About Us

"The best leaders bring out the best in others."

Our purpose and singular focus: helping family-owned businesses achieve more than they ever thought possible.

The Core of Who We Are

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Experienced across many industries, businesses, and roles, from public to private and family owned

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Uncommonly equipped to bridge strategy and execution

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Trained at top notch companies, and sharpened in smaller, nimbler situations

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Relentless learners fueled by burning curiosity and the lifelong pursuit of learning and growth

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Transparent operators who deliver on our promises

Motivated by helping family-owned businesses thrive

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YEARS

helping family-owned businesses thrive

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YEARS

helping family-owned businesses thrive

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YEARS

helping family-owned businesses thrive

Leadership

145 years of combined experience building & growing family businesses

Jude Rake

Founder & Principal

LoriLee Sadler Bielski

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Art Bielski

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Brian Watkins

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Julie Ironside Jacobs

Julie Ironside Jacobs

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Guillermo “Memo” De Anda

Guillermo De Anda

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“JDR is by far the best I have ever worked with in my 30+ year career to help an organization navigate through and develop a strategic plan. Their approach is not to build a strategic plan and dust it off once per year but to engrain it into your operating rhythm.”

Bob Lazzerini

CFO, Wahl Clipper Corp.

Companies We’ve Served

Keynotes & Events

Jude Rake giving a presentation on stage

UPCOMING PANEL

October 3, 2024

Team Trust Starts With You

Next Generation Retreat

As a Next Generation family business leader, you face a unique challenge. Positioned at the crossroads of your family’s legacy and your own future, you’ve been tasked with writing a sequel to your family’s business success story.

The theme for this year’s Next Gen Retreat is “Using Your Voice.” Next generation family business leaders will walk away will valuable insight into using their skills, talents, and passions in shaping the future of their family business.

Jude Rake delivering a keynote behind a podium

UPCOMING PANEL

November 13, 2024

Jude, Need a Title

ACG Chicago Fall Manufacturing Symposium

Featuring Family Business & M&A and M&A 2025 Investment Priorities. More details coming soon. Jude do you have any content I can place here – maybe from last year’s event?

Interested in a workshop presentation, keynote speaker, or panel moderator for your next event?

The Bridge to Growth

How Servant Leaders Achieve Better Results and Why It Matters Now

Jude Rake shares the nine proven principles that servant leaders use to successfully build teams that are fully engaged and committed to achieving their company’s goals.

The Bridge to Growth details how to use these principles to elevate workforce engagement, collaboration, innovation, and accountability to build a bridge from strategy to exceptional execution and results.

“One of the best books I’ve read on leadership. If you want to raise your game by bringing out the best in others, do yourself a favor and read this book.”

Marshall Goldsmith

New York Times Best-selling author of 35 books

Send Us a Message

Keep in Touch

What comes next?

Now that you know a little bit about us, we’d love to get to know YOU!

Just schedule some time to tell us about yourselves and decide if our flexible framework is right for you.