Honoring Those Who Inspire Us

Who inspires you?   

It is worth pausing to think about it.  

They are often the people who expand what we see as possible, both by their example and by the way they include and support others.  

Sometimes our heroes are people who changed history by carving new paths or creating new institutions.  Or sometimes our heroes are the people who have selflessly expanded the sense of opportunity and inclusion for us and countless others, unlocking the potential of the next generation.  

For those of us in the cooperative business community, every year we honor cooperative heroes with induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame.  These heroes embody the cooperative values – self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity – and have all left an indelible mark on the cooperative community. It is a privilege for all of us at the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) to serve as the custodians for the Cooperative Hall of Fame. 

Now is the time to think about the cooperative heroes that have influenced you and consider nominating them for induction in 2027. 

Curious what co-op heroes look like? The bios of Hall of Fame inductees dating back to the mid-1970s can be found at heroes.coop. 

The heroes we honor and the stories they tell light the way and leave guideposts for those who follow. Each year, for example, CDF’s cohort of new and emerging Cooperative Leaders and Scholars attends the Cooperative Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in person to take wisdom and inspiration from the inductees.  

So, I invite you to think about who has inspired you—by bringing new people into the cooperative business community, expanding what’s seen as possible, serving as a champion for co-ops, or scaling what works—and consider acknowledging their leadership with a nomination to the Cooperative Hall of Fame. You can also honor selected heroes and spread their inspiring stories through your attendance at, or sponsorship of, the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on October 8, 2026.  

This year’s inductees include:  

• Margaret Bau, Cooperative Development Specialist, USDA Rural Development (retired): A transformative USDA leader who built and mentored the cooperative development field while expanding innovative models nationwide. 

• Fannie Lou Hamer, Unsung Hero, Founder, Freedom Farm Cooperative (posthumous award): A civil rights icon who advanced economic justice by founding the Freedom Farm Cooperative to empower Black communities through shared ownership. 

• Crystal Long, President & CEO, GECU:  A credit union leader who expanded financial inclusion and developed future leaders while growing GECU into a model of cooperative impact. 

• Kevin Still, President & CEO, Keystone Cooperative: An agricultural co-op executive who scaled Keystone Cooperative and strengthened rural communities through strategic growth and sector leadership, including as Board Chair of CoBank. 

• Michael Toelle, Former Board Director, CHS, Inc.: A farmer and board leader whose decades of service helped shape major cooperative institutions like CHS and Nationwide, while championing education and global engagement. 

We at CDF are honored to support and celebrate the vibrant community of cooperators who are working to ensure that all people can address their needs, pursue their aspirations, build shared wealth and thrive in community. You inspire us every day. 

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Julie Bosland is a results-driven executive with over 25 years of experience helping public, nonprofit and business leaders expand economic opportunities and build strong communities. As executive director of CDF and senior policy advisor to NCBA CLUSA, the apex organization for US co-ops, she supports co-ops and co-op developers nationwide. Previously, Julie served in senior leadership roles within Living Cities, Think Shift (an initiative of The DeBruce Foundation), National League of Cities, and in federal and local government. A graduate of Swarthmore College, Julie earned her Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University and in 2024 earned INP’s Certificate in Nonprofit Practice.

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