Building 

an inclusive
an equitable
a prosperous

workforce for all.

We help businesses uplift workers, strengthen communities, and create a thriving future for all.

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The Washington Center for Employee Ownership (WACEO) empowers business owners, workers, and service providers  to build a thriving, broad-based employee-owned business sector across the state.

Broad-based employee ownership: a business model in which employees have the opportunity to own a stake in the companies they work for and share in its success.

What is broad-based employee ownership?

Broad-based employee ownership means all employees have the chance to own a stake in the company they work for and to share in its success.

Employee ownership aligns employees' interests with the company's performance. When employees have the opportunity to be owners, they take a proactive role in supporting the long-term success and legacy of the business.

The Washington Center for Employee Ownership (WACEO) empowers business owners, workers, and service providers with the resources, education, and connections needed to build a thriving, broad-based employee-owned business sector across WA State.

Broad-based employee ownership is a business model in which employees have the opportunity to own a stake in the companies they work for and share in its success.

Benefits of Employee Ownership

Preserves Local
Jobs & Revenue

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Strengthens Local Economies & Community Resilience

Increases Wages & Benefits

Bridge Asset Gap,
Including Retirement

Sustain Business Legacy

Improve Company Performance

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Building 

an inclusive
an equitable
a prosperous

workforce for all.

We help businesses uplift workers, strengthen communities, 
and create a thriving future for all.

Benefits of Employee Ownership

Preserves Local
Jobs & Revenue
Increases Wages
& Benefits
Builds Community
Resiliency
Bridges Asset Gap,
Including Retirement
Sustains
Business Legacy
Strengthens
Local Economies
Improves Company Performance
Explore Ownership Models

Step 1

Hands-on
Guidance

We guide businesses through every stage of employee ownership, from exploration to implementation and beyond, providing expertise and resources that strengthen community resilience, company culture, and employee financial well-being.

Step 2

Movement
Building

We believe lasting change requires all of us. Our mission brings together government agencies, local businesses, employees, and allies to grow the employee ownership network through coalition building and resource sharing.

Step 3

Washington-Specific
Resources

We capture stories of Washington businesses transitioning to employee ownership models and provide insights on state legislation, funding, and regulations to support a growing 
employee-owned economy.

What We Do

Hands-On
Guidance

We guide businesses through every stage of employee ownership, from exploration to implementation and beyond, providing expertise and resources that strengthen community resilience, company culture, and employee financial well-being.

Movement
Building

We believe lasting change requires all of us. Our mission brings together government agencies, local businesses, employees, and allies to grow the employee ownership network through coalition building and resource sharing.
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Washington Resources

We provide Washington-specific insight on employee ownership: digests on state legislation, funding, regulations, etc. to help you understand how it all affects your transition.
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Learn more About WACEO

Get in Touch

We're on a mission to create a prosperous, resilient, and growing employee-owned business sector that fuels Washington State's diverse communities and economies.

The process can be complex, but the rewards - for selling owners, employees, and communities alike - can be outstanding. If you have questions, we're here to help.

Book Time With Patricia
Patricia Kwan
Director
Patricia firmly believes that employee ownership is a powerful tool for creating inclusive economies offering both...Read More
Patricia Kwan
Director
Patricia firmly believes that employee ownership is a powerful tool for creating inclusive economies - offering both holistic employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. Alongside a long career in private industry, Patricia has been actively involved in community and civic engagement, most recently supporting legislative work creating a loan fund to promote housing cooperatives. She aims to leverage her experiences to educate stakeholders, influence policy, and foster a more equitable landscape in Washington and beyond. She holds an MBA from Yale University and a Bachelor's in Environmental Economics and Policy from UC Berkeley. When not working, you can find Patricia traveling and exploring the beautiful forests and mountains of the Pacific Northwest.