Dr. Chandresh Baid is an Associate Professor of Management at Grand Valley State University's Seidman College of Business. He holds a Ph.D. from Washington State University, an MBA from IIM Lucknow, and a B.Tech from IIT Guwahati. Before entering academia, he spent more than a decade managing software product development and consulting global technology firms like Pitney Bowes and Computer Sciences Corporation. Dr. Baid’s research investigates the lifecycles of entrepreneurial and family-owned firms, specifically focusing on governance, succession, venture finance, and ESG sustainability. His research is published in top-tier journals like Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. Seamlessly bridging the classroom and the boardroom, he regularly presents at the Academy of Management and SPGC conferences, and coaches GVSU’s global family enterprise case competition teams.

Eric serves as the Advanced Technology Manager at Spectrum Industries, where he has spent nearly a decade helping lead technology, automation, and business improvement initiatives across the organization. He is also a member of the company's Executive Steering Committee, where he helps shape long-term strategic priorities. Eric earned his Executive MBA from Grand Valley State University in 2024 and previously received his Bachelor of Business Management from GVSU in 2013. He is passionate about leveraging technology, continuous improvement, and innovation to strengthen family businesses while maintaining the values and culture that make them successful across generations.

David has a diverse educational and vocational background; he founded Marceco Ltd at the age of 40 on his kitchen table with minimal resources. His strategic thinking and ability to leverage strong relationships are evident in Marceco's success. Serving over 2,500 Boost and Gen Mobile doors in 44 states, Marceco is the second-largest direct distribution partner with Dish Network. David's entrepreneurial instincts and risk tolerance have been critical to his long, successful partnership with Jamal and Universal Wireless. He oversees all day-to-day operations of the enterprise as Marceco's CEO.

Chevy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business and Information Technology at the Jaggi School of Business, Missouri University of Science and Technology. His research on family business and entrepreneurship has appeared in journals including Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Global Strategy Journal, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Management, Journal of Management Studies, and Journal of Product Innovation Management, among others. He serves as Editor at Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice and Associate Editor at Family Business Review, and has guest-edited special issues for Small Business Economics, Management and Organization Review, British Accounting Review, and Entrepreneurship and Regional Development.

Joerg is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University. In addition, Joerg is a fifth-generation part-owner and serves on the Advisory Board of his family’s business C.A. Picard, which is headquartered in Germany and manufactures and distributes high-quality wear parts with production and distribution facilities in Europe, the US, and Asia. He is also an active angel investor in start-up companies around West Michigan and serves on the board of the Michigan Capital Network Association. Joerg earned his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen, Germany, in 1995, an EMBA at UC Irvine in 1998, and his Ph.D. in Finance at Michigan State University in 2015. 

Kris is Strategic Partnerships Director at Northern Initiatives, a Michigan-based CDFI dedicated to supporting small businesses and their communities across the state. In this multi-dimensional role, she builds relationships with entrepreneur-focused organizations and community partners, leads marketing and communications strategy, represents Northern Initiatives in state-level advocacy efforts, and oversees the organization's climate lending program. As co-owner of Brewery Vivant and Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits, she brings a business owner's perspective to her community development work, and before launching Michigan's first LEED-certified brewery in 2010, she worked on Herman Miller's Design for Environment team. 

Mackenzie is President of Trailer Equipment and Trailer X-Press, a second-generation commercial trailer dealership serving customers throughout the Midwest. As a next-generation leader, she is passionate about organizational stewardship, leadership development, and helping businesses successfully navigate generational transitions. Mackenzie earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University in 2010 and her Executive MBA from Grand Valley State University in 2025.

Wenqi is a Sourcing Manager at Metal Flow Corporation in Grand Haven, Michigan, with over a decade of experience in global sourcing and supply chain management. She has held roles including Senior Buyer and Global Supply Chain Consultant, and has worked across manufacturing and energy industries at companies such as Challenge Mfg. Company and Harding Energy, Inc. Wenqi specializes in strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations, with particular expertise in commodity strategy for carbon and stainless steel and other metals within the automotive sector, and is well-versed in the full sourcing lifecycle. Bilingual in Mandarin and English, she brings strong cross-cultural fluency along with working knowledge of freight forwarding and customs compliance. Wenqi holds an MBA and a BA in International Business and Finance from Grand Valley State University.