A Family Affair | Washington University's Olin School of Business Magazine

By Carlos Restrepo

With a $9 million-plus alumni gift, Olin is preparing to launch the Koch Center for Family Business, taking a deeper role in researching, teaching, and sharing information on a major driver of the global economy.

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Before launching Washington University’s first family business course, Olin Business School’s Spencer Burke felt confident in his knowledge of the topic. After all, Burke, principal at the St. Louis Trust Company, had worked as a corporate lawyer for 15 years and an investment banker for 25 years.

“It wasn’t until the course started that I came to understand just how difficult some of the issues are,” said Burke, an adjunct lecturer at Olin. “The challenge arises from the inherent complexity of doing two difficult things—often in conflict—simultaneously: One, having

family harmony. And the second is running a successful business. Those are two very challenging tasks, especially when put together.”

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