ICA People: Elected Officials and Staff

Thematic Committees: Chairperson and Secretary

ICA Communications Committee (ICACC) -- www.ica.coop/icacc
	Ed Mayo (United Kingdom), Chairperson Ed Mayo is the Secretary-General of the Co-operative Group in the United Kingdom. He is a long-term co-operator and has a track record of innovation and impact in his work to bring together economic life and social justice. From 2003 – 2009, he was Chief Executive of the National Consumer Council, merging this with two other bodies to found a new statutory consumer champion, Consumer Focus, in 2008. He was described by the Independent as "the most authoritative voice in the country speaking up for consumers", while the Guardian has nominated him as one of the top 100 most influential figures in British social policy. He has co-written a book, “Consumer Kids” with Agnes Nairn on marketing to children, published by Constable in 2009. Contact: Ed.Mayo@uk.coop
	Charles Gould (United States), Secretary Charles Gould is the Director-General of the ICA. See full biography > > > Contact: Email: gould@ica.coop; Direct phone: +41 22 929 88 33
Gender Equality Committee (ICA GEC) -- www.ica.coop/gender
	Stefania Marcone (Italy), Chairperson Ms Marcone is Director of the International Relations Office of Legacoop and has been an active member of the Board during 1997-2001 where she was particularly involved in gender and youth activities in the international co-operative movement. Ms Marcone joined Legacoop in 1987 and served in the International Department. Prior to this she was President of a cooperative society active in the service sector. Ms Marcone also worked with the Italian National Bank in the external relations department. She was ICA Board member during the period 1997-2005. She was elected chair of the Gender Equality Committee at the 2005 Cartagena General Assembly.
	Maria Elena Chávez Hertig (Chile/Canada), Secretary Maria Elena Chávez Hertig is presently working on half-time basis with the International Co-operative Alliance as Deputy Director-General and continues her primary responsibilities as Director of UN/NGO Relations. The other half-time, she is Coordinator of the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC). Ms. Chávez Hertig joined the ICA in October 1987 as UN/NGO Liaison Officer. In 1997, she was appointed Secretary of the ICA Global Women's Committee and is now Secretary of the ICA Gender Equality Committee. Ms. Chávez Hertig is also currently Vice-President of the International Federation of Institutions Established in Geneva (FIIG), which represents the interests of international organisations vis-a-vis the Swiss authorities and identifies areas of collaboration among its members. Before joining the ICA she worked with COPAC in Italy and has also worked with the World Council of Credit Unions. She holds Bachelor of Arts Degree from Smith College (USA) in political science (international relations) and French Studies. Ms. Chávez Hertig also has undertaken graduate level studies in international relations and international administration in Swiss universities. Contact: chavez@ica.coop Direct phone: +41 22 929 88 25
Human Resource Development Committee (HRD) -- www.ica.coop/hrd
	Mervyn Wilson (United Kingdom) & Bhagwati Prasad (india), Joint Chairpersons Contact: mervyn@co-op.ac.uk / bhagwatiprasad47@gmail.com Mervyn Wilson is the Chief Executive & Principal of The Co-operative College in the United Kingdom. Bhagwati Prasad is Vice-President of the Co-operative House Building & Finance Corporation Ltd. in India.
	Charles Gould (United States), Secretary Charles Gould is the Director-General of the ICA. See full biography > > > Contact: Email: gould@ica.coop; Direct phone: +41 22 929 88 33
Committee on Co-operative Research -- www.ica.coop/research
	Lou Hammond Ketilson, Ph.D (Canada), Chairperson Contact: hammondk@edwards.usask.ca Dr. Ketilson became the Chairperson of the Committee on Co-operative Research in 2007. She is the Director of the Center for the Study of Co-operatives in Canada; the Director for the Saskatchewan Social Economy Node of Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Canada; and also an Associate Professor for Management and Marketing at the University of Saskatchewan.
	Gwangseog Hong (Korea), Secretary Gwangseog Hong worked for the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) in Seoul, Korea since 1996. He was seconded to the ICA in February 2010 for a two-year period as Agricultural Adviser and sectoral Information Manager. Mr. Hong most recently worked with the NACF international co-operative office, but has also held positions at NACF in finance and research. Prior to joining NACF he was a journalist for the Korean Farmers Newspaper and a researcher with the World Agriculture Policy Institute in Korea. He holds a master's degrees in agricultural economics from the Ohio State University (USA) and Seoul National University (Korea). Contact: Email: hong@ica.coop Direct phone: +41 22 929 88 12