Meet the Candidates
Support Our Candidates! Give Them Your Vote
This year we’re thrilled to have 3 outstanding candidates running for 4 open seats on our Board of Directors. Now let’s just take this head on—we know what you’re thinking. Why should I vote in an uncontested election? We have these from time to time and it’s still incredibly important to vote, even during an uncontested year. Here’s a few good reasons why:
It’s the ‘Co-op’ in Co-op
Unlike those massive grocery chains owned by a shadowy conglomerate in an underground lair somewhere with big charts and maps on the walls and a table of evil men planning world grocery domination (isn’t this how it works?), we’re owned by you. Voting is the literal mechanical part that keeps us from becoming just another soulless aisles-and-fluorescent-lights box.
Validation is a Vitamin
These 3 brave and altruistic souls are volunteering to spend their time talking about capital reserve studies and refrigeration repair costs so you don’t have to. Seeing a pile of “yes” votes is the psychological fuel they need to keep fighting the good fight.
A Quorum is a Real Thing
Our bylaws (i.e., the “super rules of the cooperative universe”) require a minimum number of votes to make an election official. If everyone stays at home because “it’s in the bag,” we’re stuck in a weird legal limbo. And nobody likes limbo unless there’s a stick and a catchy beat.
The TL;DR
Yes, all of the candidates on this page are going to win. But they shouldn’t win by default—they should win because the membership actually has their backs. We do everything we can to make it easy for you to vote for them, including a cool digital tool built for us by a local company (a co-op!!) that will allow you to vote faster than our copywriter can write this sentence. (And this guy types REALLY fast!) A link to the voting tool will go live on April 1.
Seriously, democracy is important, under threat everywhere, and a co-op is one of the most democratic organizations on the planet. Democracy is a Cooperative Principle that serves as a cornerstone for the way co-ops all over the world work. Please vote this year, just like every year! We look forward to counting your vote.
Candidate Statements
Learn more about our candidates below. Please note: in order to not interfere with the election process in any way, candidate statements are the original, unedited submissions. To be equitable, they are presented in random order, which we reshuffle regularly.
Present Occupation
Dance Lecturer, University of Vermont
What interests you about serving on the Co-op’s Board of Directors?
I feel deeply that we have a shared responsibility to be good stewards of our food system, and I enjoy giving back to organizations creating meaningful impact. As a graduate of Hanover High School, the Co-op food stores were central to how I came to think about food and are an impressive model in the eco-system of community-owned food enterprises. I’m excited to start a 2nd term, continuing to offer my unique perspective as a former retailer and to keep learning about the many ways this food store effectively continues to make the world a better place. As the Co-op reaches it’s 90th year, there is much to support and celebrate.
In what ways can you contribute to the Co-op Board?
My contribution to the Co-op Board includes experience with cooperative governance and policy and keeping an eye on current economic and industry conditions. I’m committed to asking critical and constructive questions, tempered with active listening and respect for the staff and complexity of managing multiple stores. It is important for the Board to balance how much information it needs to fulfill its fiduciary duty with the effort and cost of acquiring that insight – this is an important responsibility to bear.
An integral part of board work is reviewing, assessing, and potentially implementing policy change based upon member-owner feedback. As a board member, how will you listen to and integrate feedback from diverse viewpoints of the membership in determining the future of the Co-op?
I commit to asking myself the question: ‘How does the Board best represent and serve members, in partnership with the staff?’ I will remain curious about the operational updates the GM shares, to better understand the members’ stories behind this data. I will endeavor to participate in transparent and trustful interactions with members and consider how executive limitation policies hone to develop meaningful space for owner voices.
Which Co-op Value is the highest Priority for yourself? Which Co-op Value do you think should be the highest priority for the Co-op? They may be the same. https://coopfoodstore.coop/board/
The value with the highest priority to me personally is the value supporting Local. Supporting resilient local and regional food systems is part of my life’s work, beginning in the family business where I learned quickly about the adaptability and resilience of farmers and value-add food producers. Supporting farmers and producers to produce goods that meet eater demand while minimizing environmental impact through their regenerative practices and seasonal offerings, means that we are all better off. The value the Co-op should keep prioritizing is the Community value. The Co-op nimbly works for the enduring and positive development of its community through the food donation programs, community project grants and participating nationally with other co-ops to strengthen purchasing power; thus employing smart pricing strategies.
Please compose your candidate statement and anything else you’d like us to know. (350 words or fewer):
Co-op food stores can empower farm and food producers to compete in a complicated economy while still maintaining their values so crucial to a sustainable food system. I would be honored to serve a second term on the Co-op board to help advance a more adaptive and robust food system, at a time when we most need it. I’m a Vermont-based dance artist and food systems leader, with a motivation to connect these ‘nourishments’; food, cooking and dance contribute many stories to my personal biography. My teaching background includes the Vermont Governor’s Arts Institute, Dartmouth College, the Flynn Performing Arts Center, and the University of Vermont. I have worked with the environmental foundation, Grassroots Fund, the Vermont Land Trust, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets. In that capacity, it was a pleasure to successfully increase investments, leverage data for storytelling, implement governance practices, and serve as a legislative liaison to policy makers. As part of my service to Vermont’ s agricultural and economic efforts, I enjoyed connecting numerous farm, food, and forestland enterprises with technical assistance and funding in partnership with the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Vermont Economic Development Authority, and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. Prior to working in public and non-profit sectors, while working for City Market/Onion River Co-op – I collaborated on food co-op expansions with the National Cooperatives Grocer. I’m passionate about volunteerings and my board service includes the Intervale Center, Vermont Foodbank and UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Present Occupation
Director of FP&A at Enstar Group
What interests you about serving on the Co-op’s Board of Directors?
I am interested in serving on the Board of Directors to help shape the present and future of an organization I deeply care about. I have worked at the Co-op, received scholarships from the Co-op, and currently shop there; now I want to contribute and give back more at this stage in my life.
In what ways can you contribute to the Co-op Board?
Personally, I am vested in seeing the Co-op thrive in our community, and I still maintain a number of relationships from my years working there. And from a professional perspective, I have a strong finance background with experience serving on other boards and working with non-profits. I believe this unique blend of knowledge, skills, and abilities could be a great asset to the Co-op and Board.
An integral part of board work is reviewing, assessing, and potentially implementing policy change based upon member-owner feedback. As a board member, how will you listen to and integrate feedback from diverse viewpoints of the membership in determining the future of the Co-op?
At the end of the day, it comes down to accountability for me. You are accountable to the Co-op and its members and are charged with making sound, prudent decisions to support the Co-op’s short and long-term ambitions. This responsibility is bigger than an individual, and all I can hope to do is foster constructive dialogue and lend my expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Which Co-op Value is the highest Priority for yourself? Which Co-op Value do you think should be the highest priority for the Co-op? They may be the same. https://coopfoodstore.coop/board/.
Employees will always hold the highest priority in my heart. If you optimize and empower your workforce, the rest tends to figure itself out. And this is by far my favorite part about shopping at the co-op. When I worked there, I loved seeing familiar faces, and that holds true now that I am on the other side. The big chain stores will never replicate that community.
I think the beauty of the co-op is that members have diverse opinions about what they consider their highest priority. As board members, if we aim to support and uphold those values, the majority should feel represented.
Please compose your candidate statement and anything else you’d like us to know. (350 words or fewer):
I am interested in serving on the board because I care deeply about the Co-op and its impact on my life and the community. I want to give back by using my experiences to help shape the Co-op’s future, strengthen its governance, and collaborate with members of our community. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my skills, learn from fellow board members, and help advance the organization’s values.
Present Occupation
Floral/Produce associate
What interests you about serving on the Co-op’s Board of Directors?
Getting more involved in the community
In what ways can you contribute to the Co-op Board?
I have been with the Lebanon Co-op for nearly a decade (on and off). In the time that I was away from the co-op, I worked with many local businesses and farmers. And I have an associates degree in Agribusiness Management.
An integral part of board work is reviewing, assessing, and potentially implementing policy change based upon member-owner feedback. As a board member, how will you listen to and integrate feedback from diverse viewpoints of the membership in determining the future of the Co-op?
Be receptive take each individuals point of view into account.
Which Co-op Value is the highest Priority for yourself? Which Co-op Value do you think should be the highest priority for the Co-op? They may be the same. https://coopfoodstore.coop/board/
Hard to pick one, but I believe serving our local vendors and community are the highest priority.
Please compose your candidate statement and anything else you’d like us to know. (350 words or fewer):
My goal, if I were accepted on the board, would be to encourage and support our local businesses. As well as try to involve our community more with the Co-op