The Ownership Advantage: How One Firm's Legacy Fuels a National Movement

NEW YORK, NY – April 21, 2026 – As chief executives, investors, and thought leaders converge on New York City this week for a pivotal gathering, the conversation will center on one of the most transformative trends in modern business: broad-based employee ownership. The Ownership Works 2026 CEO & Executive Convening, taking place April 22-23, is more than a conference; it’s the strategic hub for a movement aiming to reshape the American economy from the inside out. At the heart of this year’s event is Premier Sponsor ITA Group, a global engagement agency whose support signifies a powerful alignment of philosophy and practice.

For ITA Group, a 100% employee-owned company since 1987, this sponsorship is not a simple marketing initiative. It represents the culmination of nearly four decades of lived experience, positioning the firm not just as a financial backer, but as a real-world case study in the very principles the convening seeks to champion.

Building Wealth from the Ground Up

The movement spearheaded by the non-profit Ownership Works is ambitious and clear: to generate at least $20 billion in wealth for workers by 2030. Since its launch in 2022, the organization has made staggering progress, partnering with 184 companies to implement shared ownership programs that impact over 268,000 employees globally. According to its 2025 Impact Report, these programs are on track to create a projected $14 billion in wealth for workers outside the C-suite, with $1.7 billion already paid out through liquidity events.

These are not abstract figures. For employees at companies like C.H.I. Overhead Doors, shared ownership translated into life-changing capital, with 800 workers receiving an average of approximately $175,000 each upon the company's sale. The success of these programs has attracted a powerful consortium of private equity firms, corporations, and labor advocates, all dedicated to expanding a model that demonstrably strengthens businesses while closing the wealth gap.

“ITA Group’s support reflects a deep understanding of the role culture and engagement play in making shared ownership successful,” said Anna-Lisa Miller, Executive Director of Ownership Works, in a recent statement. Miller highlighted the unique value a firm like ITA Group brings, noting, “Their perspective as an employee-owned company, combined with their expertise in designing meaningful experiences, makes them a valued partner at this convening.”

A Blueprint Forged Over Decades

While Ownership Works is driving the future of this movement, ITA Group represents its proven past and present. Long before broad-based ownership became a trending topic in boardrooms, the West Des Moines-based firm transitioned to a 100% employee-owned structure in 1987. This decision has shaped every facet of its identity and operations for nearly 40 years.

As a global engagement agency, ITA Group designs and implements programs—from events and incentives to recognition and loyalty—that help leading brands improve performance and build culture. The company’s deep-seated belief in its own model provides an authenticity that cannot be replicated. Its 1,200 team members across the U.S., Europe, and Australia are not just employees; they are owners with a direct stake in the outcomes they create for clients.

This “owner’s mindset” fosters a culture of accountability, innovation, and pride that permeates the organization. The company’s own success serves as the most compelling evidence for the solutions it sells. As research from the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) shows, employee-owned firms are often more productive, grow faster, and are significantly more resilient during economic downturns, exhibiting nearly 50% fewer layoffs in past recessions compared to conventionally-owned companies.

“As a 100% employee-owned company, we’ve seen how ownership—when supported by the right culture and experiences—can be a powerful driver of engagement and long-term success,” stated Brent Vander Waal, CEO and President of ITA Group. “Supporting the Ownership Works CEO & Executive Convening is a natural extension of our shared commitment to helping leaders build organizations where people feel genuinely invested in the outcomes they help create.”

More Than a Sponsorship: A Strategic Alliance

ITA Group’s role in the 2026 Convening goes beyond the Premier Sponsor title. The firm is also providing event management support, embedding its expertise in creating meaningful experiences directly into the fabric of the event. This hands-on involvement underscores a core tenet shared by both organizations: financial ownership alone is not a silver bullet.

For shared ownership to truly succeed, it must be paired with a robust culture of engagement, transparent communication, and trust. This is where the challenges for many companies lie—and where ITA Group’s expertise becomes critical. Effectively communicating complex financial structures, fostering a sense of psychological ownership, and aligning every team member around a common goal are essential hurdles. ITA Group’s business is built on solving these exact challenges for its clients, informed by decades of navigating them internally.

This strategic alliance bridges the “what” of employee ownership with the “how” of making it thrive. While Ownership Works provides the framework and network to expand ownership models, ITA Group offers a blueprint for the cultural infrastructure required to sustain them. Together, they are working to advance a vision where ownership creates not just wealth, but opportunity, purpose, and stronger organizations for everyone involved.