• Owner: 1670 

Why are you interested in serving on the Prairie Food Board of Directors?

I have volunteered all of my adult life and am passionate about nutrition. Working as part of a collaborative group to achieve a common goal appeals to me. Seeing the first coop in DuPage County open fills a much-needed gap which I'm excited to be part of. My Spanish skills can be useful in outreach.

Employment: Please tell us about your Past or Present Employment 

I've worked as a hospital, school, and public health nurse in Minneapolis and Northern Virginia, before moving to DuPage County almost ten years ago. Those jobs involoved managing people, delegating nursing tasks, and advocating for special needs students and families. I paid for college by waitressing, followed by over three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay.

Volunteer: Membership/Affiliations past and present

Inreach Support Service Volunteer Coordinator for Science of Spirituality, selected to be Health Coordinator for Peace Corps Paraguay, President PTA Seward Montessorri School Minneapolis, National Certified School Nurse

Which of the following areas do you have expertise?

Event Planning, Communications, Effective meeting management experience

What experience, education, and skills do you have that you feel will contribute to your effectiveness as a Prairie Food Director? 

I've lived on four continents so have interacted with people from all walks of life and many different cultures. I speak Spanish. I'm very interested in health and nutrition and give public presentations on vegetarianism at a meditation center. I've managed school health aides in challenging environments where health was not a core value and resources were limited.

What are your personal goals for Prairie Food Co-op?

Seeing the coop through its historic first years of operation. Helping ensure that the coop stocks high quality produce and high quality vegan products. Educating patrons and owners as to the benefit of a plant-based diet.

What experiences have you had with food co-ops in the past?

Since joining Mifflin Street Coop almost five decades ago, I've belonged to Williamson Street, North Country, Seward, and the Wedge Coops. Since becoming a lacto-vegetarian over four decades ago, I've researched health and nutrition because they are key determinants of health.