Rising Generation in the Family Enterprise

Male executive sits in HBS classroom

Overcome the key challenges and critical tensions you face as a member of the rising generation in a family enterprise. Crystallize priorities and develop an action plan to guide the next phase of your life, career, and business. 

  • Dates

    To Be Confirmed

  • Status

    Check Back to Apply

  • Format

    In-Person

  • Location

    HBS Campus

  • Fee

    To Be Confirmed

The program fee covers tuition, program materials, accommodations, and most meals.

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Program Announcement

The information below is based on the prior program session and does not reflect potential changes to faculty and course content for future program offerings. For a list of upcoming programs, visit our program finder.

Members of families with significant business legacies may feel both fortunate and heavy with responsibility. A holistic exploration of how your talents, capabilities, and resources hold up against your family legacy and sense of duty to society is crucial for making your next move.  

Rising Generation in the Family Enterprise nurtures a space for rising generations of successful family enterprises to explore all future opportunities. Whether you take on leadership roles within the family business or forge a different path, you’ll develop the perspective and planning capabilities to make the most of what lies ahead.  

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Address the responsibilities that come with a business legacy and significant wealth 

  • Explore family business fundamentals when it comes to identity, work dynamics, and owner roles 

  • Balance opportunity and risk while evolving the business portfolio or starting new ventures related to your family enterprise 

  • Engage in difficult conversations with family members, including your elders, as you prepare for the future 

  • Nurture an entrepreneurial mindset across generations 

  • Understand best practices for managing family wealth, from estate planning to ensuring equity across branches of the family 

  • Balance family control with professionalization and growth 

  • Incorporate civic and social responsibility into plans for the future 

Program Format

  • 4
    days on the HBS campus
  • 12–15
    hours of pre-program work

Case materials and a detailed schedule will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

Who Should Attend

  • Members of the rising generation of a family enterprise—including descendants and in-laws—who may or may not be currently involved in managing the family business, family office, or family foundation 

  • Particularly appropriate for: executives raised in business families who are preparing for new leadership roles within their family business, family office for wealth management, or family foundation, or engaging in adjacent entrepreneurial activity 

  • Not appropriate for: current, long-serving CEOs or CFOs of family businesses, family offices, or family foundations; consultants or executives in professional service firms 

Global Perspective

Two female and two male executives sit and smile around a table filled with notes.
10%
Asia Pacific
4%
Europe
28%
Latin America
3%
Middle East
55%
North America

Experience

Years Worked

  • 65%

    Less than 10 years

  • 24%

    10-14 years

  • 7%

    15-19 years

  • 4%

    20-24 years

Teaching Team

All our executive education programs are developed and taught by a team of widely recognized HBS faculty. Many are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Cochairs

Faculty

The HBS Experience

This in-person program takes place on our storied campus where you'll live and learn at the heart of Boston's vibrant business, academic, and technology hubs.

At HBS, every detail is carefully calibrated to drive your success. Living arrangements and classrooms that spark connection. Unrivaled academic resources. And rejuvenating fitness, dining, and cultural amenities.

View of Executive Education area of HBS campus

The dedicated Executive Education area of campus features multiple classroom buildings and three residence halls around a quad

Residence hall bedroom and bathroom, with woman looking out a window

Our well-appointed residence halls feature private bedrooms, living group lounges, and courtyards to fuel vibrant discussions

Admissions

We admit applicants on a rolling, space-available basis, so you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

The selective admissions process is based on professional achievement, organizational responsibility, and the admissions criteria for each program as described in Who Should Attend. There are no formal educational requirements for HBS Executive Education programs.

Learn more about the admissions process and requirements.

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.