This is the first of an eight-part series (five podcasts and three excerpts) centered around the themes of an inspiring new book, “Assets in Common,” published by Common Trust and Purpose. The weekly installments explore several topics, including innovative employee ownership models, shared services cooperatives, mutual credit systems, and steward-owned holding companies, all based on research into real initiatives working at scale. More than a dozen practical, working examples are outlined in the book, which light the way for an economy that can help reverse troubling trends of wealth concentration, community fragmentation, and environmental destruction. Learn more and get a free PDF copy of their new book, “Assets in Common,” at assetsincommon.org.
In this, our inaugural episode, our series host Neal Gorenflo interviews Zoe Schlag and Derek Razo from Common Trust—the industry leader in business succession and exit transitions to Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs). Common Trust co-produced this project, and the resulting book, alongside Purpose US. Derek and Zoe discuss the origins of the project and how the needs of the alternative ownership sector shaped the focus of the book and the research behind it.
They discuss the rise of shared and steward ownership as solutions to economic challenges, highlighting the importance of shared infrastructure to scale these models. They share compelling case studies, such as Clegg Auto in Utah, where an employee ownership trust led to record profits and higher customer satisfaction. The conversation emphasizes the widespread potential and historical success of these models in creating resilient, community-focused economies.
Relevant Links:
Grab a free copy of the book here: assetsincommon.org
Learn about Common Trust here: common-trust.com
Guests:
Zoe Schlag is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Common Trust with a long standing track record leading and investing in mission-driven businesses. From being an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Eric Schmidt’s family office and a Managing Director at Techstars, Zoe has been a major catalyst for shared ownership and impact investing worldwide. Zoe began her career in international development, working with ex-guerrilla fighters in Guatemala and microfinance in Argentina before transitioning to impact investing in India. Zoe is an Rutgers Executive Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing, Aspen Ideas Scholar, JUST and MDaaS board member, and graduate of Tufts University.
Derek Razo is a Co-founder and Managing Partner at Common Trust, where he leads business and product development. Derek has led shared ownership and steward ownership transitions since 2017, and is recognized as one of the nation’s foremost authorities in this field. He co-founded Purpose International in 2016 and then later Purpose US, which have led the movement for steward ownership and popularized the use of Perpetual Purpose Trusts for mission protection. Derek has served as an investor, advisor, and delivery partner for businesses shifting to stakeholder and purpose ownership. Derek’s extensive experience also includes collaborating on community-led projects such as affordable housing and real estate, and indigenous-led funds. Derek studied computer science and business at UC Berkeley, and has been a serial founder of cooperative and open source businesses throughout his early career.
About the Book:
“Assets in Common” reveals a strategy for transforming the U.S. economy through shared ownership and stewardship. Based on extensive research, the authors present in-depth case studies and approaches, such as cooperation between companies, shared balance sheets, holding companies, and shared services. They offer compelling evidence that connecting assets can create economic resilience. “Assets in Common” identifies what’s working at scale, and what’s needed next. This book is a must-read for business and community leaders who want to be part of the solution. Filled with practical insights, “Assets in Common” offers actionable steps for building infrastructure.
