Virtual Breakfast Series—Intergenerational Communication: Dialogue Through Governance and Structure

Description

Family businesses are entering an unprecedented time where four generations may be working within the family business. This presents challenges and opportunities because of the different mentalities, communication styles, and foundations that each generation brings to the workplace and family. Explore the importance of honest communication that helps creates a healthy family and can help in building out governance that assists in guiding families/family businesses into the future. 

Panelists

Veronica Maldonado, Chairman of Maldonado’s
Heidi Vermeer-Quist, Heartland Counseling and VQ Consulting

About Veronica

Veronica’s journey began in her family business in Venezuela and has taken her to each corner of the globe. Finally settling in Miami, Florida, her family’s business has experienced political turmoil, relocation, innovation, and most importantly, determination since its founding in 1911 as a cattle ranch. Veronica is the 4th generation of the Maldonado family business, which is now diversified from agriculture into dairy, energy, real estate, and investments.  Veronica Maldonado is the Chairman of the board of the GEM [Grupo Economic Maldonado] companies since July 2018. Prior to that she was Executive Director of foundation, La Compania Humana, which supports education, community development, music, and environmental awareness in Venezuela. She advises, consults and works with first and multi-generation family businesses. She is a board member of WellMeaning Investments, a real estate company and sibling partnership. Veronica graduated from Cornell University and completed with honors the EMBA in Family Business in the Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, GA. 

She sits on the advisory boards, and has been a speaker in family business matters in the summits of the Family Business Network, JP Morgan Next Generation program, the YPO Latin America Family Business Seminar, Campden Conferences, The Women’s Forum, Women in Family Business [WIFB], Business in Families Foundation, and has co-chair NMS Management’s Family Office Forum in Palm Beach and is a member of the Family Office Community Circle.  

About Heidi

Dr. Heidi Vermeer-Quist is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Family Business Consultant, and a third-generation shareholder of Vermeer Corporation, a privately held family-owned business based on Iowa. 

At Vermeer Corporation, Heidi developed and chaired the Ownership Council.  She implemented various family business governance best practices from 2008-2016, developing the Vermeer Family Office. Heidi served on the Board of Directors at Vermeer from 2014 – 2017 completing a full term as a Shareholder Director. She continues to work closely with leaders of the Vermeer family and business to promote healthy communication, alignment of goals, and growth of all persons involved. 

Heidi and her husband, Chad, co-own and direct VQ Consult (a family business consulting practice) and Heartland Christian Counseling (outpatient mental health clinics serving central Iowa).  

Heidi has presented the Vermeer Story of Family Business Governance at conferences through Loyola Family Business Center, FBN – USA, FBN – International, Prairie Family Business Center and other smaller family business gatherings.  She is certified in the Hogan assessment, Leadership Versatility Index, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to assist individuals and organizations in leadership development (particularly development of self-awareness and communication skills).  Heidi and Chad have worked with many family businesses, assisting them in developing family councils, family constitutions, and family business governance best practices.  Heidi also served on the Board for FBN-USA, serves as consultant facilitator for UNI Family Business Forum, the Advisory Board for Family Business Magazine, and many other leadership roles in her profession of psychology and in her community.

In her clinical practice, Heidi continues to provide psychological treatment to people struggling with a variety of mental health and relational problems, and she offers regular trainings and supervision to her clinical staff.  Heidi actively teaches a variety of classes that incorporate stress management skills, positive psychology, resiliency, and effective communication.  She is writing a series of books, Gardening Your Life, which provide practical applications of best practices in the field of psychology integrated with Christian faith.   

Heidi received her Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Music from Calvin College and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College.

She resides in Urbandale, Iowa with Chad and their 3 kids.

www.vqconconsult.com

www.heartland-christiancounseling.com