Meet Our 2026 NCEO Forum Keynote Speaker—You Don't Want to Miss This
We are thrilled to announce Shannon Litton as the keynote speaker for the 2026 NCEO Forum.
If you were at the Women's Summit in Fort Lauderdale this past February, you already know what we're talking about. Shannon took the stage as the opening keynote and left the room buzzing. Attendees called it "the standout of the conference." One participant said Shannon "connected with the room in a way that she wasn't talking at them—she was including everyone." Another walked away already planning how to bring the ideas back to their organization. That's the Shannon Litton effect—and she's bringing it to the main stage at the Forum.
Built for This Moment: A Celebration of Employee Ownership
The 2026 NCEO Forum keynote isn't a lecture. It's a celebration.
Built for This Moment: A Celebration of Employee Ownership is designed to be interactive, energetic, and fast-moving. Through real-world stories, concrete strategies, and shared recognition of the employee-owners in the room, Shannon brings the model to life in a way that's equal parts inspiring and practical.
At the heart of her message is a belief we know resonates deeply in this community: purpose and profit don't have to compete. Employee ownership is the model that brings them into alignment in a real, human way. When people have a genuine stake in what they're building, they show up differently. They're more connected to purpose, more aligned in performance, and more invested in the outcomes they help create together.
Attendees will leave re-energized, grounded in what employee ownership is making possible today, and proud to be part of a movement built by changemakers, for changemakers.
Your Story Could Be Part of the Keynote
Has employee ownership changed your life? We're looking for extraordinary stories to celebrate during the NCEO Forum keynote. Whether it helped you buy a home, send your kids to college, retire with security, or simply changed how you see your work and your future, we want to hear it. Share your story with us for the chance to be featured in this year's keynote and inspire thousands of fellow employee-owners.
About Shannon Litton
Shannon Litton is a changemaker, entrepreneur, and CEO of 3LS Professional Services—a proud NCEO member company and a 100% employee-owned firm. 3LS drives growth for organizations through integrated HR, accounting, IT, technology, marketing, and ESOP acquisition advisory services. That's right: Shannon doesn't just talk about employee ownership. She leads it every day.
For more than 25 years, Shannon has built and scaled companies that turn bold ideas into real-world impact, including the award-winning, Nashville-based 5by5, a Change Agency, a five-time Inc. 5000 honoree that she transitioned to 100% employee ownership in 2025. She's nationally recognized for bridging inspiration with practical execution, helping teams stay connected to a larger vision while moving forward with clarity and momentum.
Her work has been featured in Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and SUCCESS Magazine. She was named to Ragan's Top Women in Communications Class of 2026 and serves as president of the Tennessee Center for Employee Ownership (TNCEO). This past February, she delivered the inaugural 2026 NCEO Women's Summit keynote (and knocked it out of the park).
Ready to Be in the Room?
The 2026 NCEO Forum is where the employee ownership community comes together, and this year's keynote is going to be something special. Don't miss your chance to experience Shannon Litton on the main stage.
Register for the 2026 NCEO Forum