2021-2022 Academic Term
In these virtual one-hour sessions, family business leaders, scholars, and experts share their experiences and knowledge at the intersection of sustainability and family business.
ROYAL VAN WIJHE VERF, THE NETHERLANDS
October 29, 2021, 9:30-10:30 am EST
In this interactive session, fourth generation sisters Marlies Van Wijhe and Marijke Van Wijhe of Royal Van Wijhe Verf join Windesheim University professor Judith Van Helvert-Beugels to explain the evolution of their 100+ year old Dutch paint manufacturing business into a leading producer of high-quality long-lasting paints and coatings by focusing on sustainability. As the world’s first B-Corp in their industry, these phenomenal sisters discuss their experiences as they integrate environmentally friendly raw materials into their products and work towards their ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2025. [Host: Prof. Dita Sharma]
REGISTRATION LINK
SUPREME CREATIONS, UK
November 19, 2021; 9:30 am – 10:30 am EST
Founder Dr. Sri Sriram and CEO Smruti Sriram-Blunt of Supreme Creations of UK, the world’s largest manufacturer of eco-friendly bags, track the transformation of a jute fiber from a small organic Indian farm into British designed tote bags, gifts and face masks, through the sewing machines of hundreds of women from under privileged economic backgrounds. Supreme Creation’s functional and fashionable products are used by over 60,000 retail chains around the world, and favored by British royalty, American film stars and musicians. In a candid conversation with Dean Sanjay Sharma, the father-daughter duo reveals the challenges of keeping their twenty-year-old trans-national sustainable manufacturing business growing amidst a pandemic. [Host: Prof. Dita Sharma]
REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON
CASCADE ENGINEERING, USA
March 24, 2022, 9:30 am – 10:30 am EST
Influenced by the 1960s civil rights movement, Founder Fred Keller built Cascade Engineering over the past 40 years into a $400 million family business and registered B-Corp focused on large plastic injection molding solutions for a variety of industries. A pioneer in institutionalizing the triple bottom line as a core business strategy, Cascade’s “welfare to career” program has long hired the disadvantaged. Daughter Christina became President and CEO of Cascade in 2018 after working for nearly 10 years in various roles within the company. She along with her two sisters own 51% of the company, making it a women-owned family business. Long-time friend of the company, Professor Stuart Hart, will engage Fred and Christina in a spirited discussion about their aspirations—societal and strategic—for the company looking out a decade and beyond. [Host: Prof. Dita Sharma]
REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON
STATE GARDEN INC., USA
September 24 2021, 9:30-10:30 am EST
Mark DeMichaelis (’87), President and CEO of State Garden Inc., shares how three generations of his family transformed their small celery processing and re-packaging business started in 1937, to become a top producer of sustainably sourced organic produce distributed through highly successful Olivia’s Organics and Simple Beginnings retail brands. Son, Mark Jr., reveals how fourth-generation DeMichaelis cousins are preparing to continue their legacy business focused on doing well by doing good. [Host: Prof. Dita Sharma]
WATCH THE RECORDING
More to come!