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Cooperative Hall of Fame "America's Legacy of Cooperation"

Established by the National Cooperative Business Association, the Cooperative Hall of Fame honors distinguished individuals whose contributions to the cooperative business have been genuinely heroic. Inductees are carefully selected to preserve the special nature of this recognition. It is a distinct honor to be inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame.


The Cooperative Hall of Fame is housed in the offices of the National Cooperative Business Association in Washington, DC, where a permanent collection of commemorative plaques tells of the contributions made by each inductee. In addition, there is a website – heroes.coop – that highlights each inductee and
their contributions to cooperatives.


The Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) administers the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Nominations are received annually and reviewed by a selection committee composed of current leaders from the various sectors of the U.S. cooperative movement.


The Cooperative Hall of Fame induction ceremony is also a major fundraiser for CDF. It is fitting that the occasion that bestows honor and recognition to individuals who have given of themselves to promote cooperatives is also the occasion to raise funds which in turn perpetuate their work and commitment.

Meet the Inductees

Cooperative Hall of Fame Members

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​The members of the Cooperative Hall of Fame congratulate Lori Capouch, Randy Lee,
J. Tom Webb, and Estelle Witherspoon. From championing rural and frontier co-op
development, to transforming the natural food and co-op groceries sector, to innovating
the field of co-op education, to opening new economic possibilities for Black
women artisans and their families in Alabama, you have dedicated your lives to
helping people and communities through cooperatives. Welcome to the Hall of Fame!

Andrew Reicher

Clifford Rosenthal

Daniel Waddle

Judy Ziewacz

Karen Zimbelman

Leland Ruth

Marilyn Scholl

Paul Bradley

Paul Hazen

Rebecca Dunn

Rosemary Mahoney

Terry Appleby

Tony Bedard

Walden Swanson & Kate Sumberg

William J. Nelson

Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

The entire Federation family congratulates the 2025 class of Cooperative Hall of
Fame inductees.


You have all played an intricate role in advancing the cooperative movement across
the nation and around the world.

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NCBA CLUSA & CDF Board of Directors

The Boards of Directors of NCBA CLUSA and the Cooperative Development Foundation applaud the outstanding accomplishments of the 2025 inductees to the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Thank you for your service to cooperatives.

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Adria Powell
Ann Fedorchak
Anne Divjak
Brad Captain
Brian Cavey
Christina Jennings
Christopher Roe
Cornelius Blanding
Deborah Wege
Devin Fuhrman
Emma McCormick

Erbin Crowell

Esteban Kelly
Jeffrey Connor
Jill Tomalin
John Holdsclaw IV
Karen Zimbelman
Larry Blanchard
Matthew Wehland
Michelle Schry
Richard Larochelle
Rosemary Mahoney

NCBA CLUSA

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NCBA CLUSA members and staff congratulate Lori Capouch, Randy Lee, Tom Webb,
and Estelle Witherspoon on their induction into the 2025 Cooperative Hall of Fame.
We applaud each of you for your dedication to the cooperative movement.

2025 Hall of Fame Sponsors
Co-op Heroes
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Table Sponsors

America's Credit Unions & National Credit Union Foundation

CoBank

CSI Support & Development Services

International Centre for Co-operative Management

Federation of Southern Cooperatives/LAF

National Cooperative Bank

National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International

National Co+op Grocers

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC)

Nationwide

Neighboring Food Co-op Association

North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

PCC Community Markets

Ralph K. Morris Foundation

Rochdale Capital

Rural Development Finance Corporation

Shared Capital Cooperative

TruStage

© 2020 Cooperative Development Foundation

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