Family Business Program Upcoming Events
View our upcoming events that focus on equipping you to own, develop, and conduct your family business.
Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Events
Built to Last: Exploring Employee Ownership as a Business & Succession Strategy
Learn how giving employees an equity stake can strengthen succession, growth, and business continuity through practical insights from successful employee-owned firms and advisors.
St. John Fisher University invites you to attend a 3-part series that explores employee ownership as a growth-focused succession strategy, including what Employee Ownership means and how staying independent benefits your region. You’ll hear from national Employee Ownership (EO) experts, founders and successor leaders who have chosen this path, along with Fisher alumni and local advisors who have helped businesses put it into practice.
Learn what employee ownership is, why it may be a strong alternative to transitioning to a family member, a sale, or private equity (PE) firm, or in any event an alternative if there is not an “obvious” next leader within a founder or family-owned firm. Examine the facts, financial considerations, the path to transition readiness, and practical realities of shared equity, including how leaders and employees embrace the model and use it to support long-term growth for their firm & their communities.
Doors open at 4 p.m. The formal program will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a networking reception and meet-and-greet with the speakers. Drinks and appetizers will be available.
Part 1: What Founders/Leaders & Business Advisors Should Know – The Basics
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
4 - 7 p.m.
St. John Fisher University
Clearly Auditorium - Kearney Hall
Part 2: Performance & People – Leading & Innovating in an Employee-Owned Business
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
4 - 7 p.m.
St. John Fisher University
Elaine Wilson Formal Lounge - Haffey Hall
Part 3: Employee Ownership Seems of Interest – Let’s Talk About the Process and Roadmap
Thursday, January 21, 2027
4 - 7 p.m.
Nixon Peabody
211 High Point Drive, Victor, NY