The international event explored family businesses' challenges and opportunities in times of transformation, transition, and trust.
By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Leadership, trust, legacy, and innovation were the core themes guiding dialogue among business leaders, academics, and entrepreneurial families from around the world at the Global Family Business Summit 2025, an international gathering jointly organized by the STEP Project Global Consortium (SPGC), the Institute for Entrepreneurial Families (IFEM), and EGADE Business School of Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Held from May 14 to 16 in Monterrey, the summit, under the theme "Evolution & Revolution: Transformation, Transition and Trust," served as a platform for connection and intergenerational exchange, driving the present and future of family businesses.
The welcome took place at the Expedition FEMSA building at Tecnológico de Monterrey, led by Horacio Arredondo, Dean of EGADE Business School; María Fonseca, Director of IFEM and Chair of the summit's organizing committee; and Andrea Calabró, Academic Director of SPGC.
“This summit brings together extraordinary voices from academia and family business and is a unique opportunity to generate bold ideas, meaningful connections, and lasting impact,” highlighted Arredondo in his welcome remarks.
LEGACY AND VISION: THE FORMULA FOR TRANSFORMATION
At the summit’s opening, José Antonio Fernández Carbajal, Executive Chairman of the Board and CEO of FEMSA, delivered the keynote speech "Evolving Families, Trusting Generations and Transformative Businesses," sharing his vision on the evolution of business families and their role in building transformative companies.
"From the perspective of our patrimonial shareholders, the key drivers of FEMSA’s long-term success are three: a long-term vision, awareness of our context, and continuity supported by clear governance," he stated.
Fernández Carbajal emphasized that "governance is the foundation for sustainable growth: it transforms intention into impact and ensures that decisions are made with clarity, consistency, and alignment."
He also stressed that "a well-defined structure enables organizational agility: it clarifies responsibilities, sets priorities, and strengthens execution."
He noted that a well-planned leadership transition is essential to ensure business continuity and preserve values.
“A transition is not just about preserving the legacy, but about ensuring the company is ready for the future,” he said.
In this process, he underscored three key factors: Knowledge Transfer, Entrepreneurship, and Trust.
The executive explained that knowledge transfer involves sharing both know-how, wisdom, and culture, ensuring that the next generation understands the “what” and the “why.”
Regarding entrepreneurship, he highlighted the importance of empowering new leaders to innovate and take ownership instead of simply maintaining the status quo.
On trust, he noted that it enables goal alignment through open dialogue and a shared long-term vision.
“Empowering the next generation is the bridge to a bright future,” he said, concluding with his transformation formula: “Transformation = Legacy + Vision.”
“Transformation is not the end of a legacy — it’s how the legacy stays alive, with purpose and long-term focus,” said Fernández Carbajal.
ENCOUNTER AND DIALOGUE
The summit agenda included visits to family-owned companies such as Metalsa, Viakable, and Heineken México, which offered attendees an in-depth look at their legacy, culture, and future vision. The agenda also included an academic program featuring keynote conferences and research presentations at the EGADE Business School campus.
During parallel sessions, participating researchers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Sweden shared their valuable findings among peers.
Faculty from EGADE Business School, including Sascha Fürst, Jairo Orozco, Christiane Molina, Luciana Manfredi, and Hans Lundberg, contributed as moderators and presenters.
Keynote speakers also included Prasad Jayaraman, Americas Cyber Security Leader & Principal at KPMG US, who addressed the challenges and opportunities that technological innovation represents for the future of family businesses, and Justin Craig, Distinguished Professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey, who reflected on trust as a driving force for change in family business.
The Global Family Business Summit 2025 was held to celebrate the SPGC's 20th anniversary and EGADE Business School's 30th anniversary.