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BIFE Quarterly Newsletter | Spring 2023
Celebrating 5 Years
Message from the Nulsen Family
Executive Director
It is hard to believe it's been 5 years since we launched the Institute. We've grown from a one-person team with a very small constituency to our current team of seven with a wide range of programs, events, and services for nearly 6,000 students, alumni, and families.
 
Planning for our 5th-anniversary programs is already underway. We will send out more details in the coming weeks and months. Meanwhile, please scroll down to see information about the return of our popular Networking by Industry (NBI) event, which attracted over 400 people last year at Back to Babson. This year we’ll be marking our 5th Anniversary at NBI.
 
I am so proud of our highly impactful student programs. This spring marks the 5th year of our Family Entrepreneurial Leadership (fka Peer Forum) program. Nearly 300 students and alumni have completed this innovative program, which one student described as “the most engaging and intriguing course” they have ever taken. For the 3rd year, we offered our Transformational Family Business Leadership program, which one student described as “mind-blowing”.

One of our most exciting initiatives is for alumni and families - our Global Family Entrepreneurship Network. You'll read more about the latest development below. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Network's Founding Families for the tremendous support they have provided. We can't wait to see them in person at our inaugural Global Family Entrepreneurship Network Summit in the Fall.
 
With the launch of the Network, we are also welcoming our newest team member, Sarah Schlesinger, Associate Director for Network Engagement. Sarah came to BIFE with deep expertise in working with multigeneration entrepreneurial families. Welcome, Sarah!
 
On the research front, Drs. Alisa Jno-Charles and Keith Rollag will be presenting their and Dr. PJ Guinan’s preliminary results of their study into family dynamics and entrepreneurial behavior in family firms at the Family Enterprise Research Conference (FERC). The research is sponsored by BIFE as part of the Babson Family Entrepreneurship Research Community initiative.
 
Last but not least, I'd like to congratulate the Class of 2023 as they embark on an important journey in their career. I wish them all the best and hope to see them again in our future events and programs!


Sincerely,
Welcome Sarah Schlesinger to the BIFE Team!
Sarah Schlesinger has joined the BIFE team as the Associate Director for Network Engagement. Sarah will be leading engagement and programming for our Global Family Entrepreneurship Network. Prior to Babson, Sarah helped build CCC Alliance, one of the world’s largest peer-to-peer organizations of UHNW single families and family offices. Sarah has worked with families for over 20 years. You can read more about her in the link below.
Update: Global Family Entrepreneurship Network
Since the launch of our Global Family Entrepreneurship Network in the Fall of 2022, we have received overwhelming support from entrepreneurial families around the world. We are thrilled to announce that we have formed a fabulous cohort of Founding Families, who will co-create the design of the Network, advise BIFE in the implementation process, and provide critical financial support for the institute.
 
We are inviting the Founding Families to meet in person this Fall at the inaugural Global Family Entrepreneurship Network Summit.
BIFE 5th Anniversary Programs & Events
Save the date and join us at Back to Babson on Friday, September 22nd to celebrate BIFE's five years of family entrepreneurship education at our popular Networking by Industry event. Be on the lookout for registration details this month.
Thought Leadership:
Family Dynamics and Entrepreneurial Behavior
in Family Firms
Drs. Alisa Jno-Charles and Keith Rollag will present their and Dr. Patricia Guinan’s preliminary results of their study into family dynamics and entrepreneurial behavior in family firms at the Family Enterprise Research Conference (FERC) in Delray Beach, Florida on June 16-17.

The study’s unexpected initial findings have spurred more in-depth research, and the team is now in the final phase of data collection. If you and your parent or child are involved in a family enterprise together and would like to participate in the research, please contact Dr. Jno-Charles.
Congrats, Class of 2023!
We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather to have the Commencement ceremonies! The BIFE team presented branded BIFE gifts to graduates who were a part of the Family Entrepreneurial Leadership (FEL) program and celebrated this special day with them and their families.

Congratulations again to our graduates! We can't wait to hear about how you're making an impact in your community!
Family Entrepreneurial Leadership
Certificate Program
This nine-month program will build upon your leadership skills, creating personal growth and illuminating opportunities to foster stronger family relationships, while achieving your personal goals.
 
It includes individual coaching to address each participant’s challenge; the building of deep peer relationships; access to global family entrepreneurship thought leaders through webinars and expert moderator guidance.
 
As one participant puts it, "The program has been invaluable in helping me think through both the challenges my family is facing as a business and my own personal relationship to our business. Shared experiences from my peers in family business make it clear that we face a unique set of challenges, but that there are approaches and tools to chart a path forward and reap the many benefits that family businesses have to offer."
 
Click on the button below to express interest in our Spring ’23 NextGen Executive Leaders cohort.
JOIN BABSON'S GLOBAL COMMUNITY
OF FAMILY ENTREPRENEURS
Please join the BIFE global community of 6,000+ family entrepreneurs and get priority access to our networking events, virtual forums, and other exciting programs. JOIN NOW!