The benefit of learning together with your friend is that you keep each other accountable and have meaningful discussions about what you're learning.
Courtlyn
Promotion and Events Specialist
Critical skills for families and their advisors
Download Brochure
February 6, 2025
6 Weeks, Online
4–6 hours per week
Participants report that enrolling in a program with colleagues fosters collaborative learning and amplifies their impact.
Please provide your details to get more information about the group-enrollment pricing.
The benefit of learning together with your friend is that you keep each other accountable and have meaningful discussions about what you're learning.
Courtlyn
Promotion and Events SpecialistThe largest 500 family businesses account for $8.02 trillion in revenue and employ 24.5 million people. Collectively, they make the third largest contribution to the global economy, leaving no doubt about their impact on the global business landscape. Family enterprises are ingrained into the world’s culture, often having widespread influence across their communities and beyond.
Typically encompassing one or more businesses, holding organizations, family offices, trusts, and foundations, a family enterprise can be incredibly complex. And working with family members is not easy. Family dynamics, multi-generational ownership, family wealth, and vision all present unique challenges.
Designed by Patricia Angus, an adjunct professor and managing director of the Global Family Enterprise Program at Columbia Business School, this program combines theory with practice to provide a comprehensive understanding of an institution that is at the heart of our global economy. Using faculty-authored case studies, application-based assignments, peer discussions, and more, this program imparts knowledge of leadership principles, management, philanthropy, social enterprise, succession, and sustainability, preparing learners to play a critical role in the long-term success of a complex family enterprise (CFE).
Of the global GDP is economically impacted by family businesses
Growth in global wealthy population was observed in 2021 thus, contributing to the growth in family offices
Of the new jobs in United States are created by family businesses
The Family Enterprises and Wealth (Online) program will enable you to:
Understand the fundamentals of a complex family enterprise, including a family business, family office, joint investments, and charitable endeavors.
Learn to apply relevant frameworks, including the Family Systems Theory and the Family Governance Pyramid™, to complex family enterprises.
Explore ownership concepts, including different perspectives and roles within a trust.
Understand the need for governance processes and forums, and learn market-tested frameworks you can leverage to help clients or your family.
Gain insights into the practical applications of family governance, and apply frameworks to build an optimal family governance system.
Evaluate how a family can impact society, and learn to distinguish philanthropy from investing.
Understand the fundamentals of a complex family enterprise, including a family business, family office, joint investments, and charitable endeavors.
Understand the need for governance processes and forums, and learn market-tested frameworks you can leverage to help clients or your family.
Learn to apply relevant frameworks, including the Family Systems Theory and the Family Governance Pyramid™, to complex family enterprises.
Gain insights into the practical applications of family governance, and apply frameworks to build an optimal family governance system.
Explore ownership concepts, including different perspectives and roles within a trust.
Evaluate how a family can impact society, and learn to distinguish philanthropy from investing.
World-Renowned Faculty
Learn from accomplished faculty, and industry experts whose diverse backgrounds encompass a broad range of disciplines
Engaging Assignments and Activities
Hone business acumen and executive skills with try-it activities that help you redefine your potential
Case Studies
Through exploratory sessions, examine practical examples and find innovative solutions to strategic challenges
Peer Interaction
Stimulating discussions with like-minded global peers expand your professional network and build a supportive community
Understand the challenges of building a strong family governance system from one of the wealthiest and most philanthropic families in the United States that primarily used its assets to increase the family’s wealth.
Learn about the evolution of the complex Redstone family enterprise over several generations. It is led by Sumner Redstone, who seized opportunities that exponentially grew his father’s drive-in theater business to become one of the world’s largest media conglomerates.
Past participants of the Family Enterprises and Wealth (Online) program program come from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences.
Average years of work experience:
Top industries:
Top functions:
Top countries:
Note: Data from across previous cohorts
Patricia Marie Angus
Adjunct Professor of Business, Finance and Managing Director, Global Family Enterprise Program, Columbia Business School
Patricia Angus, a recognized thought leader in multi-generational family governance and wealth launched the Family Enterprise and Wealth MBA class at Columbia Business School. She has advised families with businesses, trusts, and charitable foundations for more than 25 years and has written numerous articles on family wealth, businesses, trusts, estate planning, philanthropy, and women’s issues.
Ms. Angus helps clients navigate some of life's most complex issues, through critical analysis, strategic planning, and compassionate guidance. She is the Founder and CEO of Angus Advisory Group LLC, an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University, and Managing Director of the Global Family Enterprise Program.
She served as Chief Wealth Advisory Officer of Shelterwood Financial Services LLC and as Family Wealth Advisor at GenSpring and JP Morgan Private Bank.
In addition, she is the author of The Beneficiary Primer: A Guide for Beneficiaries of Family Trusts and The Trustee Primer: A Guide for Personal Trustees and writes the "Building Bridges" column on www.wealthmanagement.com.
She has received numerous awards, receiving the Family Firm Institute Inter-Disciplinary Award in 2019. Ms. Angus has been named one of the Top 50 Women in Wealth Management by Wealth Manager, a Rising Star by Private Asset Management, a finalist for Family Business Advisor of the Year by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and is consistently named among the top wealth advisers by UK-based CityWealth.
Upon completion of the Family Enterprises and Wealth (Online) program, you will receive a certificate of participation from Columbia Business School Executive Education. This certificate also awards two credits towards the Certificate in Business Excellence, which grants select alumni and tuition benefits. Learn More
Download BrochureYour digitally verified certificate will be issued in your legal name and emailed to you, at no additional cost, upon completion of the program, including all modules of the program (online, in person, or live online, inter-module). All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Columbia Business School Executive Education.
After reviewing the information on the program landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the program brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this program is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated program advisor will follow-up with you very shortly.
Some programs do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the program landing page, as well as in the program brochure. If you are uncertain about program prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at the ID mentioned above.
Note that, unless otherwise stated on the program web page, all programs are taught in English and proficiency in English is required.
More than 50 percent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but, generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry, and geography — leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.
Check back to this program web page or email us to inquire if future program dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
We have designed this program to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities including:
The program is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please email us if you need further clarification on program activities.
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programs said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.
All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the program delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the program in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course.
A dedicated program support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the program. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.
Each program includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enroll. This is referenced at the top of the program landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the program brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programs are designed to fit into your working life.
This program is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programs include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the program brochure. Please email us if you need further clarification on any specific program requirements.
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the program, once grading is complete.
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
No, there is no alumni status granted for this program. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the program brochure.
You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and program materials for 12 months following the program start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts.
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access program content from a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you may view them later.
Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the program without missing any of the core program material or learnings.
The program fee is noted at the top of this program web page and usually referenced in the program brochure as well.
Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the program currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your program advisor, or email us for details.
Yes! Please email us with the details of the program you are interested in, and we will assist you.
Please email us your invoicing requirements and the specific program you’re interested in enrolling in.
Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the program fee in installments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.
Please connect with us via email for assistance.
Emeritus collects all program payments, provides learner enrollment and program support, and manages learning platform services.
Program fees for Emeritus programs with Columbia Business School Executive Education may not be paid for with Title IV financial aid funds. Participants may be able to pay the program fee with funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008, or similar types of military education funding benefits. Participants must contact the Columbia University’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs to determine benefit eligibility.
For the program refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Flexible payment options available.