Inducted:2015
Dr. Ann Hoyt is internationally recognized for her innovative research and contributions to co-op education. Her work, including 29 years as a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, has had an indelible impact on cooperatives and the cooperative movement.
As US food cooperatives were threatened by market encroachment from investor owned grocers, Ann recognized a need for governance education for boards and managers. She promoted governance methods that delineate clear board and management responsibilities, incorporate transparent accountability and emphasize strategic focus. These methods are now the predominant model used by contemporary consumer food cooperatives.
The annual Consumer Cooperative Management Association conference (CCMA) Ann directed for 25 years and the Cooperative Management Institute (CMI) she developed served to promote and inspire a national community of food cooperatives, which spawned the National Cooperative Grocers Association, the Howard Bowers Fund and several other national initiatives.
Academically, Ann is an active author, reviewer, teacher, researcher and consultant on a wide variety of issues related to cooperatives, national and international cooperation, and cooperative governance. Ann is a dedicated cooperative practitioner, she has served on numerous cooperative and foundation boards, including 22 years with the National Cooperative Business Association, two as chair; six years with the National Cooperative Bank; and 20 years, nine as chair, with the University of Wisconsin Credit Union
Throughout her work Ann has consistently inspired thousands of cooperators, young and old, to believe in, support, and work for cooperatives as a viable democratic method to achieve economic justice.