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Francine Z. Carlin, MA

Principal, The Business Harmonizer Group


Francine CarlinFrancine Z. Carlin is a seasoned business leader who has held senior management positions in communications, public affairs and marketing for a variety of industries across North America. Ms. Carlin knows first-hand how interpersonal dynamics and emotionally sensitive issues can affect decision-making and organizational well-being.

Relocating in 1998, to Vancouver, BC, from Washington, DC, Ms. Carlin has been able to apply this valuable experience, energy and dedicated focus to her work with business families, entrepreneurs, and organizational leaders to assist in diagnosing and resolving the silent barriers that block pathways to success.

Ms. Carlin is an exceptional communicator, highly skilled facilitator, and moderator. Her wise guidance and thoughtful consultation has assisted dozens of clients to achieve individual and collective goals related to succession readiness planning; conflict resolution, business family governance; strategic business planning; leadership development and coaching; team building and business family harmony. Francine's keen business insight makes it possible for her to make sound assessments, focus on critical needs and keep on task. She is able to tackle difficult issues and does so with grace and candor.

Practice Areas:
  • The Business-Family Issues Audit - Determining Next Steps for the Family Enterprise
  • Succession Readiness for the Family-Enterprise - Preparing for the Future Today
  • Governance - Creating Structures That Support Family Harmony & Business Continuity
  • Communication and Conflict Resolution - Moving Past the Silent Barriers
  • Strategic Planning for the Family Enterprise - Positioning the Business for Continued Success
  • Leadership 360° Assessment and Next Generation Leadership Coaching

Published Articles:
  • Fuzzy Roles Lead To Business Tension; Business In Vancouver, March 1-7, 2011
  • Putting The "Success" In Succession: Addressing The Silent Barriers CMA Management, April 2010
  • Unique Challenges Face The Generations That Work Together Running The Family Business. Vancouver Sun, March 20, 2010; Regina Leader Post, March 13, 2010; New Brunswick Business Journal, March 13, 2010; Edmonton Journal, March 13, 2010
  • What's Your Succession Plan?, Canadian Grocer, January 2010
  • Overcoming the Silent Barriers, Douglas Magazine, February 2009
  • Communication and Commitment, Family Business Magazine, Summer, 2009
  • Low Morale, Stalled Productivity, Apathy: Could Silent Barriers be Undermining Your Business Success? canadaone.com, March 2009; archives
  • Leadership in Action: The Four-step Program to Identify & Address Silent Barriers to Business Success; canadaone.com, April, 2009; archives
  • Family Tools, excerpt from the National Post, Essential Guide For Entrepreneurs, Profit and Canadian Business Magazine, March 26, 2007

Professional Affiliations:
  • Family Firm Institute, Boston, MA, 2007 - Present
  • Associate Faculty, Centre for Leadership and Management, Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC, 2002 - Present
  • Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE), Vancouver Island, BC, 2008 - Present
  • Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE), Vancouver, BC, Chapter, 1998-2008
  • Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE); National Personal Advisory Group Liaison, Toronto, Ont. 2004 - 2005
  • Succession Network, Vancouver, BC, 2008 - 2010
  • Business Transition Group, Vancouver, BC, 2007 - 2009

Education and Professional Training:
  • Leading Family Councils, Canadian Association of Family Enterprise, Vancouver, BC, 2003
  • Family Business Advisor Training, Business Families Foundation, Montreal, QC, 1999
  • Family Business Facilitator Training, Business Families Foundation, Montreal, QC, 1999
  • Core Competencies of Organizational Learning, EDS Corporation, Dallas, Texas, 1997
  • Educational Administration Doctoral Program, SUNY Buffalo, NY, 1976
  • Masters of Arts, SUNY Buffalo, NY, 1973
  • Bachelor of Arts, SUNY Buffalo, NY, 1971

The Business Harmonizer™ Group founded by Francine Carlin in 1998, has its roots in The Performance Partnership, founded under her maiden name of Francine Zucker.


"Here's another BIG thank you for presenting at RCI. It was quite different from the usual topics and as I saw people nodding their heads in agreement or acknowledgement of what you were presenting, I thought YES! She is on target!"
G. Dale,
Purdy's Chocolates


"Francine's counsel was a valuable anchor as we underwent corporate reorganization. Her business intuition, common sense approach, and insight into human dynamics helped me effectively manage our process of organizational change."
D. Prior,
The Caldwell Partners Executive Search


"We thank Francine so much for recent meetings. They went really well and certainly the next generation is excited about their involvement in the new Foundation."
D. Christopher,
G&B Estates, Ltd.


"It couldn't be said better than by a member of our senior team, who said: 'My learning experience with Francine not only helped me improve my work relationships - it changed my life.' "
J. Watkins,
North Vancouver Public Library


"We thank Francine for the positive part she's played in our lives. I am not sure where we would have gone without her guidance."
P. Branch,
PAJO's Restaurants



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