Owner: 171
Why are you interested in serving on the Prairie Food Board of Directors?
It's my turn to get more involved with the co-op. I've been an owner and big fan for a long time, and have some time now for volunteer work. Serving on the co-op board seems like a good fit for my talents and a great way to contribute to our community.
What Does Prairie Food Co-op Mean to You?
A community effort of this scale, built from the ground up by volunteers, is a precious thing. PFC is a place I can buy food and other products secure in the knowledge that they have been vetted and approved and are good for healthy eating and living. I love supporting local business this way. And I love the space and energy for community building and hope to cultivate even more of that.
Employment: Please tell us about your Past or Present Employment
I'm currently employed in the development and fundraising department of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois, a child welfare agency. Prior to this I worked for many years in marketing communications, most recently for faith-based organizations (St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, and Sisters of the Living Word). In addition, I had my own business as a doula and Lamaze educator for 15 years.
Volunteer: Please tell us about any past or present volunteer membership/affiliation/leadership
Past board member, Breastfeed Chicago. Co-founder of Lombard Allies for Racial Justice (LARJ) and DuPage for Progress. Served on Lamaze Advocacy + Collaboration Committee. Also served as statewide representative for DONA International (doula certification organization).
Which of the following areas do you have expertise?
Fundraising, Marketing/Public Relations, Communications, basic database management and reporting
What experience, education, and skills do you have that you feel will contribute to your effectiveness as a Prairie Food Director?
Those who've worked with me will tell you that I bring enthusiasm and fun to projects. As a former doula, I bring a lot of soft skills to the table -- modeling patience, putting people at ease, seeing what needs doing and doing it. In meetings I'm good at generating ideas and synthesizing the ideas of a group to develop actionable ideas and next steps.
What are your personal goals for Prairie Food Co-op?
I can't wait to see the co-op come into its own and become a staple for Lombard shoppers, and to continue and expand upon the great community building already going on in the cafe and with local businesses.
What experiences have you had with cooperatives, food or otherwise?
I was a member of a food co-op at my college, and like to visit new ones when visiting friends. I've also belonged to CSAs since the 90s.