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Owners at WorkAuthor: Ohio Employee Ownership Center
Interviews leading experts on issues pertaining to employee ownership including building an ownership culture, management practices, succession planning, economic development, and so much more. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Purpose Trusts and EOTs: Expanding the Ownership Conversation
Episode 4
Thursday, 4 September, 2025
SUMMARY: In this episode of Owners at Work, we sit down with Zoe Schlag of Common Trust and Mark Hand of the Purpose Trust Ownership Network (PTON) to explore the growing momentum behind Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) in the U.S. Zoe shares her journey from early-stage and impact investing to co-founding Common Trust, an organization dedicated to helping mission-driven businesses transition to employee ownership through EOTs. Mark—an academic and advocate for purpose-driven ownership—discusses his research and organizing work around EOTs, including the founding of PTON and his weekly newsletter The Stakeholder. Together, Zoe and Mark break down how EOTs offer a flexible, affordable, and values-aligned pathway to employee ownership—often well-suited for founders who want to preserve mission, reward employees, and avoid traditional exit routes like private equity. We hear examples of successful EOT transitions, from Clegg Auto to Live Oak Living and ACP International, and learn how each deal was tailored to meet the unique goals of its founders and workforce. The episode also previews the first PTON conference (slated for early 2026 in Austin). It highlights how peer learning, trust governance, and long-term stewardship are shaping the future of the EOT movement. OTHER INFO: EOT Case Studies Clegg case study Text-Em-All story ACP International LiveOak Living About EOTs ESOP vs. EOT comparison blog What is an EOT blog Book chapter co-authored by Mark Hand and Zoe Schlag 2026 EOT Conference https://trustownership.org/#conference Websites and Other Resources Purpose Trust Ownership Network The Stakehold Newsletter Common Trust Consumer Direct Care Network transitions to an EOT SUPPORT THE SHOW: We make all episodes of Owners at Work free and never place them behind a paywall. But they take time and money to produce. Consider making a DONATION today to help keep our work going. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: We are always looking for new employee ownership stories to tell. Please contact us with your story at oeoc@kent.edu
