Haydee Caldero

Executive director, Illinois Center for Employee Ownership

ILLINOIS

Haydee is the President of Project Ownership. She has dedicated her career to building enterprise value at small businesses by implementing best in-class management and leadership strategies. As an advocate for employee-ownership, Haydee leads organizations that prioritize empowering their workforce and where employees are not just contributors but active participants in building and accumulating wealth. Haydee firmly believes in harnessing the full spectrum of employee talents and contributions to foster a culture of shared success.

As COO of an 100% employee-owned company she oversaw the implementation of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), annual audit and valuation, ESOP administration and the employee engagement committee. She also led the creation of the board of directors and advised the board on fiduciary matters and strategic planning. The Company was awarded the Inc 5000 ranking as one of the fastest-growing companies in America from 2018 to 2020.

Haydee Caldero founded her first company at the age of 30, which was sold to a $5B+ AUM financial services firm in 2017. At Dignitas, she advised a portfolio of 100+ business owners of

fast-growth companies regarding mergers and acquisitions and dispositions, corporate finance, capital structuring, governance and succession planning. She has served as an advisor to executives of closely held enterprises ranging from startups to companies with over $150 million in revenue.

Haydee graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School and her B.A. from Wesleyan University. Haydee is a 2nd generation Chicago native, and active in her local community. As a Trustee for the Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago, a $3B pension fund, she served as a fiduciary of investment policy and fund allocation decisions. She has also served on the Board of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, North Branch Works, the Governor's Board for the Steppenwolf Theatre, and as the Treasurer of the Harvard Business School Club of Chicago. When she is not busy volunteering, she enjoys yoga and paddle boarding. She has lived in Spain and Argentina, is fluent in Spanish, and has visited over 20 countries.