Women CEOs, Directors, and Shareholders of Large Family-Run Companies to Meet as Women Take Greater Control of Family Firms

NEW YORK, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As family-controlled firms wield increasing influence in the U.S. and global economies – and with women stepping into leadership of these companies at a greater rate – WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) is launching an event to meet the demand for more guidance in how to govern these businesses. On May 5, in New York City, WCD is holding its first Family Business Governance Institute, designed for women CEOs, directors, and shareholders of family businesses with >$100 million in revenues. Interested participants may apply to attend through the WCD site.

Jump in women's leadership of family firms
"Women are increasingly taking the reins of family-run firms as leadership is being passed to the next generation," says Susan Stautberg, CEO, co-founder, and global co-chair of WCD. "In 1994, only 2% of CEOs in family businesses were women; today, it's at 11 to 12%."

Family companies driving economies globally
"Family-run businesses are the key engine of the rapid economic growth happening in South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and more," says Stautberg. In the Asia-Pacific region, family companies represent 85% of businesses, but they also hold an enormous weight among the largest companies in Western economies. One-third of all companies in the S&P 500 index, and 40% of the 250 largest companies in France and Germany are family-controlled.

Taking on hot-button family business issues
The program on May 5 features CEOs and board members from large family firms globally, who will address the very complex and highly charged issues around running a family business – from succession planning decisions to managing the competing agendas of different family members. The Institute will help both family shareholders as well as outside directors of family firms negotiate the particular challenges that family businesses pose.

The Family Business Governance Institute, which will take place at KPMG offices, will be held in conjunction with WomenCorporateDirectors' annual Global Institute, May 6-7 in New York.

To apply for media credentials to cover the event, please contact Suzanne Oaks Brownstein of Temin and Company at 212-588-8788 or [email protected].

About WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD)
WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) is the only global membership organization and community of women corporate directors, comprised of more than 3,500 members serving on over 6,500 boards in 68 chapters around the world, with many more slated in the next two quarters. The aggregate market capitalization of public companies on whose boards WCD members serve is $8 trillion – if WCD were a country, its economy would be the world's third largest, behind only the U.S. and China. In addition, WCD members serve on numerous boards of large private companies globally.

WCD membership provides a unique platform for learning from the intellectual capital of accomplished women from around the world, and WCD's mission is to increase courage, candor, inclusion, and cohesion in the boardroom. KPMG is a Global Lead Sponsor of WCD. Spencer Stuart is a Premier Global Partner, and WCD Strategic Partners include Marriott International, Marsh & McLennan Companies, McGraw Hill Financial, and Pearl Meyer & Partners; WCD Alliance Partners include International Finance Corporation (IFC), JPMorgan Chase, and Northern Trust.

WCD has 68 global chapters, located in Arizona, Atlanta, Beijing, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Chile, Cleveland, Colombia, Columbus, Dallas/Fort Worth, Delhi, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greater Colorado, Greater New Mexico, Guatemala, Gulf Cooperation Council, Hanoi, Hawaii, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Houston, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kansas City, Kenya, London, Los Angeles/Orange County, Malaysia, Melbourne, Mexico, Milan, Minnesota, Morocco, Mumbai, Netherlands, New York, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern California, North Florida/South Georgia, Panama, Peru, Philadelphia, Philippines, Quebec, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, San Diego, Sao Paulo, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, South Africa, South Florida, Spain, Switzerland, Sydney, Tennessee, Toronto, Turkey, Washington, D.C, and Western Canada. Upcoming chapters include Argentina, Brussels, Egypt, Greece, Mongolia, Poland, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Tampa, and Thailand. For more information, visit www.womencorporatedirectors.com.

SOURCE WomenCorporateDirectors

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