Howard Brodsky brings cooperative business perspective to United Nations Commission
Howard Brodsky, co-founder and chairman of CCA Global Partners (CCA), highlighted the power of cooperatives (co-ops) — shared business models owned and governed by their members — as the “great economic equalizer” for small businesses worldwide in his remarks at the United Nation’s (UN) annual Session of the Commission for Social Development at UN headquarters in New York City. This session convened global business leaders and innovators to discuss advancing social development and social justice through coordinated, equitable and inclusive policies.
A pioneer in the co-op business, Brodsky founded CCA in 1984 and has since established more than two dozen business models worldwide. He serves as global chairman of the International Cooperative Alliance G20 Group and is the cofounder of Principle Six, the first global cooperative of co-ops. Through Principle Six, co-ops representing more than 1 billion members worldwide can leverage shared intelligence, something that was not previously possible before today’s digital connectivity.
“The co-op movement has already been powered by shared purpose; now it is time to power it with shared intelligence,” Brodsky said.
Brodsky referred to co-ops as “capitalism with a conscience,” discussing the alarming rate of corporate inequality and how co-ops serve as a great equalizer.
“Co-ops change how wealth is created, who owns it and who benefits from growth. They reinvest locally, create dignified jobs and strengthen domestic economies. Their diversity is not a weakness; it is the foundation of resilience,” Brodsky said.
CCA has invested in people over profit in New Hampshire and beyond for the last 40-plus years. The $14 billion company is the second largest privately held company in the state and the 14th largest co-op globally. CCA’s diverse business portfolio extends across numerous industry sectors including child care, serving over 35,000 children in New Hampshire and close to 2 million nationwide.
