Richard is a retired geneticist and has been involved with co-ops since the early 1970s, except for a couple of decades living overseas. Much has changed in that time, but the mission remains. He is excited to see how the cooperative movement adapts to the challenges ahead and attracts the young people we need to perpetuate the movement.  

Lauren has been a long-time supporter of the Neighborhood Co-op, initially drawn to its local focus and strong sense of community. Over the years, her passion for the cooperative model and its values has deepened, leading to the role on the Board of Directors. She loves to serve both owners and the broader community. 

Quianya is from the inner city of Chicago. She’s a Doctoral student in Higher Education and Administration. Her career goal is to make an impact in various inner city communities by introducing entrepreneurship. Her focus and master’s degree is in workforce education and development.   

Amy Etcheson has been a Carbondale resident and Co-op member for nearly 20 years. As director of Southern Illinois University Press, Amy is proud to help develop books that promote the history and culture of our beautiful region. A bibliophile, foodie, and health enthusiast, Amy enjoys many outdoor activities, reading, and cooking nutritious meals for her family.

The parts of the Coop’s mission I am most passionate about are cultivating community and promoting health of the earth. Much of my work with a conservation non-profit is place-based and includes engaging people to help connect them to the natural resources found where they live. I feel that efforts to connect people, places and their food can help create a sense of community that makes these systems more resilient.

I currently serve my community in a few different ways. I serve as an adjunct faculty at SIU’s School of Earth Systems and Sustainability where I help mentor graduate students. I have served the Carbondale community by my occasional volunteer work on projects with Green Earth at their preserves. I serve my neighbors as a member of my HOA Board where I help make collective decisions and pitch in with different projects to keep our neighborhood a nice place to live now and in the future. I have worked in conservation and sustainable agriculture for over 15 years. I have assisted efforts to engage communities to develop conservation plans, track the impacts and outcomes of different food systems, and understand the ecosystem services that are related to these systems, which I can help incorporate into the Coop’s activities. Most of my work has been related to the wildlife conservation and the production aspects of food systems but I am very interested in increasing my understanding and engagement in the consumer side of these systems.

What draws me most to the Co-op’s mission is its heart for community, creating a space where people are seen, supported, and connected through nourishment, local growth, and shared purpose. I believe food and wellness are sacred forms of care, and when we strengthen access to them, we strengthen families and the future of our neighborhoods.

Service has always been at the core of my work. As the Housing Director of the Daffodil House, I support formerly incarcerated women as they rebuild their lives, find stability, and reconnect with community. Through my personal business, 10 Moons N More LLC, I provide holistic wellness, doula support, and herbal healing to families in Southern Illinois. Both roles allow me to meet people where they are and remind them that they are worthy of dignity, opportunity, and care.

I bring to the board a background in holistic health, small business development, trauma-informed leadership, and community outreach. My experience blending structure with compassion helps me listen deeply, build bridges, and think creatively about solutions that honor both people and process. To me, serving on the board is an extension of the same values that guide my daily work, collaboration, shared responsibility, and vision rooted in love for community. I see the Co-op as a living example of how we can grow together, and I’d be honored to contribute to that continued growth.

Erika has enjoyed shopping at the Co-op for twenty years, and works in administration at Shawnee Health Service. Her college housemates nicknamed her "Miss Produce" and let her do all the fruit and vegetable shopping for them.

This is my third term on the Board, including one term in which I served as Treasurer. The various upheavals of the last six years have made it more clear than ever how vital it is to have a robust local food system, and I am passionate about supporting the co-op’s relationships with local producers. 

The annual total value of our local purchases continues to increase each year. The co-op is a hub for our community in other ways, too, from our welcoming community room to our support for local nonprofits, and I hope we can continue to deepen those community connections.

Lisa had the privilege of working with Neighborhood Co-op Grocery for 14 years, starting as Event Coordinator, where she organized community events like the Organic Harvest Picnic and the Nutrition 5K. Over time, she became Marketing Manager as the store transitioned to its current location and quadrupled in size. Later as Brand Development Manager, she led a small team responsible for outreach, advertising, events, store signage and design. Lisa has a deep love for the Co-op and the community it serves. Having stepped away from her position 8 years ago, she now brings a unique perspectve as both a longtime shopper and former employee. 

Susan has more than 40 years of banking experience and boards experience including with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, YMCA and Concord Bank, which gives her a strong background in governance and community leadership. A longtime advocate for healthy living and local food systems, she’s a dedicated supporter of the co-op’s mission and excited to help guide its continued growth.