Zen Trenholm

Experience

• 

  California Student Sustainability Coalition

  Dec 2013 - Oct 2015

  Development Director

  I was responsible for developing and implementing the organization's development strategy through planning, directing, and coordinating all fundraising activities. I assisted the Board, staff, and organizing base by securing new sources of income to support and expand our current and proposed campaigns and programs.I facilitated strategic partnerships within key coalitions and with aligned networks and organizations.

• 

  The Democracy at Work Institute

  Oct 2015 - now

  • Created and managed the Shared Equity in Economic Development Fellowship program (SEED), a partnership between the National League of Cities and the Democracy at Work Institute that equips city leaders with tools, technical assistance, and peer support to build inclusive economies through democratic business ownership.• Launched and completed the first year of the program with an influential cohort of four cities (Atlanta, Durham, Miami, and Philadelphia) which have publicly committed to minority-owned legacy business preservation using shared ownership strategies.• Launched a second cohort with four additional cities (Louisville, Richmond, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.) focusing on both employee ownership and shared equity models for commercial property and housing. Show less • Supported the local efforts of coalitions in multiple cities to strengthen their business support ecosystem for worker cooperatives through consulting, training, and tools development.• Supported the Legacy Business Initiative in partnership with Citi Community Development and the National Urban League to introduce employee ownership conversions as a strategy for small business preservation in several markets. • Developed a library of municipal and state employee ownership policies and tools as a resource for governments and advocates. Show less

  • Senior Director of Employee Ownership Cities and Policy

    Feb 2023 - now

  • Director of Employee Ownership Cities and Policy

    Aug 2021 - Feb 2023

  • Program Manager for Policy and the Shared Equity in Economic Development Fellowship

    Apr 2019 - Jul 2021

  • Local Initiatives Organizer

    Oct 2015 - Apr 2019