In June, M. Richard Robinson Jr., the longtime lead of Scholastic Corp., died suddenly while on a walk in Martha’s Vineyard. Robinson Jr.’s death was not the only surprise, as he also left behind a surprising succession plan.  Instead of giving control of the publisher to his two sons, his siblings, or his ex-wife, control went to Iole Lucchese, Scholastic’s chief strategy officer. Lucchese also inherited all of his personal possessions.  In his 2018 will, Robinson described Ms. Lucchese as “my partner and closest friend.” Lucchese has been with the company for 30-years. Ms. Lucchese and Mr. Robinson had been… Continue Reading Succession Drama Grips Scholastic: CEO’s Sudden Death, an Office Romance and a Surprise Will