Family Business Leadership & Succession
Andrew Keyt
Family Business Strategist & Succession Planning Expert
"Myths & Mortals — How next-generation leaders step out of the shadow of legendary founders, build credibility, and lead in their own style"
The Biography
Andrew Keyt is an internationally recognized family business strategist and succession planning expert, known for helping some of the world's largest family-owned enterprises navigate conflict, restore communication, and lead successful generational transitions. He is one of a select group of advisors called upon in family emergency transitions to solve seemingly impossible problems and uncover opportunities others miss. At just 22, Andrew found himself stepping into ownership of a family business he didn't even know existed — an experience that would shape his life's work. That personal story, combined with two decades spent witnessing the growth and transformation of next-generation leaders, inspired his book Myths and Mortals: Family Business Leadership and Succession Planning (Wiley), drawing on interviews with leaders like Christie Hefner, Bill Wrigley Jr., and Massimo Ferragamo. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, The Economist, Chicago Tribune, and Family Business Magazine. Andrew spent 18 years as Executive Director of the Loyola University Chicago Family Business Center, growing its membership by more than 100% and now serves as a Clinical Professor there, guiding multigenerational businesses ranging from $25 million to $8 billion in annual revenue. He is also President and Founder of Keyt Consulting and President of the Family Business Network – North America, part of a global network serving over 6,000 member families in 40+ countries. A sought-after keynote speaker, Andrew has addressed audiences at Cornell University, Family Business Network conferences worldwide, the World Presidents' Organization, Northern Trust, and more — bringing a rare blend of scholarship, consulting expertise, and lived experience to every stage.
Signature Topics
A third-generation family business owner turned consultant, Andrew wrote Myths and Mortals after interviewing more than 25 successors of major family business legacies (including Bill Wrigley Jr. and Massimo Ferragamo) — his keynote addresses the specific credibility challenge of leading in a founder's shadow.
As founder of Keyt Consulting and president of the Family Business Network–North America, Andrew specializes in the highest-stakes transitions family enterprises face — succession, sibling conflict, and emergency leadership changes — translated into a keynote on navigating transition without fracturing the family or the business.
In Their Own Voice
Video reel — captions available on the platform. Open original.
Trusted By
Selected organizations Andrew has moved — through EQ Inspire and beyond.