From Workers to Owners
Aspen institute Economic opportunities Program
Thank you to our colleagues at the Ford Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Prudential Financial for their generous support of the 2025 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum. Rutgers University also appreciates the support of the Sorenson Impact Foundation for its support of this convening and other events in 2025.
The 2025 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum took place on April 9 – 10, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
The Forum was co-hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University, and the two-day event welcomed invited guests in person and offered a virtual option for others..
This year’s theme, “From Workers to Owners,” explored how employee ownership changes the work experience and supports business success. The forum featured companies from different industries and looked at how employee ownership fits into their business goals. Speakers also discussed how investors and policymakers can help more workers become owners.
The event brought together members of Congress, staff, government leaders, business owners, researchers, and policy experts to share ideas on how employee ownership can build stronger businesses and communities.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Aspen Institute is nonpartisan and does not endorse, support, or oppose political candidates or parties. To the extent elected officials are in attendance, they are attending and speaking in their official capacity and not as a political candidate. Further, the views and opinions of our guests and speakers do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.
Employee Ownership
Employee ownership, including employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), employee owned trusts (EOTs), and worker cooperatives, offers a pathway to an economy in which workers share in the profits of their labor.
Tools / Resources
These tools are intended to help users gain a broad understanding of employee ownership, become familiar with the steps involved in employee-owned startups and conversions, learn about how companies can build a strong ownership culture, and help users identify opportunities to support ownership at their organization.
Videos
Watch highlights and full sessions from the 2025 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, featuring bold conversations and innovative strategies advancing employee ownership.
Briefs
We are pleased to present these briefs as part of the Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, a two-day convening bringing together leading policymakers, practitioners, experts, and the media for a robust discussion on how we can grow employee ownership for the shared benefit of American workers and businesses.
Speakers
The Employee Ownership Ideas Forum brings together members of Congress and their staff, government officials, practitioners, researchers, think tanks, philanthropy, investors, and the leaders of employee-owned companies to learn about and discuss the latest in policy, research, finance, and practice.
Five Big Ideas for Employee Ownership
- Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Professor of Community Justice and Social Economic Development, Department of Africana Studies, John Jay College, City University of New York
- Tammy Miller, Former Lieutenant Governor, State of North Dakota
- Phil Reeves, Founding Partner, Apis and Heritage
- Jesse Walker, Book Editor, Reason Magazine
- Leslie Wilson, Dean, Wilson College of Business, University of Northern Iowa
Related Resources
Jesse Walker, Author at Reason.com
A Bold Path to an Inclusive, Thriving Economy: Employee Ownership (rockefellerfoundation.org)
Academic Center for Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing | David W. Wilson College of Business
APIS & HERITAGE | 2025 Skoll Award for Social Innovation
“Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice,” by Jessica Gordon Nembhard
From Border States to State House … Tammy Miller – Electrical Trends
As of 2022, approximately 18% of employees or about 25 million workers across our nation have some form of ownership stake in the company where they work
co-ops
Between 900 and 1,000 co-operatives employ about 10,000 workers.
Around 11 million active employees participate in ESOPs
Ideas. Employee Ownership. Solutions.
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program shares regular updates about our work. You’ll receive the latest information on upcoming events as well as publications, blog posts, podcasts, and videos.
