Lakewinds Food Co-op Richfield MN

As a co-op, our business is controlled by our owners, making us independent, autonomous, and democratic. Each owner gets to vote for our board of directors, which in turn hires and oversees a general manager. From this standpoint, the co-op is run like a normal business, as it’s very difficult to operate a successful retail operation as a “collective,” with all owners being the boss. But owners vote for the board members who best reflect their values and vision for the store, and who then represent the members in the overall governance. Emily is a healthcare marketing and strategy leader at Medtronic with more than a dozen years of experience working to bring new technologies to patients around the world. Emily believes that food is medicine, and how we source our food matters as much as what we eat. She is excited to serve on the Lakewinds board to combine her business experience in healthcare with her personal interests in wellness and sustainability. A Minnesota native, Emily, her husband, and their two kids now live in Minnetonka, where they have been Lakewinds members since 2017. They’re grateful for the abundance the coop has brought into their lives, especially the produce section and bulk aisle! In her free time, you can find her working through her “to read” list, experimenting with new kombucha brews, and hiking and paddling on the North Shore. Karin’s position on the Lakewinds board will allow her to continue pursuit of her passion around sustainable food sources and the local food movement. Karin has over 20 years of experience in technology consulting and sales. Her current role as a technology executive at Microsoft enables her to engage with Fortune 5 customers to solve complex business and industry challenges. She has worked with Fortune 100 companies in the Twin Cities, gaining a wide variety of industry experience having engaged with retailers, consumer goods companies and manufacturers. Her recent experience with health care organizations has highlighted the importance of access to affordable, healthy food. Karin lives in South Minneapolis with her husband, two kids and three dogs.  She has been a Lakewinds member since 2018. In her free time, she enjoys running, golfing, reading, and cooking. Denise has over 20 years of experience in marketing and finance within the food manufacturing and retail industries. She is currently a consultant and coach, guiding executive career transitions. Her understanding of food production and the power of community began with her roots on her family’s fifth-generation farm in west central Minnesota. She gained knowledge of grocery store operations through a summer job during college, where she stocked shelves, bagged groceries, and was a cashier. Denise’s food industry knowledge deepened during her professional career with General Mills, where she worked across various products and channels, including grocery and other retail, as well as industrial and food away-from-home. Denise values Lakewinds’ green mindset, including a love for local, organic, and a commitment to renewable energy. She researches her purchases, prioritizing sustainability, ingredient safety, and transparency, and supports B Corps and the circular economy whenever possible. She enjoys Lakewinds’ community environment and engaging staff and very much appreciates the allergen transparency for her family. With a strong background in finance, marketing, and consulting, as well as experience serving on nonprofit boards, Denise offers valuable skills and broad acumen to contribute to Lakewinds’ board of directors. A Lakewinds member-owner since 2008, Denise lives in Eden Prairie with her husband and son. Beyond professional and volunteer commitments, Denise values quality time with family and friends, often combining her passions for the arts, travel, and sporting events. She embraces the changing seasons with gardening, golf, and taking long walks to recharge and find inspiration. Jack is a cooperativ