Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO)
Welcome
The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) is Iowa’s hub for education, resources, and support on all forms of employee ownership, including ESOPs, Worker Cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts. As the 21st state center in the national EOX network, we work to expand awareness and access to employee ownership across the state.
The IA-CEO partners with the University of Northern Iowa’s Wilson College of Business (WLSN) to conduct research in the employee ownership space and to help educate tomorrow’s leaders on its value. Located within the Business and Community Services (BCS) building, we provide practical guidance, curated resources, and connections to industry professionals to support businesses exploring or adopting employee ownership.
IA-CEO Receives Support From
The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) is grateful to JPMorganChase for supporting business succession planning and employee ownership education for Iowa’s small businesses, employees, and students. This partnership underscores JPMorganChase’s commitment to strengthening local communities and preparing the next generation of business owners.
IA-CEO's Stacy Mullinex adds Chapter to Book on Succession Planning in Rural Communities
Retaining and Transitioning Businesses in Communities: Strategies in a New Era
This book highlights innovative approaches to preserving local businesses and community wealth through ownership transitions. Edited by Norman Walzer, the book brings together experts in economic development and succession planning.
Chapter 9, written by Stacy Mullinex of the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO), showcases how employee ownership helps keep businesses—and jobs—rooted in their communities. Drawing on Iowa examples, including Morning Bell Coffee Roasters in Ankeny, Mullinex illustrates the impact of ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and other models.
The chapter also connects employee ownership to broader community needs, such as childcare and housing, demonstrating how locally anchored ownership can strengthen both businesses and the communities they support.
IA-CEO Receives Recognition
IA-CEO, Wilson College of Business joins the Consortium on Employee Share Ownership
“We recognize growing interest and new generations of scholars, policymakers and practitioners interested in employee share ownership,” said Joseph Blasi, Director of the Rutgers Institute.
IA-CEO Recognizes, Promotes Vital Role of ESOPs Across the State - Steve Gravelle, The Gazette
Recognizing the role employee ownership can play in the vitality of Iowa communities led to the launch of the IA-CEO, aimed to support and promote employee ownership among Iowa businesses.
Employee Ownership: A Path to Upward Mobility
By Margot Brandenburg & Stacy Mullinex
We are proud to partner with the Ford Foundation to elevate the conversation around employee ownership. In this article for RealClearPolitics, co-authored by Stacy Mullinex of the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership and Margot Brandenburg of the Ford Foundation, the authors explore how models like ESOPs and worker cooperatives can create meaningful opportunities for wealth-building, job stability, and economic mobility.
Five Big Ideas for Employee Ownership
We’re proud to see Iowa leadership shaping the future of business education and employee ownership on a national stage!
Dr. Leslie K. Wilson, Dean of the Wilson College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), presented one of the "Five Big Ideas for Employee Ownership" at the Employee Ownership Ideas Forum in April—hosted by The Aspen Institute and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing.
Her big idea? Incorporating employee ownership into the business college curriculum—reflecting UNI's commitment to teaching, research, and outreach that prepares students to lead in inclusive, sustainable business models.
We’re thrilled to see this kind of vision coming from Iowa and contributing to a growing national movement.
Employee Ownership Impact
In this video, learn about the powerful benefits of employee ownership. Discover how employee ownership not only serves as an effective succession plan for business owners but also strengthens local communities by promoting economic resilience. The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) is a key resource, providing expert guidance for companies considering the transition to employee ownership. Explore how this model can secure your business's future while empowering employees and contributing to a stronger economy in Iowa.
Video credits: Weicks Media
Ford Foundation Grant
The Ford Foundation has approved a grant of $315,000 to the University of Northern Iowa Foundation to support the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) program.
USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant
We are excited to announce that the IA-CEO has been awarded a one-year grant from the USDA through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program. The project funds will be used to:
- Expand employee ownership awareness & educational initiative
- Build an informational network resource hub
- Provide basic technical services for worker cooperatives
IA-CEO Employee Ownership Annual Conference
Thu, Oct 22 2026
8:00am - 4:00pm
FFA Enrichment Center1055 SW Prairie Trail PkwyAnkeny, IA
IA-CEO
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8120 Jennings Drive | Cedar Falls, IA 50614
Phone: 319-273-6557
Email: info@IA-CEO.org
