Where do you want to learn? A guide to family enterprise and family office education programs in Canada and the U.S.

This article is part of our Special Report on “Educating the Next Generation of Family Office Leaders.”

As family offices continue to grow in their number and import, a corresponding movement for more professionalization in the industry has emerged. After all, family offices are not quite like other investment or advisory firms. Their goals are not just financial, but also values-based, and their “horizon” is not next quarter, next year or even next decade, but can span generations. For family members, and for family office executives with backgrounds in other disciplines—for instance, law, finance or accounting—family dynamics and intergenerational exigencies can present real challenges.

How can they overcome those hurdles? Beyond attending the proverbial school of hard knocks, structured educational options do exist—but they can be difficult to find. In recognition of that reality, we have compiled the following list of programs that might be of interest to wealthy families and/or their advisors.

In Canada, the state of family office education reflects the nascent state of the industry itself: with the exception of the Masterclass in Family Office Designs offered by the private Cambridge Institute, no university-affiliated, family office-dedicated domestic programs are widely available. There are, however, several university programs focused on family enterprises, which could well give rise to tomorrow’s family offices, and academic interest in family offices, from both a research and an educational standpoint, seems to be growing. For those reasons, we have included in this list of educational programs a number of family business offerings available in Canada, selected based on what we see as a particularly strong correlation with the priorities and challenges of family offices (and family-offices-to-be).

We have also included notable programs in the United States, where the landscape is different. While family offices as a subject for universities there (as in Canada) still represent an emerging space, structured programs have arisen at the undergraduate, graduate and executive education levels at some of the country’s most prestigious institutions. We have attempted to capture the most notable ones here.

There are, of course, family office-specific educational offerings beyond North America, and especially in Europe, where family offices have a long history. Our list of notable international offerings will be published soon.

The list below is not a ranking, but rather is intended as a useful guide. And while it is the product of many hours of research, we recognize that it might not be comprehensive. If there are programs that we have missed and merit mention, we would like to hear about them. Feedback (and notices of omissions) can be forwarded to us at newsroom@canadianfamilyoffices.com.

Canadian programs

Masterclass on Family Office Designs

Cambridge Institute, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

One of the only family office-specific offerings in Canada, the Cambridge Institute’s Masterclass is an intensive, in person learning program designed for ultra-high-net-worth families. The goal of the program is to deepen knowledge and understanding of the foundations for successful family offices and equip attendees to navigate the complexities of multi-generational wealth management. It provides a collaborative, private environment where families engage with other families and with family office experts, including Tom McCullough, Devin DeCiantis and Judi Cunningham.

Who it’s for

• Families with an existing family office (multi, single, virtual) looking to benchmark against best practices and evolve or update their structure and approach.
• Next-generation family members who would like to educate themselves and engage on a deeper level.
• Those new to the family office world (near or post-liquidity) seeking education on long-term planning.

Experiences & impacts

• Participants learn how to prioritize and focus on the “5 Elements of Successful Family Wealth Management”: family well-being, structure and system design, financial continuity planning, asset management and investing, and wealth administration.
• Covers the structures, services and operating models to meet the unique needs of the family.
• Compares and contrasts the pros, cons and trade-offs of using one family office model over another, and gives insights into optimizing the selection and use of external advisors.
• Focuses on how to preserve family well-being and legacy as part of a family office strategy.

More information: Cambridge Institute | Masterclass on Family Office Designs

Family Enterprise Legacy Institute (FELI)

Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa

FELI aims to empower the next generation of enterprising families, bridging research and practice in governance, succession, wealth stewardship and family office development. The institute supports BCom, MBA, MSc and PhD programs, plus tailored executive education (including, recently, in family office governance and management). Its mission is to create knowledge and best practices for family enterprises and ensure responsible decision-making within business families. Classes are conducted by world-leading researchers, including program director Peter Jaskiewicz.

Who it’s for

• Next-gen family members preparing for leadership roles in the family enterprise.
• Professionals transitioning into formal governance or management positions within the family business.
• Individuals engaged in or preparing for succession planning and stewardship responsibilities.

Experiences & impacts

• Research-driven thought leadership: articles, case studies, next-gen retreats, and global family office guidance.
• Offers an executive Certificate in Responsible Ownership: five modules over 10 days, tailored to the next gen, including intensive training and pre-work.
• FELI builds a “practice community,” connecting students, advisors and multi-generational family firms nationwide.

More information: Family Enterprise Legacy Institute – University of Ottawa

Family Business Institute

Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University

Under academic director Francesco Barbera, the Family Business Institute at TMU is a central hub for family enterprise research, education and engagement across undergraduate, graduate and executive levels. The FBI provides undergraduate and executive coursework focused on family dynamics, governance, succession, ESG and entrepreneurship, and it participates in groundbreaking partnerships, including succession research with KPMG Family Office and real-world case conferences. The institute also engages the business family community widely through its “Enterprising Family Series” speaker events, showcasing practitioners and next-gen family leaders.

Who it’s for

• Undergraduate and graduate students interested in family enterprise careers.
• Family business leaders, next-gen successors and professional advisors in Ontario.
• Executives and advisors seeking continuing education and peer forums on issues of governance, ESG and succession.

Experiences & impacts

• The FBI acts as a “living lab,” integrating TMU’s undergrad cohort with family business practices.
• Advances family-business knowledge through applied research, surveys and public engagement.
• Supports diversity initiatives, next-gen development and PhD-level engagement in enterprise research, including the connections between family enterprises and family offices.

More information: Family Business Institute – Ted Rogers School of Management – Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

Alberta Business Family Institute

University of Alberta, Edmonton

Since 2003, the ABFI has provided research, toolkits, education and support resources to family business members and advisors. It targets the strengthening of business-family systems via applied outreach and development, providing access to high-quality research, education and outreach to prepare business families and their stakeholders to manage across generations.

Who it’s for

• Business families.
• Family enterprise executives and advisors.
• University students (through the U of A’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise).

Experiences & impacts

• Offers practical workshops, webinars and advisor training for succession, governance and continuity.
• Builds capacity across business families with research-based guidance and engagement, including through peer-to-peer events.
• ABFI’s Roadmap program brings entrepreneurial families together for a series of intensive learning weekends in the Alberta Rockies, focusing on strategic issues about legacy, growth and governance alongside professors, advisors and peer families. 
• The Executive Certificate in Family Enterprise Advising program develops advisors’ ability to support business families in growth, succession, ownership transition, governance frameworks and overall strategic direction.
• MBA and other master’s-level students can participate in a two- to three-week International Family Business Study Tour to Europe to meet some of the world’s oldest business families. Recent tours included meetings with such family businesses as Prada, Swarovski and Merck.

More information: Business Family Education & Support in Alberta | ABFI

Centre for Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise

University of Alberta, Edmonton

Linked with the ABFI, CEFE provides undergraduate majors/minors, MBA/executive-level courses, and PhD research in family enterprise and entrepreneurship. The centre emphasizes the core themes of governance, culture, succession and internationalization within family-run firms. It supports scholarships, fieldwork and deep practitioner/academic collaboration.

Who it’s for

• Primarily undergraduates and MBA students.

Experiences & Impacts

• Students engage with real family businesses via field projects, guest lectures and applied case studies.
• Contributes to applied research and theory in family enterprise systems.
• Facilitates trust-building and peer networks among regional and national family business leaders.

More information: Centre for Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprise | Alberta School of Business

FamilyShift

KPMG and Ivey Business School, Western University, London, Ont.

Offered by Ivey in partnership with KPMG, FamilyShift is a five-day immersive in-person program specifically for next-generation family business leaders, designed to balance legacy and innovation. The program covers governance strategies, leadership frameworks, succession planning, legal/tax implications, and relationship dynamics—all tailored to family enterprises. It also features actionable content like design thinking for innovation, peer collaboration, and one-to-one coaching from Ivey faculty and industry experts.

Who it’s for

• Next-generation family members (25+ years old) who are positioned to take a leading role in a family business with at least $10 million in annual revenue or a family net worth of $20 million-plus.

Experiences & impacts

• Uses live case studies, simulations and peer teamwork, helping participants apply learning directly to real-world family business issues.
• Facilitated by both Ivey professors and external practitioners, including legal, tax and governance specialists.
• Enhanced through partnership with KPMG Private Enterprise.

More information: FamilyShift

BBA in Entrepreneurship and Family Business Studies

Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto

A specialization within Schulich’s Bachelor of Business Administration program, Entrepreneurship & Family Business Studies has a blended focus on venture creation and family enterprise management skills. The curriculum includes an undergraduate course on Managing the Family Enterprise, covering systems theory in family businesses, conflict, succession and governance, and preparing students for advisory and leadership roles. The specialization is designed for students aiming to launch, grow or advise entrepreneurial and family firms.

Who it’s for

• Undergraduate BBA students interested in family businesses, succession and governance, especially those aiming to start or advise entrepreneurial, family-run businesses.
• Next-generation family members wanting structured training in family enterprise dynamics.
• Future advisors, including consultants, lawyers and financial professionals focused on family firms.

Experiences & impacts

• Offers a comprehensive introduction to managing family enterprise systems, using case studies and practical frameworks.
• Schulich is recognized for supporting family-office-aware programming, with involvement from family-office professionals at its entrepreneurship hub.
• Access to the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem at Schulich (through York Entrepreneurship Development Institute and the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship) as a complement to family business education with mentorship, venture accelerators and practical exposure.

More information: Entrepreneurial & Family Business Studies – Schulich School of Business

Notable U.S. programs

Family Office Advanced Leadership Program

RSM Tony Wood Family Office Institute and Cornell University, New York

A new collaboration between assurance, tax and consulting services firm RSM and Ithaca, N.Y.-based Cornell University, the Family Office Advanced Leadership Program launched earlier this year to support family office executives in strengthening their leadership skills, develop strong governance strategies and hone their understanding of complex family dynamics. Attendees take part in two-and-a-half-day sessions at Cornell’s Tech Campus in New York City, conducted by professionals in family enterprise, communications and intergenerational strategy. Those who complete the full program receive a certificate from Cornell and CPE/CPD credits with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

Who it’s for

• Senior executives of single-family offices who lead multidisciplinary teams serving multigenerational families.
• All program applications are subject to review and approval.

Experiences & impacts

• The program is designed to help executives navigate family office complexity by strengthening their ability to align stakeholders, drive long-term value, employ robust governance frameworks and understand emotional dynamics within families.
• Three sessions, generally held five to seven months apart, explore successive themes: navigating family and complex ecosystems, with a focus on leadership, conflict management and communication; governance, agility and the future of the family office; family, values and stewardship, focused on bridging generational gaps.
• Limited to 40 participants, the program offers what director Daniel Garrett Van Der Vliet calls “a confidential space,” where family office executives can interact with and learn from peers.

More information: Family Office Advanced Leadership Program | RSM US

Building a Legacy: Family Office Wealth Management

Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Mass.

A four-day multi-faceted learning program held on the HBS campus, Building a Legacy offers students an opportunity to gain strategic insights into how family offices preserve and grow generational wealth. Topics include aligning family values with long-term investment strategies; structures and governance models for managing family wealth; methods to promote family unity; risk assessment and management for UHNW families; frameworks for succession planning and next-gen leadership development. Students interact with expert faculty and leading practitioners in family wealth and have the opportunity to network and share experiences with global peers.

Who it’s for

• Family members, principals and key executives of global ultra-high-net-worth families (typically with at least US$100 million in assets) who are launching or restructuring a family office, looking to strengthen family governance and/or learn about strategies to ensure the continuity and legacy of family values and assets.

Experiences & impacts

• Participants gain strategic perspective through the program’s focus on linking family purpose to long-term wealth goals, governance and continuity planning.
• A holistic approach covers leadership, philanthropy, succession and multigenerational engagement alongside investment management.
• Interactive environment: Simulations, faculty-led discussions and peer collaboration to drive real-world learning and application.

More information: Building a Legacy: Family Office Wealth Management | Executive Education

Family Enterprise and Wealth

Columbia Business School (New York City), online

This comprehensive, six-week online program is designed for family members and professionals who manage, advise or inherit wealth from family enterprises or offices. The program focuses on managing complexity in multi-generational family enterprises, wealth stewardship, succession and governance. It provides flexible, self-paced online access that can be completed from anywhere, and the curriculum is grounded in faculty research and Columbia’s commitment to interdisciplinary global leadership education.

Who it’s for

• Family members, stakeholders and leaders of complex family enterprises who want to create a shared vision and develop policies and procedures to improve the sustainability and health of their family enterprise.
• Family enterprise professionals and advisors who want to understand the essentials of working with family.
• Institutional investors seeking to understand the challenges inherent in high-net-worth families in order to specialize in family wealth management.

Experiences & impacts

• Integrates emotional, strategic and financial dimensions of managing family wealth and enterprise.
• Offers tools and frameworks that adapt to different generations, cultures and levels of family involvement.
• Includes case studies, facilitated peer discussions, and scenario-based exercises to enhance application and learning.

More information: Family Enterprises and Wealth | Online Program | Columbia Business School Executive Education

The Single Family Office

Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Chicago

Kellogg’s family office program helps students understand the structure, function and life cycle of a single-family office. Held over three days in June at the school’s Chicago campus, the program explores best practices for aligning mission and values at a family office, gives insights into investment management, governance, philanthropy and estate planning, and teaches strategies to manage intergenerational dynamics.

Who it’s for

Principals, family members and executives of ultra-high-net-worth families (typically with assets exceeding US$100 million) who are establishing or restructuring a single-family office and serve as family-office leaders, board members or decision-makers.

Experiences & impacts

• The program aims to deepen attendees’ understanding of family office operations, investment oversight and long-term planning, while teaching how to design and evolve a family office to meet the needs of wealthy families
• Explores common pitfalls and how to build a resilient, adaptable office structure.
• Provides an opportunity to learn from Kellogg faculty experts, industry practitioners and other family office leaders, and to benchmark against peer family offices through collaborative discussions and case studies.

More information: The Single Family Office | Kellogg Executive Education

Wharton Family Office Program: Balancing Family Harmony and Financial Prosperity

Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

The Wharton Family Office Program: Balancing Family Harmony and Financial Prosperity is a new offering designed to provide families with practical knowledge on the development, functions, operations and governance of family offices. Based on the conviction that family office management requires a holistic approach, the program instructs and engages participants not only in investment management and estate planning, but also in interpersonal communications, succession, next-gen issues and family office technology and operations. It is held over five days on the Wharton campus in Philadelphia.

Who it’s for

• Ultra-high-net-worth (net worth of at least US$30 million) family members and individuals who are considering forming a professionally run family office, wish to optimize an existing family office, are considering joining a multi-family office or have recently experienced a substantial liquidity event.
• Family office advisors may also be considered for admission.

Experiences & impacts

• Breakout sessions, interactive exercises, case studies and guest speakers define the classroom experience, providing participants with a broad view of family offices while at the same time drilling down into practical issues.
• Participants engage with peers and guest speakers through receptions and other networking opportunities.
• The program is anchored in the school’s well-respected family wealth research, the Wharton Bi-Annual Family Office Global Benchmarking Study, which is a definitive source of independent data on family offices.

More information: Wharton Family Office Program: Balancing Family Harmony and Financial Prosperity – Wharton Executive Education

Family Office Initiative

University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Chicago

Launched in 2024 with a gift from the Anthony Pritzker Family Foundation, the Booth School’s Family Office Initiative’s mission is to establish a leading family office program that serves the research, educational and network needs of current and future family office leaders. The initiative brings together family office leaders through events, educational summits and its Family Office Initiative Council, which is a global network of practitioners in the sector. The FOI also supports the Booth School curriculum, with an MBA-level course, The Family Office, in 2025 and an executive education program, The Future of Your Family Office. Further family office-related courses are under development.

Who it’s for

• The five-day program The Future of Your Family Office is for mid- to senior-level executives from family offices navigating generational transitions, liquidity events, and/or governance and strategic challenges.
• Participants include family principals and next-gen leaders, senior non-family executives at family enterprises, and families/executives planning to formalize or relaunch a family office.
• The Family Office course is offered to Booth School MBA students.

Experiences & impacts

• Participants in The Future of Your Family Office will develop a draft strategic and operational plan for their family office, under the guidance of faculty.
• Morning sessions comprise interwoven lectures on topics including family values and governance; organizational design; roles and accountability; capital strategy and portfolio alignment; tax, estate and investment planning; talent strategy; family communication and conflict management; and philanthropy and social impact.
• Afternoons feature organized “jam sessions” in which participants interact with peers facing similar challenges to develop strategies and approaches for optimizing their family offices.

More information: Executive program—The Future of Your Family Office – Executive Education | Chicago Booth; Family Office Initiative—Family Office Initiative | The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Financial Management for the Family Office

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Malibu, Calif.

Over two-and-a-half days, students engage in a structured curriculum developed in partnership with Lido Consulting, a leading advisory firm in the family office space. The program instructs on the core functions and responsibilities of family offices and teaches financial oversight and management, risk management, governance practices, operational controls and advisor selection, and alignment of long-term family goals and values with financial operations. The program is delivered through case studies, panel discussions and interactions with industry experts.

Who it’s for

• CFOs, COOs, controllers and executives at single- or multi-family offices.
• Family members involved in financial oversight or office governance.
• Advisors or professionals transitioning into family office service roles.
• Typical participants represent or manage ultra-high-net-worth families with assets generally in the US$50 million to US$500 million range.

More information: Family Office Program | Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

Bailey Program for Family Enterprise: Family Office Workshops

Daniels College of Business, University of Denver

The University of Denver’s Bailey Program for Family Enterprise offers several family office-related initiatives, providing learning, collaboration and conversation among enterprising and wealthy families. Past offerings include a two-day interactive workshop for family office members and executives, focusing on succession planning, family dynamics, sustainability and governance.

Who it’s for

• The Bailey Program is a member-based organization. Members include operating family-owned businesses, family offices and their advisors.
• Prior relationship with the University of Denver is not required; however, most members are local.
• The program’s membership ratio is set at 70 per cent family members and 30 per cent advisors.

Experiences & impacts

• The program’s approach to teaching is modular and collaborative, offering stand-alone workshops or participation in sessions via membership; members have access to additional peer forums, networking events and certificate tracks.
• The emphasis is on actionable frameworks tailored to single- or multi-family office structures.
• Along with roundtables featuring subject matter experts, learning opportunities include workshops on Multigenerational Family Business Mastery, Real Estate Investing and Advising Families with a “Wealth 3.0” Approach.
• The program also offers a Women in Family Enterprise Retreat, which helps women understand technical and relationship themes around wealth.

More information: Family Office | Daniels College of Business

Family Office Program (law)

Maurer Law School, Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.

A specialized program that teaches law students the legal foundations essential to establishing and managing a family office, the Family Office Program at Maurer provides training, mentoring and summer internship opportunities for students interested in working for family offices or family office-oriented law firms. Courses cover regulatory compliance, fiduciary duties and risk management, as well as structures for governance, trusts and intergenerational wealth transfer; domestic and international tax implications for family-owned assets and investments; cybersecurity and privacy for UHNW families. The program provides opportunities to engage with legal scholars and practitioners who specialize in family wealth, estate and tax law, and to network with legal and financial professionals supporting family offices.

Who it’s for

• Law students at Maurer.

Experiences & impacts

• Offers advanced understanding of estate planning, tax law and legal governance in a family wealth context.
• Emphasizes legal structures, compliance, fiduciary standards and asset protection strategies critical to running a family office.

More information: Family office program: Academics: Maurer School of Law: Indiana University Bloomington

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