2025 Board of Director Candidates

Owner since 2020.

Explain why you would like to serve as a member of Keweenaw Co+op’s Board of Directors

When I returned to the area in 2020, I wanted to engage with the community and support local businesses and farmers. The food system we have in the Keweenaw, with our diverse small farmers and thriving markets, is very special, and Keweenaw Co+op plays a vital role in providing the community access to local, fresh, and healthy food. I would like to join the board to help the co-op settle in and tie up loose ends related to the relocation and look to this new era of growth and opportunity for the co-op and the community as a whole.

Do you have any particular skills you would like to explore and share in your service on the Board of Directors?

I work as a software engineer on a collaborative team with both technical and non-technical folk where communication and team work are keys to my success. As a board member, I will use these skills to work with the rest of the board, the general manager, and owners to progress the goals of the board while maintaining the high standards of policy governance.

Owner since 2024.

Explain why you would like to serve as a member of Keweenaw Co+op’s Board of Directors

I would like to serve as a member of Keweenaw Co+op’s Board of Directors because I strongly believe in the power of community-driven initiatives and the importance of a sustainable, local food system. Since moving to the Keweenaw in November 2021, I have been actively involved in several nonprofit organizations, working to support community engagement and collaboration. I also work remotely for my nonprofit organization in Indonesia for children’s literacy. Learning about co-op system, would also allow me to learn and (maybe one day) implement the co-op system to my own community-driven organization.

For me, Keweenaw Co+op is more than just a grocery store—it is a hub for local farmers, producers, and consumers who share a commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability. I am passionate about ensuring that the co-op continues to thrive, expand its reach, and remain a welcoming space for all members of the community.

Do you have any particular skills you would like to explore and share in your service on the Board of Directors?

With my experience in leadership, digital/social media marketing, and community organizing and outreach, I believe I can contribute to the board’s strategic planning and outreach efforts to the broader community. I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate with a team that shares my values and to help guide the co-op’s mission for the future.

Owner since 2022.

Explain why you would like to serve as a member of Keweenaw Co+op’s Board of Directors

I am interested in joining the Keweenaw Co+op’s Board of Directors because co-ops embody many of the goals and values that I care most about in my own life: supporting local businesses (expand that out to local producers!), reducing the distance between ourselves and our food, sharing in decision-making and responsibility as a community, and sustainability. As a hobby vegetable gardener and backyard chicken-keeper, natural foods are important to me; we also collect compost from local businesses, make maple syrup, and strive to reduce our impact in numerous ways. Maintaining an involvement that is focused on the local community and external to my work is important to me as a way to stay connected in the area more broadly.

Especially since the new location opened, I have been delighted to see the influx of new shoppers, members, and awareness – the increased visibility of the store is so beneficial for the community! With so much “new” comes both growing pains and fresh opportunities. Both require a board to be dynamic, open-minded, and creative. I am interested in bringing all three of those attitudes to the group, and being part of this next stage of development for the co-op.

Do you have any particular skills you would like to explore and share in your service on the Board of Directors?

I consider myself an all-arounder, comfortable operating in a wide variety of spaces and a strong team player who can thoughtfully consider numerous perspectives. I am curious by nature, always interested to learn new things and meet new people (and try new foods!). In terms of professional skills, I primarily have a wide collection of professional and personal experience in the event- and program-management space, ranging from small group workshops up to managing residential youth programs, supporting outdoor recreation events for hundreds of attendees, serving on conference organization committees (local, regional, national), and much more between. As a result, I would be eager to support board and staff efforts to host speakers, workshops, tastings, tours, education days, or any other event with the co-op. In addition, I am strong in documentation/organization, have some experience in grant writing/administration, and enjoy doing volunteer management. If elected, I will be glad to contribute to the best of my abilities in whatever way the board most needs.

Owner since 2010.

Explain why you would like to serve as a member of Keweenaw Co+op’s Board of Directors

I am interested in serving on the Keweenaw Co+op’s Board because I am committed to community involvement in things for which I have an affinity. The co-op taps into my desires to eat well and support companies and growers that are committed to putting the well-being of people and care for the planet on an equal (or greater) playing field with profit. I want to play an active part in this kind of food-community system.

Do you have any particular skills you would like to explore and share in your service on the Board of Directors?

Based on my previous and current board service to other entities I can say that I am experienced at leading meetings, setting agendas, developing communications, and handling conflict. Aside from those skills, I am reliable and work well with most people.

Owner since 2011.

Explain why you would like to serve as a member of Keweenaw Co+op’s Board of Directors.

I want to serve on the co-op Board because I want to be part of an organization/business that so positively impacts the community through healthy food options, engagement, and giving back. With the opening of the new store, I think the co-op is even more important to our region and I want to participate in the next phase of its growth. I also find it exciting to see the relationship between the co-op, local farmers, and producers in providing products to the members, which in turn helps to support these farmers and producers.

As a long-time owner, I rely on the co-op for food and grocery items that I can’t find in other area stores. The co-op is an asset to the community.

Do you have any particular skills you would like to explore and share in your service on the Board of Directors?

My skill set developed from working at Michigan Technological University and three local non-profits during my career. The skills include strategic planning, management, finance/accounting, fundraising, community outreach, and publicity.

I’ve served on five local Board of Directors in the community: the Calumet Players, the Calumet Theatre, the Calumet Art Center, the Calumet Public Library and the Miscowaubik Club.

Owner since 2022.

Explain why you would like to serve as a member of Keweenaw Co+op’s Board of Directors

We moved up here and had a child less than two weeks later. Through all of that scramble we were trying to settle in to not only being a new family, but also into a new area. Our family has always valued the benefits of quality food/produce, as well as where that food/produce comes from. It took no time for us to decide to become members when we learned that the co-op not only provides quality food, but also puts local farmers front and center so that food grown in the area can be enjoyed by everyone. I would like to be a member of the board of directors to help continue the work that the co-op is doing for the community through the owners, the farmers, and our neighbors.

Do you have any particular skills you would like to explore and share in your service on the Board of Directors?

I have worked in IT since 2008 and am now the CTO of my company. That journey has taught me many technical skills as well as many managerial and business skills. I also worked at a church for 10 years as the co-director of children and youth programming where my co-director and I coordinated and implemented programs for kids from 0-18. Through all of this experience I have learned the importance of community and connections as well as how to work with people from every walk of life.