Forum 25 Curriculum Guide

CURRICULUM

Guide

Philadelphia, PA August 27–29, 2025

TABLE OF Contents Contents

Track/Area of Interest BEST-IN-CLASS BOARDS EFFECTIVELY LAUNCHING AN ESOP

4 6

EO AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

7

HR PROFESSIONALS BOOTCAMP

10

OWNERSHIP MINDSET & RESULTS-DRIVEN COMMUNICATION

12

BUILDING YOUR EO MONTH PLAYBOOK

14

NUTS AND BOLTS OF THRIVING ESOPS

15

TABLE OF Contents Contents

Job Role

BOARD MEMBER

17 19 21 23

HR/BENEFITS/RECRUITING

24

INTERNAL TRUSTEE

26

MANAGER/SUPERVISOR

27

COMMUNICATIONS/CULTURE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

28 29

NON-MANAGER

30

CEO CFO COO & OTHER OPERATIONS EXECUTIVES

WELCOME TO THE NCEO FORUM A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Welcome!

Many of you reading this—just like many of you joining us in Philadelphia in person—will be attending the NCEO Forum for the first time, and on behalf of everyone at the NCEO, we’re glad you’re coming.

To help you choose from the many sessions occurring in each of the time slots, this curriculum guide can help you dial in on the sessions that are designed for people in similar job functions, whether that’s a CFO, a member of the communications committee, or a director. If you’re in human resources, check out our HR Bootcamp this year.

You might also be coming for a deep dive on a specific cluster of issues, like the impact of a fastchanging world, acquisitions, and succession planning (see “EO as a Competitive Advantage”) or strategies for long-term success, from managing repurchase obligation and capital structure to valuation, accounting, and second-stage transactions (see “Nuts and Bolts of Thriving ESOPs”).

As always, there are plenty of sessions on culture, communications, and engagement, whether you are in the early stages of employee ownership (see “Effectively Launching an ESOP”), in the midst of it (see “Ownership Mindset and Results-Driven Communication”), or looking specifically to make this year’s Employee Ownership Month your company’s best one yet.

You can also use this curriculum guide to help you choose a few sessions that are outside your usual focus. The NCEO Forum brings together incredible speakers with expertise across all aspects of employee ownership, so you can easily stretch your boundaries!

Thank you for joining us for this gathering of the employee ownership community. We hope your time in Philadelphia will help make employee ownership thrive at your company.

NCEO Forum Curriculum Guide | 1

BEST-IN-CLASS BOARDS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 1:00 PM-2:00 PM

Concurrent Session 1 What Every New Director Should Know About Serving on an ESOP Company Board

2:15 PM–3:45 PM

Concurrent Session 2 ESOP Company Boards in the Real World: A Role-Playing Opportunity for Real-World Problems

3:55 PM–4:55 PM

Concurrent Session 3 What Got You Here May Not Get You There: Envisioning the Future of Your ESOP to Ensure Successful Executive Transition

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM

Concurrent Session 4 Tailoring Governance Structures: How ESOPs Are Shaping Board Strategies to Fit Their Unique DNA

11:15 AM–12:15 PM

Concurrent Session 5 Cybersecurity Governance for ESOP Boards

1:45 PM–3:00 PM

Concurrent Session 6 Building a Board That Is Right for You: A Lesson from Others Impact of Strategic Financial Planning on the ESOP and the Company

NCEO Forum Curriculum Guide | 4

BEST-IN-CLASS BOARDS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Concurrent Session 7 Executive Compensation in ESOP Companies

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Concurrent Session 9 How Should an ESOP-Owned Company's Board of Directors Handle an Unsolicited Offer to Buy the Company?

NCEO Forum Curriculum Guide | 5

EFFECTIVELY LAUNCHING AN ESOP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 8:45 AM-4:45 PM

EOT Workshop | 1-Day Workshop Session Information Coming Soon!

1:00 PM–2:15 PM Concurrent Session 1 Life After the Sale: Navigating Growth and Value Creation in a 100% ESOP

2:15 PM–3:45 PM Concurrent Session 2 Every Voice Counts: Engaging the Naysayers

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM Concurrent Session 4 Financial Management Considerations for ESOP Companies Proven Strategies for Launching and Relaunching Your ESOP

11:15 AM–12:15 PM Concurrent Session 5 What to Expect from Your ESOP Trustee

1:45 PM–3:00 PM Concurrent Session 6 Beyond the Deal: Communication and Transparency in Post-Transaction ESOP Success

3:15 PM–4:15 PM

Concurrent Session 7 How Does a Good Company Become a Successful ESOP?

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 10:30 AM–11:30 AM

Concurrent Session 9 Building Ownership Culture with Data: Using Surveys to Measure and Strengthen Employee Engagement

NCEO Forum Curriculum Guide | 6

EO AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 1:00 PM–2:00 PM

Concurrent Session 1 How to Manage ROI and ROAS in Digital Marketing to Drive Value for Your ESOP What Would It Take to Create 60,000 New ESOP Companies in the Next 10 Years and 600,000 in the Next 15? Addressing Barriers to Scale

2:15 PM–3:45PM

Concurrent Session 2 Why Your ESOP Needs to Consider Acquisitions: Not the Usual ABCs of How to Do Acquisitions

3:30 PM–4:30 PM

Concurrent Session 3 AI Meets ESOP: Building Your First Data Dictionary and Data Committee Growth, Sustainability, and Compliance: the Triple Mandate for ESOP Company Directors and Executives

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM

Concurrent Session 4 AI Idea Sprint: Jumpstart Innovation in Your ESOP Today with Artificial Intelligence Acquisitions: The Deal Closes on Paper, and Success Starts with Leadership Alignment!

11:15 AM–12:15 PM

Concurrent Session 5 After DEI, What?: How to Talk About What We Are Not Supposed to for ESOPs

NCEO Fall Forum Forum Curriculum Curriculum Guide Guide | 4| 7

EO AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 1:45 PM–3:00 PM

Concurrent Session 6 Nonprofit Boards as Leadership Labs: Empowering EmployeeOwners to Grow Personally, Lead Boldly, and Drive Impact ESOPs in Mergers and Acquisitions: Exploring Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Advantages

3:15 PM–4:15 PM

Concurrent Session 7 A Big Tent: The Movement to Expand Employee Ownership

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM

Concurrent Session 8 Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions

10:30 AM–11:30 AM

Concurrent Session 9 A New Way Forward: Direct Employee Ownership for Business Success & Succession

NCEO Fall Forum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| 4 |8

HR PROFESSIONALS BOOTCAMP

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 1:00 PM–2:00 PM

Concurrent Session 1 Prescription Drug Trends and How To Control Spend as an Employee-Owner

2:15 PM–3:45 PM

Concurrent Session 2 Future-Proof Your ESOP: Personalized Leadership, AI, and the Talent Advantage

3:55 PM–4:55 PM

Concurrent Session 3 Mastering ESOP Allocation and Compliance Reports: A Workshop

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM

Concurrent Session 4 Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Practical Framework for Tough Conversations, Restoring Trust, and Leading Teams with Confidence, Reducing Burnout, and Boosting Performance

1:45 PM–3:00 PM

Concurrent Session 6 The Ownership Advantage Isn't Enough: Pairing Purpose with Job Quality to Drive Talent and Engagement

3:15 PM–4:15 PM

Concurrent Session 7 Forgiveness as a Leadership Superpower

NCEO Guide| |410 FallForum ForumCurriculum Curriculum Guide

HR PROFESSIONALS BOOTCAMP

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM

Concurrent Session 8 Evaluating and Hiring Effective ESOP Leaders

10:30 AM–11:30 AM

Concurrent Session 9 Health Plan Savings, Transparency, and Stability for ESOP Companies

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OWNERSHIP MINDSET & RESULTS-DRIVEN COMMUNICATION

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 10:00 AM–12:00 PM Preforum Workshop Building a High-Involvement Culture: Your Playbook for Engaging Employees-Owners and Driving a Winning Culture

1:00 PM–2:00 PM

Concurrent Session 1 Develop, Refresh, or Strengthen Your Company's Core Values to Grow Your ESOP and Maximize Employee Ownership Benefits

2:15 PM–3:45 PM

Concurrent Session 2 Building Momentum: Uniting & Inspiring Teams Through Change

3:55 PM–4:55 PM

Concurrent Session 3 Battling Burnout: How Employee Ownership Can Build a Healthier, More Resilient Workforce

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM

Concurrent Session 4 Building Better Buy-In: Creating a 5-Year Plan Your EmployeeOwners Can Believe In

11:15 AM–12:15 PM

Concurrent Session 5 Ownership Culture by Design: How to Use Research to Inform Your Strategy

1:45 PM–3:00 PM

Concurrent Session 6 Activate the Ownership Mindset: Tools to Motivate, Communicate, and Align for Results

NCEO Fall Forum Forum Curriculum Curriculum Guide Guide || 412

OWNERSHIP MINDSET & RESULTS-DRIVEN COMMUNICATION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 3:15 PM–4:15 PM

Concurrent Session 7 How to Lead with Extreme Ownership

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 10:30 AM–11:30 AM

Concurrent Session 9 Engage, Align, Transform: Practical Tools and Actions to Build an Ownership Culture That Delivers on Your Mission

Ad Space

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BUILDING YOUR EO MONTH PLAYBOOK

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 1:00 PM–2:00 PM

Concurrent Session 1 Why EO Month Matters: Bringing Employee Ownership into the Spotlight

2:15 PM–3:45 PM

Concurrent Session 2 Planning Engaging Activities & Events for EO Month

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM

Concurrent Session 4

Leveraging Employee Ownership Champions to Drive Engageme Month (and beyond)

11:15 AM -12:15 PM

Concurrent Session 5 Communicating the Now of ESOPs

3:15 PM–4:15 PM

Concurrent Session 7 How to Use Potential Share Price Increases to Improve Retention and Engagement

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM

Concurrent Session 8 Keeping the Momentum of EO Month Going Year Round

NCEO FallForum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| 14 |4

NUTS AND BOLTS OF THRIVING ESOPS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Preforum Workshop Navigating Your Path to ESOP Sustainability: A Workshop

1:00 PM–2:00 PM

Concurrent Session 1 Built for the Storm: Why ESOP Companies Outperform in Bad Economic Times Repurchase Obligation Study: Key to Sustainability

2:15 PM–3:45 PM

Concurrent Session 2 Valuation Hot Topics and Other Interesting Valuation Updates Long-Term ESOP Success: What Are the Critical Elements and How Can We Position Our Company to Get There?

Leading Change During Times of Uncertainty: An Opportunity for Engagement

3:55 PM–4:55 PM

Concurrent Session 2 Having Your Cake & Eating it Too? Balancing Strategic TradeOffs Through Capital Structure and Balance Sheet Management for Long-Term Success S Corp ESOP Traps for the Unwary Under 409(p)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM

Concurrent Session 4 Revenue Diversification for ESOPs: Balancing Growth, Risk, and Purpose

NCEO Fall Forum Curriculum Guide | 415

NUTS AND BOLTS OF THRIVING ESOPS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 Concurrent Session 5

11:15–12:15 PM

Mature ESOP Participant-Focused Plan Design Considerations: The Wawa Way Navigating the ESOP Repurchase Obligation: Strategies for Sustainable Employee Ownership Funding ESOP Litigation Update

1:45 PM–3:00 PM

Concurrent Session 6 What Not to Do: The Guide to Repurchase Obligation Mistakes

3:15 PM–4: 15 PM

Concurrent Session 7 NCEO Resources That Make Your Life Easier Balancing Act: One Company’s Journey to Becoming 100% Employee-Owned Understanding Releveraging: Different Strategies and Practical Applications

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM

Concurrent Session 8 Navigating Repurchase Obligations & Succession Planning Through the Lens of Demographics

NCEO Fall Forum Curriculum Guide | 416

CEO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Pre Forum Workshop Building a High-Involvement Culture: Your Playbook for Engaging Employees-Owners and Driving a Winning Culture Navigating Your Path to ESOP Sustainability: A Workshop 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Built for the Storm: How ESOP Companies Overcome in Bad Economic Times How to Manage ROI and ROAS in Digital Marketing to Drive Value for Your ESOP Repurchase Obligation Study: The Key to Sustainability What Would It Take to Create 60,000 New ESOP Companies in the Next 10 Years and 600,000 in the Next 15? Addressing Barriers to Scale

2:15–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 Building Momentum: Uniting & Inspiring Teams Through Change ESOP Company Boards in the Real World: A RolePlaying Opportunity for Real-World Problems Leading Change During Times of Uncertainty: An Opportunity for Engagement Long-Term ESOP Success: What Are the Critical Elements and How Can We Position Our Company to Get There?

Valuation Hot Topics and Other Interesting Valuation Updates Why Your ESOP Needs to Consider Acquisitions: Not the Usual ABCs of How to Do Acquisitions

3:55–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3 AI Meets ESOP: Building Your First Data Dictionary and Data Committee Growth, Sustainability, and Compliance: the Triple Mandate for ESOP Company Directors and Executives Having Your Cake & Eating it Too? Balancing Strategic Trade-Offs Through Capital Structure and Balance Sheet Management for LongTerm Success What Got You Here May Not Get You There: Envisioning the Future of Your ESOP to Ensure Successful Executive Transition

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Acquisitions: The Deal Closes on Paper, and Success Starts with Leadership Alignment!

AI Idea Sprint: Jumpstart Innovation in Your ESOP Today with Artificial Intelligence Building Better Buy-In: Creating a 5-Year Plan Your Employee-Owners Can Believe In Financial Management Considerations for ESOP Companies Ownership in Action: Proven Strategies for Launching and Relaunching Your ESOP Revenue Diversification for ESOPs: Balancing Growth, Risk, and Purpose Tailoring Governance Structures: How ESOPs Are Shaping Board Strategies to Fit Their Unique DNA

NCEO Fall Forum Forum Curriculum Curriculum Guide Guide || 417

CEO THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29

11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 Cybersecurity Governance for ESOP Boards Navigating the ESOP Repurchase Obligation: Strategies for Sustainable Employee Ownership Funding Ownership Culture by Design: How to Use Research to Inform Your Strategy What to Expect from Your ESOP Trustee

9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Building Financial Literacy to Empower EmployeeOwners Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions Evaluating and Hiring Effective ESOP Leaders Navigating Repurchase Obligations & Succession Planning Through the Lens of Demographics

1:45 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 6 Beyond the Deal: Communication and Transparency in Post-Transaction ESOP Success Building a Board That Is Right for You: A Lesson from Others ESOPs in Mergers and Acquisitions: Exploring Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Advantages Impact of Strategic Financial Planning on the ESOP and the Company Reviewing a Valuation Report, Especially the Projections The Ownership Advantage Isn't Enough: Pairing Purpose with Job Quality to Drive Talent and Engagement What Not to Do: The Guide to Repurchase Obligation Mistakes

11:30 AM–11:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9 A New Way Forward: Direct Employee Ownership for Business Success & Succession Engage, Align, Transform: Practical Tools and Actions to Build an Ownership Culture That Delivers on Your Mission Health Plan Savings, Transparency, and Stability for ESOP Companies How Should an ESOP-Owned Company's Board of Directors Handle an Unsolicited Offer to Buy the Company?

3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 A Big Tent: The Movement to Expand Employee Ownership Balancing Act : One Company’s Journey to Becoming 100% Employee-Owned Executive Compensation in ESOP Companies Forgiveness as a Leadership Superpower How Does a Good Company Become a Successful ESOP? Understanding Releveraging: Different Strategies and Practical Applications

NCEO Fall Forum Forum Curriculum Curriculum Guide Guide || 418

CFO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Pre Forum Workshop Navigating Your Path to ESOP Sustainability: A Workshop

9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Financial Management Considerations for ESOP Companies Ownership in Action: Proven Strategies for Launching and Relaunching Your ESOP Revenue Diversification for ESOPs: Balancing Growth, Risk, and Purpose

1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Built for the Storm: How ESOP Companies Overcome in Bad Economic Times How to Manage ROI and ROAS in Digital Marketing to Drive Value for Your ESOP Life After the Sale: Navigating Growth and Value Creation in a 100% ESOP-Owned Company Prescription Drug Trends and How To Control Spend as an Employee-Owner Repurchase Obligation Study: The Key to Sustainability 2:15–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 ESOP Company Boards in the Real World: A RolePlaying Opportunity for Real-World Problems Long-Term ESOP Success: What Are the Critical Elements and How Can We Position Our Company to Get There?

Valuation Hot Topics and Other Interesting Valuation Updates Why Your ESOP Needs to Consider Acquisitions: Not the Usual ABCs of How to Do Acquisitions 3:55–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3 Growth, Sustainability, and Compliance: the Triple Mandate for ESOP Company Directors and Executives Having Your Cake & Eating it Too? Balancing Strategic Trade-Offs Through Capital Structure and Balance Sheet Management for Long-Term Success S Corp ESOP Traps for the Unwary Under 409(p) What Got You Here May Not Get You There: Envisioning the Future of Your ESOP to Ensure Successful Executive Transition

11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 Cybersecurity Governance for ESOP Boards Navigating the ESOP Repurchase Obligation: Strategies for Sustainable Employee Ownership Funding Ownership Culture by Design: How to Use Research to Inform Your Strategy What to Expect from Your ESOP Trustee 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 Beyond the Deal: Communication and Transparency in Post-Transaction ESOP Success ESOPs in Mergers and Acquisitions: Exploring Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Advantages Impact of Strategic Financial Planning on the ESOP and The Company Reviewing a Valuation Report, Especially the Projections What Not to Do: The Guide to Repurchase Obligation Mistakes

NCEO Fall Forum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| |419

CFO THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 A Big Tent: The Movement to Expand Employee Ownership Balancing Act : One Company’s Journey to Becoming 100% Employee-Owned How Does a Good Company Become a Successful ESOP? NCEO Resources That Make Your Life Easier Understanding Releveraging: Different Strategies and Practical Applications

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions Evaluating and Hiring Effective ESOP Leaders Navigating Repurchase Obligations & Succession Planning Through the Lens of Demographics 10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9 A New Way Forward: Direct Employee Ownership for Business Success & Succession Health Plan Savings, Transparency, and Stability for ESOP Companies

NCEO Fall Forum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| |420

COO AND OTHER OPERATIONS EXECUTIVES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

10:00 AM–12:00 PM | 1-Day Workshop Building a High-Involvement Culture: Your Playbook for Engaging Employees-Owners and Driving a Winning Culture

9:30–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Acquisitions: The Deal Closes on Paper, and Success Starts with Leadership Alignment!

AI Idea Sprint: Jumpstart Innovation in Your ESOP Today with Artificial Intelligence Building Better Buy-In: Creating a 5-Year Plan Your Employee-Owners Can Believe In Ownership in Action: Proven Strategies for Launching and Relaunching Your ESOP Revenue Diversification for ESOPs: Balancing Growth, Risk, and Purpose Tailoring Governance Structures: How ESOPs Are Shaping Board Strategies to Fit Their Unique DNA

3:30 PM–4:30 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Prescription Drug Trends and How To Control Spend as an Employee-Owner 2:15 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 Every Voice Counts: Engaging the Naysayers Future-Proof Your ESOP: Personalized Leadership, AI, and the Talent Advantage Leading Change During Times of Uncertainty: An Opportunity for Engagement Why Your ESOP Needs to Consider Acquisitions: Not the Usual ABCs of How to Do Acquisitions 3:55 PM–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3 Battling Burnout: How Employee Ownership Can Build a Healthier, More Resilient Workforce What Got You Here May Not Get You There: Envisioning the Future of Your ESOP to Ensure Successful Executive Transition

11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 Cybersecurity Governance for ESOP Boards Mature ESOP Participant-Focused Plan Design Considerations: The Wawa Way Ownership Culture by Design: How to Use Research to Inform Your Strategy What to Expect from Your ESOP Trustee 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 Activate the Ownership Mindset: Tools to Motivate, Communicate, and Align for Results Beyond the Deal: Communication and Transparency in Post-Transaction ESOP Success Building a Board That Is Right for You: A Lesson from Others Reviewing a Valuation Report, Especially the Projections

NCEO Fall Forum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| 4 | 21

COO AND OTHER OPERATIONS EXECUTIVES THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29

3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 Forgiveness as a Leadership Superpower Understanding Releveraging: Different Strategies and Practical Applications

9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions Evaluating and Hiring Effective ESOP Leaders

NCEO Fall Forum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| 4 | 22

BOARD MEMBER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Repurchase Obligation Study: The Key to Sustainability What Would It Take to Create 60,000 New ESOP Companies in the Next 10 Years and 600,000 in the Next 15? Addressing Barriers to Scale What Every New Director Should Know About Serving on an ESOP Company Board 2:15 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 ESOP Company Boards in the Real World: A RolePlaying Opportunity for Real-World Problems Long-Term ESOP Success: What Are the Critical Elements and How Can We Position Our Company to Get There?

Why Your ESOP Needs to Consider Acquisitions: Not the Usual ABCs of How to Do Acquisitions 3:55 PM–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3 Growth, Sustainability, and Compliance: the Triple Mandate for ESOP Company Directors and Executives Having Your Cake & Eating it Too? Balancing Strategic Trade-Offs Through Capital Structure and Balance Sheet Management for Long Term Success What Got You Here May Not Get You There: Envisioning the Future of Your ESOP to Ensure Successful Executive Transition

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Tailoring Governance Structures: How ESOPs Are Shaping Board Strategies to Fit Their Unique DNA

11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 Cybersecurity Governance for ESOP Boards ESOP Litigation Update What to Expect from Your ESOP Trustee 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 Beyond the Deal: Communication and Transparency in Post-Transaction ESOP Success Building a Board That Is Right for You: A Lesson from Others ESOPs in Mergers and Acquisitions: Exploring Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Advantages Impact of Strategic Financial Planning on the ESOP and the Company Reviewing a Valuation Report, Especially the Projections 3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 A Big Tent: The Movement to Expand Employee Ownership Balancing Act : One Company’s Journey to Becoming 100% Employee-Owned Executive Compensation in ESOP Companies Forgiveness as a Leadership Superpower Understanding Releveraging: Different Strategies and Practical Applications

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Navigating Repurchase Obligations & Succession Planning Through the Lens of Demographics 10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9 How Should an ESOP-Owned Company's Board of Directors Handle an Unsolicited Offer to Buy the Company?

NCEO Fall Forum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| |423

HR/RETENTION/RECRUITING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Develop, Refresh, or Strengthen Your Company's Core Values to Grow Your ESOP and Maximize Employee Ownership Benefits Prescription Drug Trends and How To Control Spend as an Employee-Owner Repurchase Obligation Study: The Key to Sustainability Why EO Month Matters: Bringing Employee Ownership into the Spotlight Innovative Communication Coalition: Fostering Mentors in an Employee-Owned Company

9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Acquisitions: The Deal Closes on Paper, and Success Starts with Leadership Alignment!

Proven Strategies for Launching and Relaunching Your ESOP Leveraging Employee Ownership Champions to Drive Engagement for EO Month (and beyond)

2:15 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 Every Voice Counts: Engaging the Naysayers Building Momentum: Uniting & Inspiring Teams Through Change Future-Proof Your ESOP: Personalized Leadership, AI, and the Talent Advantage Planning Engaging Activities & Events for EO Month 3:55–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3 Mastering ESOP Allocation and Compliance Reports: A Workshop What Got You Here May Not Get You There: Envisioning the Future of Your ESOP to Ensure Successful Executive Transition AI Meets ESOP: Building Your First Data Dictionary and Data Committee S Corp ESOP Traps for the Unwary Under 409(p) Battling Burnout: How Employee Ownership Can Build a Healthier, More Resilient Workforce

11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 After DEI, What?: How to Talk About What We Are Not Supposed to for ESOPs Mature ESOP Participant-Focused Plan Design Considerations: The Wawa Way Ownership Culture by Design: How to Use Research to Inform Your Strategy HR Peer Network: Cultivating Organizational Trust in Employee-Owned Companies Communicating the Now of ESOPs 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 What Not to Do: The Guide to Repurchase Obligation Mistakes The Ownership Advantage Isn't Enough: Pairing Purpose with Job Quality to Drive Talent and Engagement 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 NCEO Resources That Make Your Life Easier Executive Compensation in ESOP Companies

NCEO FallForum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| |24 4

HR/RETENTION/RECRUITING FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions Evaluating and Hiring Effective ESOP Leaders Keeping the Momentum of EO Month Going Year Round 12:50 PM–1:50 PM | Concurrent Session 9 A New Way Forward: Direct Employee Ownership for Business Success & Succession Health Plan Savings, Transparency, and Stability for ESOP Companies Building Ownership Culture with Data: Using Surveys to Measure and Strengthen Employee Engagement

NCEO FallForum ForumCurriculum CurriculumGuide Guide| |25 4

INTERNAL TRUSTEE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Life After the Sale: Navigating Growth and Value Creation in a 100% ESOP-Owned Company Repurchase Obligation Study: The Key to Sustainability

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9 How Should an ESOP-Owned Company's Board of Directors Handle an Unsolicited Offer to Buy the Company?

2:15 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 Leading Change During Times of Uncertainty: An Opportunity for Engagement Valuation Hot Topics and Other Interesting Valuation Updates Why Your ESOP Needs to Consider Acquisitions: Not the Usual ABCs of How to Do Acquisitions

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 ESOP Litigation Update Navigating the ESOP Repurchase Obligation: Strategies for Sustainable Employee Ownership Funding What to Expect from Your ESOP Trustee 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 ESOPs in Mergers and Acquisitions: Exploring Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Advantages Reviewing a Valuation Report, Especially the Projections 3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 Understanding Releveraging: Different Strategies and Practical Applications

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MANAGER/SUPERVISOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Concurrent Session 1 How to Manage ROI and ROAS in Digital Marketing to Drive Value for Your ESOP

3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 How to Use Potential Share Price Increases to Improve Retention and Engagement How to Lead with Extreme Ownership

2:15 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 Every Voice Counts: Engaging the Naysayers Future-Proof Your ESOP: Personalized Leadership, AI, and the Talent Advantage 3:55 PM–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3 AI Meets ESOP: Building Your First Data Dictionary and Data Committee

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Building Better Buy-In: Creating a 5-Year Plan Your Employee-Owners Can Believe In Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Practical Framework for Tough Conversations, Restoring Trust, and Leading Teams with Confidence, Reducing Burnout and Boosting Performance Proven Strategies for Launching and Relaunching Your ESOP

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Building Financial Literacy to Empower EmployeeOwners Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions Evaluating and Hiring Effective ESOP Leaders Keeping the Momentum of EO Month Going Year Round

11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 What to Expect from Your ESOP Trustee Ownership Culture by Design: How to Use Research to Inform Your Strategy 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 Activate the Ownership Mindset: Tools to Motivate, Communicate, and Align for Results Nonprofit Boards as Leadership Labs: Empowering Employee Owners to Grow Personally, Lead Boldly, and Drive Impact The Ownership Advantage Isn't Enough: Pairing Purpose with Job Quality to Drive Talent and Engagement

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COMMUNICATIONS/CULTURE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Preforum Workshops Building a High-Involvement Culture: Your Playbook for Engaging Employees-Owners and Driving a Winning Culture 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Built for the Storm: How ESOP Companies Overcome in Bad Economic Times Develop, Refresh, or Strengthen Your Company's Core Values to Grow Your ESOP and Maximize Employee Ownership Benefits Life After the Sale: Navigating Growth and Value Creation in a 100% ESOP-Owned Company What Would It Take to Create 60,000 New ESOP Companies in the Next 10 Years and 600,000 in the Next 15? Addressing Barriers to Scale Why EO Month Matters: Bringing Employee Ownership into the Spotlight Innovative Communication Coalition: Fostering Mentors in an Employee-Owned Company

9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Leveraging Employee Ownership Champions to Drive Engagement for EO Month (and beyond) 11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 After DEI, What?: How to Talk About What We Are Not Supposed to for ESOPs Mature ESOP Participant-Focused Plan Design Considerations: The Wawa Way Ownership Culture by Design: How to Use Research to Inform Your Strategy Communicating the Now of ESOPs HR Peer Network: Cultivating Organizational Trust in Employee-Owned Companies 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 Activate the Ownership Mindset: Tools to Motivate, Communicate, and Align for Results

2:15 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 Building Momentum: Uniting & Inspiring Teams Through Change Planning Engaging Activities & Events for EO Month

3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 How Does a Good Company Become a Successful ESOP? How to Use Potential Share Price Increases to Improve Retention and Engagement NCEO Resources That Make Your Life Easier

3:55 PM–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3 Battling Burnout: How Employee Ownership Can Build a Healthier, More Resilient Workforce

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 AI Idea Sprint: Jumpstart Innovation in Your ESOP Today with Artificial Intelligence Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Practical Framework for Tough Conversations, Restoring Trust, and Leading Teams with Confidence, Reducing Burnout and Boosting Performance Ownership in Action: Proven Strategies for Launching and Relaunching Your ESOP

9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions Keeping the Momentum of EO Month Going Year Round 10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9 A New Way Forward: Direct Employee Ownership for Business Success & Succession

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 1:00 PM–2:00 PM | Concurrent Session 1 Develop, Refresh, or Strengthen Your Company's Core Values to Grow Your ESOP and Maximize Employee Ownership Benefits Innovative Communication Coalition: Fostering Mentors in an Employee-Owned Company

3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 How to Lead with Extreme Ownership Finance Working Group: From Numbers to KnowHow: Building Financial Literacy Programs that Stick

12:15 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 CEO Peer Networking

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29

3:55 PM–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3 Building the Collective Impact: Inaugural Meeting of the Service Providers Peer Network

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28

9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Building Financial Literacy to Empower Employee-Owners 10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9 Building Ownership Culture with Data: Using Surveys to Measure and Strengthen Employee Engagement

9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Practical Framework for Tough Conversations, Restoring Trust, and Leading Teams with Confidence, Reducing Burnout and Boosting Performance 11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5 After DEI, What?: How to Talk About What We Are Not Supposed to for ESOPs HR Peer Network: Cultivating Organizational Trust in Employee-Owned Companies 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 Nonprofit Boards as Leadership Labs: Empowering Employee Owners to Grow Personally, Lead Boldly, and Drive Impact Rising Leaders Peer Network: Ownership Starts Here: Practicing Leadership from Any Role

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NON-MANAGER THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 9:30 AM–11:00 AM | Concurrent Session 4 Proven Strategies for Launching and Relaunching Your ESOP 1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6 Nonprofit Boards as Leadership Labs: Empowering Employee Owners to Grow Personally, Lead Boldly, and Drive Impact 3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7 How to Use Potential Share Price Increases to Improve Retention and Engagement

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8 Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions

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NCEO RESOURCES Recruitment & Retention Toolkit Employee ownership lowers voluntary turnover rates and, anecdotally, many employee-owned companies believe they have more applicants than average per position. The goal of this toolkit is to help NCEO member companies improve their ability to both recruit and retain employee-owners, from onboarding to long-tenure employees.

Acquisition Strategies for ESOP Companies Acquisitions can open new markets, create more efficient operations, or provide a more diversified customer base, but most acquisitions do not live up to expectations. This book provides a general framework to evaluate acquisitions, specific ways to limit their risk, alternative transaction structures of special use for ESOP companies, and some best practices in making acquisitions, especially when one ESOP company acquires another.

The Download is solutions-focused, member-exclusive content provided on a monthly basis. These resources have been designed for use by the employee-owners at your company and can be passed on as is or with minimal adaptation to include the specifics of your plan.

Board Excellence Toolkit & Candidate Directory Improve the effectiveness of your board of directors by successfully recruiting and onboarding independent directors. This toolkit provides insight and resources on how to do this, as well as a directory of board candidates.

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