2024 Cooperative Stakeholder Convening
Speaker Bios
Erica Blair, Rural Grocery Initiative
Erica Blair is an Extension Specialist with K-State Research and Extension and a Program Manager for both the Rural Grocery Initiative and Kansas Healthy Food Initiative. In this role, she develops educational programming and networking opportunities for grocers, researches and elevates innovative models for sustainably operating grocery stores, and works one-on-one with communities to support the planning and operation of rural grocery stores for improved food access. Erica earned her B.F.A. in Intermedia and Certificate in Sustainability from the University of Iowa, and her M.S. in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan. Other food systems experience includes conducting research on cover crop adoption in the Midwest, working on a diverse vegetable farm, and organizing campaigns with local communities to support sustainable agriculture.
Jennifer Burgardt, McPherson County Community Foundation
Jennifer Burgardt is a passionate advocate for accessible, high-quality child care. With over 25 years of dedicated service in the early childhood education and community support sectors, Jennifer has been empowering transformative change and driving initiatives that support families and uplift communities.
When she’s not championing the cause of child care, Jennifer enjoys baking, reading, hiking, and spending quality time with her own family. She resides in Lindsborg, KS, with her husband and two children.
Rial Carver, Rural Grocery Initiative
Rial Carver is a Rural Grocery Extension Specialist with K-State Research and Extension. Rial earned her Master of Regional and Community Planning from Kansas State University in 2019. Prior to moving to Kansas, Rial worked as the Sustainability Coordinator at Virginia Tech Dining Services where she increased local food sourcing, implemented composting initiatives, and initiated a reusable to-go container program. She received a B.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning with a minor in Civic Agriculture and Food Systems from Virginia Tech. Rial and her husband enjoy exploring the great outdoors with their pup, Cora, and gardening at the Manhattan Community Gardens. Rial has worked with the RGI team in various capacities since 2017.
Betsy Davis, McPherson County Community Foundation
“You can never go wrong by investing in your community.”
Davis’ s previous experience comes primarily from her work in local libraries. She graduated with a Master of Library and Information Science from Emporia State University. Her most recent experience was as the Library Director for the Moundridge Public Library from 2018 through 2022. Davis joined the McPherson County Community Foundation in August of 2022.
Teresa Kelly, Kansas Rural Center
Teresa is a recent transplant to south central Kansas having spent 20+ years in the Kansas City metro area. She is currently Value Chain Coordinator for the Kansas Rural Center. She draws from her experience in food policy, community organizing, farm business, and producer in her roles as elected official, community coalitions and board roles acting as a cross pollinator, bringing food system issues and policy into the conversations at every opportunity.
Prior to her role at KRC, she served as the Director of Operations for the Kansas City Food Hub, a farmer owned, farmer run cooperative. She developed and implemented processes and systems supporting the movement of local food from farm to fork as part of a strong community-based food value chain.
She is inspired to action by Margaret Mead’s quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world…”
Chuck Laughlin, K-State Research and Extension
Chuck Laughlin, with K-State Research & Extension is the Family & Community Wellness and Community Vitality Agent for McPherson County. Prior to working in Kansas, Chuck was the Executive Director for a non-profit Public Improvement District in Dallas, Texas, working in high crime and low resources areas to stabilize and grow the communities. Chuck brings years of experience in community development and engagement to McPherson County where he has served as the County Extension Agent for two and a half years. Chuck is also a member of the K-State Research & Extension Facilitation team.
Nick Levendofsky, Kansas Farmers Union
Nick currently serves as the executive director for Kansas Farmers Union, a position he has held since June 2022. Nick previously served as the government relations director for Wisconsin Farmers Union from 2020-2022, director of external affairs for Rocky Mountain Farmers Union from 2018- 2020, government relations associate for Wisconsin Farmers Union from 2016-2018, and as special projects coordinator for Kansas Farmers Union from 2011-2015. He grew up on a family farm in north central Kansas where his family still raises wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans and alfalfa, as well as cattle. Nick serves on the boards of the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, Smoky Hills PBS, North Central Kansas Healthcare Foundation, Republic County Historical Society, and is a member of the Scandia, Kansas Lions Club.
Margaret Lund, Co-opera Co.
Margaret Lund is an independent consultant specializing in the areas of community development finance and shared ownership strategies. Throughout her 30-year career, Margaret has worked with enterprises in every major cooperative sector including credit unions, consumer co-ops, housing co-ops, worker co-ops, healthcare, agriculture and small business cooperatives. Prior to launching her consulting practice in 2008, Ms. Lund spent 16 years as a small business lender to cooperatives.
Ms. Lund is a past member of the board of the U.S. National Cooperative Business Association where she chaired both the Cooperative Development and International Development committees as well as a national task force on cooperative capital formation. She also served three terms on the board of Health Partners the largest consumer-governed healthcare organization in the United States and a leader in healthcare quality measures. Currently, she serves as a trustee overseeing the Cooperative Charitable Trust, a catalyst for research and innovation in worker ownership. Ms. Lund is the author of numerous practical publications including “Solidarity as a Business Model: A Multi-stakeholder Cooperative Model.”
Brandi Miller, Kansas Cooperative Council
Brandi Miller is the President and CEO of Kansas Cooperative Council where she develops educational programming, advocates for and promotes the cooperative industry. The Council is the statewide trade association representing all forms of cooperative businesses – agricultural, financial, utility and consumer cooperatives. She will be transitioning to the CEO of Tritica Biosciences full-time in early 2025, where she will oversee the operational requirements of the business.
Brandi joined the Council in April of 2018 and is passionate about professional development and education. Prior to joining the Co-op Council, Brandi served as the Associate Director of the IGP Institute at Kansas State University. The Institute’s mission was to provide education to increase market preference of U.S. grains and oilseeds. She worked closely with industry to develop and deliver a credentialing distance education program focused on grain safety, storage, and processing. She also has operations experience, having worked for five years for Quaker Oats, in several capacities including operations manager and SAP implementation leader.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Bakery Science and Management from Kansas State University as well as a master’s degree in Adult, Occupational and Continuing Education. Brandi lives with her husband and two teenagers in Wamego, Kansas.
Brandy Willett, Kansas Small Business Development Center at Wichita State Univesity
Brandy Willett is a dedicated advocate for small businesses in Kansas. As the Regional Director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Wichita State University, she is committed to providing individualized support and guidance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. With a deep-rooted passion for fostering economic growth and community development, Willett brings a wealth of experience to her role. She has been actively involved in Wichita's entrepreneurial ecosystem since 2016, volunteering with organizations like 1 Million Cups and Designation Innovation.