Bringing Deep, Transformative Insights to the Conversation.
About Chris
Chris Yonker, CFBA, specializes in helping family enterprises navigate the intricate dynamics of being related and owning a business. He is a Certified Family Business Advisor accredited through The Family Firm Institute. Chris helps families consciously manage challenges like succession, leadership transitions, and family conflict, while developing long-term strategies for business continuity.
Dubbed a “Life Journey Sherpa,” Chris’ holistic approach emphasizes seeing each individual in the family as an integral piece of the whole. His work is grounded in personal growth and healing, influenced by his training with Thomas Hübl, a globally recognized expert in trauma-informed leadership. This unique perspective helps Chris guide families in addressing unresolved generational patterns that impact business and family dynamics.
Chris combines his experience as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, a student of Leadership and Organizational Health, and a thought leader in Personal Performance to create a unique methodology. This integrates heart, soul, and mindfulness, helping families achieve profound results that become lasting ways of being. His work fosters more harmony, continuity, and fulfillment—both personally and professionally.
Sample Topics
Pre-Succession: The Opportunity and Impact of Early Succession Planning
Moving Family Businesses Forward: Heal and Revitalize Relationships
Next-Gen Revolution: Identify and Prepare Future Leaders
Competing Visions: How to Steer Your Multi-Generational Family Business into the Future
Succession Without Tension: How to Transition with Relationships Intact
Create Your Vision: Use the Hierarchy of Fulfillment to Design a Life with Purpose
Culture of Safety and Trust: Build an Environment Where Vulnerability Meets Accountability
Unspoken Truths: Navigating Blind Spots and Difficult Conversations in Family Business
Trusted By
What Clients Are Saying
“Chris is a very energetic and enthusiastic speaker. He was very easy to work with – very professional – is knowledgeable and passionate about his work. He took the time to talk with our members prior to his session, and his presentation hit the mark. The takeaways were amazing!”
-Renee Merker, Director, Communications & Events PMPA
“Working with Chris has been incredibly important in my ability to navigate through so many stressful and uncertain situations. Deciding whether to sell my business was one of the biggest decisions of my life. The work with Chris helped me see very clearly what was best for my family, my team, and for my personal future. The self-discovery work that came along with it has had significant impact on me and how I look at the rest of my life.”
-Dave Hoeffel, President, Endurance Technologies
“For a family Business Advisor, Chris possesses a natural ability to connect with people on a profound level. His approach is holistic and compassionate, enabling clients to gradually evolve and discover their path. There's an absence of judgment, replaced by an unmistakable passion and genuine concern for, giving us the reassuring sense that he consistently prioritizes our well-being.”
-Sean and Nicole Minor, Owners of Sean Minor Wines