Governing the Employee-Owned Organization - A Joint ICD + YPO In- Person Event

Three out of four small and medium sized business owners in Canada expect to exit their business within the next ten years. Who will own, operate, and govern these firms?

In June 2024, Canada’s employee ownership rules changed to provide a new succession planning opportunity. It is still early days for this initiative. How does “employee-owned” governance differ from traditional models?

Employee-owned companies tend to have high levels of employee engagement, job satisfaction, and productivity — Altona based Friesens is no exception. The company has been in business for 115 years. Today, with 600 employee-owners, it serves 3,000 global customers, producing millions of books annually, including high profile titles for authors like Stephen King.  

Chad Friesen is the President and CEO of Friesens Corporation. He is a passionate community builder who views employee ownership as an effective way to connect business with community. In addition to his role with Friesens, he serves on the Boards of Red River Mutual, the Tallgrass Employee-Owner Equity Fund, Employee Ownership Canada, and the Manitoba Business Council. He is currently a member of the Premier's Business and Jobs Advisory Council. He is a frequent spokesperson and advocate for employee ownership.

Join Chad and Day Chair Calvin Polet, ICD.D, for this joint event  with YPO, exploring the governance of employee ownership, Calvin is president of Neptune Properties Inc., a Winnipeg-based family office focused on commercial real estate in Western Canada and Minnesota. He is currently the chair of the YPO Manitoba Chapter.

Could employee ownership be part of your future, as a business leader and/or potential director of an employee-owned organization? On March 19, learn more about this new and innovative way of organizing business and community.

The venue for this lunch event will be Winnipeg’s own spectacular The Leaf at Assiniboine Park.