Open to Guests & All Members

Most succession stories begin with decades of careful planning—this one happened overnight. At just 29 years old and following the sudden passing of her father—the founder of a nationally recognized distribution business—Denna Mezuman stepped into a leadership role overnight with no succession plan in place. Within months, COVID-19 added unprecedented operational and financial pressure. While navigating personal loss, she worked alongside her mother and two siblings to stabilize and lead the business through uncertainty. Nearly four years later, the family successfully completed a private equity-backed M&A transaction, facilitated by one of the big four advisors.

In this candid and powerful session, Denna will share what happens when succession doesn’t follow a timeline—and what business families can learn from navigating leadership in crisis. This conversation will explore:

• The emotional and operational realities of unplanned succession
• Leading as a next-generation successor in your 20s and 30s
• Navigating family dynamics under pressure
• How preparation—or lack thereof—shapes outcomes
• Simple, practical steps owners can take now to begin their succession planning

Denna's story resonates particularly with next generation leaders—especially women—who are often underrepresented in succession conversations. It also speaks directly to current owners seeking to bridge today’s leadership with the next generation poised to inherit the business. This is not just a story about loss, it is a story about resilience, responsibility and why starting the succession conversation today may be the most important business decision you make.