Family Enterprise Alumni Circle
The CBS Family Enterprise Alumni Circle is a dedicated networking and learning group for CBS alumni who own, manage and/or advise family firms. We host events throughout the year with special access to global scholars, international leaders and our highly engaged Advisory Board of notable principals and executives in family enterprise and wealth management. Membership is complimentary. Some events are fee-based. Members are required to sign our pledge.
*Membership is open to all CBS and Global Family Enterprise Program alumni*
Make Meaningful Connections
Members are invited to Family Enterprise Connects and Family Enterprise Voices, confidential calls on relevant topics for business owners and managers. Members are encouraged to plan local meet-ups, dinners, and coffee dates to exchange ideas and make new connections. Circle members host events in their region to connect with CBS family enterprise alumni network, including the Advisory Board and local leaders, and beyond. Members engage in discussions on topics of common interest.
Further Your Knowledge
Circle members have exclusive access to global scholars and practitioners through our “Family Enterprise Insights” Series on relevant topics including estate planning, ethics in family enterprise, running a family meeting, governance and more. Throughout the year, members receive compelling articles, podcast recommendations, and exclusive invites to join in-person and online webinars with Q & A access to professors and professionals. Alumni Circle members can audit Global Family Enterprise Program courses year round. Members are encouraged to suggest topics and contribute to programming.
Expand Your Network
Circle members have a unique opportunity to get to know each other and the global family enterprise leaders on the Global Family Enterprise Program’s Advisory Board. Circle members are invited to our Pre- and Post-Conference Events, where they enjoy conversation with conference keynotes and panelists. These intimate settings provide a chance to expand your professional network.
In 2021, The Alumni Circle Board was formed. The Board’s focus is to create and enhance programming, increase communication among its members and develop ways to strengthen the connectivity among the Family Enterprise alumni. Its goal is to not only support the strategic growth of the membership, but also to deepen connections among its members.
Board Members
- Arzoo Bhusri ’16, Partner, Minerva Management
- Prem G. Hira ’12, Founder & Financial Planner, Investry, LLC
- Xenia Razinski ’15, Co-Owner & Executive, Invar International Investments Group
- Vivek Salgaocar ’13, Director, Vimson (Ex Officio)
- Philip Zhou ’21
The Alumni Circle Board also works closely with the Global Family Enterprise Advisory Board and actively engages these senior and highly accomplished professionals in its programming.
Programming developed by the Alumni Circle Board include the Family Enterprise Voices and Peer Connects as well as the development of its website. The Alumni Circle Board invites all members to contribute ideas. There are more exciting and important things to come, so stay tuned, stay involved, and come participate!
“The Circle is a great way to stay on top of the current trends, freshen up on your skills, and make new connections.”
— Arzoo Bhusri ’16, Partner, Minerva Management
“I feel fortunate that I'm able to stay connected to the CBS community through the frequency and variety of Alumni Circle programming.”
— Prem G. Hira ’12, Founder & Financial Planner, Investry, LLC
“The Family Enterprise Circle is an ideal group for those involved in or interested in joining their family business and have questions or experiences they would like to share and get input on. With each meeting and interaction, I continue to learn so much from this group and also find comfort in discovering that other members have shared similar experiences on matters specific to my family business.”
— Xenia Razinski ’15, Co-Owner & Executive, Invar International Investments Group
“Staying engaged with the Family Enterprise Alumni Circle keeps me up-to-date with the CBS community. I always learn something new from my fellow alumni located all around the world who bring fresh perspectives on topical matters ranging from real estate transactions, leadership transitions, and sustainable practices.”
— Philip Zhou ’21
Family Enterprise Alumni Circle Voices
Family Enterprise Circle Voices are global interactive sessions featuring two or three panelists sharing their own experiences on relevant topics with opportunities for open and frank discussion. It is modeled off of the popular student versions (CBS Matters and Family Business Matters). Voices calls are open to alumni and friends of the program and can be held via Zoom or in-person around the world.
Past Voices Speakers
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Lily Oswald ’15, CEO, Sorrelli
Global Alumni Leading Growth Across Industries
Taimur Dawood ’99, Chairman, Descon
Matthew Frisch ’11, (formerly) President, Pharmaceutical Services Division, Kohl & Frisch Limited
Strategic vs. Emotional Investing, Estate & Philanthropic Planning
Adil Ahamed ’12, Managing Director, Destination Auto Group
Amanda Nee ’19, Managing Director, WALC Capital
Adhar Srivastava ’17, CEO, Soliel Chartered Bank
In-Laws, Transformation, Navigating Family and Culture
Nandini Garg ’19, Director, Rajdarbar Group
Patricia Riberas ’18, Transformation and Organization Director, Gestamp
Andrew Straitman ’14, Director, Strategy & eCommerce, Commonwealth Packaging
Family Enterprise Connects Calls
Share with your fellow grads! Family Enterprise Connects is a facilitated discussion among members of Columbia’s Global Family Enterprise Program’s Advisory Board and Family Enterprise Circle. Participants are invited to share real-time experiences on various themes and get feedback from their peers and connect with one another. Conversations are off the record, unrecorded, and confidential.
Past Connects Topics
- Global Issues
- The Next Generation
- Governance
- Succession
- How's it going? What's next?
- Sustainability
- Planning for the Future
- Strategy
- Focus on Family
Family Enterprise Insights
Learn from experts! Family Enterprise Insights presents and archives the latest research, wisdom and advice from leading global scholars, family enterprise principals, and expert practitioners. Sessions vary from small workshops with academic researchers to webinars featuring C-suite executives and are open to students, alumni and friends of the program. Videos, articles and other resources are available online.
