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 Hank
O’Donnell, Family Business Advisor,
Next-Generation
Learning Lab Leader
As the oldest son in his family's business, Hank knew both the
challenges and opportunities faced by next-generation leaders. "When
I took over from my Dad," Hank said, "I only wish I had the resources
of a Next-Generation Learning Lab to help me. We had a bumpy,
confused transition, and it was hard on my whole family. Now I know
it doesn't have to be that way. Helping each member of my Next-Generation
Lab develop as a leader and grow their business is very rewarding.
Facilitating a Next-Generation Learning Lab gives me an opportunity
to help both generations be successful!"
For over 20 years Hank O’Donnell was president of O’Donnell’s
Stationery, an office supply firm founded by his father in 1954,
serving Chestnut Hill and surrounding Montgomery County. After completing
his formal business education at Georgetown University, Hank discovered
that textbook knowledge was insufficient to address the unique challenges
and struggles facing a next generation family business leader. With
seven family members active in the business, Hank faced both a significant
business and personal crisis in 1985 when superstores slammed into
his industry. Using regular family meetings and frequent communication,
Hank successfully negotiated the immense struggle and change. Under
his leadership, the O’Donnell family worked together to cooperatively
create a positive response to their pressing challenges. Their plan
included the successful transition of three family members out of
the business and into fulfilling new careers and the widely successful
transformation of the family’s stationery business into a new innovative
retail concept – O’Doodle’s Toys – Creative Stuff Kids Love.
An articulate communicator, Hank presented twice to the Family Business Forum on the following topics:
“The Elder Son’s Dilemma in a Family Business: Honoring Thy Parents” and “A Wonderful Sibling Strategy.”
O’Donnell has served in leadership capacities on numerous community and business boards including
the Chestnut Hill Business Association, Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation, Chestnut Hill Hospital,
National Penn Bank Advisory Board and the Good Shepherd Mediation Program.
O’Donnell earned a BS from Georgetown University and an MPA from University of Kansas. He has
completed Advanced Performance Management Training and is a trained mediator. In addition to his
work with the Delaware Valley Family Business Center, Hank is a TEC chair, facilitating groups of
chief executives working together to build better lives and better companies. He lives in Wyndmoor,
Pennsylvania, with his wife, Terri, and their son, Tim.
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