Staying Human in the Attention Span Economy: Neil Thornton
2025-09-26 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Toronto) | Hampton Inn – Berlin Room, 55 Benjamin road, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
One of our most popular speakers, Neil Thornton will lead us through a discussion of how to deal with some very different generations.
Register Today!

Economic Outlook: Open/Closed, Trade, Stats...So Complicated!
2025-10-31 08:00 - 10:00 | DoubleTree by Hilton Kitchener, 30 Fairway Rd South, Kitchener, Ontario, N2A 2N2, Canada
Keynote Speaker: Jennifer Lee
In today’s rapidly shifting economic landscape, family businesses face unique challenges and opportunities. Join us for an insightful session exploring how current economic trends are shaping the future of family enterprises.
We’re excited to welcome Jennifer Lee, Managing Director and Senior Economist at BMO Capital Markets Economics. With nearly three decades of experience, Jennifer is known for her clear, engaging analysis of the U.S. economy and global financial markets. A frequent media guest and Bloomberg contributor, she was recently named one of the top economists to follow by Focus Economics.
Jennifer is also a passionate advocate for financial literacy and mentorship, helping newcomers grow both professionally and personally. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Waterloo.
Whether you’re navigating uncertainty or planning for long-term success, this event will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions.
Tickets $65.00 for non-members.
Registration Now Open!

Cancelled: IP and Innovation Amid Board Governance
2025-11-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Lazaridis Hall, 64 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Presented by ICD, in partnership with Lazaridis School of Business and in collaboration with CFFB.
Enjoy a dynamic fireside chat featuring:
Kyle Murray, Dean of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. Kyle brings a global academic background and deep expertise in innovation and behavior change. His research blends psychology and economics to explore how people make decisions, and he’s advised Fortune 50 companies, governments, and startups around the world.
Sid Paquette, Head of RBCx – RBC’s innovation arm supporting Canadian tech and life sciences companies through every stage of growth. Sid is a serial tech investor and former Managing Partner at OMERS Ventures, with a passion for helping entrepreneurs bring bold ideas to life.
Networking Reception to Follow
Connect with fellow Centre for Family Business members, ICD members, governance professionals, and industry leaders over refreshments after the presentation.
Limited seats available. Be sure to register early to secure your spot!

CFFB Jingle and Mingle
2025-12-09 17:00 - 19:00 | Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St N, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7, Canada
Let’s wrap up the year together with warmth and cheer at our annual holiday gathering in the inviting Platinum Lounge at Centre in the Square.
It’s the perfect time to reflect on the past year, reconnect with fellow members, and strengthen the bonds that make our CFFB community thrive. Enjoy festive drinks and tasty bites in a cozy setting designed for heartfelt conversations and shared celebration.
We’re delighted to welcome the Heffner family, long-time CFFB members, who will offer a brief introduction to the Centre in the Square and its significance to our region.
Sparkles are encouraged, but business attire is equally welcome.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Register Now!

What does the future hold? Larry Smith looks ahead (and back)
2026-01-30 11:30 - 14:00 | Conestoga College, 108 University Ave E, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 2W2, Canada
UW Economics Professor and legendary speaker Larry Smith brings his unique style of information, insight, and wit to our first meeting of 2026!
We’re excited to welcome everyone back as we kick off the new year with one of the most engaging and thought‑provoking speakers around. Larry’s sessions are always lively, memorable, and full of sharp observations that challenge how we think about the world ahead.
To help us plan appropriately, please advise if you’ll be attending the lunch so we can provide accurate numbers for catering.
We hope you’ll join us for a memorable start to the year.

Who Are These People? A Practical Tour of Personality Differences
2026-02-26 11:30 - 14:00 | Ontario
We’re happy to have you join us at the new and fabulous Thunderstorm Productions facility for our workshop on psychological assessments and next‑gen leadership in family business.
Mingling begins at 11:30 AM with complimentary pinball and a grazing lunch, followed by the workshop at 12:30 PM.

Who Are These People? A Practical Tour of Personality Differences
Family businesses succeed when people understand themselves—and each other. In this fast-paced, interactive session, you’ll discover how tools like Personality Dimensions, CliftonStrengths, and DiSC can improve communication, reduce conflict, clarify roles, and support leadership and succession planning. Learn what these assessments are (and aren’t), how to use them in real family-business situations, and how to choose the right tool to strengthen both relationships and results.
About the Facilitator
Christie brings over 25 years of cross‑sector experience spanning higher education, human resources, business development, international partnerships, and the food and beverage industry. Her career has taken her across Canada and to more than 25 countries, with leadership roles at organizations including Little Mushroom Catering, Wilfrid Laurier University, Lutherwood, Acadia University, and Algonquin College.
After a successful career in higher education, she joined her family’s business—Little Mushroom Catering & Dining Lounge—as Director of People & Culture, supporting its growth into Southwestern Ontario’s premier catering company known for social responsibility and culinary innovation.
Register Now!

Selling Beyond the Founder: How Family Businesses Build Sustainable Sales
2026-03-26 11:30 - 14:00 | Conestoga College, 108 University Ave E, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 2W2, Canada
Let’s discuss how to modernize your sales operations while honoring your company’s legacy. Topics will include: moving sales from an “art” to a “science,” evolving your approach to talent, upskilling your existing long-term reps while also attracting growth-minded new reps, and how to best update your technology posture, leveraging CRM and AI tools. Come with your questions, leave with practical, actionable approaches to position your Sales Team for success in 2026 and beyond.
A Brief Introduction
Antonio Michael Downing is an author, broadcaster, and sales leader. He hosts CBC Radio’s The Next Chapter and is the acclaimed author of Saga Boy (Penguin) and Black Cherokee (Simon & Schuster). His sales leadership spans roles at BlackBerry and LexCloud.ca, where he helped shape the evolution of modern Sales and Business Development. In 2020, he founded Conestoga College’s Sales Lab—a distinctive sales philosophy and skills‑training program that has launched hundreds of high‑performing sales professionals across North America.
Register here.

Mini Class - Governance in Family Business
2026-04-23 11:30 - 14:00 | Bingemans, Heritage Room, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener, Ontario, N2B 3X7, Canada
✨ Working Luncheon
Governance in a family enterprise is far more than legal documents and formal board meetings. At its core, it’s about aligning the three interconnected systems that shape your long‑term success:

Your Family
Your Ownership Group
Your Business

When these systems drift out of sync, what looks like a personal conflict is often a structural misalignment. This introductory luncheon brings clarity to those hidden dynamics and offers a practical, accessible framework for strengthening your enterprise from the inside out.
What We’ll Explore

How to create open, productive dialogue across generations
Ways to coordinate expectations among family members, owners, and leaders
The foundational structures every family business should establish before formal legal agreements are drafted
How family dynamics intersect with corporate frameworks—and how to keep both healthy

Who Should Attend
Whether you’re:

A founder navigating succession
A next‑generation leader preparing to step into responsibility
An owner seeking clarity around roles, rights, and decision‑making

…you’ll walk away with a grounded understanding of how governance supports continuity, reduces conflict, and builds resilience across generations.
️ Why This Session Matters
This luncheon is the launch point for our in‑depth Fall Governance Series, designed to help families move from insight to implementation. Attending this session ensures you begin with a shared language, a clear framework, and a stronger foundation for the conversations ahead.

This session is made possible through the support of McCarter Grespan, with opening remarks from Amy Finch, who will introduce the theme of governance and set the context for the conversation ahead. Amy’s introduction will lead into insights from our featured speakers:
👤 Meet Our Presenters
Amy Finch
Amy Finch is a Director at McCarter & Grespan and Chair of the firm’s Wills and Estate Planning Practice Group. Her practice spans corporate, commercial, and business law, with deep expertise in mergers and acquisitions, succession and estate planning, complex reorganizations, restructurings, private placements, and corporate financings.
McCarter & Grespan has long supported CFFB and champions early governance education. Amy will share why the firm views governance training as a vital investment for family enterprises of all sizes.
Vivian Zochowski
Vivian Zochowski trained as a lawyer and built a successful corporate career in finance, estate planning, and related fields. In retirement, she continues to lend her leadership and governance expertise to numerous not‑for‑profit organizations.
Vivian will introduce the core “circles of influence” that shape governance in a family enterprise and highlight key themes to watch for throughout the session.
Sandra Hanmer
Sandra Hanmer brings a distinguished career across corporate and not‑for‑profit leadership, with extensive experience in the health, social services, and disability sectors locally, provincially, and nationally. She has also served as a health‑care executive in New Zealand and currently sits as a Waterloo City Councillor and Executive in Residence at Capacity Canada.
Sandra has guided many organizations in building strong governance foundations. She will outline the essential building blocks to focus on as you begin—or strengthen—your governance journey.

Centre for Family Business Milestones and Fundraising Gala
2026-05-21 18:00 - 22:00 | Westmount Golf And Country Club, 50 Inverness Drive, Kitchener, Ontario
Be part of the celebration at the 2026 CFFB Milestones Gala on Thursday, May 21 at the Westmount Golf and Country Club.
This is our signature evening — a chance to celebrate the milestones of our member families, partners, advisors, welcome new faces to the community, and raise funds that go directly into the programming and initiatives that make the Centre what it is.
The evening includes a four-course seated dinner, a silent auction, and — weather permitting a cocktail reception on the terrace overlooking the 18th hole.
We encourage members to purchase a table and bring family, colleagues, or someone you think should know about the CFFB.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations looking to support the Centre’s mission and engage directly with our membership. We also invite contributions to our silent auction, an important part of the evening that helps raise additional funds for our programs.

Wine Sponsor: $3,500
Title Sponsor: $7,500
Silent Auction Supporter: Donations of items, experiences, or services are welcomed and will be showcased to all attendees.

📋 Register Here!

CFFB Annual General Meeting
2026-09-24 11:30 - 14:00 | Conestoga College, 108 University Ave E, Waterloo, Ontario, N2J 2W2, Canada
We’re looking ahead to our Annual General Meeting this September. It’s a meaningful moment each year to connect with our members, celebrate progress, and discuss what’s next for our community. Stay tuned for more information.
