News Release
DENVER — Design Workshop is pleased to announce the ESOP Association’s Rocky Mountain Chapter has selected the firm as the 2025 ESOP Company of the Year. This award is given to an ESOP company that shows a strong commitment to employee ownership through its involvement with The ESOP Association and its programs, it’s clear communication with employees, and its commitment to The ESOP Association’s vision of endorsing employee participation, wealth creation, and individual dignity and worth. Design Workshop’s submission highlighted the impact of employee ownership, emphasizing its value and influence across the firm’s seven studios.
Under an ESOP, ownership of the company is held in an ESOP Trust and is funded entirely by company contributions, and all employees participate. This is designed as a long-term wealth-building benefit, with the employees’ individual account balance increasing as the value of the business increases. Design Workshop’s strong business performance over the last five years has increased enterprise value and caused stock price to nearly triple. Design Workshop’s employee-owners can see the direct benefit of their efforts to generate revenue, complete award-winning projects, nurture client relationships, manage projects profitably, accomplish strategic initiatives, and make good business decisions.
“ESOP ownership has been key to Design Workshop’s ownership succession strategy for nearly 20 years,” said Aimee Duffy, Director of Human Resources for Design Workshop. “With the move to a 100% employee-owned company in 2020, the firm has created a strong, long-term benefit for employees, particularly those who choose to make their career at Design Workshop.”
Design Workshop will celebrate this achievement in conjunction with their annual share price reveal next month. Celebrations will be coordinated by the firm’s ESOP Team, a group of people from multiple offices who provide employee-owners with educational opportunities, resources, and assistance that increase common knowledge of ESOP and business; encourage employees to do their share in making the ESOP successful for many generations to come; look for opportunities to listen to and involve employees in activities; and put into place recommendations to build a strong ownership-minded atmosphere.
Founded in 1969, Design Workshop is an internationally renowned design firm specializing in landscape architecture, urban planning, and strategic services with seven studios in the U.S. and projects spanning the globe. Our work focuses on the intersection of art, community, environment, and economics to increase social equity and create places of meaning and resonance. For additional information follow us at @designworkshop on LinkedIn and Instagram.