The Family Business Symposium 2025
Program Overview
Sunday
May 25
NxG
Dinner
Monday
May 26
NxG
Retreat
FEA
Workshop
FEYA
Celebration
Tuesday
May 27
Symposium
Programing
Dine
Arounds
Wednesday
May 28
Symposium
Programming
Symposium
Ends
Program Timeline
Sunday, May 25
7:00 PM ADT
NxG Dinner
NxG Members of Family Enterprise Canada are encouraged to arrive early and join the NxG dinner the night before Symposium begins.
Room: Acadia B & C
Monday, May 26
7:30 AM ADT
NxG Breakfast
Start your day with a nutritious breakfast among your fellow NxG Members.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
FEA Breakfast
FEAs are encouraged to kick off their Symposium program with this nutritious meal among other members of the FEA community.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
8:30 AM ADT
FEA Workshop: Integrating FEA Into Your Practice (IFP)
Designed specifically for our FEA community, this latest workshop will strengthen your family enterprise advising approach in your work with business families.
Facilitator: Kathy Bright
Room: Halifax Ballroom C
10:00 AM ADT
NxG: Redefining Wealth & Personal Accountability
This interactive workshop invites NxG Members to redefine wealth beyond financial metrics, embracing a more holistic framework based on the five forms of capital to explore personal accountability in nurturing these dimensions of wealth.
Facilitator: Vincent Valeri
Room: Acadia B & C
11:30 AM ADT
Lunch
Grab a nutritious lunch with other members of the family enterprise community before we come back for our next sessions.
Room: Acadia A
12:30 PM ADT
NxG: The Next Gen & Shaping the Future of Family Philanthropy
As the next generation of wealth inheritors steps into their roles, they bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to generosity. This session will explore how families can use charitable giving to strengthen their legacy, nurture shared values, and build stronger connections across generations.
Speakers: Serena Hak, MFA-P and Shauna Trainor, FEA, MACP
Room: Acadia C
4:00 PM ADT
The Family Enterprise of the Year Awards (The FEYAs)
Since 1986, the FEYAs have celebrated the achievements of Canadian family businesses and their significant contributions to both local communities and the national economy.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
6:00 PM ADT
Cocktail Hour
Enjoy the closing hours of our first day with a beverage, some catching up with friends and networking with members of the family enterprise community in Canada.
Room: Halifax Ballroom A & B
Tuesday, May 27
7:30 AM ADT
Continental Breakfast
Start your first full day of Symposium 2025 with a delicious breakfast to energize you for the sessions ahead.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
8:30 AM ADT
Indigenous Welcome
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
9:00 AM ADT
Symposium 2025 Opening Remarks
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
9:15 AM ADT
Legacy in Focus: How One Family Turned Business Into Bold Impact
When the Stein family launched the Henry’s Foundation days before the pandemic, they didn’t pause—they pivoted. In this powerful fireside chat, Amy Stein will share how a fourth-generation family business put mental health at the heart of its legacy. Learn how the Steins turned personal struggle into public leadership, and why aligning values, governance and giving may be the most important strategy your family business ever makes.
Speaker: Amy Stein
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
10:30 AM ADT
Break
Enjoy a refreshing coffee break to network and recharge.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom Foyer
11:00 AM ADT
Fatherhood Unlocked
Fatherhood is the biggest rite of passage in a man’s life. It's also our biggest opportunity to grow up, wake up and to learn who we actually are. This session is intended to be a lightning rod to call men to action, to create community, and to set a new tone and standard for what fatherhood means.
Speaker: Dan Doty
Room: Halifax Ballroom A
12:30 PM ADT
Lunch
Grab a nutritious lunch with other members of the family enterprise community before we come back for our next sessions.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
2:00 PM ADT
Aligned and Accountable: Thriving in a Family Enterprise
How do you create an environment where every family member thrives based on their contributions? Join this workshop to discover how to foster a culture that empowers family members to excel, builds accountability and strengthens the business while maintaining family harmony.
Speaker: Shauna Trainor
Concurrent session.
Room: Halifax Ballroom A
Workshop: Scaling Impact Through Collaboration
Join Grant Conroy as he facilitates a high-profile workshop and discussion exploring how family enterprises can step up to tackle major social and environmental challenges. From a landmark $405 million climate commitment in 2024 to innovations in clean tech, healthcare and policy, this session will highlight the power of collaborative philanthropy and investment.
Facilitator: Grant Conroy
Panelists: Narinder Dhami, Andrew Bryson, Jason Nicola and Mona Hunter
Concurrent session.
Room: Halifax Ballroom B & C
3:30 PM ADT
Break
Enjoy a refreshing coffee break to network and recharge.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom Foyer
4:00 PM ADT
Panel Discussion: Ownership Responsibilities
Join us for this dynamic, thought-provoking session dedicated to the unique challenges and responsibilities of ownership in family enterprises. This panel will bring together seasoned family business owners, rising generational leaders and expert advisors to explore how ownership evolves across generations—and how values, governance and decision-making shape the long-term success of family enterprises.
Moderator: Aaron Gillespie
Panelists: Liz McBeth, Karen Alko and Jesse Brotz
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
6:30 PM ADT
Dine Arounds
Groups will 'dine around' at various restaurants within walking distance of the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront hotel.
Location: Various restaurants within walking distance
Wednesday, May 28
7:30 AM ADT
Breakfast
Start your second day of Symposium with a delicious breakfast to energize you for the sessions ahead.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
8:30 AM ADT
Opening Session and Community Update
More details coming soon.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
9:00 AM ADT
An Inspiring Family Business Story
More details coming soon.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
10:30 AM ADT
Break
Enjoy a refreshing coffee break to network and recharge.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom Foyer
11:00 AM ADT
Workshop: Stop Frankensteining It
Based on a “real life” estate planning scenario that's adaptable to different jurisdictions and audiences, this workshop will explore a case study that illustrates how well-intentioned estate plans can turn into “monsters”. We will also explore how to get better outcomes for families.
Speaker: Cindy Radu
Concurrent session.
Room: Halifax Ballroom A
The Enterprising Family Series — Understanding Wealth and Wealth Continuity
Enterprising families are more than financial entities—they’re evolving ecosystems. Join us for a lively panel with members from three diverse enterprising families as they share insights into the inner workings of their family enterprises. Through the lens of the Family Enterprise Model, we’ll explore the complex landscape of family relationships, intergenerational wealth and individual needs. From managing assets to maintaining harmony across generations, enterprising families face a unique set of challenges—and opportunities.
Moderator: Judi Cunningham
Panelists: Amy Stein, Shawna Perron and Drew Ratcliffe
Concurrent session.
Room: Halifax Ballroom B & C
12:30 PM ADT
Lunch
Grab a nutritious lunch with other members of the family enterprise community before we come back for our next sessions.
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
Chair Reception
More details coming soon.
Room: Acadia B & C
2:00 PM ADT
Business Bloodlines: Navigating the Unique Challenges of Parenting in a Family Enterprise
Raising children is demanding enough, but when you are a family business owner there are many unique challenges, such as:
- Will the blurred lines between work and home impact my children?
- How can I ensure they don’t develop a feeling of entitlement?
- Can I buffer them from the pressures of being “the boss' kid”?
- Plus many more
In this session, internationally acclaimed family counsellor and parenting expert, Alyson Schafer, will give you practical solutions to help build your parenting confidence.
Speaker: Alyson Schafer
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
3:00 PM ADT
Spotlight Sparks: Mini TED Talks to Ignite the Day
A series of brief, powerful talks by a few selected speakers, each sharing an inspiring idea or experience. These thought-provoking talks aim to spark curiosity, reflection and meaningful conversation to energize the rest of the day.
Speaking: David Blom, Matt Fullbrook, Liz McBeth and Sandy Pollack
Room: Nova Scotia Ballroom A, B, C & D
3:45 PM ADT
Symposium 2025 Closes
Thank you so much for attending our biggest event of the year!
Have Questions?
If you have questions about Symposium, or your registration, please email us at events@familyenterprise.ca.