2026 Employee Ownership Annual Conference

The Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) will host its 4th annual Employee Ownership Conference on October 1st, bringing together business leaders, employee owners, service providers, researchers, students, and advocates committed to expanding employee ownership across Iowa and beyond. Centered on ESOPs, EOTs, and worker cooperatives, the conference creates opportunities to learn from real-world experiences, discover practical strategies, and connect with others shaping the future of employee ownership.

Designed for both newcomers and experienced professionals, the conference offers valuable insights for business owners exploring succession planning, employee-owned companies seeking growth strategies, advisors working in the employee ownership space, and individuals interested in the broader economic and community impact of shared ownership. Through keynote presentations, fireside conversations, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, attendees will engage with ideas and perspectives from across the employee ownership ecosystem.

This year’s agenda features sessions focused on ownership transition, employee engagement and culture, financing growth through employee ownership, academic research, macroeconomic trends, leadership development, and the long-term financial and organizational impacts of employee ownership. Attendees will also hear directly from practitioners, researchers, and employee owners who are actively building and supporting employee-owned businesses every day.

Whether you are beginning to explore employee ownership or looking to deepen your knowledge and connections, the IA-CEO Conference offers a collaborative environment to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen the future of employee ownership.

Join us on October 1st

8:00 am to 4:00 pm
FFA Enrichment Center / 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy / Ankeny, IA

WHY Attend?

Learn practical, real-world insights from experts and companies experienced in employee ownership

Explore proven strategies for business growth, succession planning, and long-term stability

Gain a deeper understanding of ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and other employee ownership models

Hear directly from employee owners about what ownership looks like in practice

Learn about research and data that demonstrate the economic and workforce impacts of employee ownership

Build connections with peers, advisors, and practitioners from across Iowa and beyond

Leave with actionable ideas you can apply immediately in your organization

WHO Should Attend?

Business owners considering succession planning or ownership transition

Employee-owned companies at any stage of their ownership journey

Current, new and future employee owners seeking to better understand their role and impact

Professional advisors, service providers, and consultants supporting business transitions

Economic development professionals and community leaders

Faculty, researchers, and students interested in employee ownership and workforce development

Policymakers and leaders of philanthropic foundations focused on business sustainability and economic resilience

Chris Cournoyer is the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds in December 2024. Before taking on this role, she served in the Iowa State Senate, representing Clinton, Jackson, and Scott counties. Elected in 2018, she chaired the newly formed Technology Committee, where she played a key role in crafting legislation that made Iowa the sixth state in the country to establish consumer data protection laws.

Lt. Governor Cournoyer has a strong background in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from the University of Texas. She began her professional career as a senior consultant in the Technology Division at Andersen Consulting, a Fortune 500 company that eventually became Accenture. Deeply committed to advancing STEM education, Lt. Governor Cournoyer has worked to create opportunities for underserved children through work-based learning initiatives. She has served on the Governor's STEM Advisory Council and was previously a member of the Quad Cities Engineering and Science Council. Raised by an engineer and a teacher, she is passionate about expanding access to STEM opportunities for young people across Iowa.

Celina Peerman, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, CSP is an organizational psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping leaders and teams thrive. She has worked across industries, from frontline operations to senior leadership, bringing a deep understanding of workplace behavior and organizational health. Dr. Celina is a strategist with a sense of humor and a love for building capacity in organizations. A dynamic speaker, strategist, and storyteller, Dr. Celina has presented at more than 250 events annually, engaging audiences at local, state, and national levels, as well as internationally in Asia, Canada, Central, and South America. She is a two-time TEDx presenter, podcast host, and author of three upcoming books in 2025. 

Dr. Celina holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, a master’s degree in business, and undergraduate degrees in psychology and international studies. She has earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association—one of the highest honors in the field. Known for her humor, insight, and practical approach, she challenges leaders to rethink how they communicate, adapt, and lead for lasting impact.

 Our 2026 Conference Sponsors

A sincere THANK YOU to our generous sponsors of the IA-CEO Annual Conference. Your support makes this event possible and directly strengthens our ability to expand awareness of employee ownership as a business transition strategy across Iowa.

Because of your partnership, we are able to bring together business leaders, employee owners, and professionals to share knowledge and practical tools that help companies consider and implement employee ownership. Your investment also helps us continue building statewide outreach efforts that support business succession, preserve local ownership, and keep companies rooted in Iowa’s rural and urban communities.

We are grateful for your commitment to strengthening Iowa’s businesses and advancing employee ownership for the long term.

Company Sponsors

 individual sponsors

Deb Giarusso
Mary Pech
Jerry Ripperger