G3, Chair of the advisory board & head family council, Famos Immobilien GmbH

Dominique Otten Pappas

G3, Chair of the advisory board & head family council, Famos Immobilien GmbH

Dominique Otten-Pappas was born in 1979 as second oldest of 14 cousins making up the third generation of a German business owning family. She graduated with a BA in French Studies and Psychology from Lancaster University in the UK in 2003. Afterwards she worked as HR project manager in a family owned retail business before completing her MBA in the Netherlands in 2010. 

She finished her doctoral dissertation about the career decisions of male and female successors in German family businesses at the University of Witten/Herdecke in 2014. Additionally, she is head of the family council and chair of the advisory board to her family's business assisting the ownership and governance transition from the second to the third generation. She has been part of FBN Germany since 2010 and is currently a member of the German FBN board as well as academic advisor to FBNi.

Session

Where did the love go? How taboo, trauma & shame affect families in business.

Small Group Discussion

Family businesses often face interpersonal conflicts, particularly across generations. While family conflict is common, the stakes are higher when personal rifts threaten a business’s growth or survival. Most family businesses don't survive past the third generation, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues. Conflicts are often rooted in trauma, shame, or discrimination, making it crucial to confront these hidden undercurrents.

In this interactive session, Daniel Aponte Prypchan, a third-generation member of two Venezuelan business families, will share his personal story and lessons on exclusion, trauma, and shame within his family. His candid account may inspire you to open new lines of communication and embark on your own healing journey. While participation is optional, this session offers a safe space for members to share their thoughts and experiences, providing a confidential environment to explore these complex, often unspoken topics.