Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op interviews Roberta MacDonald, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cabot Creamery Cooperative. Vernon and Roberta discuss the 2019 Cooperative Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, the ABC’s of Cooperatives, and much, much, more!
Roberta thrives on her 40 years of marketing experience. She and her much beloved fellow Farmer Champions throughout Cabot Creamery Co-op have spent the last thirty helping a nearly bankrupt, small farm family owned dairy cooperative become a national player. Thanks to award-winning cheese and indelible, award-winning, and occasionally, over-the-top trial campaigns.
Roberta previously served as Vermont’s first Marketing Director, a position created for her by Governor Kunin in 1984. Over her career, Roberta has accepted many awards on behalf of the Cabot farmers for design, promotions, and high-impact public relations programs, including the Tal Haussig Award – the highest individual award given by B Corps.
Prior to moving to Vermont, Roberta served as staff or provided services to the San Francisco Opera, the Ford Foundation, American Express, NYU, CBS, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Roberta currently serves on the End of Life Council for the National Hospice & Palliative Care Association a culmination of over a decade volunteering for hospice in Burlington, Vermont.
Recently, Roberta started an informal Above Ground Railroad for select women released from prison with no family or resources in order to reunite them with their children. The first recipient made it to TN last week with a phone, cash, clothes, and presents. She was vetted by Roberta’s niece who is serving 25 to life at Chittenden Correctional.