The NCEO presented at the recent conference Worker Ownership: Expanding Typology and Exploring Dimensions," hosted by The Ownership Project (TOP) at Harvard Business School (HBS) on May 12-13, 2025. This event convened researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to explore the diverse landscape of employee ownership.
The conference aimed to create a more unified understanding of the various employee ownership models and their impact on businesses, employees, and communities. Recognizing that these structures are often studied separately despite shared contexts, the event provided a forum to address what distinguishes these models. The speakers explored the psychological aspects of employee ownership, the deeper meaning of ownership, and how this translates to the mutually beneficial outcomes observed in employee-owned companies.
NCEO founder Corey Rosen contributed his extensive knowledge on the keynote panel, "Employee Share Ownership: Evidence, Lessons, and Big Ideas," alongside Joseph Blasi of Rutgers University and Maureen Conway of the Aspen Institute, moderated by HBS's Nien-hê Hsieh. The panel explored the compelling evidence, key lessons, and potential future directions of employee ownership.
Corey Rosen (right) participating in the keynote panel.
Meanwhile, I participated in a panel on "Government Leadership for Worker Ownership." I was joined by Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos from the state of Rhode Island, Lorena Lowell of the now defunct Washington State Employee Ownership Program, and Kevin McPhillips, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Employee Ownership, to share insights on government initiatives supporting employee ownership, in a discussion led by Jegoo Lee from the University of Rhode Island.
The Harvard Business School conference highlighted the increasing recognition of employee ownership as a meaningful and impactful business model. By bringing together leading experts and practitioners, TOP at HBS facilitated a timely dialogue that will undoubtedly contribute to the continued advancement and understanding of employee ownership. A central insight from the discussions was the powerful connection between the psychological meaning of ownership and the tangible win-win outcomes for businesses, employees, and communities. The NCEO remains dedicated to making employee ownership thrive, and we look forward to building on the momentum generated by this event.