Next Generation Leadership Institute

Seize your destiny. Shape your future.

Do you aspire to become a confident, effective, well-prepared leader — ready to guide your family business operation to outstanding new levels? Are you looking for a robust, professional program that helps you chart a thrilling leadership journey? The Next Generation Leadership Institute at St. John Fisher University prepares the rising stars in your family’s enterprise to grow to their fullest potential as senior leaders.

Institute Outcomes

As an Institute participant, you will gain insights into: 

  • The unique challenges and opportunities for families in businesses
  • The future of your family's business and your role in it
  • Your family business culture and how to build - and maintain - cohesion
  • What responsible ownership in a family business looks like
  • Crafting your own leadership development program that leverages your strengths and identifies key areas for attention

Institute Experience

Institute Content Overview

Using the “Three Circle Model” developed by Dr. John Davis, the Institute will focus on preparing you to develop stronger relationships with all stakeholders – family, business employees, and owners, as well as build self-knowledge and awareness.

Highlights of our robust curriculum include:

  • Leadership strategies learned and practiced;
  • Transition planning resulting in a personal strategic plan;
  • Emphasis on SELF, including 360-degree and EQ assessments; genograms; life stages; and values, vision and mission exercises;
  • Spotlight on FAMILY, particularly family cohesion; family dynamics 101 (difficult conversations, triangulation, conflict management); and family governance 101;
  • Focus on BUSINESS, including financial and strategy basics, and business governance 101;
  • Attention to OWNERSHIP, emphasizing responsible stewardship principles; legal responsibilities; transition planning.

Institute Delivery

The cohort will meet both on-site at Fisher and at various family businesses each month for ten months beginning in September and through June. Each session will include:

  • Session Kick-Off: A networking breakfast and a group check-in. 
  • Morning Session: Relevant content is facilitated in an interactive fashion by Fisher faculty from across campus. 
  • Lunch: includes networking time with a live case study presentation by a regional family business leader. 
  • Early afternoon: confidential peer group meetings held with an experienced group psychologist who facilitates discussions selected by the group for peer member issue processing.
  • Session Conclusion: The group will share session learnings and action items. 

Throughout the program, participants work on their personal strategic plan which they present to each other and faculty at the end of the program. 

The final session includes a celebration with family and friends where participants receive a St. John Fisher University Executive Education Certificate for successfully completing the Institute.

Cost

The Institute cost is $6,000 and includes 10 sessions with your cohort, and personalized coaching, goal-setting, and career planning.

Application Process

  • Complete online application
  • Applicants will be informed of acceptance into the Institute via email

Email Carol Wittmeyer at cwittmeyer@sjf.edu with questions about the 2025 cohort.