Capital Region Family Business Center: Navigating Family Dynamics in Multi-Generational Companies

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Family businesses sit at the heart of our economy — and at the heart of our families. In this episode, I’m joined by Maggie Bender and Justin Horner from the Capital Region Family Business Center for a thoughtful, honest conversation about what it really takes to sustain a family enterprise across generations.

This episode is especially meaningful because it marks a leadership transition. After four years as president, Maggie Bender is stepping down, and Justin Horner is stepping into the role. Together, they share how intentional succession, transparency, and trust can strengthen not only an organization — but the families it serves.

We talk about the realities family business owners face every day: navigating family dynamics, planning for succession, managing governance, preparing for the unexpected, and balancing long-term legacy with present-day decision-making. Business doesn’t stay at the office in a family enterprise — it follows you to the dinner table, holidays, and sometimes across decades.

Maggie also shares her personal journey growing up inside a family business, the isolation many next-generation leaders feel, and how the Family Business Center became a place of connection, mentorship, and belonging. Justin offers insight into why engagement, education, and peer trust are the organization’s greatest strengths — and what’s ahead under new leadership.

We also explore the impact of the Center’s signature Generations Conference, where multiple generations of the same family come together to learn, have hard conversations, and walk away with practical tools they can apply immediately.

If you’re part of a family business, serve family-owned companies, or simply want to understand how legacy organizations endure and evolve, this conversation offers perspective, wisdom, and real-world insight.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why family businesses face unique leadership and governance challenges
• The importance of planned, intentional leadership transitions
• How peer networks reduce isolation for family business leaders
• Succession planning beyond titles — values, trust, and communication
• What makes the Generations Conference such a powerful catalyst for change
• Why family businesses are a cornerstone of regional economic stability

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center, visit:
👉 capfamilybus.org

Chapter Summaries

00:00 – Family business dynamics and why they matter
02:00 – What the Capital Region Family Business Center does
06:30 – A thoughtful leadership transition: past to present
11:30 – The real challenges of multi-generational businesses
18:30 – The Generations Conference and shared learning
39:30 – What’s next for the Family Business Center

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