The Next Evolution of Employee Ownership:
Chris Fredericks and the Diversified ESOP Holding Company Model
What happens when an ethical exit becomes the launchpad for growth?
In this episode, Chris Fredericks shares how he helped transform TVF into an employee owned company through an ESOP and then built Empowered Ventures, a diversified holding company designed to protect worker wealth and scale shared ownership across multiple businesses.
We talk about why diversification matters, how ESOPs can fuel both exits and acquisitions, and what a regenerative, people first growth strategy looks like in practice. Chris also spotlights GiveDirectly as his charity of choice, reminding us that trusting people with resources is one of the most powerful forms of impact.
Exploring M&A as a Force for Good: A Podcast Series for Impact Entrepreneurs.
Ethical Exits is sponsored by Impact GC, Steward Market, & Our WAEE
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Want to be a guest on an upcoming episode?
Meet your Host
Follow along with your host, Hannah, as she discusses a broad range of M&A topics and interview the top leaders in the profit-for-purpose economy.