Board Function & Responsibility
In accordance with the cooperative principles, Mississippi Market is run by democratic member control. The board carries out this responsibility by establishing broad policy guidelines, recommending updates to our Articles and Bylaws — the legal documents that define and guide the co-op — and monitoring the performance of our general manager. The general manager’s function is to implement the policies established by the board and carry out day-to-day operations.
The Mississippi Market board of directors is a policy governance board. Co-op board members have the same duties as directors of any business. The unique identity of our cooperative also means that the board must act on behalf of our member-owners. The board does not engage in operational decisions at the store level but is legally responsible for the overall direction and performance of the co-op.
Serve on Your Board
One of the perks of co-op membership is applying to run for an open board seat. Each October, co-op member-owners elect new board members for three-year terms. This is an exciting opportunity to serve your community and lead your co-op in shaping our collective future. Learn more by submitting a board interest request, and we’ll get back to you with additional details.
Mississippi Market Co-op Board Members
Mississippi Market’s board of directors consists of seven to nine elected member-owners, chosen and elected by the membership-at-large, who are legally responsible for the overall direction and performance of the co-op.
Tamara Downs Schwei
DEI Committee Member
Term: 2022-2023
Tamara holds a B.A. in Spanish and Communications and a Master of Public Policy in Sustainable Community Development and Women’s Policy. She works as a project manager at GREATER MSP.
Amy Hang
DEI Committee Chair
Term: 2021-2024
Amy holds a B.A. in Government and J.D. She currently works in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office as an associate attorney.
Taylor Mitsch
Recruitment Committee Member
Term: 2022-2023
Taylor holds a B.A. in Spanish and Global Studies and a Masters of Social Work. She currently works for the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System as a social worker.
Noel Nix
Finance Committee Member
Term: 2020-2023
Noel holds a B.S. in Marketing and Master of Urban and Regional Planning, and currently works in the St. Paul Mayor’s office as an adviser on community-informed economic and infrastructure development.
Jon Olson
Secretary, Recruitment Committee Member
Term: 2022-2025
Jon holds a B.A. in Organizational Leadership. He works for Anoka Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College as a director of training.
Molly Phipps
President, Development Committee Member
Term: 2021-2024
Molly has a Ph.D. in Free-Choice Learning, Science Education and Oceanography and is the executive director of the West Side Farmers Market.
Daniel Ramos Haaz
Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
Term: 2020-2023
Daniel holds an M.S. in Computing Science and an MBA and works as the controller for National Co-op Grocers.
Devona Wells
Vice President, Development Committee Member
Term: 2021-2023
Devona holds a B.A. in Communications and J.D. She currently works as an assistant county attorney for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Sophia Yohannes-Smadi
DEI Committee Member
Term: 2022-2025
Sophia holds a B.S. in Sociology. Since 2001 she’s held various roles at food co-ops in Minnesota and North Dakota, including seven years at Mississippi Market. Sophia currently works on the Human Resources and Operations team for the Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation at the University of Minnesota.