The Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO) serves as the central hub for information on employee ownership in Minnesota

MNCEO, a member of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network of state centers, is the central hub for free,

unbiased information on employee ownership in Minnesota.

Our primary mission is to educate business owners and their advisors on the benefits of employee ownership.

MNCEO provides articles, case studies, resources, and a list of service providers who can assist with employee ownership transitions.

2024 Annual Report Coming Soon

Meet Our Team Members

Kirsten Kennedy

Executive Director

MNCEO

Kirsten Kennedy is the executive director of the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO), where she leads the organization’s efforts in networking, fundraising, program expansion, and education. She works to connect business owners, employees, and other key stakeholders across Minnesota with the knowledge and resources needed to explore and embrace employee ownership.

Before joining MNCEO, Kirsten served as mayor of North Branch, Minn., where she championed economic development, affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and support for individuals facing chronic mental health challenges and homelessness.

Kirsten holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in political advocacy and leadership from the University of Minnesota. She has also earned a certificate in continuous improvement management and a Six Sigma Lean Black Belt in healthcare from the Management and Strategy Institute. A dedicated advocate for grassroots community building and social justice, she recently completed a prestigious Bush Fellowship, focusing on improving community health.

Deeply engaged in Minnesota’s business and economic development landscape, Kirsten chairs the marketing committee of the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association and serves on the government committee of the Economic Development Association of Minnesota. She is also an active member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Grow Minnesota initiative and facilitates the bimonthly Minnesota Broad Employee Ownership Working Group.

Born in Norway and raised in East Central Minnesota and Southern California, Kirsten is engaged to the love of her life, Mark. She is a proud mother of five adult children and has two wonderful bonus adult children. When she’s not working to expand employee ownership statewide, Kirsten enjoys reading, playing pickleball, learning Norwegian, and spending time with loved ones in California, Utah, Norway, and on the Hagen family farm in Stanchfield, Minn.

Deeply engaged in Minnesota’s business and economic development landscape, Kirsten chairs the marketing committee of the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association and serves on the government committee of the Economic Development Association of Minnesota. She is also an active member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Grow Minnesota initiative and facilitates the bimonthly Minnesota Broad Employee Ownership Working Group.

Born in Norway and raised in East Central Minnesota and Southern California, Kirsten is engaged to the love of her life, Mark. She is a proud mother of five adult children and has two wonderful bonus adult children. When she’s not working to expand employee ownership statewide, Kirsten enjoys reading, playing pickleball, learning Norwegian, and spending time with loved ones in California, Utah, Norway, and on the Hagen family farm in Stanchfield, Minn.