- Hometown: Lombard
- Owner: 1
Why are you interested in serving on the Prairie Food Board of Directors?
As a co-founder of Prairie Food Co-op over 13 years ago, my dedication to bringing this vision to life has never wavered. While my initial goal was simply to see PFC’s doors open, my commitment has grown to encompass guiding the co-op through the complex challenges that often arise after opening—challenges that many peer co-ops have faced. Through strong connections within the national food co-op community, I have access to valuable insights and shared experiences that can help PFC not only succeed but also avoid the common pitfalls encountered by others in our movement.
Employment: Please tell us about your Past or Present Employment
I was in the Army, then cooked at a lot of places, then entered the grocery industry and am now in IT. I was the first Store Manager when Sugar Beet Food Co-op opened in 2017 and followed that with experience as a Manager at Standard Market. I have been in the I.T. field for nearly 10 years now.
Volunteer: Membership/Affiliations/Leadership past and present
I co-founded PFC, was it's first board president and first Outreach director, and have had the honor to lead PFC's outreach team for over 12 years out of the 13 we've been organizing. In addition to planning and executing evengts, I also feel it's important to volunteer for these events as well as rep PFC at dozens of other events and markets throughout the year. In addition, I contribute and oversee PFC's social media as well as our newsletter. I also plan, oversee, and volunteer for other specfic outreach efforts such as our doorhang campaigns.
Which of the following areas do you have expertise?
Management, Fundraising, Marketing/Public Relations, Event Planning, Communications
What experience, education, and skills do you have that you feel will contribute to your effectiveness as a Prairie Food Director?
I co-founded PFC, have over 9 years of board service, and have been immersed in the national food cooperative community for over 13 years.
What are your personal goals for Prairie Food Co-op?
I want to see PFC open our doors for business and then meet (and exceed) our sales projections for the next 3 years.
What experiences have you had with cooperatives, food or otherwise?
I co-founded PFC, have over 9 years of board service, and have been immersed in the national food cooperative community for over 13 years. I also was an early member and volunteer of Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana IL. I also was the first front end manager for Sugar Beet Food Co-op in Oak Park IL.