Connected Conversations: Resiliency and Determination - The Amazing Journey of the Maldonado Family

Join the Smith Family Business Initiative as we host “Connected Conversations”, a monthly webinar series that explores topics relevant to family business owners, members, advisors, students, and alumni. We invite you to join us as we navigate the current uncertainty in our global economy, and its impacts on family businesses. 

Veronica’s journey began in her family business in Venezuela and has taken her to each corner of the globe. Finally settling in Miami, Florida, her family’s business has experienced political turmoil, relocation, innovation, and most importantly, determination since its founding in 1911 as a cattle ranch. Veronica is the 4^th generation of the Maldonado family business, which is now diversified from agriculture into dairy, energy, real estate and investments. Verónica Maldonado is the Chairman of the board of the GEM (Grupo Economico Maldonado) companies since July 2018. Prior to that she was Executive Director of the GEM Family Office and she was chair of the Maldonado Family Council. She is the president of the foundation, La Compañia Humana, which supports education, community development, music, and environmental awareness in Venezuela. She advises, consults and works with first and multi-generation family businesses. She is board member of WellMeaning Investments, a real estate company and sibling partnership. Veronica graduated from Cornell University '93 and completed with honors the EMBA in Family Business in the Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

She sits on the advisory boards, and has been a speaker in family business matters in the summits of the Family Business Network, JP Morgan Next Generation program, the YPO Latin America Family Business Seminar, Campden Conferences, The Women’s Forum, Women In Family Business (WIFB), Business in Families Foundation, and has co-chaired NMS Management’s Family Office Forum in Palm Beach and is a member of the Family Office Community Circle.

She has written articles, finished family business management programs and has extensive experience in trusts, investment management, process management and corporate structures in US, Japan and Venezuela. Veronica is fluent in English, Spanish and conversant in Japanese.

You will receive a confirmation email upon registration with the Zoom coordinates. If you did not receive this communication, please reach out to Hannah Barends at heb87@cornell.edu. 

Please submit questions you would like panelists to address in advance of the webinar to Hannah Barends at heb87@cornell.edu.