Two Alums Take on Key Roles with Family Business Institute
The Drucker School of Management is thrilled to announce the appointments of Patricia Soldano (MBA, ’86) as Senior Fellow and chair of the founding board for the Drucker School Global Family Business Institute and Tim Schultz (MBA, ’89) as chair of the Global Industry Board for the Drucker School Global Family Business Institute.
In his writings, Peter Drucker often acknowledged the tensions and dynamics unique to family-managed/family-owned companies.
“Such uniqueness requires a familiarity and expertise that Pat and Tim both have,” said Jenny Darroch, Henry Y. Hwang Dean of the Drucker School. “They have excellent track records, and our institute will richly benefit from their expertise and guidance.”
Soldano has spent more than 30 years advising family businesses and providing full, integrated family office services to many ultra-high net worth families. She is the day-to-day manager and board member of Family Enterprise USA, a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public and creating an environment in which private family businesses are valued and strengthened. Previously she developed Cymric Family Office Services into a multi-family office and later sold it to GenSpring Family Offices, where she served as managing director of the western region and as a family office consultant before retiring in 2017.
In addition to this work, Soldano continues to provide consulting services for family businesses. She was instrumental in the launch of the Drucker School’s institute and is actively involved in the various resources it provides to its members, including education sessions and a podcast series.
Schultz serves as the vice president of research and development for Lundberg Family Farms, a third-generation, vertically-integrated family business that is the market leader in organic rice and organic quinoa in the U.S. Schultz is responsible for new product development, human resources, sustainability, planning, and legal. He has played a major role in Lundberg’s outreach around the world, including Thailand, and has served on Lundberg’s Board of Directors from 2003–2017, holding the roles of chair of the Governance Committee and treasurer.
Schultz’s deep commitment to family business is further demonstrated by his service on the Board of the Capital Region Family Business Center for 10 years, chairing the Programs Committee and leading the founding of the Center’s signature event, Generations Family Business Conference, which attracts over 300 participants and speakers from family businesses around the world each year.