Affinity Groups
The UToledo Family Business Center Affinity Group Program is one of the most powerful ways our members engage with the Center — and with one another.
These structured, confidential peer groups bring together family business leaders who share similar roles, responsibilities, and challenges. In a trusted environment, members engage in honest dialogue, explore real-time issues, and hold one another accountable for progress.
What Makes Affinity Groups Different?
Affinity Groups are facilitated peer forums designed to help you think better, lead better, and move forward with clarity.
Members consistently say they value:
-
- A trusted and confidential space
- Honest, open dialogue
- Learning from peers facing similar challenges
- Shared experiences and cross-generational insight
- New perspectives that challenge their thinking
Connection is the strongest driver of retention. The most satisfied groups demonstrate consistent attendance, proactive agendas, and deep trust.
Who It’s For — and What It Requires
Affinity Groups are designed for family members and C-suite level leaders within Family Business Center member companies.
Participants are individuals carrying real responsibility — for ownership decisions, leadership direction, family dynamics, and long-term sustainability. These groups are not entry-level forums. They are peer spaces for those actively shaping the future of their organizations.
Each group is self-moderated and member-driven. While the Center facilitates initial formation and structure, the group determines its own norms, operating style, and meeting format. Groups meet monthly at a time that works for them.
Two standards define every group:
- Commitment
- Members commit not only to show up, but to engage. That means preparation, participation, openness, and a willingness to speak honestly about real challenges.
- Confidentiality
- What is shared in the group stays in the group. Conversations are confidential — even from the Center. We do not know what is discussed. Trust is protected at every level.
Because of this structure, these groups operate with depth and candor. Members challenge one another. They hold each other accountable. They build long-term peer relationships grounded in discretion and integrity.
Our Members Say It Best
“The Affinity Group experience is a great way to develop a core peer network to discuss
topics/issues relating to the family business. We are also able to tap into the resources
of the UTCFB network for speakers and gain more specific knowledge on our topics.
All in all, it’s a great sounding board outside of the “family” part of the business.”
- Tanya Pipatjarasgit, Signature Associates, Moderator, Affinity Group #5
For more information on participation in an Affinity Group, please email Angie Jones.
