Family Business Summit: Honoring Legacy, Navigating the Future
July 16 - 20, 2026
Let’s lead with wisdom and compassion.
Our program equips attendees with proven methods that amplify their impact as leaders.
This family business summit has four pillars in mind:
1) To explore the enduring wisdom and proven strategies of multi-generational family businesses in Italy that have thrived for centuries, drawing lessons that can inform sustainable leadership, long-term planning, and legacy-building in today’s family enterprises.
2) Connect to yourself and others with compassion so you can be a better leader in your business and community.
3) Shake up patterns in ourselves and in the family business profession.
4) Build a supportive network among top leaders in the business field.
In Ischia, Italy, family businesses aren’t just economic entities—they are living traditions passed from generation to generation, rooted in care, resilience, and a deep sense of place. From family-run hotels and vineyards to artisanal shops, gelaterias, and fishing enterprises, these businesses operate with a level of continuity, collaboration, and human-centered leadership that is both rare and instructive.
For Americans—especially those navigating the pressures of scale, speed, and succession—observing how Ischian families run their businesses offers a powerful contrast and a valuable mirror. In Ischia, relationships often take precedence over rapid growth, and longevity is prioritized over short-term gain. Decisions are often guided by heart, intuition, and a collective sense of responsibility—rather than solely by metrics and efficiency.
This summit invites you to engage directly with multi-generational business owners in Ischia, walk through their spaces, listen to their stories, and reflect on what sustainable success truly means. The insights gained are not theoretical—they’re lived, embodied, and generously shared by families who have thrived through crisis, change, and time.
Join us in Italy for an immersive summit dedicated exclusively to family businesses—their power, complexities, and lasting legacy. Over the course of several days, we’ll gather amidst Italy’s rich cultural heritage to explore what makes family enterprises thrive across generations.
This summit brings together leaders in family businesses for deep, focused conversations on the unique opportunities and challenges facing family-owned companies today. We’ll examine how family businesses can remain resilient, values-driven, and forward-looking in today’s world.
In addition to strategic insights and inspiration from local family businsesses, we’ll also engage in practices of self-compassion—recognizing that true leadership begins within. By nurturing emotional resilience, clarity, and self-awareness, self-compassion supports healthier family dynamics and leads to more sustainable success.
Throughout the summit, you’ll not only learn from seasoned family enterprises but also experience Italy through their lens—walking the halls of ancestral castles, dining at historic family-owned restaurants, and exchanging ideas during scenic hikes, vineyard visits, and Mediterranean boat rides. Each day blends immersive cultural exploration with intentional leadership development, offering a rare opportunity to step outside your business and return with renewed perspective, practical tools, and a deeper connection to your own legacy.
Whether you're part of a centuries-old family company or just beginning the journey, this summit offers a space for connection, reflection, and growth—rooted in the very country that has inspired generations of family-led excellence.
Hosted by:
Lead with Compassion
In collaboration with:
Loyola Family Business Center
Experience transformative engagement with family businsses, connect to yourself, and gain a community that will enhance path for decades to come.
WHERE
Ischia, directly adjacent to the island of Capri, is an idyllic vantage point on southern Italy where we have the quiet we need to concentrate and build community.
Ischia is amazing, as it combines a deep history – Homer included it as part of Odysseus’ journey in The Odyssey, W. H. Auden composed poetry about it, and it's the first place where the Ancient Greeks landed when they moved to Italy – lovely small towns, beautiful vegetation and nature, the sparkling Mediterranean sea, friendly people, and natural thermal hot springs that relax the body and mind.
It's a wonderful place to spend time at the peak of July and meet industry leaders.
According to CNN, Ischia is “the paradise island that offers a taste of the real Italy.”
We believe that nature and physical beauty helps break patterns and open up to a new way of thinking.
WHAT
The Family Business Summit is designed to be an immersive experience with remarkable individuals, focused on applying both modern and time-honored approaches to leadership, along with tools to refine your personal style of leading and mentoring within a family enterprise.
The opportunity to build genuine friendships and partnerships with dynamic family business owners, successors, and advisors to strategize together around the challenges unique to generational businesses.
The program will also open you up to practical ancient leadership wisdom, alongside the poetry, mythology, food, music, and wine of Italy.
Small town authentic Italian life for 5 days.
Engage directly over the course of five days with renowned leadership teachers and family business practitioners.
Work together with and gain insights alongside other multi-generational business leaders.
You’ll feel rejuvenated, connected, and like you have gone on a magical adventure. You’ll come back refreshed and mentally ready for success.
Chi trova un amico, trova un tesoro – Whoever finds a friend finds a treasure (Italian Proverb)
THEMES DAY-BY-DAY
Day 1: Arrival, Welcome Session, Introduction to Family Business in Italy
Welcome lunch and introductions
Meditation session to arrive fully
Insight into Italian poetry and its family heritage
Introduction to Self-Leadership
Five-course gourmet dinner
Day 4: Connecting with Compassion
Visit Aragonese Castle
Optional dip in the Mediterranean
How To Reduce Burnout training
How Compassion Reduces Stress in multi-generational dynamics
Five-course gourmet dinner
Special Surprise on the rooftop terrace
Day 2: Mindfulness and Joy
Visit the Archeological Museum and Lacco Ameno downtown
Lunch out in a local restaurant
Hike Mount Epomeo and explore resilience through nature
Discover the mythology of Ischia and generational storytelling
Five-course gourmet dinner
Day 5: Longterm Benefits, Legacy, and Well-being into the Future
Last dip in the mineral hot spring pool
Winery Visit
Integrating well-being into long-term family business
Closing session: Achievements and Future Endeavours
Day 3: Self-Compassion, Freedom from the Inner Critic, Leadership of Self
Self-Compassion Meditation
Freedom from the Inner Critic to help in leadership and legacy roles
Stroll through La Mortella gardens
Boat ride on the Mediterranean
Five-course gourmet dinner
Summit Faculty: Jill McCall
Jill McCall, JD, MBA, CAE, is the director of the Family Business Center at Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. She is a community builder and innovator who brings to the center and its members extensive experience in association leadership and consulting.
Education
JD, DePaul University College of Law
MBA, DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
Certified Association Executive (CAE), American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
BA, Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College
Professional/Community Affiliations
Former Member, Faculty & Program Development Team, ASAE CEO Symposium
Founder, Women Who Run Associations
Former Member, ASAE Research Foundation Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Diagnostic Tool Taskforce
Board Member, Elmhurst District 205 PTA Council
Member, Chicago Bar Association, Association Forum, ASAE
Experience Curated by:
Elizabeth Pyjov, J.D. MTS
Quinlan School of Business Loyola University Chicago Faculty
Law School Faculty at Loyola University Chicago School of Law
New York City Bar Well-Being Committee Member
J.D. Harvard Law School
MTS Harvard Divinity School, Theology Degree
B.A. Harvard College, Romance Languages and Literatures
Certification Stanford Medical School, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Pedagogy of Compassion
Experience working with the teams at Baker McKenzie, Carlyle Group, Columbia Medical School, Deutsche Bank, Library of Congress, the New York State Supreme Court, Novartis, Ropes & Gray LLP, & Warby Parker
Elizabeth is a lawyer, professor, thought leader, speaker, and CEO who holds 3 Harvard degrees, speaks 5 languages, has lived in 7 countries, and studied neuroscience at Stanford Medical School.
Her professional experience spans being a funds attorney at Sidley Austin, doing policy work at the United Nations, conducting legal investigations for the New York Attorney General's Office, marketing for Italy's top television station RAI in Rome, and working as a literary translator for Italian Nobel prize-winning author Dario Fo.
Elizabeth combines what she learned about ritual and meaning at Harvard Divinity School, her literature degree from Harvard College, the rigor of Harvard Law School, and her time studying with the Dalai Lama to think outside the box and address modern challenges in the legal world.
She currently runs 3 organizations: Lead with Compassion, Self-Compassion for Lawyers, and Happiness Sangha. She is also Business School Faculty at Loyola Marymount University.
Elizabeth Pyjov's clients include Bessemer Ventures, The Carlyle Group, Columbia Law School, the Library of Congress, the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Supreme Court, Perkins Coie, Ropes & Gray, and Weil Gotshal. She regularly lectures at Harvard Law School.
“We have created a program centered on growth and leadership for family business leaders, enabling them to shift patterns. For a few days, they are able to shift their vantage point in order to re-evaluate and be strategic about their impact as leaders.”
“I spent years living in Italy, and the food in Ischia is the most delicious Italian food I’ve ever had.”
L’amore si misura in piatti cucinati – Love is measured in cooked dishes (Italian Proverb)
Wine has been produced in Ischia for almost 3,000 years. It was introduced by the Ancient Greeks in the 8th century BC, and Ischia is still famous all over the world for its wines.
Local Experience
The owner of the villa where we will be staying owns an organic fruit and vegetable farm, and the food we'll be eating is sourced from there.
All the food for the duration of your stay is included. We will eat fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, and salads as well as meat, seafood, and fish, with vegan and vegetarian options available.
Special dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, allergies, and sensitivities are happily accommodated.
A lot of the food we will be eating is grown in the garden at the villa.
LOCATION
Each guest is allocated a private room in a beautiful villa hotel with daily maid service.
Trainings will take place at one of the two beautiful Italian villas where we will be staying, one in front of the other. The villa hotel includes a rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi, and mineral hot springs are at your disposal on the property, as well as saunas, Turkish baths, and spas. You’ll enjoy the gorgeous views of the island from the rooftop terrace.
You can lounge on the terraces, wind down in the spa, enjoy an Aperol Spritz in the courtyard, and have traditional Italian multi-course meals in the dining room while building the future of what the legal profession becomes.
Excursions around the island on days 2, 3, and 4 are included.
“The goal is to create a truly magical experience for the attendees that impacts their life positively long-term and changes their habits for the better.”
Testimonials
WHAT’S UNIQUE
Curated attendee list of family business owners, next-gens, executives, and advisors
Held in Italy, exploring the power, complexity, and legacy of family enterprises
Strategic sessions on succession, governance, innovation, and purpose
Daily meditation and self-compassion practices to build emotional resilience
Cultural immersion through Italian poetry, mythology, and heritage
A space for connection, reflection, and co-creating a more compassionate future for family business
OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK
As you enjoy your time on the island you will meet accomplished leaders and changemakers in the field
TRAININGS
The program centers around daily leadership trainings
Trainings will span the topics of leadership of self, leadership of others, and mentoring and will draw from philosophy, anthropology, history, theology, business, and world culture.
Enriching trainings on the culture and literature of Italy will make it easier to connect to both the place and each other
“This is not just 5 pleasant days. It’s a launching pad to a new quality of life.”
Curriculum
The curriculum will have 4 parts to it:
1) Leadership of self.
2) Leadership of others.
3) Lessons and frameworks derived from philosophy, mythology, and history that inform leadership strategies.
4) Family Business Models in Italy.
Included
Leadership and management training
Curated excursions around the island
Private hotel room with daily maid service and high-speed internet
Dinners with local wines each night
Networking events
Pick up from the airport and drop off at the airport
Boat from Naples to Ischia two ways
Transportation all over the island during your stay
Breakfast, lunch, and five-course dinner each day
Spa access 24/7
Winery hopping
Beautiful mountain hikes along the coastline
Mediteranean boat ride around the island with champagne
Italian culture immersion series
Restorative yoga and mindful movement daily
Opportunities for daily guided meditations
Rekindling joy and deep connection
Curated book of Italian poetry from 50 different poets
Connections and strategies to enhance your career for decades to come
Discovering more compassionate paths to innovative leadership strategies
The event fee is $4,200*
Significant other registration: If you want to bring a significant other to share a room with, the fee for them is $2,950. They are invited to participate in all meals and excursions. There will be special sessions for them at the summit.
*The registration is discounted for members of the Loyola Family Business Center. You can apply for membership here.
This payment can be split up into monthly payments over 6 - 12 months, interest-free.
CONTRIBUTION
$4,200 for the entire experience if you’re a non-member is $3,950 is you are a member. Everything is included in the Value section above, from the time we pick you up at the Naples airport to the time you leave Ischia. There will be a 5-course dinner each day, lunch out in local restaurants, sumptuous breakfasts, wine at dinner, refreshments upon arrival, leadership training, and the opportunity to meet the best executives and leaders in the industry. Significant others are also welcome to join.
REIMBURSEMENT
Summit expenses may be reimbursed by your organization.
Here is language that you can share with your organization:
This invite-only summit is an immersive and transformative experience for leaders in family businesses. It is developmental from both a networking and a skills-based perspective. The event will include world-class development training and will draw inspiration from a tradition of family businesses. In all, we estimate that approximately 75% of the event cost will be put towards professional development trainings.
DETAILS
Dates: July 16 - 20, 2026
Place: Ischia in Italy
Directions: Fly into the airport in Naples, Italy. There is a direct flight from New York - Naples, for example. You can also fly into Rome and take a 1 hour train ride to Naples. We’ll pick you up at the Naples airport or train station.
Plus One: You are welcome to bring a plus one.
REGISTRATION
We look forward to having you. The registration page is here.
Registration for Loyola FBC Members: here.
The registration deadline is October 1, 2025.
This payment can be split up into monthly payments over 6 - 12 months, interest-free, if you select Affirm or Klarna at checkout at the link below. If you have questions about that, text Elizabeth Pyjov at 650-922-4262.
Plus one participants are welcome to participate in every part of the event (see itinerary).
Plus one participants are welcome to participate in every part of the event (see itinerary).
This Team Will Welcome You
“In family business, values create value.”
Get in Touch
Have any further questions? Please reach out to the event creator and curator.
Elizabeth Pyjov
+1 (650) 922-4262
elizabeth@leadwithcompassion.com
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethpyjov/