We are so excited to dig in and learn more about you!
In the meantime, we also wanted to give you a chance
We believe that by giving the next generation of leaders a voice and guiding them along their journey, we're strengthening the entire business... and the family unit as well.
Let's Collab!
Having spent so much time in and around our family's business as children, we had a thirst for outside experience and adventure. So, we each went off to college, traveled the world, and launched careers away from home.
But years later, as life would have it, our respective journeys brought us back to our roots in Orange County, CA. Equipped with new life lessons, skills, and perspectives, we both decided to join the family business (MacKenzie) and a new chapter started to be written.
Our Story
The beginning of our journey felt confusing, lonely, and overwhelming. We honestly weren't sure if joining the family business was the right decision. And we had no idea who or where to turn for help.
Fast forward 15+ years and we now see just how deep this family business community goes, how supportive it is, and how much we can learn from each other.
Today, we are fully confident that joining our family business was the right decisions. We are proud to be continuing the legacy, and we're honored to be playing a role in our family business evolution. And, of course, we LOVE the tribe we've found along the way!
We just knew that we were a family transitioning from an entrepreneur who had been running a company on his own to now having his two daughters starting to talk about how they could play a more active role in the business.
There were plenty of cautions shared by friends and colleagues about how hard it would be to work with family. Stories of failure and stats on how only a small percentage of family businesses make it to the 2nd or 3rd generations. We even saw TV shows centered on infighting and backstabbing.
At the time, we didn't fully understand or appreciate the impact of family businesses in America.
Looking back...
We wish that we could talk with Jenny and Katie from 15 years ago to give them some advice and guidance that would have made the journey a bit smoother. To tell them not to give up, that it will all be worth it, and how the challenges of that time were preparing them for their future roles.
We'd tell them they are not alone and encourage them to seek out the vast community of family business members who are there to support them along their path.
Since we can't build a time machine (though, how cool is that!?), we've decided to do the next best thing:
Leverage everything we've learned along our journey to support the next generation by launching Next Gen Collaborative.
Introducing the dynamic duo...
Katie Rucker
I'm a people-first, purpose-driven business leader with a passion and proven aptitude for unlocking the potential in others.
In the office, I bring a unique blend of strategic business acumen, analytical skills and operational know-how to our 2nd Generation family owned business.
Co-Owner & Co-president of mackenzie corporation
certified maxwell leadership coach, speaker, and trainer
certified trainer in maxwell "disc" method
certified strategic foresight practitioner
Outside the office, I'm passionate about giving back to the community and am an avid nature lover. I have been married to my sweet husband for 20 years, have 2 teen daughters, and a spunky Blue Nose Pit Bull. I proudly sit on the board for the Orange County Ronald McDonald House and am co-chairing the $15M Capital Campaign to double the size of the house. And in my free time, I'm currently training for a 16-day trek to Everest Base Camp.
Jenny Dinnen
My true passion is to inspire people and companies to think beyond what they're currently doing, and empower them to act on that inspiration.
As a transformational business leader and certified Futurist, I thrive when surrounded by people who are open to seeing the world through a lens of abundance and opportunity.
Co-Owner & Co-president of mackenzie corporation
certified strategic foresight practitioner
Adjunct Professor at Csu Fullerton, College of business and economics (course: family business dynamics)
In my spare time, I am passionate about growing the next generation of family business owners. I am on the board of directors for Team Kids and Leadership Tomorrow, I'm a Mentor through Chapman University, and an active member of the Center for Family Business at CSU Fullerton.
Most importantly, I am a wife and mom of two girls (and future leaders).
VIP DAYS
But enough about us...
We're here for you!
Interactive workshops to kickstart the process of building your unique roadmap for what the next chapter (your chapter) looks like.
1:1 COACHING
A high-touch coaching program designed for leaders who work in a family business and are looking for guidance in navigating the messiness of it all.
GUEST SPEAKING
In sharing their stories, lessons learned, and a few laughs along the way, Jenny and Katie will leave your audience inspired and excited to take their family business to the next level.
