, and personal growth. Peer Groups give you an opportunity to learn by seeking advice from professionals and peers who have “been there, done that” and who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences – all while respecting the confidentiality of members in a small group setting.
Roundtables are larger peer groups that do not meet monthly. The peer-to-peer interaction and learning from each other is still an integral part of the sessions, but these are often more didactic in nature.
Session descriptions, dates, times and locations for each specific group can be found by clicking the Learn More button in each description above. A complete listing of peer group sessions can be found here. Facilitators keep the unique needs of family businesses in mind while preparing and delivering best practice-based content.
Most Peer Groups are open to all Conway Center members and their employees. Note that each session description will further delineate who may attend. Click the Learn More button in the group description for further specifications.
Except for the C-Suite Peer Groups – all Peer Groups are drop-in, you just need to RSVP and show up! Simply RSVP via the register button through the website or send an email to Amy at: adotts@familybusinesscenter.com.
On select Peer Group pages you will see a mailing list form. By joining a Peer Group mailing list, you will receive an email invitation of the topic and location one week prior to each session, along with a link to RSVP. You do not need to belong to a mailing list to attend, it is just a convenience to alert you to upcoming sessions.
Note that not all Peer Groups have mailing lists as some groups are not open to all. Roundtable and webinar invitations are sent to the entire membership. If you already receive invitations, please complete the form to continue - we're cleaning up our lists and want to make sure we do not send you emails you do not want.
Yes, except for the C-Suite peer groups and Next Gen Leaders. Service Providers are welcome to attend the Leadership Development, and Women in Family Business Peer Groups. Service Providers are also welcome and encouraged to attend the Human Resources and Succession Planning Roundtables.
Webinars and all of our Monthly Educational Programs are also open to Service Provider members. For full list of programs, visit the Programs page of our website.
The C-Suite Peer Groups, EOS Integrator, and the Manufacturing/Logistics Peer Groups have an additional fee to attend – all others are FREE as part of your Conway Center membership. This includes all family AND non-family employees!
Most Peer Groups are held on the 2nd floor of the Griffin Student Center at Ohio Dominican University, 1215 Sunbury Rd, Columbus, OH 43219. There is free parking in the lot but you must display a PARKING PASS. Session descriptions, dates, times and locations are found here.
Sure! We ask you to register so we can have a name tent for you and make appropriate arrangements based on group size. If you forget, please come anyway!
Please just send Amy an email at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com if you know in advance that you are unable to attend.
No, only Conway Center members are eligible to participate in Peer Groups.
If you are interested in Conway Center membership, you are welcome to attend a monthly educational program as our guest. Please contact Amy at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com for more information.
Feel free to reach out anytime to Amy Dotts, COO and Events Manager at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com or 614-847-0160.
I still have questions. How can I get more information about Peer Groups and Roundtables?
Contact Amy Dotts, COO and Events Manager at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com or 614-847-0160
Not yet a member?
Learn more about membership and APPLY TODAY to access Peer Groups and other Conway Center offerings!
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