In this episode of Family Business Matters, Professor of the Practice Amy Renkert-Thomas sits down with Anne Eiting-Klamer, former CEO and current Board Chair of Midmark Corporation, a leading supplier of medical, dental, and animal health care workspace solutions. Anne shares her journey of developing a highly effective and transformational board and reflects on how her perspective has evolved since transitioning from CEO to board chair.

Drawing on decades of leadership experience, Anne discusses how leaders can successfully engage board members whose expertise may exceed their own, remain humble in the face of challenge, and create an environment where differing viewpoints are welcomed rather than avoided. She also explores the critical role constructive disagreement plays in strengthening decision-making and driving organizational growth.

Whether you're a family business leader, board member, or executive seeking to elevate your organization's governance, this conversation offers practical insights on leadership, trust, and the power of inviting every voice to the table.

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Anne Eiting-Klamer

Amy Renkert-Thomas

What does it really mean to be an owner in a family enterprise?

In this episode of Family Business Matters, Family Enterprise Center co-founders Cooper Biersach and Steve Miller explore the three questions every owner must address to provide effective stewardship and leadership for a family enterprise:

1. What is unique about the role of owners in a family enterprise?
2. Why are we in business together?
3. What are the owners' most important responsibilities?

Drawing on decades of experience working with family-owned enterprises, including Steve's 34 years with Biltmore Estate, Cooper and Steve discuss how family owners create direction, define shared purpose, and develop an ownership strategy that guides boards, management, and future generations. Listeners will gain practical insights into building alignment around purpose, vision, priorities, and long-term stewardship.

Whether you are a founder, next-generation owner, or family shareholder, this conversation offers a framework for strengthening ownership and creating a shared future for your family enterprise.

Listeners can continue their family enterprise learning by exploring our upcoming virtual and live programs in our podcast notes, including a deeper dive into the topic of ownership in our virtual masterclass, and our in-person Fall Family Business Forum.

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Ownership Masterclass

13th Annual Family Business Forum

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with Dr. Shimul Melwani, Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Business Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and Professor of Organizational Behavior. Drawing from her personal background in family business, Dr. Melwani explores how conflict is often rooted not in business issues, but in fairness, relationships, and emotion.

The central focus? Ambivalence: the reality of holding both positive and negative feelings at the same time. Rather than something to fix, mixed feelings can lead to more flexible thinking, stronger leadership, and more cohesive teams.

The conversation highlights how silence can create assumptions that fuel resentment and conflict, reinforcing the idea that clarity is kindness. Dr. Melwani also introduces her research on “mega threats”, large societal forces shaping generational perspectives and how individuals interpret reality differently.

Listeners will gain tools to approach family business dynamics with greater internal and relational curiosity, transforming tension into more productive dialogue rather than avoiding it.

Dr. Melwani will expand on these ideas at the 13th Annual Family Business Forum, October 28–29, 2026, at the Rizzo Center in Chapel Hill (link in show notes).

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13th Annual Family Business Forum

Dr. Shimul Melwani