CURRICULUM Guide
Philadelphia, PA August 27–29, 2025
TABLEOF Contents Contents
WELCOME TO THE NCEO FORUM
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.
BEST-IN-CLASS BOARDS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
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
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?
EFFECTIVELY LAUNCHING AN ESOP
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
10:00 AM–11:00 AM 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?
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
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
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
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
OWNERSHIP MINDSET & RESULTS-DRIVEN COMMUNICATION
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
9:00 AM–11:30 AM 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
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
OWNERSHIP
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
BUILDING YOUR EO MONTH PLAYBOOK
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
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
NCEO Membership: Session Details Coming Soon!
NUTS AND BOLTS OF THRIVING ESOPS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
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
NUTS AND BOLTS OF THRIVING ESOPS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
11:15–12:15 PM Concurrent Session 5
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
CEO
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
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
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
CEO
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
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–3:45 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
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
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
Navigating Repurchase Obligations & Succession Planning Through the Lens of Demographics
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?
CFO
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
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
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
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
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
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
COO AND OTHER OPERATIONS EXECUTIVES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
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
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
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
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
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
COO AND OTHER OPERATIONS EXECUTIVES
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
Forgiveness as a Leadership Superpower
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
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
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?
HR/RETENTION/RECRUITING
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
Prescription Drug Trends and How To Control Spend as an Employee-Owner
Repurchase Obligation Study: The Key to Sustainability
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
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
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
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
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
MANAGER/SUPERVISOR
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
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
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
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
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
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
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
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
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
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
1:45 PM–3:00 PM | Concurrent Session 6
Activate the Ownership Mindset: Tools to Motivate, Communicate, and Align for Results
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
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8
Designed to Thrive: A Culture Playbook for Mergers & Acquisitions
NCEO Membership: Get In Where We Fit In!
10:30 AM–11:30 AM | Concurrent Session 9
A New Way Forward: Direct Employee Ownership for Business Success & Succession
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 Peer Network: Ownership in Action: Becoming a Mentor in an Employee-Owned Company
12:15 PM–3:45 PM | Concurrent Session 2 CEO Peer Networking
3:55 PM–4:55 PM | Concurrent Session 3
Service Provider Peer Networking
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
11:15 AM–12:15 PM | Concurrent Session 5
After DEI, What?: How to Talk About What We Are Not Supposed to for ESOPs
Human Resources: Cultivating Organizational Trust in Employee-Owned Companies: Peer-Led Tools and Techniques
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
3:15 PM–4:15 PM | Concurrent Session 7
How to Lead with Extreme Ownership ESOP Finance Working Group: From Numbers to Know-How: Building Financial Literacy Programs that Stick
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
9:00 AM–10:15 AM | Concurrent Session 8
Building Financial Literacy to Empower Employee-Owners
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
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
