Grounded in Values - A Principled Path to AI Readiness for Family Enterprise

Facilitated by Donnel Nunes, PhD, Director of Innovation and Cofounder of the Aspen Family Business Group. Donnel is a behavior and social learning specialist with more than 15 years of experience working with families in business.

AI is already reshaping how family businesses communicate, operate, and make decisions. But before any tool is adopted, the more important question is whether it aligns with what your business and family stand for.

This session is for family business leaders at any stage of AI familiarity. It is not about platforms or tools. Using the Technology Readiness Cycle for Family Business and the Values Unfolding Instrument, we will work through a principled approach to evaluating and leading through change in a way that reflects your core values and shared vision.

Peer table discussions are woven throughout so the experience in the room is part of the conversation.

What We Will Cover

• Where your business currently sits in the Technology Readiness Cycle
• Evaluating AI and new technologies against your core values and shared vision
• Establishing safeguards including policies, training, and employee conversations
• Building a technology plan that supports your family business across generations
• Real challenges and lessons learned from peers in the room

Members will leave with a personal action plan and a framework ready to bring back to their family and leadership team.

More about our Speaker:

Donnel Nunes is a behavior and social learning specialist with over 20 years of experience in education, mental health, and family business advising. He serves as Director of Innovation and Partner at the Aspen Family Business Group 501(c)(3), where he leads efforts to expand access to advisory knowledge and tools for families in business. Donnel specializes in helping multigenerational families navigate complexity, strengthen communication, and build a culture of trust and learning through tailored educational experiences.

Based in Hawai‘i, Donnel is also President of PVA Consulting.  He holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a master’s in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University. His research focuses on mentoring between family members, and he regularly speaks at national and international conferences. Blending family business insight with practical tools—including AI integration—Donnel helps clients manage transitions with clarity, resilience, and purpose.