Allison Curtis leads ICA’s Business Conversions and Consulting program, where she and her team help business owners across industries and geographies transition their companies to employee ownership. She guides owners through the full exit planning process, conducts financial and operational feasibility analyses, and supports both owners and employees through every stage of the transition.In addition to this work, Allison partners with organizations and enterprises on strategic consulting projects focused on governance and organizational design. She brings a systems-level perspective to help enterprises address structural challenges, strengthen decision-making processes, and build resilient, worker-centered organizations. Allison is deeply committed to cooperative ownership as a tool to expand worker power and create access to dignified, well-paying jobs. Her work reflects a passion for pairing rigorous analysis with values-driven solutions that transform workplaces into more democratic, sustainable institutions.
I lead ICA's Conversions and Consulting team. Our team guides businesses through employee ownership transitions across geographies and industries. We also provide technical assistance, coaching, and strategic consulting to organizations and enterprises. My work also includes building resources for ICA to use in our work with our clients.
I’m a big fan of the CERO Cooperative, a composting and food diversion company in Boston. They used a Direct Public Offering (DPO) to finance their business through community support. I love this model because it allows community members to invest in the success of a business they care about, providing opportunities for both the business and the community to build wealth and power.
Hannah Gadsby’s “Three ideas. Three contradictions. Or not.” She sort of flips comedy on its head, and has an incredible way of talking about vulnerability that I find really inspirational.
I love to spend time outdoors hiking, swimming, and biking (when Massachusetts weather allows). I’m also an amateur potter and I spend many afternoons throwing on the wheel after work.
Northampton
Many of my personal models for leadership come from novels, rather than books that specifically lay out leadership strategies. I find the characters in Octavia Butler’s novels to be particularly inspiring– Lauren from Parable of the Sower is probably my favorite example.
Have questions about employee ownership or cooperative development? Whether you're exploring a business transition, starting a new cooperative, or seeking tailored solutions to strengthen your industry, our team is here to help. Let us guide you toward a more equitable and resilient future for your business and community.
