The FEW Conference
Engaging, Educational, Enlightening, Entertaining by design
FEW (family|enterprise|wealth) is a conference design for high performing families and their advisors. This invitation only annual event is where thought leaders share a world full of emerging opportunities. Now in its fourteenth year, FEW provides a marketplace of ideas gathering “the right people with the right ideas at the right time.”
“A powerful and unforgettable program”
At the FEW CONFERENCE, every minute counts; carefully selected topics, no panel discussions, no sponsors, none of the tired clichés from the usual round of so-called experts, no sales pitches, no glory stories. Each thought leader presents their very best ideas in thirty minutes or less. In addition to a stellar program, FEW participants have ample opportunities to share ideas with presenters and other attendees.
An extraordinary event. Very relevant, informative and lively. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
The discussions were enlightening and inspiring; attendees and presenters were first class.
FEW X Conference – 2018
Chicago, IL | September 27th
FEW IX NYC Conference Presenters – 2018
Philip K. Howard
America Needs a New Governing Philosophy
Founder, Common Good, Author, The Death of Common Sense, The Collapse of the Common Good, Life Without Lawyers and The Rule of Nobody.
Mark Rittmanic
Accelerating Your Family Business Performance
CEO, ForteONE
Brigadier General Peter B. Zwack
Why Russia Matters
Retired U. S. Army, Senior Russia, Eurasia Fellow Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University
Nassir Ghaemi
A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness
M. D. Tufts University, Author, A First-Rate Madness
Jerry Z. Muller
The Tyranny of Metrics
Professor of History, The Catholic University of America, and Author, How Our Obsession with Quantifying Human Performance Threatens Our Schools, Medical Care, Businesses and Government
Mark Yusko
Alternative Investments: Predictions for a Digital Age
CEO & CIO, Morgan Creek Capital Management
Blair Hull
Market Timing
Founder & Chairman, Hull Investments, Ketchum Trading, Hull Trading Company
Charlotte Beyer
Who Will Prevail When Authenticity Challenges the Money Culture
Principle Quest Foundation, Founder, Institute for Private Investors
Arden O’Connor
The Launching Years: Counteracting the Effects of Unearned Privilege
Founder, O’Connor Professional Group
Ned Hallowell M. D.
A Path of Excellence: What the Ideal Childhood, Education and Workplace Have in Common
The Hallowell Center, Author, Driven to Distraction
Akash Chougule
Incentives, Transparency, and Taxes
Director of Policy, Americans for Prosperity, Named “30 Under 30” for Law & Policy by FORBES Magazine.
John E. Messervey
Understanding Donald Trump: From Family Business Entrepreneur to President of the United States
NFBC President & Private Advisor to America’s Leading Families™
Another outstanding program, high level content and excellent speakers. Diverse set of topics threaded into larger themes. Each session was insightful, high energy, and engaging.
Truly inspiring day, such a meaningful and important experience with so many wonderful presenters making connections!
FEW VIII Conference Presenters – 2017
Michael Gfoeller
Oil, Arms Sales and Military Intervention; How Russia Projects Power in the Middle East
U. S. Ambassador (ret.), U. S. Department of State, Former Senior Advisor to General David Patraeus. Middle East counter-terrorism operations advisor.
Jerry Harrison
From Rock and Roll to Levelling the Investor Playing Field
Co-Founder, Red Crow, Songwriter, Musician and Producer, Talking Heads
Brian Smith
From Rock and Roll to Levelling the Investor Playing Field
CEO and Co-Founder, Red Crow
Laird Koldyke
Understanding the New America Consumer: Fads, Trends and Market Shifts
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Winona Capital
Mark Yusko
The Global Search for Alpha: All Roads Lead to Private Markets
Founder, CEO & Chief Investment Officer, Morgan Creek Capital
Philip K. Howard
The Rule of Nobody: The Urgent Need for Regulatory Reform and Infrastructure Improvement in America
Founder, Common Good, Author, The Death of Common Sense, The Collapse of the Common Good, Life Without Lawyers and The Rule of Nobody
John Leboutillier
Perspectives on the Current State of Government, Politics and Media
FOX News Commentator, Former U. S. Congressman (NY-6th)
January Miller
What is Really Happening on the South Side of Chicago
Chief Program Director and Co-Founder, EMBARC
Johnny C. Taylor Jr.
Strategies that Allow Fragile Communities to Flourish
President & CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Kurt Reiman
Do Politics Trump Economics?
Director, Global Investment Strategist, Blackrock
Jay Ellison
Why Free Expression on Campus Matters
College of Arts and Sciences, University of Chicago
Thomas Stewart
Woo, Wow and Win: Service Design, Strategy and the Art of Customer Delight
Executive Director, National Center for the Middle Market, The Ohio State University, Former Editor Harvard Business Review, Author, Woo, Wow and Win…
John E. Messervey
The Psychology of Entrepreneurial Leadership: Understanding Donald Trump
NFBC President & Private Advisor to America’s Leading Families™
FEW VII Conference Presenters – 2016
Scott Harris
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE WINNER IN THE UBER COMPETITIVE MLB ENVIRONMENT
Director, Baseball Operations, Chicago Cubs Baseball Club
Ti Brennan Martin
THE CHALLENGE AND JOY OF HONORING A LEGEND: ONE FAMILY’S STORY
Co-Proprietor, Commander’s Palace Group
Charlotte Beyer
THE POWER GAMES: WEALTH MANAGEMENT UNWRAPPED
Principle Quest Foundation, Founder, Institute for Private Investors
Timothy Farrell
INVESTING IN COMMERCIAL LITIGATION FINANCE
Managing Director, Longford Capital
Arnette Heintze
PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY IN A TECHNICALLY AGILE WORLD; BEST PRACTICES IN PHYSICAL AND CYBER SECURITY
CEO & Co-Founder, Hillard-Heintze
Kurt Reiman
GAME CHANGE: INVESTING IN A LOW GDP/HIGH DEBT ENVIRONMENT
Director, Global Investment Strategist, Blackrock
Blair Hull
MARKET TIMING, BIG DATA AND MACHINE LEARNING
Founder & Chairman, Hull Investments, Ketchum Trading, Hull Trading Company
Mark Achler
CREATING A SENSE OF URGENCY FOR INNOVATION
Managing Director, MATH Venture Partners, REDBOX, 1871, Northwestern University
Ned Hallowell
THE CHILDHOOD ROOTS OF ADULT HAPPINESS
M. D., The Hallowell Center, Author, Driven to Distraction
Ira Perlmuter
FAMILY OFFICE LOWER/MIDDLE MARKET BANKRUPTCY BUYOUTS
Managing Director, T5 Equity Partners
Linda Mack
WINNING THE RACE FOR TALENT IN YOUR FAMILY OFFICE
Founder & President, Mack International, LLC
John E. Messervey
BEYOND THE LOSS OF FAMILY WEALTH; WHEN HEIRS STUMBLE
NFBC President & Private Family Advisor to America’s Leading Families™
FEW VI Conference Presenters – 2015
Adam Hitchcock
THE ROAD AHEAD: INTERCONNECTED ECONOMICS, DOMESTIC POLITICS AND GEO POLITICS
Managing Director, Guggenheim Partners, Former Chief of Staff, WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS
Harry G. Broadman
CAPITALIZING ON OPPORTUNITIES AND MITIGATING RISK IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Director, Global Enterprise and Emerging Markets Initiative, PROA Global Partners, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Thomas Stewart
MOMENTS OF TRUTH: HOW MIDDLE MARKET COMPANIES NAVIGATE CRITICAL TRANSITIONS IN INNOVATION, LEADERSHIP AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Former editor, Harvard Business Review, National Center for the Middle Market
Matthew Kaplan
SHARED VISION: A 35 YEAR “FAMILY BUSINESS” SUCCESS STORY
President & CEO, KapStone Paper
Mark Achler
HOW TIMING AND LUCK MATTERS
Managing Director, MATH Venture Partners, REDBOX, 1871, Northwestern University
Sarah B. Barber
THE NEW WORLD OF STRATEGIC PRICING: DISRUPTIVE APPROACHES THAT DRIVE MAXIMUM RETURN
Director, Strategic and Analytics, VANTIV
Jonathan Blue
NAVIGATING THE NEW RULES OF PRIVATE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY: CUBA, LATIN AMERICA AND BEYOND
Chairman & Managing Director, Blue Equity, LLC
Amy Dunham
HIGH INTEREST, LOW TRUST; EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS UNDER FIRE
Managing Director, Strategic Communications, The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Norton Rainey
WHY CHOICE MATTERS: ACCELERATING EDCUATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA
President & CEO, Alliance for Choice in Education (ACE)
Angela Geiger
THE ECONOMICS OF AGING: ALZHEIMER’S AND ITS IMPACT
Chief Strategy Officer, Alzheimer’s Association
Scott D. Livingston
CHINA’S TECHNOLOGY REFORMS AND THE FUTURE OF THE GLOBAL INTERNET
Esq. Covington & Burling, Beijing, PRC
John E. Messervey
EVALUATING FAMILY, BUSINESS & WEALTH PERFORMANCE, THE NEXT GENERATION: WHAT MATTERS AND WHY
NFBC President & Private Family Advisor to America’s Leading Families™
I was struck by the refreshing difference in the FEW format and overall intimacy of the day. The right size group with John’s facilitation seems to be the key to this conference’s consistent success.
This is the right sized group–small enough to be personable, large enough to matter.
FEW V Conference Presenters – 2014
J.B. Pritzker
ENTREPRENEURIAL MOMENTUM IN THE MIDWEST
Managing Partner, Pritzker Group
Pradeep Ramamurthy
REACHING YOUNG URBAN CONSUMERS: THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH
Former Senior Director for Global Engagement, National Security Council, The White House
Gregory Curtis
BEING RICH
Chairman, Greycourt & Company
Philip K. Howard
CAN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT GET FIXED?
Founder, Common Good, Author, The Death of Common Sense, The Collapse of the Common Good, Life Without Lawyers and The Rule of Nobody
David A. Thurm
BUILDING THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR MUSEUM: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
COO, The Art Institute of Chicago
Arden O’Connor
SOLVING THE CHALLENGES OF ADDICTION: MENTAL HEALTH & EATING DISORDERS WITH HNW FAMILIES
Founder & CEO, O’Connor Professional Group
Tready A. Smith
A WOMAN’S FAVORITE PASTIME: (INVESTMENT) SHOPPING
Founder & CEO, Bayshore Capital Partners
Sarah J. Baker Esq.
GAME CHANGE: THE NEW ECONOMICS OF LEGAL PRACTICE AND PERFORMANCE
Sarah J. Baker, P. C.
Brad D. Akason
SELLING THE FAMILY BUSINESS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR, WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Managing Director, Lincoln International
Mackenzie Herzog
KEEPING OUR FAMILIES HEALTHY AND SAFE: WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM SPORTS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
Ph. D. Candidate, University of North Carolina, Founder and CEO, PRISM Group
Paul Abrahams
THE FUTURE OF BASEBALL: HOW TECHNOLOGY WILL DRIVE AMERICA’S PASTIME
COO, The Light Stryker Group
John E. Messervey
FROM STUCK TO THRIVING: HOW HNW FAMILIES ACCELERATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WEALTH CREATION AND CONTINUITY
NFBC President & Private Family Advisor to America’s Leading Families™
FEW IV Conference Presenters – 2013
Anthony Pritzker and Paul Carbone
CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION FAMILY INVESTMENT GROUP
Managing Partners, Pritzker Group
J. Randall Waterfield
FINDING SLIVERS OF HIGH PERFORMING INVESTMENTS IN A LOW PERFORMING MARKET
Co-Chairman, The Waterfield Group
YPO International Chair
Lorraine George-Harik
ACCELERATING OPPORTUNITIES: THE MILSTEIN FAMILY’S STARTEGIC DECISIONS FOR GROWTH
Founding Partner, HPM Partners
Kurt Reiman
POLITICS TRUMPS ECONOMICS
Director & Senior Editor, UBS Wealth Management Research
Jeffrey Sharfstein
SELLING THE FAMILY BUSINESS: A CASE STUDY IN RISK/REWARD IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT
President & CEO, The Strive Group
Mark Rittmanic
A VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES: WHAT BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO THINK ABOUT NOW
Founder & CEO, ForteONE
Joseph Bourgraf
IS THERE A SILVER LINING IN THE OBAMACARE CLOUD?
President & CEO, Ferno Group of Companies
Bret Alexander and Lauren Jordan
TRANSFORMING A FAMILY TRAGEDY INTO A MODEL FOR PHILANTHROPY
Advisory Directors, QUAD W Foundation
Randy Williams
BUILDING THE WORLD’S LARGEST ANGEL INVESTOR NETWORK
Founder & CEO, The Keiretsu Forum
John E. Messervey
MICRO THINKING IN A MACRO WORLD: AN EMERGING PSYCHOLOGY OF FAMILY WEALTH
NFBC President & Private Family Advisor to America’s Leading Families™
Outstanding – best lineup of speakers and topics at any conference that I have attended.
Exceeded my expectations – met some amazing people doing amazing things.
FEW III Conference Presenters – 2012
Laird Koldyke
MANAGING DIRECT INVESTMENTS IN A MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY ENTERPRISE
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Winona Capital, Chairman, Laird Norton Company
Richard Waterfield Jr.
CREATIVE STRATEGIES FOR WEALTH CREATION IN THE NEW ECONOMY
Co-Chairman, The Waterfield Group
Rege Eisaman
MANAGING PORTFOLIO RISK IN A VOLATILE ENVIRONMENT
Principal, InterOcean Capital
Thomas Farrell
MERGER & ACQUISITION TRENDS: WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD
Executive Vice President, Generational Equity
Blair Hull
THE ILLUSION OF LIQUIDITY
Founder & Chairman, Hull Investments, Ketchum Trading, Hull Trading Company
Robert Kudwa
30,000 ASSOCIATES UP IN THE AIR: LESSONS LEARNED, COMMUNICATING IN A CRISIS—9/11 AND BEYOND
Vice President and Director of Operations (D. O.) American Airlines, (ret.) Colonel, U. S. Marine Corps (ret.)
Rocky Henderson
FRACKING WEALTH: HOW THREE GENERATIONS IN NORTH DAKOTA CHANGED OUR FAMILY
Founder & CEO, Quest Inc.
Angelo J. Robles
CREATING A FAMILY OFFICE FOR FAMILY WEALTH PRESERVATION & LEGACY
Founder & CEO, Family Office Association
Randall Rother
INSURANCE BUILT AROUND YOU: ACCELERATING THE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO OF YOUR ESTATE PLAN
Principal, The Oakmont Group
Michael Foltz
NEW SKILLS, NEW PERSPECTIVES: MANAGING THE TRANSITION FROM OWNER TO INVESTOR
Principal, Balasa, Dinverno Foltz
Marc J. Grens
THE FLATTEST GENERATION: WHAT MOTIVATES THE NEW AGE OF ENTREPRENEURS?
Managing Director, Alpha Strategies
John E. Messervey
PRIVATE CONCERNS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES: DECISIONS HNW FAMILIES ARE MAKING NOW
NFBC President & Private Family Advisor to America’s Leading Families™
FEW II Conference Presenters – 2011
Steve Seabolt
GAME ON: GLOBAL BRANDING AT ELECTRONIC ARTS
Vice President, Electronic Arts
Renee Duba
IF WE ALL PLAY “FOLD IT”, COULD WE CURE CANCER?
Senior Advisor, Wm. Blair & Company
Georgette Wong
IMPACT INVESTING: HARNESSING THE POWER OF CAPITAL MARKETS TO SOLVE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
CEO, Correlation Consulting
Gil Crawford
STORIES FROM THE FIELD: HOW MICROFINANCE BECAME THE FIRST RISK ADJUSTED SCALABLE IMPACT INVESTMENT
CEO, MicroVest Capital
Holly Isdale
THE UNFULFILLED PROMISE OF FAMILY OFFICES: SINGLE, MULTIFAMILY AND BEYOND
Founder & CEO, Wealthaven
Patty Phillips
CAREER LAUNCH FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF WEALTH CREATORS
Vice President, Campus2Career
Bruce Werner
[P+F+I+C+E]*AE=Opportunity
Managing Partner, Kona Advisors
Brad Warrick
HEALTHCARE REFORM: ACCELERATING UNTAPPED COST REDUCTION OPPORTUNITIES
Founder & CEO, Warrick Optimal Workforce Wellness
Ernie Vesta
“To Know You is to Care for You” A NEW APPROACH TO RECONCILING MEDICAL NEEDS
M. D. & CEO, Vesta Healthcare
John Messervey
FAMILY BEHAVIORS THAT INHIBIT OR ENHANCE LONG TERM WEALTH CONTINUITY
NFBC President & Private Family Advisor to America’s Leading Families™
FEW I Conference Presenters – 2010
Jonathan Blue
SEIZING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES – LAUNCHING A STRATEGIC, DIVERSE PRIVATE EQUITY PLATFORM
Founder & CEO, Blue Equity/ Lagardère
Scott D. Livingston
THE RAPID RISE OF CHINESE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPACT UPON AMERICAN ECONOMIC GROWTH
AllBright Beijing
Laird Koldyke
THE ULTIMATE FAMILY OFFICE CHALLENGE: LEADING EIGHT GENERATIONS OF TALENT AND DIVERSITY
Co-Founder and Managing Director, Winona Capital, Chairman, Laird Norton Company
Michael Schonbrun
BEYOND THE DEMOGRAPHICS, SERVING THE RAPIDLY GROWING SENIOR CARE MARKET
Founder & CEO, Balfour Senior Living
John LaMotte and Scott Freres
TRENDS IN PLANNING|DESIGN|DEVELOPMENT IN EMERGING COMMUNITIES
Co-Founders, The Lakota Group
Jeff Klein
RESOLVING THE GRIDLOCK OF HOUSING IN DISTRESS
Founder & CEO, Lifeline Capital
Frank Schroeder and Gretchen Cooper
BEYOND FAILURE TO LAUNCH: GUIDING MILENNIALS INTO CAREERS THAT MATTER
Founder and Principal, Campus2Career
John Couzens
WEALTH TRANSFER PLANNING FOR LGBT INDIVIDUALS AND NON-TRADITIONAL FAMILIES
Northern Trust
Jeff Sharfstein
SURVIVING MARKET VOLATILITY IN A THREE GENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS
CEO, The Strive Group
Brad Warrick
AN UPDATE ON HEALTHCARE REFORM: ALTERNATE APPROACHES IN COST CONTAINMENT
Founder & CEO, Warrick LLC
Bruce Werner
NEW ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE AND FAMILY BUSINESSES
Managing Partner, Kona Advisors
Tom Neyer Jr.
BEYOND THE STORM; CREATIVE STRATEGIES IN REAL ESTATE AND MERCHANT BANKING
Founder & CEO, Neyer Holdings
Compelling, mind changing presentations.
An invaluable opportunity to meet some dynamic people in similar orbits.