The National Center for Employee Ownership is thrilled to announce that renowned journalist, podcast host, and bestselling author Guy Raz will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 NCEO Forum at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. As the author of How I Built This, Raz brings a wealth of knowledge on entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth that perfectly aligns with the employee ownership community's vision. Guy Raz has interviewed hundreds of the world's most successful entrepreneurs and innovators, documenting their triumphs, failures, and pivotal moments that transformed their businesses. His unique ability to extract profound insights from these stories has earned him international acclaim and a devoted following. What makes Raz's approach particularly relevant to the employee ownership community is his focus on the human elements of business success—resilience, collaboration, shared purpose, and long-term thinking—values that are fundamental to thriving employee-owned companies.
The lessons from How I Built This translate remarkably well to the employee ownership model. Throughout his work, Raz highlights how successful companies foster cultures where everyone feels invested in outcomes, innovates at all levels, and builds sustainable growth through shared vision. These principles mirror the inherent advantages of employee ownership structures, where team members directly benefit from company success and participate in decision-making. This keynote will provide valuable content that enriches each of the seven educational tracks, all in the heart of historic Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.
The 2025 NCEO Forum represents one of the most comprehensive educational opportunities in the employee ownership space. Attendees consistently report that the knowledge gained transforms their approach to building successful employee-owned companies. With Guy Raz's keynote adding a powerful entrepreneurial perspective to this year's program, the educational value has never been higher.
While we're excited to share this announcement, we're keeping some details under wraps. In the coming weeks, we'll reveal specific themes from Raz's address and special elements that will make this keynote an unforgettable experience. What we can say is that Raz is preparing content exclusively for the NCEO audience that you won't hear on his podcast or read in his book. Stay tuned for details and the full Forum schedule. This is the must-attend event for anyone committed to advancing employee ownership excellence in 2025. Register today to secure your spot!