Zoe Schlag
Founder & CEO
About Common Trust
We help owners pass their business to the people who built it.
Common Trust guides owners through selling to an Employee Ownership Trust, from the first conversation to long after the deal closes.
Our mission
We are creating a more prosperous and competitive economy through shared ownership.
The usual exits are a sale to private equity, a sale to a competitor, or closing the doors. We make a fourth option practical.
With an Employee Ownership Trust, you’re paid fair market value, your company stays independent, and the people who built it share in what comes next.
The results so far
$2B+
business value evaluated for employee ownership
$854M+
enterprise value transitioned to employee ownership
63K+
team members brought into employee ownership
93%
client satisfaction rating
What we believe
A sale should be something everyone can be proud of.
These principles shape every transition we lead, and the support we keep giving after it closes.
- Owners deserve a great exit Fair market value, on a timeline that works for you, without handing your company to a stranger.
- Employees should share in what they build The team that grew the business benefits from its success, without buying shares or taking on debt.
- Independence is worth protecting Your name, culture, and customer relationships carry forward instead of being folded into someone else’s.
- We stay for the long run Our work doesn’t end at closing. We support governance, education, and financial oversight for years after.
How we work
We lead the transition, alongside the advisors you already trust.
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01
Advisory call
A no-pressure conversation about your goals, your timeline, and whether employee ownership could fit.
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02
Feasibility analysis
Model scenarios and see what’s viable before making commitments.
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03
Transaction leadership
We lead the transition alongside your existing advisors.
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04
Ongoing support
Governance, education, and financial oversight after the deal closes.
Our team
This isn’t just a job for us. It’s our life’s work.
We’re experienced in working closely with business owners and employees, and passionate about the small and mid-sized businesses that keep the economy in motion.
Christina Newbrough
Head of Revenue
Katie Lyon
Head of Client Services
Margo Johnson
Head of Product
Taku Noguchi
Head of Operations
Sergina Lambert
Vice President
Sandra Raafat
Senior Manager
Jonathan Parker
Manager
Emily Heilman
Content Marketing Manager
Jessie Wilson
Operations Associate
Braden Sawatsky
Software Engineer
Colin Van Ert
Product Designer
What owners say about working with us
"Common Trust has been a true partner — helping us fully understand what we were trying to build and how to do it the right way."
Luke Leising · Founder, Guidon
Read Guidon's case study →
"Our transition to an EOT was well planned and supported by Common Trust. Their experience made the planning and project management process much easier."
Ben Wihebrink · CFO, Cypress Valley Meat Co.
Read Cypress Valley's case study →
"Our experience with Common Trust started with purpose — with the why behind what we were really trying to do. Leading with how to protect culture and values over time just made a lot of sense."
Rodney Evans · Partner, The Ready
Read The Ready's case study →
"Their financial backing was helpful, but what we appreciated most was their care and genuine concern. They're people we want to stay connected with forever."
Kevin Clegg · CEO, Clegg Auto
Read Clegg Auto's case study →
"This is a process you really want to get right. We evaluated many options and Common Trust was definitely the right partner for planning our transition."
Brad Herrmann · CEO & Founder, Text-Em-All
Read Text-Em-All's case study →Start with a no‑pressure conversation.
You don’t have to commit to anything before you’re ready.
Book your free advisory call
Not ready to talk?
Start with the EOT Playbook to see how owners are using EOTs, and what to consider before you decide.
Download the playbook