Virtual Breakfast Series
Hear from seasoned professionals with this panelist series! Five times each year, family business members and service providers share their experiences on a variety of family business-related topics. You'll get a chance to interact with families who have been through some of the same experiences as you. All sessions are hosted on Zoom and provide an opportunity for breakout discussions and a Q&A with the panelists.
The Virtual Breakfast Series is free to families with a UNI Family Business Center membership. Prospective members are welcome to one free trial session. Register for the sessions below!
“Extremely valuable for anyone involved in family businesses or improving interpersonal relationships. We are all blessed to even have these issues and nothing is truly impossible to solve.”
Chris Vernon
CHAIRMAN AND CEO, THE VERNON COMPANY
The Lodge Cast Iron Legacy & Innovation Built to Last / August 21, 2025
Forging Succession Strategies and Family Unity Through Governance
Jay and Lisa Daniel share a unique story forged across generations — from the enduring heat of Lodge Cast Iron’s 125-year legacy to the cutting-edge tech solutions of their own company, Intechgrate Systems. Rooted in resilience, family values, and bold transitions, their journey reveals how governance and succession planning keep the family—and the business—strong and future-ready. Lisa, deeply involved in the Joseph Lodge Family Council as chair of its Education Committee, brings insight into how intentional development prepares the next generation. Jay, a Lodge board member, reflects on navigating change, including the transition to the company’s first non-family CEO. This virtual event will resonate with anyone invested in legacy, leadership, and the evolving role of family in business. It's a story of tradition meeting transformation—strong, seasoned, and built to endure.
The State of Family Business with CRST and Family Enterprise USA / January 29, 2026
Join us for an insightful session of the UNI Family Business Center's Virtual Breakfast Series, featuring a deep dive into The State of Family Business. This special event brings together two distinguished voices in the family business space:
- John Smith, Executive at CRST, one of the nation’s leading family-owned transportation companies
- John Gugliada, Director of Business Development at Family Enterprise USA (FEUSA), a national advocate for family businesses
Together, they will share key insights from the front lines of American family enterprises—covering trends, challenges, policy impacts, and strategies for long-term success. Whether you're a family business leader, advisor, or supporter, this session offers valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of family-owned companies.
Practical AI for Family Business Leaders / March 5, 2026
Matt Knight is an executive leader, family business advisor, and entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in strategy and technology consulting and family business management. On March 5, 2026, Matt will share his expertise on artificial intelligence and its applications for family business contexts, including evaluating which AI tools align with specific family business needs or values and addressing common implementation challenges and resistance to change.
More sessions coming soon!
Past Events
Turning Data Into Best Practices / May 8, 2025
McKinsey & Company's family office experts Acha Leke and Martin Roll joined us for this final session of our Breakfast Series, where we explored the evolving landscape of family businesses and the shared themes that unite them. How are generations changing their priorities? What are ways we can leverage our family business structure as a competitive advantage?
Intergenerational Communication: Dialogue Through Governance and Structure / March 27, 2025
Family businesses are entering an unprecedented time where four generations may be working within the family business. This presents challenges and opportunities because of the different mentalities, communication styles, and foundations that each generation brings to the workplace and family. With panelists Veronica Maldonado, Chairman of Maldonado’s, and Heidi Vermeer-Quist, Heartland Counseling and VQ Consulting, we explored the importance of honest communication that helps creates a healthy family and can help in building out governance that assists in guiding families/family businesses into the future.
The Nelson Family of Kemin Industries / January 23, 2025
Is your family business struggling to make the leap from Gen 1 to Gen 2? You're not alone—fewer than 1 in 3 family-owned businesses make it to the second generation. But what if you could build a legacy that lasts not just through Gen 2, but all the way to Gen 5, 6, or even Gen 7? Sounds ambitious, right? In this session, participants heard firsthand from the Nelson family, owners of Kemin Industries in Des Moines, about how they've made multi-generational success a reality.
Addiction, Advisors & Alliances: Working together to address complex family issues / October 17, 2024
A lot of families face issues with addiction and other complex personal issues, but these topics aren't often talked about. Diana Clark, President of Intent Clinical, discussed practical strategies for addressing addiction within the family, the importance of seeking professional advice, and how to build strong alliances that support both the business and the family unit.
Kent Corporation on being named Best-Managed Family Business / August 29, 2024
We kicked off the 24-25 season with an open conversation with Gage Kent, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and third generation leader of KENT Corporation. KENT was named US Best-Managed Family Business for the fifth year in a row. What sets them apart from other privately-held firms? Learn more about their corporate environment and family values with the recap article below.
Breakfast Series Blogs
Dan's Top 3—Addiction, Advisors and Alliances with Diana Clark
Dan's Top 3—Virtual Breakfast Series with Gage Kent of KENT Corporation
Dan's Top 3—Virtual Breakfast Series with Jolly Time Pop Corn
Balancing a legacy with next gen development—Three things I learned in session three
Dan's Top Three: October Breakfast Series on Boards
Top 3 takeaways from Mike Wells
Dan's Top Three: May Virtual Breakfast Series with Radio Flyer
