Vanessa Perry
Board President
Term Ends 2026
Vanessa Perry
I have a passion for creating sustainable and resilient communities, and love the ability of food to bring people together. I am so pleased to be able to serve our community as a Bluff Country Co-op Board member!
I have worked in natural resource management for nearly 25 years, with a particular focus on supporting individuals and communities as they navigate challenging resource issues, including water management and climate change impacts. I have a background in facilitation, strategic planning, supported decision-making, and project management.
I have been an employee and volunteer at Twin Cities Co-ops, and for a time in college I worked on a small family farm and ran a farmers’ market stand on behalf of an Amish family that I was close to. This direct experience in the food system positions me to better understand the day-to-day functions of the co-op and farmer relationships.
I look forward to connecting with members and building a stronger tie between the Coop and local community.
Dr. Christopher Phan
Board Vice President
Term Ends 2027
Christopher Phan
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Chris completed a Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Oregon and then spent a few years as an academic nomad, living in Chicago, Glasgow, and central Pennsylvania before moving to Winona in 2012. He spent his first six years in Winona as a mathematics professor and the next six years as a stay-at-home dad; he found the latter position to be the substantially harder one. Recently, he has rejoined the world of paid employment as a part-time math teacher. He has two children, Max (age 11) and Emmy (age 6). Chris’s hobbies include computer programming and trying to learn Vietnamese (his father’s native tongue). Chris believes that co-operatives such as the Bluff Country Co-op provide a much-needed alternative to large corporations that mainly serve to concentrate wealth in the hands of a few.
Ann Prochowicz
Board Secretary
Term Ends 2027
Ann Prochowicz
Ann Prochowicz lives in her hometown of Trempealeau, Wisconsin, but comes to Winona often for shopping and socializing. Starting her second term on the board, she enjoys working with this diverse group of individuals coming together to help the co-op succeed in its various missions. Retired from a 35-year career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Ann is an avid fiber artist, baker, and gardener; and enjoys biking, hiking, and swimming. Her current cat kids, George and Gracie, are a constant source of amusement.
Jennifer Monsos
Board Treasurer
Term Ends 2027
Jennifer Monsos
Stacey Huber
Board Member
Term Ends 2026
Stacey Huber
I believe serving on the Bluff Country Co-op Board of Directors would allow me to contribute my expertise and passion for promoting sustainable, community-driven agriculture and local businesses. I’m dedicated to helping the co-op achieve its mission and support our community’s needs.
I bring a diverse range of volunteer experience and expertise to the Bluff Country Co-op Board of Directors. My background in accounting equips me with financial acumen, ensuring responsible management of the co-op’s resources. Additionally, my e-commerce expertise can help the co-op adapt to modern market trends and enhance its online presence. Furthermore, my previous role as the President of the PTA at Bluff View Montessori has honed my leadership and organizational skills, providing me with valuable experience in fostering community engagement and cooperation. I’m excited to leverage these experiences to benefit the co-op and its members.
My experience working collaboratively is well-demonstrated through my roles in various organizations. As the President of the PTA at Bluff View Montessori, I’ve successfully collaborated with parents, teachers, and administrators to organize events, address concerns, and improve the school community. This experience highlights my ability to lead and work closely with diverse groups of people. Furthermore, in my professional life, my background in accounting has required me to collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure financial transparency and efficiency. Combining this with my e-commerce expertise, I’ve engaged in collaborative efforts to develop and implement strategies for business growth. These experiences have honed my ability to work effectively with others, and I’m eager to apply these collaborative skills to the Bluff Country Co-op Board of Directors to advance our shared goals.
In addition to my financial, e-commerce, and leadership experiences, my deep commitment to sustainability and community development drives my desire to be on the board. I have actively volunteered for local initiatives, underscoring my dedication to creating a more sustainable and interconnected community. My passion for these values is not only a professional pursuit but a personal one, and I’m motivated to help the Bluff Country Co-op further its mission of promoting sustainable practices and nurturing a thriving, close-knit community. Being on the board would allow me to turn this passion into meaningful action and be a catalyst for positive change.
Violet Yoon
Board Member
Term Ends 2026
Violet Yoon
I’m an assistant professor at Winona State University. I’m new to this community and looking for opportunities to engage in the Winona community. Bluff Country Co-op has had positive impacts on the Winona area by providing quality products and facilitating a sense of community.
I’m a professor of Recreation and Tourism at WSU. I’m teaching how recreation and tourism programs can contribute to local community development and how to maximize this contribution. My expertise in this area can give the board insights into owner outreach program development. Besides, my research interest is destination marketing. My background in marketing can contribute to the Co-op’s strategic development.
I have lots of group work experience. Most of my research was done in a team. I have 4 administrative service experiences and 4 volunteer experiences for the community, and I have worked at about 10 different companies. All the teamwork experiences were great. It was a good chance for me to learn about human diversity, and it was always rewarding when we achieved the goal together.
I have various industry experiences as well. These include retail stores, movie theaters, wedding venues, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and restaurants. This suggests that I have a sense of how business works in reality. These backgrounds will help me learn quickly about the Co-op operation.
Nikki Ciulla
Board Member
Term Ends 2026
Nikki Ciulla
I believe Bluff Country Co-op is a critical community hub in Winona, and it has been an important place for my family. During the pandemic, we *lived* on the take home family meals when my kiddo had to be out of school and both my partner and I were still working full-time. I now have two children, and both have gone to daycare just down the street from you all. We frequently take walking trips after school to pick up supplies for dinner or have a quick snack. The kids love to sit in the eating area and play with the little kitchen and other toys there. Most importantly, I put a lot of trust in the work you all do to source healthy and locally/equitably farmed food. I believe deeply in the work you are doing for this community and simply want to be a part of that.
I have served on a number of non-profit and government committees over the years and have extensive non-profit volunteer experience as well. I’m currently an assistant professor at Winona State specializing in Writing Studies and Environmental/Climate Communication. I teach writing classes for the English department and teach/serve within the Sustainability program as well. I also run an extracurricular program on campus called Climate Wayfinding for people who are looking to find a role within the climate movement. My committee experience includes serving for multiple years on two different city environment/sustainability commissions, along with dozens of committees across the six different universities I’ve worked at.
I believe my work in climate/environmental communication will have relevance to the communication and outreach you all do at the co-op to inform owners and customers about the supply chain of your offerings. Community engagement has also long been an important element of my research and teaching — I want my students to find connection and build community in the places they occupy, which we do through assignments and activities that ask them to engage civically or through community partnerships.
I’ve written essays on collaboration and teach collaboration skills to my students on a regular basis. I do collaborative research writing. Many people think of writing as a solitary act done alone in a quiet room, but writing is a social act. Communication is built on collaboration. I value others’ ideas as much as my own and believe that our work is better when we do it together.
Adam Muschler
Board Member
Term Ends 2028
Adam Muschler
I’m a long-time believer in local food networks and environmental organizing. I’ve got background as a nonprofit professional split between volunteer work as a sustainable ag organizer and an affordable housing advocate in a number of roles. I bring a clear-eyed and practical leadership style grounded in social services ethics.
I currently am a manager at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Centers housing department where I oversee 15 staff and ~70 clients across a half dozen locations. All working within the larger housing department and organization. I think serving on a board would be a great experience and career decision for me.
Krishna Roka
Board Member
Term Ends 2028
Krishna Roka
I would like to learn about the co-op’s sustainability practices and work with other members to improve its sustainability and community engagement activities. I am a team member and work well with other members. I value ‘we’ over ‘me’.
I am a Sociology faculty at Winona State University and have been in the Faculty Association executive member for the last five years. I also serve in number of committees on campus.
I am a proud union member (Inter Faculty Organization) and serve as a board representative for WSU Faculty Association at the state level. I have research and work experience of working in community organizations in Nepal.