08/12/2026
We are delighted to announce John Stevenson has been awarded the 2025-26 Leo and Bruce Thordarson Social Economy and Co-operatives Award!
A genuine lifetime cooperator (familiar in co-op circles across Canada), John grew up in the co-operative retailing system. His father was a general manager in a range of communities in Western Canada for 25 years, which provided John a front row seat to how co-ops were a positive force in those communities. He is committed to life-long learning, especially advancing his knowledge and understanding on governance, a learning path that started with student government and continues with his service on multiple boards.
John was one of the inaugural recipients of the Co-opDirector.D designation, and strongly believes the co-operative movement provides a third way to sustainably address the challenges society faces. He is appreciative of the many learning and education opportunities he has had through his affiliations with Federated Co-operatives Limited, the CCSC, and the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy's Graduate Certificate in the Social Economy, Co-operatives, and Nonprofit Sector certificate program (University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina).
Congratulations, John, and thanks to Leo and Bruce Thordarson's family for their generous, continuing support for co-operative education and research, and developing the next generation of co-operative leaders and scholars.
We are currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 Leo and Bruce Thordarson Social Economy and Co-operatives Award. Click the link in bio to learn more about the Award, eligibility, and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/gzzqzNac
