Employee ownership in the Greater Washington region
Whether you own a business, advise business owners, or want a thriving regional economy, find out how employee ownership can work for you
What is employee ownership?
Employee ownership (EO) is a market-based strategy that gives employees a meaningful stake in the companies they help build. For business owners planning for succession, it can offer fair value for their business while preserving their legacy, rewarding employees, and keeping businesses rooted in their communities.
Employee-owned companies give workers wealth-building opportunities and a stronger voice in the business. Employee ownership also strengthens communities by supporting stable businesses, quality jobs, and long-term resilience.
The impact of employee ownership in the Greater Washington region
By the numbers
The regional movement
By aligning the region’s key institutions and local experts, this initiative channels on-the-ground insight into strategic action to grow employee ownership. Interested in helping shape a more resilient and inclusive regional economy through employee ownership? Connect with us.
How the transition to employee ownership works
Transitioning to employee ownership is a structured, step-by-step process, from exploring options to completing the sale and supporting long-term success. See what each stage involves and how businesses navigate the path.
Exploration
Expert navigation to choose if and which EO path is right for the business & selling owner
Feasibility & Readiness
Debt capacity analysis, estimate of value & assessment of management transition needs, transition planning & employee readiness
Transition
Transaction management, deal team coordination, EO entity design including governance & employee engagement
Closing the Sale
Capital sourcing, executing the ownership transfer & supporting immediate post-sale transition steps
Thrive Program
Employee owner activation, establishing governance practices, policy development, open book management, others as needed
Employee ownership momentum in the Greater Washington region

“As the company prospers and its stock value appreciates, employees have the exciting prospect of accumulating substantial wealth. This not only bolsters their financial security but also presents new avenues for their future endeavors.”
Scott Bryant
Owner, Fire & Risk Alliance
Rockville, MD
READ THEIR STORY →
Employee-owned businesses
Here are a few of the over 200 employee-owned businesses in the Greater Washington region:
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Alcade & Fay
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American Care Partners
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AMT Engineering
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Anytime Taxi
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Biologics Consulting Group
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Capital Interior Contractors, Inc.
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Cool Hardware Company
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Earth Bound Building
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Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC
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Fitzgerald Auto Mall
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Forum One
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S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc.
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Swamp Rose Co-op
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Westat
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Data courtesy of Certified EO
Local events & webinars
Thinking about selling your business or planning your exit strategy? Employee ownership (EO) could be the right path to help you meet your goals. Join fellow Greater Washington-area business owners...
- June 24, 2026
- @ 5:30 - 8:00 PM Eastern
- Ella's Wood Fire Pizza | 610 9th St NW, Washington, DC
Connect with a regional EO expert

Donna Sky

Donna Sky
Senior Manager, Business Engagement & Partnerships
Donna is a long time social entrepreneur and San Francisco business owner. She is the founder of Love & Hummus Co., a mission-driven food start up she operated starting in 2009 and grew from inception into a national brand. Love & Hummus is nationally recognized for its innovation, social and environmental impact and was named twice by B Corp as a “Best for the World Company.” Donna began her career in higher education and later founded the non-profit World Trotters, an early online multicultural education program. Donna’s work with Project Equity is led by her expertise as a business owner, her passion for using business as a force for good, developing a more inclusive economy and the creation of more employee-owned businesses. Donna has an MA from Kean University’s Professional Counseling Program and a BA in Psychology from Montclair State University. When not working Donna enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Jennifer Bryant


Jennifer Bryant
Senior Manager, Ecosystem Development
For more than a decade, Jennifer has worked at the local, regional, and national level to advance employee ownership as a wealth-building strategy for low and moderate income workers. Prior to joining the Project Equity team, she led the development and launch of the Greater Washington Center for Employee Ownership.
As the Program Manager for Ecosystem Development at Project Equity, Jennifer maps local stakeholders, does direct outreach to raise awareness of employee ownership, and organizes regional convenings.
Jennifer holds a BA from Howard University and an MA from St. John’s University. She is a 2016 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader as well as a 2019 fellow of the Democracy at Work Institute and National League of Cities Shared Equity in Economic Development (SEED) Fellowship. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys live music, indie films and playing Wordle.
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