Mead is New President of The Cooperative Foundation (Mead 2007)
Leslie Mead was named president of The Cooperative Foundation by the board of trustees last month. 

 

    Mead has worked with cooperatives for more than 20 years, beginning her career at the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives in Washington DC. She held several positions at NCFC including vice president of legal, tax and accounting policy and vice president of education.  Since 2002, she has served as executive administrator of the Association of Cooperative Educators. She is a graduate of Drake University School of Journalism, Des Moine, IA, and Indiana University-Bloomington School of Law.  She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and two sons. 

 

    Mead replaces William J. Nelson, who had served in a dual capacity as president of The Cooperative Foundation and the CHS Foundation in Inver Grove Heights, MN.  The expanded activities of both foundations created the need for the new structure, allowing each foundation to better serve its mission. 

 

    “William’s contribution to The Cooperative Foundation and cooperative education can’t be overstated,” said Patricia Keough-Wilson, past chair, board of trustees.  “He’s been a careful steward of the foundation’s endowment and supported innovations in cooperative education through strategic funding and encouraging collaboration and formation of partnerships among cooperative organizations.”