15: Preserving the Business Families Foundation Legacy

Let's Talk Family Enterprise

Introduction

Welcome to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise, a podcast that explores the ideas, concepts, and models that best serve Family Enterprise Advisors in supporting their clients.

Description

Following the recent merger of the Business Families Foundation (BFF) with the FEX Foundation to form the new Family Enterprise Foundation (FEF), host Steve Legler speaks with Nan-b de Gaspe Beaubien(C.M) who, with her husband Philippe, co-founded BFF in 1990 and is the current Co-Chair and Founder of the de Gaspe Beaubien Foundation. Together, they discuss the historical impact of BFF on the global stage of family business and the significance of this merger in not only advancing the platform for FEX and FEF, but also perpetuating the legacy started by the de Gaspe Beaubien family.

Guest bio

Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien is co-chair of the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation and devotes her time to philanthropic endeavours that continue to break new ground supporting environmental causes, enterprising families, enterprising women, public health and education. An internationally renowned expert on the topic of family enterprise, she is a regular speaker at global conferences and top universities worldwide. Along with her husband, she has given conferences and workshops at diverse organizations such as the Davos Economic Forum, Young Presidents’ Organization, the Chief Executives Organization, Kellogg School at Northwestern University, Sauder at the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School, amongst many others.

For Nan-b’s full bio, visit here

Key Takeaways

[0:16] Steve introduces Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien and asks her to talk about the foundation of BFF (Business Families Foundation).

[5:12] Nan-b shares the history of the first BFF events, hosting people from all over the world, as well as how they came about teaching family advisors — and the tools they built to effectively teach families and their advisors.

[9:39] Nan-b talks about how the roadmap program launched and how the family business centres evolved from a board initiative as well as customer demand.

[18:10] They discuss the recent announcement that BFF has merged with the FEX Foundation, as well as the importance of handing over the baton.

[22:06] Nan-b touches on the satisfaction of a well-cared-for legacy. She also answers the question of if she would have done anything differently had she known what she does today.

[27:30] It is important to bring experts from different fields together to advise families, using a common language.

[29:29] Nan-b’s book recommendation and advice from a seminal advisor to other advisors.

[32:10] Steve thanks Nan-b for coming on to share her expertise and invites listeners to subscribe to the podcast.

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Mentioned in this episode

Let’s Talk Family Enterprise podcast is brought to you by Family Enterprise Xchange.

Family Enterprise Foundation

Books/articles:

12 Rules for Life, by Jordan Peterson

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