As we celebrate Women’s History Month this March, we want to highlight some of the phenomenal women who will headline the Women in Exit Planning Symposium at the Exit Planning Summit next month. Let’s start with Kerry Siggins, author of The Ownership Mindset: A Handbook for Transforming Your Life and Leadership and CEO of StoneAge, a fast-growing manufacturing and tech company based in Colorado.
Kerry will be featured in the following Summit activities:
A Leader From the Start:
Kerry became CEO of StoneAge at just 28 years old, and she was instrumental in leading the company’s transition in 2015 from a privately held entity to an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)—fully employee-owned. Her leadership has been recognized multiple times:
- Top Influential CEO by Industry Era Magazine (2021)
- 30 Best Leaders to Watch by The Silicon Review (2022)
- Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year (2023)
Her success is reflected in her business: StoneAge is recognized as a Top 100 Company to Work For by Outside Magazine and one of the “Best Places to Work” by Inc. Magazine.
Kerry is an author, blogger, podcaster and contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur, Authority Magazine and BIC Magazine. She considers herself a torchbearer for transformational leadership, culture creation, employee ownership and the Ownership Mindset. She also contributes to the community, serving on several boards, including MODSTREET, WJTA and Fort Lewis College School of Business.
What made you eager to speak at the 2024 Exit Planning Summit?
“I am enthusiastic about creating impactful companies—companies that share success with employees, and ESOP is a viable option that I hope to inspire more business owners to consider. I am also passionate about growing female leaders. I want to empower them to be responsible for their own wealth generation and career progression. You don’t have to be an owner to have an owner mindset.”
What can Summit attendees expect to learn from you?
“Attendees can expect to hear about the power of ownership and how, when you own your life and career, you can radically change it. I hope it will inspire attendees in their own lives and give them tips on creating ownership thinking for themselves and their teams. I also hope it will equip them to use the ownership mindset with their clients as they help them prepare for what’s next after exiting a business. I am convinced that cultures of ownership perform better and are the way of the future, and I love sharing that with others.”
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit?
“I’m excited to be part of the Author Showcase because I get to share my new book, released in October 2023. I am also looking forward to participating in the Business Owner Panel as it gives me another opportunity to speak about ESOP and how it can transform employee engagement and success.”
Who are your role models in business?
“I’m drawn to high-impact CEOs who care about making a difference, so the founders of StoneAge top that list: John Wolgamott and Jerry Zink. I have tremendous respect for them. My grandfather was another role model. He had the first ESOP company in Colorado—he was brilliant and kind and wanted everyone to be successful.”
Do you consider yourself a role model?
“I think everyone is a role model, even if it’s not part of our job title. We are all self-leaders, and we do it intentionally and well when we show up, are accountable for our actions, take care of ourselves and are a good team member. Companies want and need contributors who are self-leaders—they can be some of the most influential people in business.”
Why are you so passionate about ownership thinking?
“The Ownership Mindset saved my life. In 2006, I accidentally overdosed, was heavily in debt, and just really stuck in life. I had hit rock bottom, but I asked for help, decided to take responsibility and drastically changed my life. I want others to walk away with the same mindset of what’s possible. It’s not always easy, obviously, but it’s possible and worth it.
Register for the Exit Planning Summit
Exit Planning Institute is pleased to announce a one-day Women in Exit Planning Symposium. The Women in Exit Planning Symposium will bring together women advisors, business owners, and men who work on women business owners’ advisory teams. This event will foster collaboration between all different advisor specialties together in the exit planning community. It will feature a panel of female exit planners who will share best practices, discuss challenges women face in the exit planning profession, and how to build value in your business. Additionally, the symposium offers a chance for exit planning professionals to network with other professionals across the advisory community.
Bundle your Exit Planning Summit registration with the Women in Exit Planning Symposium for three days filled with incredible exit planning and business development content.
Register here!
