Women have an important role in families and in family businesses. Women produce and raise future shareholders for family businesses, serve as active members on family councils managing a variety of vital issues, take the reins of their family businesses and lead them to realize substantial financial growth. Yet women still face challenges in family business. As wives, they are often kept in the dark about the business and its finances. As daughters, daughter-in-laws, grand-daughters, sisters and nieces, they are often relegated to the position of noncontributing shareholders. Even as employees and company leaders, women face challenges establishing and maintaining authority, as well as sustaining a work/life balance. Despite the challenges, women are proving to be a crucial source of talent in family businesses. This venue will allow private discussion examining the unique challenges of women in family businesses. Session will cover strategic methods for women to maximize their understanding of the family business and provide a roadmap for success to women who seek leadership roles in their family businesses. They will also provide insight on how families can groom their female relatives for succession. Some highlights will include: real life accounts of women's experiences in family business; tips on how women can maintain a work/life balance; methods for couples to handle the woman being the dominant member; steps to take in order to become financially literate and learned; and how to effectively communicate as a woman leader.