The biennial International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference recognized Howard Brodsky for his ‘impact across the world through the innovations of shared ownership, specifically through the cooperative business model that anchors value with members, employees, customers, and their communities.” He was presented with the International Rochdale Pioneers Award, also known as the “Nobel Prize of Cooperative Business”. He is the first American in history to receive the award.
Brodsky, co-founder of CCA Global in Manchester, New Hampshire, advocates for the ‘contemporary cooperative business model’ that businesses be a force for good, while striving for profits. This model transforms family businesses by structuring them as cooperatives, putting people and not profits first, while leading with values.
“Throughout my career, I have felt that businesses should be more than profit centers,” said Brodsky. “While profit is important, it is equally, if not more important that businesses be a force for good. The cooperative business model epitomizes capitalism with a conscience. A more inclusive future is in our grasp. Shared ownership advances shared opportunity, shared wealth, and ultimately shared hope. I am honored and humbled for this recognition.”
Brodsky joins only 16 other individuals with the honor of receiving this prestigious award. Previous winners include Dr. Jose Carlos Guisando of Spain, the President of the International Health Co-operatives Organization; Esther Gicheru from Kenya, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Finance, Planning and Administration at The Co-operative University of Kenya; and former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Lee Hong-Koo.
The global event follows on the recent gathering of top CEO’s at the Business Roundtable held in the US that focused on corporations expand their interest from shareholders to include employees, protecting the environment and dealing fairly and ethically with their suppliers.
