Co-op Champions: Lana Cowling-Mason Artwork

The Common Share

Welcome to The Common Share, a podcast about the opportunities and challenges of developing co-operative businesses. The Common Share is produced by Co-operatives First, a business development organization that increases awareness and understanding of the co-op business model and supports co-operative business development in rural and Indigenous communities across western Canada.

All Episodes

The Common Share

Co-op Champions: Lana Cowling-Mason

June 26, 2026 • Co-operatives First

0:00 | 32:59

2026 is a special year for Co-operatives First – we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary. For this 10th anniversary podcast series, we spoke to four “champions” who we’ve worked closely with over the years – who have started co-ops, provided business support for local people, and who are just great leaders themselves.

In this episode, we spoke with Lana Cowling-Mason, a true economic development expert and leader in Manitoba. Lana is the General Manager at Community Futures West Interlake, and has been instrumental in moving forward an investment co-operative that will help meet the housing needs of the region. Lana has incredible insights about what traits are important in a leader, and what drives change in rural communities.