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Executive Director
About CDI and our mission

The CDI team at a recent retreat.

The Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) is a regional 501(c)3 non-profit founded in 1994 by co-op leaders in the Northeast. Our mission is to create and sustain democratically owned, cooperativeenterprises and networks in the Northeast that grow a prosperous and equitable economy. We envision a world where every person can fulfill their needs and aspirations.

What is a cooperative?

A cooperative is an organization that is owned by its members, democratically controlled by its members, and operated for the benefit of its members. Simply put, in a co-op, each member owns one share in the organization and gets one vote in its key governance decisions. 

Co-ops come in all shapes and sizes. Well-known examples of cooperatively owned enterprises include credit unions, grocery stores, utilities such as electric companies, housing, and retail stores. Some are owned by three people, and some are owned by hundreds or even thousands. A co-op can be owned by workers, consumers, producers, residents, artists, businesses, and more. 

CDI believes cooperatives can help transform the lives of individuals, towns, cities, and the country. Because co-ops are democratically owned and run by those they’re meant to serve, they allow people to work together to create viable businesses and good jobs that improve communities and promote shared values.

What does CDI do?

We work with communities and businesses to:

  • Start cooperatives from concept through launch 
  • Strengthen existing co-ops 
  • Organize resident owned communities
  • Create co-op models for local food enterprises 
  • Transition existing businesses into co-ops by facilitating worker or community buy-outs
  • Provide cooperative solutions for immigrant communities

 

Our values

CDI’s work is about transformation. We believe that cooperation as a foundation for change allows for creative, democratic and just solutions. We support real-world transformations by helping groups become co-owners of the places where they work and live.

How we do our work is as important as the outcomes of the work itself. We strive to live the values we teach, working together with mutual respect and accountability, communicating openly and honestly. As we serve those in need, we learn from those at the center of injustice.

Read more about how we act on our values: https://cdi.coop/our-values/

Apr 26, 2026  
Executive Director
$110,000 - $120,000 yearly
TITLE: Executive Director CLASSIFICATION:   Leadership DEPARTMENT: Administration  WAGE CATEGORY: Full-time/ Exempt REPORTS TO: Board of Directors   LOCATION: Remote, New England     ABOUT COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE  Cooperative Development Institute is a regional 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1994 by co-op leaders in the Northeast. CDI’s mission is to create and sustain democratically owned cooperative enterprises and networks in the Northeast that grow a prosperous, equitable economy. We envision a world where every person can fulfill their needs and aspirations.   CDI is an inclusive, collaborative and resilient organization. CDI holds the following values as important within our organization and in our work with communities: teamwork, integrity, wellbeing, and justice. JOB DESCRIPTION    Working remotely and reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership for...
Hiring Organization:
Cooperative Development Institute

Executive Director Remote Full-Time