Board of Directors Election

Democracy is at the heart of our co-op’s organizational structure. As an owner, you have a voice in the governance and direction of your co-op by voting for our board of directors. Each owner household gets to cast one ballot, voting for each of the four open seats on the board. The board oversees the governance of the co-op and hires and oversees the general manager. They are also tasked with supervising financial conditions and sharing the co-op vision to best serve all owners. Board members must be non-employee Lakewinds owners in good standing. They should have experience in strategic thinking, group decisions, and fiduciary reasonability. Each board member represents our owners for a three-year term.

2026 voting will open on Sept. 1. Vote in store and online through Sept. 12 at 8 pm, and from 1-1:10 pm at the Annual Owner Meeting on Sunday, Sept. 13. Learn about this year’s candidates below, and vote for your two favorite candidates.

Lauren Cooper

Senior Brand Manager, Philips Distilling Company

Owner since 2019

As a proud Minnesotan, a member, and a brand-new mom, my relationship with Lakewinds is deep. Becoming a mother completely supercharged my passion for good food. I want to serve on the Board because I believe our community deserves access to the absolute best nourishment available, from brands that actually care.

Professionally, I’ve spent my career working with industry disruptors like Organic Valley, Vital Farms, and Nature’s Way.
I’ve had the pleasure of boots-on-the-ground experience on several organic farms across the country, and I’ve seen firsthand how changing the food system does right by consumers, the planet, and local farmers.

I’m not just a food enthusiast, though; I’m a data-loving business strategist. I bring a unique blend of insights-driven brand building, sharp financial acumen, and proactive leadership. I know how to look at a spreadsheet, spot trends, and ensure operational efficiency without ever losing the “heartbeat of the consumer.”

Co-ops are magic because they prove that business success and deep-rooted community values can go hand-in-hand. I would be honored to bring my marketing experience and fierce love for Minneapolis to the Board!

Kim Pease

Realtor

Owner since 2010

As an almost daily shopper at Lakewinds, I know our store inside and out. I buy everything here — from produce and bulk staples to my supplements and socks. My deep commitment to wellness and the belief that food is medicine is what brought me through the doors, but the co-op’s dedication to organic quality and supporting local farmers is why I love it.

I am stepping into a new chapter where I have the time to dedicate to our community. I bring over 35 years of business experience, including budgeting, strategic and vision planning,
as well as past service on a local professional association board. However, I want to serve on the Lakewinds board primarily as a voice for the everyday shopper.

I understand what matters to our owners because I am right there with you in the aisles, filling my cart. I would be honored to bring both my practical business background and my perspective as a dedicated daily customer to the board, ensuring Lakewinds thrives while staying rooted in the local values we all share.

Peter Nguyen

Retail Sales Advisor

Owner since 2015

I remember joining Lakewinds in 2015 when I had just shifted my career from working for a conventional food company to a natural foods company. Becoming an owner was one of the first things I did to accelerate my learning. Since that time, the co-op has been a catalyst in the wellness journey for me and my family as we continue to learn about the impact of food to our health, our community, and our planet.

Over the past three years, it has been an honor serving on the Lakewinds Board of Directors. During this time, I’ve seen the co-op’s foundation strengthen through its engagement with employees, members, farmers, makers, and the broader community. As a result, we’ve achieved record results in sales, new member-owner growth, increased patronage, and greater community giveback programs, to name a few.

What this co-op has accomplished is remarkable, but Lakewinds must keep progressing through challenging economic times in a competitive market. You will find me observing, listening, and thinking critically about the challenges at hand, and leveraging my industry experiences in consumer goods and retail to support the leadership team through barriers to growth. In a second term, I look for the co-op to achieve a greater reach to more members, deeper engagement internally with employees and externally with the community, and expanded partnerships with local farmers and suppliers — ensuring Lakewinds continues to support the wellness journey of the communities we serve, just as it has done for me and my family.

Emily Reichenbach

Mom, Professional Writer, and Community Board Member

Owner since 2016

Lakewinds is my favorite place. It sounds simple, but it’s true.
I start and end nearly every week there, my four children have grown up learning about food and where it comes from, and I’ve built real friendships with the people who work there. For my family, Lakewinds isn’t just a store — it’s where we’ve learned to eat better and think differently about food.

I also bring years of nonprofit board experience across the arts, social services, and community sectors. In every role, I’ve focused on balancing financial sustainability with organizational values. I understand the importance of long-term thinking, building consensus, and making decisions that serve the broader community.

A professional writer by training, I often help groups find common ground. Listening to different perspectives of board members, identifying shared goals, and helping people feel heard is a skill I genuinely enjoy putting to use.

As a devoted Lakewinds shopper for nearly 13 years, I would be honored to serve the co-op as a board member and help strengthen the community that means so much to my family.