30th Anniversary Gala: A Night to Remember

On Friday, April 25, the Entrepreneur and Family Business Council community came together for an unforgettable evening at the Adler Planetarium to celebrate 30 years of connection, growth, and resilience.

Throughout the night, faces old and new filled the room, sharing stories, laughter, and plenty of dancing. We were honored to hear from BJ Slater, who delivered a moving speech about the profound impact EFBC has had on his life. His words were a powerful reminder of why EFBC exists: to support each other through the highs and lows of business and life.

Our faithful Director, Liz Fidanovski, also took the stage with a heartfelt message of gratitude to the EFBC community. But truly, this community would not be possible without Liz’s vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication. She has been the driving force behind EFBC and the visionary who made this celebration—and so much more—possible.

We took time to recognize our longtime members, some of whom have been part of EFBC for over 25 years—a testament to the lasting relationships at the heart of our organization.

We also extend a special thank you to our eight Strategic Partners, who are essential to EFBC’s strength. As BJ noted, our partners offer members easy access to trusted experts across HR, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and more, making EFBC a true resource as well as a community.

As we celebrated this milestone, we reflected on the dream that started it all. Our founder, Jim Liautaud, once captured the spirit of EFBC in a poem that continues to inspire us today:

There are times in our lives

we create a dream,
serving something grander than ourselves.

And the more unusual,
and against most odds,

We become challenged by many
and attacked by some.

I’ve come to believe
it’s nature’s way of challenging change—
testing the core of our belief,
testing our resolve,
where only time and proof
will evidence its merits.

Those that never waver
create a better dream—
one that more embraces
their best believers,
to make a better team.

The only time we stand to lose
is if, so weakened,
we abandon our believers
to attack our attackers,

And lose the good inside of us.

We forget—
it’s only nature’s way
of testing our resolve.

– Jim Liautaud, EFBC Founder

Thank you to everyone who has helped build EFBC’s legacy. Here’s to the next 30 years and beyond.