Kim co-leads VOLTS with a focus on partnerships and organizational development, ensuring that our initiatives are grounded in authentic community relationships. She plays a key role in expanding opportunities and resources for our network of cooperatives. Kim is a founding member of ChiFresh Kitchen and Jumpstart Housing Cooperative, where she helped assemble and guide the founding teams. She also serves on the Board of the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives and completed the REDF Social Enterprise Accelerator Program.

Camille provides strategic and organizational leadership for VOLTS, guiding its vision to build cooperative enterprises and supportive infrastructure for formerly incarcerated women. She oversees program development, fundraising, and partnerships to strengthen Chicago’s cooperative ecosystem. Camille is a nationally recognized leader in the cooperative field, with 15 years of experience in the field. She serves on the boards of Urban Growers Collective, EG Woode, and several national cooperative organizations, and holds a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Edrinna supports the incubation of new cooperatives from concept to launch, helping members build the financial, operational, and cultural foundations for success. She is a founding member of ChiFresh Kitchen, where she leads finances and bookkeeping, and manages the production team. She is also a founding member and board president of Jumpstart Housing Cooperative. Her experience managing cooperative operations and mentoring new worker-owners brings both structure and care to the incubation process.

Peter supports the incubation of new cooperatives, specializing in financial planning, financial management, and democratic governance. He brings more than 12 years of experience in cooperative development and previously served as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance. Before moving over to VOLTS, Peter worked with Upside Down Consulting since 2019, where he provided strategic and financial guidance to ChiFresh Kitchen, Jumpstart Housing Cooperative, and the entire network of co-ops.

Nyah supports the incubation of emerging cooperatives, coordinating training, technical assistance, and team development. She also co-leads the organization’s real estate development work. A lifelong South Side Chicagoan, Nyah has spent more than a decade advancing cultural education, community nourishment, and social justice, blending her culinary expertise with a deep commitment to youth and neighborhood revitalization. She is a founding member of Jumpstart Housing Cooperative, and advised ChiFresh Kitchen as an industry expert early on during its development.

Renee is building the back-office supports that help the VOLTS network of cooperatives thrive, overseeing the finance, IT, admin, and compliance committees. As a founding member of ChiFresh Kitchen, she oversees purchasing, receiving, and food preparation, drawing on over a decade of experience in professional kitchens to ensure operational excellence and quality control.

Amanda co-designs and develops operational systems for the cooperative ecosystem. They have a background in education, operations, and data management. They previously worked as an Inclusion Teacher and Administrative Assistant for the Bayonne Board of Education, where they supported student learning, program evaluation, and data-driven decision-making. They now apply their skills to support the growth and development of worker and housing cooperatives by building systems and infrastructure.

LaCreshia leads VOLTS’ member support programs, connecting cooperative members to financial assistance, mental health supports, and community resources. A lifelong Chicagoan and experienced organizer, she has led successful campaigns for police accountability and for Juneteenth to become an official city holiday. LaCreshia’s work bridges community wellness, healing justice, and cooperative development, ensuring that care remains central to the work.

Eric builds systems and processes that keep the organization’s work running smoothly. With a decade of experience across the public sector, federal agencies, and value-based healthcare—including projects with the City of Chicago and the U.S. Department of Commerce—he brings a practical approach to improving processes and operations. Eric holds an MS in Social Justice from Lewis University and an MA in Public Administration from Northwestern University. Originally from California, he has called Illinois home for most of his career.

Mike leads culture and conflict work across the VOLTS ecosystem, supporting cooperatives to develop the policies and practices that sustain strong cooperative culture. He works with teams to build governance systems, shared agreements, and conflict practices that strengthen collaboration and accountability.

Mike is a community strategist and solidarity economy organizer deeply involved in Chicago’s cooperative ecosystem. He founded the Kola Nut Collaborative, Chicago’s only timebank, and has supported numerous cooperative and mutual aid initiatives through facilitation, governance design, and movement education.

Joseph leads business development for VOLTS, supporting the network of worker cooperatives to grow sustainable revenue and expand market opportunities. He works with cooperative leaders to strengthen sales strategies, develop partnerships, and build long-term financial stability across the ecosystem.

Joseph previously served as Chief Coordinating Officer at the Obran Cooperative, the first worker-owned conglomerate, where he helped launch and support new worker-directed enterprises. He is a serial entrepreneur and founding member of Core Staffing, Bmore Black Techies, and Tribe Works.