Recognize the Exceptional Family Businesses and Leaders in Our Community
May 1, 2025 – Nominate your favorite family businesses and leaders today for The Legacy Continues: 2025 Family Business Awards presented by the University of Louisville Family Business Center and Commonwealth Credit Union. These awards recognize excellence in family business operations, building continuity, community and philanthropy, education, and continuing the rich legacy of family businesses in our community.
Categories for Recognition
- Generations of Excellence – this individual has been leading their family business for at least 15 years and has made efforts to increase governance within the family business and is working to prepare the next generation for leadership. They are invested in continuing the legacy of their family business and have been actively involved in working with future generations to ensure knowledge from previous generations is passed down and they are an encouragement to ongoing innovation and growth in generations to come.
- Emerging Family Business Innovator – as a prominent leader in this family business, this individual has exhibited efforts to embrace the legacy of the current business and is taking up the torch to lead future Their desire to grow and advance the business in new and innovative ways is evident in their daily contributions to the organization. Nominees should be future leaders who have dedicated at least 10 consecutive years full time in the family business and who currently hold a leadership role.
- Legacy Builder – this individual is instrumental to working on the family business and ensuring its success for generations to come. Through building governance and setting expectations, their efforts have helped the business plan for the future and prepare in advance for the unexpected challenges that may arise in an effort to maintain family harmony and successfully move the business forward.
- Round Table Luminary – this award is designated specifically for a UofL Family Business Center Round Table Participant. This individual consistently attends and offers meaningful contributions to their groups round table By doing this, they have exhibited growth in their own business and inspired others. Their efforts to share their growing knowledge in family business has been beneficial to their round table community as a whole. This nominee must be a current member of the UofL Family Business Center in good standing.
Criteria and Nominations
For the purpose of these awards, “family businesses” are identified as a business owned by a family and with multiple members of the family currently working for the business in some capacity. Membership with the UofL Family Business Center is not required for most categories.
The deadline to submit nominations is June 16, 2025. You can find the nomination form here:
About the University of Louisville Family Business Center
The UofL Family Business Center (FBC) provides a vital community where business-owning families can exchange strategies and experiences, safely explore unique challenges, and learn from leading family business experts. Our goal is to sustain Kentuckiana family businesses through connections, support, education, and advocacy, increasing family harmony while committing to business continuity. We leverage local and best-in-class resources from the University of Louisville by:
- Creating a community of business owners and their advisors that strengthens both the family and the business.
- Providing educational resources to business-owning families, family enterprises, and family business partners for multi-generational success.
- Generating, translating, and disseminating research about business-owning families and family enterprises in our region.
The Family Business Center boasts a membership of over 150 businesses and business-owning families, ranging from small, local, first-generation businesses to multi-generational international enterprises exceeding $100M+. Our membership maintains a 70/30 split of family businesses and professional advisors, including attorneys, banks, CPAs, business valuation experts, strategic advisors, and more.
Learn more by contacting us at FBC@Louisville.edu or visiting us online: Memberships | Family Business Center at University of Louisville on Glue Up.
For Additional Information:
Candace Bensel
UofL Family Business Center Executive Director
Email: Candace.Bensel@Louisville.edu
Kristen Frarey
UofL Family Business Center Member Services Coordinator
Email: Kristen.Frarey@Louisville.edu
###
Add a Comment