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BIFE Quarterly Newsletter | Fall 2024

Exciting Updates from the Institute

Message from the Nulsen Family
Executive Director

The fall is always an exciting and bustling time on campus. At the Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship, we’ve been actively hosting events, classes, and thought leadership opportunities for students and lifelong learners.


September was particularly eventful with the start of our Entrepreneurial Families course, student programs, and fall events. We hosted the Global Family Entrepreneurship Network bi-annual summit at Babson, welcoming 35 members from 9 different countries. Following the summit, we transitioned into Networking By Industry (NBI), our signature event for students, alumni, and members of the Babson community. We broke records this year with over 650 registrants!


On the research front, Babson’s growing influence in the field of family entrepreneurship was recognized as esteemed professors Alisa Jno-Charles, Angela Randolph, and Bertarelli Foundation Distinguished Professor for Family Entrepreneurship William Gartner were honored for their latest paper on parenting styles that lead to entrepreneurship.


In early November, we are excited to host our popular live case study event with Michael Hale ’05, Vice Chairman of Mechanix Wear. Michael will share his experience of buying out his family after his father’s untimely passing.


Read on to learn more about these highlighted events and more. I look forward to a great rest of the semester!

Spotlight on Our Growing Network

Our Fall Global Entrepreneurship Network Summit

We recently welcomed over 35 members of GFEN to Babson for our bi-annual summit. Families from around the world came together to learn from each other, Babson faculty, and to explore BIFE’s distinctive approach to family entrepreneurial leadership.

Learn more about our Network

Members of our Global Family Entrepreneurship Network enjoyed a traditional clambake dinner at President Spinelli’s house.

Record-Breaking Networking By Industry (NBI) Event

Our Marquee Event


Each September, BIFE hosts Networking By Industry (NBI), a unique event that brings together students, alumni, parents, and the Babson community to connect and collaborate with industry leaders such as the CEO of Loro Piana US, Former Executives of Clark’s and Staples, and many more leaders from 10 different industry groups. This fall, we shattered records with over 650 registrations! 

Top Left: A snapshot into the bustling event!


Bottom Left: Students engaging in a conversation with Matthieu Garnier, CEO of Loro Piana, North America.

Business Insider Feature

I Took Over My Family Business at the Age 27 and Sold to a Private Equity


At the Bertarelli Insititute, our teaching and thought leadership is informed by a combination of theory and real life experience. Learn about our Executive Director, Lauri Union’s, experience turning around and transforming her own family business in this compelling Business Insider article. 

Read the article here

On the Research Front

Pictured left to right: Andrew Zacharakis (Babson Professor) Nicola Breugst (Technical University of Munich), Alisa Jno-Charles, Angela Randolph, William Gartner, Holger Patzelt (Technical University of Munich).

Babson Professors Awarded Best Paper Award at BCERC


Congratulations are in order for esteemed Babson professors Alisa Jno-CharlesAngela Randolph, and Bertarelli Foundation Distinguished Professor for Family Entrepreneurship William Gartner who were honored with the Best Paper Award in the Family Business category at the 2024 Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference (BCERC) at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Their research is focused on the effects of parenting styles on adolescent entrepreneurial behavior.

Student Learning

Left to right: David Sands, Lauri Union and Rob Lachenauer.

New Co-Curricular Programs for Students


  • Family Entrepreneurship Living and Learning Community is a unique living community for first-year students from entrepreneurial families to connect with other students from similar backgrounds.


  • Bertarelli Scholars guide and mentor the Family Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community, including hosting community building gatherings.

Spotlight On Entrepreneurial Families (EPS 3351)


Our undergraduate Entrepreneurial Families class, led by Lauri Union and David Sands, is dedicated to teaching students how to become family entrepreneurial leaders.


Through developing core skills and engaging in weekly conversations, our students are well on their way to making a significant impact in their family businesses and beyond.



Recently we welcomed Rob Lachenauer, author of the Harvard Business Review Family Business Handbook and Co-Founder & Partner at BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors. Rob shared his extensive experience and expertise, providing invaluable insights that enriched our learning community.

Students gather with BIFE Associate Director, Benjapon Jivansantikarn for quick selfie.

News from Babson College

Recent Accolades




Upcoming Babson Programs We Love

Roundtable Event: "Family Entrepreneurship and the Transgenerational Leadership of Women


Are you thinking about starting a family business or might you be leading one in the future?

 

The Frank and Eileen Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership is hosting a roundtable on "Family Entrepreneurship and the Transgenerational Leadership of Women," featuring Dr. Pramodita (Dita) Sharma!

 

Dr. Sharma is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Vermont, Grossman School of Business, and a leading voice in family business studies. With her extensive research on succession, governance, and innovation, she continues to shape the future of entrepreneurial leadership. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most highly cited scholars in the field! Register Here.

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