Sally delights in guiding necessary conversations at the intersection of family, management, and ownership with the outcome of developing healthier family relationships and effective governance structures and processes. Sally walks alongside families and leaders to develop shared understandings, boundaries and roles, resulting in energizing Family Councils, aligned Shareholder groups, high-performing Management teams, and effective Boards. In short, Sally charts the path, teaches principles, develops leaders & teams, and guides the path for healthy and sustainable families & businesses. In addition to her role as a lead advisor, as Managing Partner she leads the DVFBC team.
Growing up as a third generation member of a family business gave Sally a first-hand appreciation for the unique blessings and burdens facing business families. Sally is passionate about family business education so families can learn early & together about the complexities, challenges & opportunities they face given their overlapping roles. These intermingling roles & relationships have emotional, strategic & life-altering implications which, if understood, will be easier to navigate. In 1992 Sally was key in launching our Forum for Enterprising Families which continues to gather today for Educational Forums featuring successful enterprising families and thought leaders.
A graduate of Eastern Mennonite University and Ashford University, Sally’s background is in organizational management and psychology. She integrates her invaluable training in Family Systems Theory at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Georgetown into her work. Sally is an 22-year member and a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute through which she earned certifications in Family Business Advising and Advanced Family Business Advising. Sally is also a member of the Kaleo Network of Family Business Advisors, a group of premier family business advisors who learn and collaborate together in service to family business systems.
Sally and her husband Doug have 3 adult children, 3 “first round draft picks,” and three precious grandchildren. Sally enjoys being active in the great outdoors, time with family, and contributing to their church and broader community.