MINNEAPOLIS, May 19, 2025 —The Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO) has appointed Darren Mozenter to its board of directors. A seasoned cooperative development professional with more than two decades of experience in the worker co-op ecosystem, Mozenter currently serves as the senior shared ownership advisor at the Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD).

Mozenter brings a longstanding commitment to advancing employee ownership, racial equity and economic justice across Minnesota and beyond. Based in Duluth, he has spent much of his career helping build, manage and sustain worker-owned cooperatives, including through hands-on support and strategic advising.

Mozenter’s appointment marks a return to MNCEO, where he previously served as the organization’s first regional director. In that role, Mozenter helped lay the groundwork for MNCEO’s growth by establishing vital internal systems and expanding statewide networks to better reach business owners, advisors and community leaders.

“We are thrilled to welcome Darren back to MNCEO in a new and important role,” said Kirsten Kennedy, executive director of MNCEO. “Darren’s practical expertise in cooperative development and deep-rooted passion for inclusive economic systems make him a tremendous asset to our board. His vision and experience will help guide our work as we continue to promote employee ownership as a smart, sustainable option for business succession and community wealth-building.”

Mozenter began his cooperative journey at Arizmendi Bakery in Oakland, Calif., where he gained key experience in policy development, facilitation and peer evaluation. He went on to support a range of cooperatives as a freelance facilitator and trainer and held several leadership positions, including multiple board terms with the Arizmendi Association of Cooperatives. There, he helped navigate complex financial challenges while supporting organizational growth and stability.

“I’m honored to rejoin MNCEO in this new capacity,” Mozenter said. “Employee ownership is one of the most powerful tools we have for building more equitable and resilient local economies. I’m excited to support MNCEO’s mission of making this model more accessible to business owners across Minnesota, especially those in rural and underserved communities.”

Mozenter holds a bachelor’s degree in peace and conflict studies from the University of California, Berkeley, with a concentration in business administration. Originally from Southern California, he now lives in Duluth with his wife and daughter.

About the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership

The Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free and unbiased information and resources to business owners and their advisors on the benefits of employee ownership throughout Minnesota. Established in 2020, MNCEO is part of a national network of state centers for employee ownership created by the Employee Ownership Expansion Network, which is committed to closing the wealth gap for all employees. For more information, visit www.mnceo.org.