Dean Fowler

Dean R. Fowler, Ph.D. is recognized as one of the world’s leading family business advisors. He developed his consulting practice by providing integrated services focusing on the “soft side of hard issues” by working collaboratively with other professionals. He drew upon his broad range of multidisciplinary expertise as both a clinically trained therapist and experienced strategic business consultant. Now semi-retired, he facilitates his Forums for Family Business which are roundtable peer groups for family members in family business.

While Dean focuses on the Forums for Family Business in metro-Milwaukee his firm, Dean Fowler Consulting, LLC works collaboratively with Dr. Robert Young, Psy.D. and Bill Edstrom whose bios appear below.

The Family Firm Institute awarded him the prestigious “Award for Interdisciplinary Achievement”.  He is Fellow Emeritus at the Purposeful Planning Institute based in Denver, Colorado and a past member of the Milwaukee Estate Planners Forum.

He is author of three books:  Love, Power and Money, Family Business Matters and Proactive Family Business Successors all available at Amazon.com

“Having worked in several family businesses and on the boards of several family companies, I am acutely aware of the potential for heartbreak. A rare few worked. The opposite is the general case. After a family/business conflict, it is not uncommon for family members to never talk again for the rest of their lives. Some family business consultants, like Dean Fowler, have found better ways.”
John Torinus, Chairman, Serigraphics, Inc.

“Through his book and his leadership of our family council, Dean Fowler has given me the inspiration and the language I need to talk with my father about succession planning, his philosophy on business and family, and his personal expectations of his six children, and particularly, of me.”
Vesla Bemis, G4 Shareholder, Bemis Manufacturing Company

“At Steinhafels, we have worked with Dean on and off over many years as we have approached different transformational issues in our family business. We refer other business owners to him as well. Dean’s experience, professionalism and advice is second to none. I first met Dean when I joined one of his next generation Forums for Family Business. These Forums have served the state’s family businesses well for decades. Dean is a treasured resource for the Wisconsin business community.”
Mark Steinhafel, Chief Operating Officer, Steinhafels Furniture