2015 nominating committee candidates

Karen Gaudette Brewer

PCC is a Northwest institution that stands as a beacon of local pride, healthy eating, wellness and sustainability. Serving on PCC’s nominating committee this past year has deepened my understanding and appreciation of PCC’s mission. It has been inspiring to meet so many others throughout the community who share a willingness to help the co-op succeed and thrive in an increasingly crowded field of competitors.

The PCC board’s primary function is to develop, evaluate and oversee the implementation of policies that provide direction to the co-op, guide management and govern the board’s own actions. In short: help PCC be a good steward in the community, serve its community, and grow responsibly. During this time of leadership transition, it’s more important than ever to ensure our cooperative is being steered by leaders with its best interest at heart so that it maintains its integrity and high ethical and quality standards.

I served for more than two years on the University of Washington School of Communication Alumni Board, most recently as their recruiter. My decade as a newspaper reporter taught me how to work well with others in high-pressure situations and to be a quick and accurate judge of character. My time as a food writer with PCC and now at Allrecipes.com has further cemented my diplomacy skills and ability to continually work with others toward a larger goal.

It would be an honor and privilege to continue to help identify, recruit and screen for candidates who can and will make important contributions on the co-op’s board of trustees.

Leanne Skooglund Hofford

It has been an honor to be a part of the PCC nominating committee over the past year. I would like to serve for a second term so that I can apply all that I’ve learned this year about PCC’s governance structure and the process of selecting board candidates to help support PCC’s continued success.

I became a member years ago when my children were very small, and I was eager to support their healthy development with nutritious organic food. Over time, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for PCC’s cooperative business model and commitment to building a healthy community. It is much more than just a grocery store; it’s an invaluable community asset that is a model nationally among natural food retail co-ops.

My experience includes more than 25 years as a nonprofit professional focused in the areas of advocacy, communications and fundraising. I have served on and worked with a variety of nonprofit boards to help promote their organizational missions and strategic priorities. I hope that I will have the opportunity to bring that experience once again in service to the 2015-16 nominating committee.

Mary Simon

It is a privilege to submit my name as a PCC nominating committee candidate. PCC is special in many ways. I believe it is an important part of the Seattle community and plays a vital role in this country’s sustainable food supply. PCC’s focus on serving customers, community and staff while maintaining its commitment to the environment is unique and I think a great model for other co-ops and healthy food businesses. PCC’s product standards are demanding. They provide a higher level of safety to PCC’s consumers than any other retail outlet. We in the Seattle area are lucky to be able to shop at PCC!

I am a retired programmer/engineer and ombudsman from AT&T Bell Labs/Lucent Technologies. For 17 years, I worked as a neutral to resolve disputes in the workplace. My experience with negotiation, conflict resolution and organizational development was helpful when I was elected to the PCC Board of Trustees in 2003. I served a full three-year-term, becoming chair of the board in my third year. I have previously served on the nominating committee and I would like to be elected to do so again.

Sara Walsh

My understanding of PCC’s business and mission has been developed through more than 16 years of working for the co-op.

I started at PCC working in the stores as a person-in-charge. I was promoted to assistant store director and worked alongside many of the store directors for nearly five years. I moved to community relations about 11 years ago and have been managing that department for nine of those years. I believe this history has given me a deep understanding of PCC’s operations not only at the store level but throughout our communities as well. I also believe I understand our members’ desires to see our co-op continue to grow.

This past year being on the nominating committee has been a great learning experience for me. I’ve very much enjoyed being involved in PCC governance. Now, with one year under my belt, I would like to continue helping with the process of selecting board candidates who will work hard to fulfill PCC’s long-range vision of sustainability.

I love working for PCC and am very committed to doing my best to help it move forward and maintain its place in our communities.