ABOUT US

Empowering Illinois Businesses Through Employee Ownership

The Illinois Center for Employee Ownership (ILCEO) is the state’s leading resource for education, guidance, and support on employee ownership. As part of the national Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX), we serve as Illinois’s central hub for free, unbiased information about how business owners can transition to employee ownership.

Our mission is simple: to help business owners, employees, and communities understand the power of shared ownership. Through education, outreach, and partnerships, we promote models like Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Worker Cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs)—proven strategies that preserve businesses, protect jobs, and build community wealth.

ILCEO offers practical tools and trusted connections—articles, case studies, expert resources, and referrals to qualified professionals—to make every ownership transition informed, successful, and sustainable.

What We Do?

Educate. Empower. Connect.

At ILCEO, we provide free, impartial resources to help business owners, advisors, and employees understand and pursue employee ownership.

Through workshops, one-on-one guidance, and success stories from Illinois businesses, we equip companies with the knowledge to explore their options and take the next step toward shared ownership.

Whether you’re preparing for succession, exploring new ways to engage employees, or looking to strengthen your community, ILCEO is here to guide you—every step of the way.

Executive Director

Adam Schuster

Adam Schuster is a proven leader in non-profit management with over a decade of experience in Illinois civic leadership. He previously served as Vice President of Policy at an Illinois based think tank, where he led research initiatives, developed legislative strategies, and drove public policy reform through media engagement, building coalitions of stakeholders, and direct work with lawmakers. He is also the founder of a policy consultancy focused on translating complex research into actionable solutions for policymakers, organizations, and the public.

Adam’s work has consistently focused on ensuring public policy supports working people and promotes broad-based economic opportunity. Prior to his non-profit advocacy and consulting work, Adam served at the Illinois Department of Labor where he helped enforce worker protections related to wage theft, the Prevailing Wage Act, and the Equal Pay Act. 

He brings experience in strategic communications, coalition-building, and grassroots engagement, with a track record of elevating policy issues into statewide conversations and legislative action. His interest in employee ownership is rooted in its potential to strengthen businesses, expand wealth-building opportunities, and ensure the benefits of economic growth are more widely shared.

Adam holds a master’s degree in political science and has extensive experience presenting research and policy recommendations to diverse audiences, including national media, policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders.

Executive Director

IL-CEO Executive Director Haydee Caldero speaking at event

Adam Schuster

Adam Schuster is a proven leader in non-profit management with over a decade of experience in Illinois civic leadership. He previously served as Vice President of Policy at an Illinois based think tank, where he led research initiatives, developed legislative strategies, and drove public policy reform through media engagement, building coalitions of stakeholders, and direct work with lawmakers. He is also the founder of a policy consultancy focused on translating complex research into actionable solutions for policymakers, organizations, and the public.

Adam’s work has consistently focused on ensuring public policy supports working people and promotes broad-based economic opportunity. Prior to his non-profit advocacy and consulting work, Adam served at the Illinois Department of Labor where he helped enforce worker protections related to wage theft, the Prevailing Wage Act, and the Equal Pay Act. 

He brings experience in strategic communications, coalition-building, and grassroots engagement, with a track record of elevating policy issues into statewide conversations and legislative action. His interest in employee ownership is rooted in its potential to strengthen businesses, expand wealth-building opportunities, and ensure the benefits of economic growth are more widely shared.

Adam holds a master’s degree in political science and has extensive experience presenting research and policy recommendations to diverse audiences, including national media, policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders.

Meet Our Board Members

Dr. Ellen Frank-Miller

Founder & CEO, Workforce & Organizational Research Center (WORC)

board member andy kamphuis of ilceo

Scotty Hendricks

Communications Specialist, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

board member Jim Obrien of ilceo

James O'Brien

Chief Executive Officer

Go2 Partners

board member wendy gugora of ilceo

Wendy Gugora

Director of Marketing

Prairie Capital Advisors

board member andy kamphuis of ilceo

Andy Kamphuis

Shareholder | Managing Director – Chicago Office

Vrakas CPAs + Advisors

board member wendy gugora of ilceo

Lisa Puck

Chief Financial Officer

Campbell & Company

board member steve storkan of ileo

Steve Storkan

Executive Director
Employee Ownership Expansion Network

board member russell winter of ilceo

Russell Winter

Founder

US MFG

Our Funders

Our work is made possible by the following supporters.

Our Partners

Join Us in Expanding Ownership and Opportunity

Imagine what Illinois could look like if every worker had a stake in the businesses that power our communities. At ILCEO, we believe shared ownership creates stronger companies, more resilient economies, and lasting local wealth.

We partner with business organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, universities, and community groups to expand access to employee ownership education and support across Illinois.

Together, we can preserve local businesses, protect jobs, and build a more equitable economy.

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