Ivey Business School teaches CONTEXT in FamilyShift curriculum
October 9, 2025 — Visit Ivey’s website for program details
CONTEXT Studios is thrilled to celebrate a milestone: an excerpt from our documentary on Hangar9 (Family Enterprise Canada’s Enterprising Family of the Year) was featured today in Ivey Business School’s FamilyShift Program, taught by Dave Simpson, Director of the Business Families Centre.
This 12-minute film highlights Hangar9’s exemplary governance, strong family and business values, and the seamless collaboration among three sisters (Denise MacDonald, Lisa Fisher, and Rachael Doak) alongside their mother (Jo-Ann Fisher), providing a compelling model for other Canadian families striving for multi-generational success.
Steve Beauchesne, CEO of Family Enterprise Canada, reflects on the challenges of passing a business to the next generation: “Many families in business struggle with the question of whether to pass it on. Hangar9 makes it look effortless, serving as an inspiration for Canadian families.”
He also emphasizes that a family’s uniqueness is a long-term competitive advantage, something no competitor can replicate. “I hope this documentary demonstrates to other Canadian families that it is possible to succeed in business, maintain family harmony, and successfully pass the enterprise to the next generation,” he adds.
The sisters all emphasize the value of advisory support, while Doak underscores the importance of open communication, advising, “Don’t ever lead with assumption. If you have a question or something’s bothering you, just start the conversation.”
Reflecting on the documentary process, Lisa Fisher shares, “The documentary has helped us reflect. Sometimes you don’t stop to see what you’ve done and what you’ve created.”
For our CEO, this is a full-circle moment. As an Ivey MBA alumna (Class of 2001), Andrea Lekushoff is proud to see our Netflix-style documentaries inspiring the NextGen of family business leaders at Ivey by capturing stories of values, resilience, and multigenerational legacy.
