Why Attend Leading in an Ownership Setting™

Why Attend?

Executives who run ESOP companies face unique and complex challenges in comparison to running a regular business. Leading in this environment calls for specialized training and a deep grasp of unique requirements, scenarios, and demands.

Leading in an Ownership Setting™ is the nation’s only executive education program delivered by one of the world’s top business schools and designed to equip ESOP executives with the knowledge and tools to excel in an employee-owned environment.

In partnership with the internationally acclaimed Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, you’ll spend two transformative weeks exploring the critical topics every ESOP CEO and CFO/senior finance manager need to guide their organizations with confidence and impact. Leading in an Ownership Setting™ offers an exclusive curriculum tailored for Presidents/CEOs, and CFOs/senior finance executives, and their successors.

Alongside sessions led by top ESOP experts, you’ll learn from Darden faculty—some of the brightest and most innovative minds in business. The program builds on its exceptional leadership and culture training with an expanded curriculum that explores essential areas for ESOP executives, including M&A, Finance, Repurchase Obligations, Marketing, and Management.

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 equivalent role) or for their designated successors.  Leaders who find this program most beneficial include:

Experienced Presidents/CEOs and CFOs/finance principals:

  • Gain time and resources to think strategically about your leadership agenda—whether strengthening culture, driving change, or planning succession and sustainability.
  • Heighten your awareness of employee ownership’s positive potential and learn practical tools to leverage it, especially if this is your first time leading an employee-owned company.
  • Engage with coursework designed for the unique challenges of running an employee-owned business, including topics like repurchase obligations or employee voice.
  • Access an updated curriculum focused on Finance, Management, M&A, and more.
  • Connect with peers who understand the ownership context and offer a safe, constructive space to discuss issues you can’t address inside your company.

Incoming Presidents/CEOs and CFOs/finance principals:

  • Strengthen your self-awareness as the top leader in your company.
  • Understand the responsibilities that come with leading an employee-owned business.
  • Discover how to maximize the opportunities of employee ownership.
  • Plan the steps for a successful transition into the CEO or CFO role.
  • Define the impact you want to make as a leader of your firm.
  • Build a leadership team that complements your strengths and drives company success.