Employee ownership presents a transformative opportunity to connect the interests of business owners with philanthropic and legacy goals. This module equips philanthropic advisors with the knowledge and tools to help their clients evaluate whether employee ownership aligns with their personal, business, and charitable objectives. By the end of this module, advisors will be prepared to guide business owners in assessing employee ownership models, charitable giving strategies, and impact investments that maximize benefits for workers and communities.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the different forms of employee ownership in context with the “Silver Tsunami” small business closure crisis.
Identify strategies to incorporate employee ownership into philanthropic and legacy planning.
Understand financial tools and structures, such as donor-advised funds and impact investment funds, that support employee ownership transitions.
Recognize the broader societal impacts of increased employee ownership on wealth distribution and economic equity.

Faculty
Lauren Tudor
CEO, ARCHITECT Philanthropic Collective

Lauren Elyse Tudor is the Founder & CEO of ARCHITECT Philanthropic Collective, where she reimagines how nonprofits build community, tell their story, and raise funds with integrity and intention. A Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) and Impact Philanthropy Advisor (IPA), Lauren architects sustainable funding ecosystems that help BIPOC-led and grassroots organizations turn their missions into measurable, lasting impact.

Her leadership path spans executive roles at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Public Allies Cincinnati, YWCA, United Way, and All On The Line (formerly Organizing for America) during President Barack Obama's re-election campaign—experiences that continue to inform ARCHITECT's bold, human-centered approach to capacity building.

As a proud alumna of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business initiative, Lauren is part of a growing collective of visionary leaders shaping the future of philanthropy and entrepreneurship through equity, authenticity, and radical imagination.

At ARCHITECT, she operates at the intersection of humanity and strategy, crafting blueprints that align mission, goals, and budget for small and mid-sized nonprofits nationwide. Her approach is rooted in deep listening, strategic clarity, and creative execution—helping organizations grow their reach, strengthen community trust, and sustain their success.

A dedicated advocate for social and reproductive justice, Lauren most recently has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region and the North Carolina Planned Giving Council. Her work is guided by a simple philosophy: big ambition, big results—at a pace that works.

Crystal Thompkins
Head of Enterprise Management
Daylight Advisors

TrueCrystal Consulting LLC, Founder & Principal | Nonprofit Consultant | Daylight Advisors, Director of Strategic Impact | Board Executive | Speaker | Mentor

CE information
Upon successful completion of the module, 1.5 hours of CFP Board, CEPA-CE, and NASBA CPE are available.