Marilyn Scholl

Marilyn Scholl specializes in leadership development, board training, facilitation, and membership development. She has worked with food cooperatives for over 30 years, including nine years as a general manager and nine years with the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. Marilyn also serves as the manager of CDS Consulting Co-op.

Marilyn’s experience as a manager and board member offers clients a unique and valuable understanding of the board and manager relationship. “I like contributing to something that I think makes the world better,” Marilyn said. “Good management can flourish under good governance, and good governance supports good management. A systematic approach offers a way to empower boards to do work that’s very rewarding to their co-ops and communities.”

Marilyn also serves as the manager of CDS Consulting Co-op. She is the recipient of the 1999 CCMA Cooperative Service award and in 2004 was named an Honored Cooperator.

Marilyn’s services include:

• Leadership development
• Board training
• Facilitation
• Membership development

“We have been fortunate to have Marilyn Scholl as our very own helpmate for a good dozen years. She has provided help with various issues by offering outstanding advice that is constructive, useful, non-judgmental and wide-ranging. Marilyn has an engaging sense of humor while at the same time is highly professional. She clearly understands how to help boards be better.”

—Sacie Lambertson, Board President, Community Merc in Lawrence Kans.

“While Marilyn certainly has all of the technical knowledge expected to deal with complex governance issues, her real and unique value is her ability to boil it all down to common sense and human interaction. I especially appreciate her direct, honest, and considered approach.”

—Art Ames, General Manager , Berkshire Co-op Market, Great Barrington, Mass.

“My relationship with our CDS consultant, Marilyn Scholl, is invaluable. She helps me stay on course, and keeps me thinking about the big picture. I am very thankful that I have had the benefit of Marilyn’s guidance and mentoring.”

—John Hatton, Board President, Brattleboro Food Co-op, Brattleboro, VT