Meet your 2024 Board Candidates!
Alexa Hancock
Bio: I moved to the River Falls area from the Twin Cities at the end of last summer and I'm excited to get involved with the community and Whole Earth Coop. I worked at Seward Co-op in Minneapolis for 8 years and I am passionate about co-ops and how they help build and sustain communities. I was born and raised in Upstate New York in a rural dairy farming community and I feel a connection to this area because of the similarity in terrain and the people that love to live in relationship with the land and animals. Currently I work at a local credit union. I love spending time outdoors, hiking, biking, gardening, cooking, backgammon, playing cards and spending time with friends and family.
What motivated you to run for a position on the board of directors?
I love co-ops and since moving to River Falls I visit several times a week. I want to contribute to the growth and success of the co-op so it continues to be around for future generations.
Have you ever served on a board before? If so, what type of board, and how would you describe your experience?
No, this would be my first board experience.
Have you done any work or contributed in some way to our Co-op or any other co-op in the past? If so, please describe.
I worked for 8 years at Seward Co-op in Minneapolis. First as assistant manager for the grocery department and then as grocery manager. I started at the coop in 2015 as we were opening a new store in South Minneapolis. I had the privilege of working with an awesome group of folks to get our store ready to open and then working with our community to adjust it to fit their needs. I have experience with day-to-day operations, hiring, training, inventory control, vendor relations, merchandising, sales and labor analysis.
What strengths or talents do you feel you have that would be assets to the board?
I have co-op operational experience, knowledge of small/local and large-scale food distribution systems, and also a collaborative spirit. I love working together to identify opportunities and create systems that support healthy organizations and communities.
What role do you see the Co-op playing in the community over the next 5 years?
I think that the Co-op and local farmers play a crucial role in the security of our food systems. At large our food system is relying on mass scale agriculture and distribution networks that we saw break down in many ways during the pandemic. I witnessed local farms and the co-ops be able to fill gaps and adapt to keep people fed and nourished during a very volatile time. I see Whole Earth continuing to grow relationships with local farmers and producers and provide a market for them to get their products to this community to grow a strong and resilient local food system.
I also see Whole Earth Co-op growing as a community hub where folks can gather not just to shop for groceries but to connect with farmers, growers, producers, artists, and teachers to learn more about nourishing ourselves together and celebrating our community.
Erin Mahnke
Bio: I am a 20-year resident of River Falls. I have been a customer of the CO-OP for much of that time and a member for the last few years. My current position is a Dean of Students at ISD 917 in West St Paul and Rosemount. I am also a parent to one 19-year-old college student and several large fluffy dogs. I enjoy much of what River Falls has to offer as an avid kayaker, hiker, on a Monday bowling league, music event attendee and member of Strength Academy. I love living in River Falls, I love what downtown has to offer and I love being a part of the community.
What motivated you to run for a position on the board of directors?
I’d like to give back to the community that has supported me for so many years. Many co-op members are friends, neighbors, and other business owners that I frequent, and I’d like to represent them as a voice for the current reality and future of the co-op.
Have you ever served on a board before? If so, what type of board, and how would you describe your experience? My experience mostly relates to school boards. I have 24 years experience working with school boards.
Have you done any work or contributed in some way to our Co-op or any other co-op in the past? If so, please describe.
No.
What strengths or talents do you feel you have that would be assets to the board?
I have a job that involves many leadership skills that can benefit a leadership board.
What role do you see the Co-op playing in the community over the next 5 years?
I would love to see it expand in the community even more. A larger presence at community events, more partnerships with other businesses and potentially a larger space.
Nicole Strobel
Bio: Hello, I am a permanent resident and recently bought a home here in River Falls. I would like to be involved in my community and give back within an organization that I’m passionate about. I live near the community gardens, have a 9 y/o daughter at Montessori, a tiny dog, and a cat.
What motivated you to run for a position on the board of directors?
Co-ops have always been a part of my life, from Willy st co-op in Madison, where I grew up, to the co-op in Gays Mills (area where the LuSa products are made), where my grandfather has been a board member for many years and where we used to live.
Have you ever served on a board before? If so, what type of board, and how would you describe your experience?
I have not. I did belong to a business networking group in 2023, in Woodbury, that kept around 50 members.
Have you done any work or contributed in some way to our Co-op or any other co-op in the past? If so, please describe.
I give my business to any I can find in towns I’ve lived in and on my travels. This is all.
What strengths or talents do you feel you have that would be assets to the board?
I’m a realtor in WI and MN and am familiar with contracts, changing markets and keeping up with rules and regulations. As well, I enjoy working with people and keeping my fiduciary duties to my clients top of mind. I also feel like I know quite a bit about food and health.
What role do you see the Co-op playing in the community over the next 5 years?
I really have no idea but am happy to start wherever I can be of help and continue to learn and grow with the group. I’d like to keep my commitments close to my heart and few. It is my intention to become an expert at what I decide to invest myself in, keep long-term commitments, and not spread myself too thin.
Phaedra Johnson
Bio: I’ve been a member of the Whole Earth (WE) Market Co-op since 2020, joining shortly after moving from the Twin Cities metro area to River Falls Township. I live on a 40-acre property with my husband (Matt), daughter (Maisie), 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 5 chickens. I have a Master of Science in Applied Psychology and my career has been focused on life sciences research with the goal of improving health outcomes. I have several hobbies and interests, including crafts, gardening, and baking. We’re thankful to live in an area with a thriving downtown, an active music scene, local organic farms, a co-op, and the Kinni, among other amenities. While we are relatively new members of the River Falls community and the WE Market Co-op, my husband and I both grew up in Menomonie and were longtime members of the Menomonie Co-op. We were also members of Lakewinds Co-op and supported local farmers while living in Minnesota. Cooperatively owned grocery stores are essential for healthy communities, and I’m interested in serving on the WE Market Board of Directors to help fulfill the Co-op’s mission of fostering a healthy, thriving community and generating positive social, economic, and environmental change. I would welcome the opportunity to use my professional experience working in both for-profit and non-profit organizations to help drive the WE Market Co-op forward, as well as my personal experience as a consumer and member of other co-ops.
What motivated you to run for a position on the board of directors?
I’m interested in becoming more actively involved in this community and helping with future sustainability for the WE Market Co-op and the local producers. Since moving to the area, we’ve really enjoyed getting to know our neighbors in the Township and City of River Falls. We’re thankful for people like Ryan and Lindsey at Rising Sun Farm and Orchard, as well as for other local growers and farmers in our community. There are numerous environmental, financial, and health benefits to having access to locally grown produce and products, whether through the WE Market Co-op, River Falls farmers markets, farm stands, or other locally owned businesses. As a personal example, we were able to quickly establish a productive organic vegetable garden by using locally grown plants and growing supplies. We’ve also been able to start restoring our 20-year-old apple orchard using organic control techniques, all thanks to the support of our neighbors. It would have been challenging to accomplish any of this on our own or by relying on big box stores.
Have you ever served on a board before? If so, what type of board, and how would you describe your experience?
Yes, I have served on a board. In 2022, I was elected to serve on the board of directors for the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-time Music Association (MBOTMA), a 501(c)3 non-profit music organization. I had been involved with MBOTMA in a volunteer capacity for several years and the board position provided the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of the organization during a time of transition. I would describe the experience as providing a good introduction to non-profit board membership and the importance of having a strong governance structure.
Have you done any work or contributed in some way to our Co-op or any other co-op in the past? If so, please describe.
I have not done any work or contributed to WE Market Co-op, other than being a member.
What strengths or talents do you feel you have that would be assets to the board?
My professional background includes over 20 years of experience in global healthcare and research organizations with responsibilities for providing scientific direction, strategic planning, business development, contract negotiation, team management, and executive oversight. I’m currently the Director of Research for the Amyloidosis Research Consortium (ARC), a non-profit research and patient organization. In this role, I oversee research projects, manage direct reports, and contribute to the strategic direction of the organization, including development and fund-raising activities. In addition to my scientific and business background, my strengths include relationship building, problem solving, and communication, which are strengths for a board position.
What role do you see the Co-op playing in the community over the next 5 years?
I see the Co-op continuing to play an essential role in the community over the next 5 years. The future direction of the Co-op should include increasing the size of the store, whether moving to a new location or expanding the footprint within the current location.
Candidate Qualifications:
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Must be a member of the WE Market Co-op
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Must have access to email and the internet
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Must be at least 18 years of age.
Primary Responsibilities: The Whole Earth Market Board of Directors is a 9-person governing body consisting of co-op members that are elected on a rolling basis in March each year. Board members have a fiduciary duty to the success of WE Market Co-op and they have a responsibility to represent our members and act in their best interests. The Board of Directors operates under a Policy Governance model whereby the Board of Directors defines the policies and the co-op management reports on their compliance of the applicable policy each month. Board members serve a three-year term and are expected to:
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Lead strategically by evaluating programs, impact, policy compliance, and performance of the organization
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Support, supervise, and review the performance of the co-op General Manager.
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Knowing the organization's mission, programs, policies, and needs.
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Ensuring the organization complies with legal requirements.
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Contribute to overall long-term, strategic planning process and assisting in implementing and monitoring the plan’s goals, including strong commitment to market expansion feasibility reviews and any future capital campaigns.
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Actively participate in board committees and support the co-op through monthly community engagement and education activities.
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Engage in board development and training sessions.
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Be available to receive or address member concerns.
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Abide by the Code of Conduct and uphold the Co-op Values & Principles.
Regular Expectations and Duties:
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Be enthusiastic, engaged, and responsive.
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Attend the Annual Meeting each March and monthly meetings with no more than two absences a year (meetings take place the third Monday of the month at 6pm, unless otherwise agreed upon).
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Staying informed about committee activities, preparing for meetings, and reviewing meeting minutes.
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Building collegial working relationships with the co-op General Manger, the board, and members.
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Be willing to commit approximately 10 hours per month to board work.
This is a volunteer position though Board Members do receive an 8% discount on co-op purchases during their term.
General Process: Approved applicants are presented to the co-op members for consideration and open positions filled through a vote at the Annual Meeting in March of each year.