Leading in an Ownership Setting ™

An Educational Partnership of the Employee Ownership Foundation & University of Virginia, Darden School of Business

This unique program helps top executives maximize their ESOPs by fostering employee owner engagement that directly impacts the company’s bottom line, coupled with up-to-date course curricula on relevant topics such as Finance, M&A, Repurchase Obligations, Marketing and Management.  

The intensive two-week program offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn at one of the nation’s top business schools with other ESOP executives and form lasting relationships and networks.  The EOF facilitates ongoing networking for program alumni, helping you grow and maintain valuable connections.

Who should attend? 

The CEO program is for current CEOs or Presidents of ESOP companies or for their designated successors, while the CFO program is for current CFOs or their equivalent role.  Leaders who find this program most beneficial include:

Experienced Presidents/CEOs and CFOs:

• The program offers you the time and resources for thinking strategically about your leadership agenda for your ESOP company, whether it’s about strengthening your company’s culture, leading change or thinking more deeply about succession and sustainability.
• If you have leadership experience but this is your first time leading an employee-owned company, the program will heighten your awareness of the positive potential of employee ownership as well as provide you with tools to leverage it.
• Specially designed coursework that reflects the unique challenges of running and employee-owned business, on topics like repurchase obligation. 
• Updated curricula that emphasize Finance, Management, M&A, and more.
• Peers who understand the challenges and opportunities of leading in ownership context will provide you with a safe and constructive place to talk about company’s issues that may not be appropriate to discuss inside your company.

Incoming Presidents/CEOs and CFOs:

• Enhance your knowledge of yourself as the top leader in your company.
• Learn more about the responsibilities of being in the top leadership role at an employee-owned business.
• Deepen your understanding of how as a top leader you can maximize the opportunities of employee ownership.
• Think through the steps in your transition into the CEO role that will set you up for success.
• Develop a plan for the impact you want to have as a leader of your firm.
• Think through the leadership team you will need around you to complement your strengths and make your company successful.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. A $200 administrative fee will be assessed at the time of cancellation. Questions may be addressed to the Employee Ownership Foundation at info@employeeownershipfoundation.org.