Pete Stavros

Pete Stavros is co-head of Americas Private Equity at KKR and has become one of the most recognized advocates for employee ownership within the private equity industry. In every KKR deal he leads, Stavros structures equity participation for all employees — including hourly workers — not just management. His "Ownership Works" nonprofit extends this model to other PE firms. Companies in his portfolio including CHI Overhead Doors and C.H.I. Overhead Doors have generated significant returns for employees. This approach has attracted bipartisan political support and broad media coverage. The model has generated measurable improvements in employee retention, productivity, and corporate culture at portfolio companies, while delivering competitive financial returns, making it one of the most compelling arguments that ethical business practices and strong financial performance are mutually reinforcing rather than in tension.