Owners Session: Passing the Torch Without Losing the Mission

​A founder-successor conversation on employee ownership.

​When planning for the future, one of the hardest questions founders face isn’t when to step away — it’s how to do so without risking everything they’ve worked so hard to build.

​In this Owners Session, David Seaton, Founder of LiveOak Living Community, and Rachel Medina, LiveOak’s CEO, join Zoe Schlag, CEO of Common Trust, to explore how a founder and successor navigated the company’s transition into employee ownership with intention.

​They’ll share why LiveOak chose an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) to preserve its mission, support leadership continuity, and create a clear path forward for employees and the people they serve.

​In this conversation, we’ll cover:

• ​A founder’s responsibility to legacy — and how ownership choice shapes what comes next

• ​A successor CEO’s perspective on stepping into leadership while ensuring the company’s purpose endures

• ​How an EOT supported their goals of continuity, trust, and long-term stewardship

• ​What surprised them during the transition — and what others should consider early

​We hope to see you there!

​Can’t join live? A recording will be shared with everyone who registers.