Key Takeaways
- • RSM US LLP launched a Family Office Advanced Leadership Program on May 30, 2025, co-developed with Cornell University Executive Education, with sessions beginning January 2026.
- • The 18-month, in-person program targets senior executives of family offices and covers leadership, family systems, governance and stewardship.
- • Participants who complete the program earn a Cornell Executive Education certificate.
- • The program extends a collaboration dating to 2022, when RSM and Cornell created the RSM Tony Wood Family Office Institute, which has trained over 100 RSM family office professionals across three cohorts.
Summary
RSM US LLP, a provider of assurance, tax and consulting services to the middle market, announced on May 30, 2025 the launch of its Family Office Advanced Leadership Program. The program was co-developed with Cornell University Executive Education and is designed to give family office senior executives the skills needed to make informed, strategic decisions for their families and businesses. The 18-month program begins in January 2026.
The curriculum consists of in-person sessions covering leadership, family systems, governance and stewardship. According to RSM, each session is designed to strengthen critical thinking, strategic vision, emotional maturity and effective communication, while the in-person format is intended to foster peer connections and help participants navigate complex family dynamics. Upon completion, participants receive a Cornell Executive Education certificate. The faculty is led by thought leaders in family office, governance and intergenerational leadership, along with fellows from family business programs.
Karen Costa, leader of RSM US LLP's family office enterprise practice, said the program combines Ivy League academic expertise with advisory-driven insights, and that participants should be able to apply strategies immediately. Daniel Van Der Vliet, John and Dyan Smith executive director of the Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell University, described the program as a continuation of the two organizations' collaboration to raise the standard of executive education for family offices.
The program expands on RSM's work with Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business Smith Family Business Initiative. In 2022, the two organizations co-developed the RSM Tony Wood Family Office Institute, which has developed more than 100 RSM family office professionals across three cohorts. Interested executives can register through the program webpage.
The curriculum consists of in-person sessions covering leadership, family systems, governance and stewardship. According to RSM, each session is designed to strengthen critical thinking, strategic vision, emotional maturity and effective communication, while the in-person format is intended to foster peer connections and help participants navigate complex family dynamics. Upon completion, participants receive a Cornell Executive Education certificate. The faculty is led by thought leaders in family office, governance and intergenerational leadership, along with fellows from family business programs.
Karen Costa, leader of RSM US LLP's family office enterprise practice, said the program combines Ivy League academic expertise with advisory-driven insights, and that participants should be able to apply strategies immediately. Daniel Van Der Vliet, John and Dyan Smith executive director of the Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell University, described the program as a continuation of the two organizations' collaboration to raise the standard of executive education for family offices.
The program expands on RSM's work with Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business Smith Family Business Initiative. In 2022, the two organizations co-developed the RSM Tony Wood Family Office Institute, which has developed more than 100 RSM family office professionals across three cohorts. Interested executives can register through the program webpage.
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