Ann M. Dugan
Senior Consultant, Headwaters | SC

Ann M. Dugan is a Senior Consultant with HEADWATERS | SC. Ms. Dugan is an accomplished author, lecturer and business consultant with more than 20 years of experience researching, developing and writing in the areas of family business, strategic planning, development of the franchise system and the dynamics of the entrepreneurial firm. Ms. Dugan is typically involved in Headwater’s client engagements with Business Owning Families and Family Offices, which control Upper Middle Market Companies, when those clients are evaluating the growth and development of their businesses with plans to transition ownership and control to a younger generation, and on matters related to the preparation and development of family members who will work in the business. She helps to stretch thinking farther into the future and counsel on the likely future implications of current actions. She strives to make sure that clients understand the business systems and governance necessary for the continued success of a business in the future, and to assure the “fair process” within the family system so that all members have their voice heard in a constructive manner.

Ms. Dugan is frequent contributor to articles published in Fortune, Inc, New York Times, Entrepreneur, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Business Times, Ms. Dugan is also the editor and co-author of the national best seller Franchising 101 and the recently released: A Woman’s Place… The Crucial Roles of Women in Family Business.

In addition to her consulting and advisory activities, Ms. Dugan is well known for her role as the founder of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, part of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence was created to foster the growth and development of family businesses and entrepreneurial firms, seed innovation and promote technology transfer. The Institute provides consulting services, educational programs and exclusive peer networking opportunities to businesses at every stage in the business lifecycle. Since inception, the Institute has helped start over 1,000 businesses, raised $250 million in capital and provided educational programs to 25,000 business leaders.

Ms. Dugan is also a leader in community and economic development activities. Her efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Top 50 business leaders; SBA Financial Advocate of the Year; Girl Scouts Women of Distinction; and the Executive Women’s Council Women of Achievement Award. Ms. Dugan has been a board member of the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County for more than 10 years and is responsible for guiding more than $28 million annually in county infrastructure development. In addition, she currently serves on the boards of Innovation Works, Pittsburgh Gateways, Pittsburgh Opera, Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board (TRWIB), Bridgeway Capital, VisitPittsburgh, and Emerson Family Foundation of Auburn New York. She was also appointed in 2011 by the Pennsylvania Governor to the financial oversight board for the city of Pittsburgh, responsible for the development and oversight of the annual city budget so that it can emerge from bankruptcy status.

Ms. Dugan holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. She has, also, completed a variety of post graduate and continuing education courses including the Family Firm Institute’s Certificate in Family Business Advising. Ms. Dugan resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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