Nicholas Lawrence

Artificial Intelligence (IT) and Real Estate

Why do you want to be on the Outpost Co-op Board of Directors?

I have been an Outpost customer for many years, and an owner more recently. Over the last few years, I have been re-orienting my life towards my core values: intentional living, community engagement, and spiritual development. Outpost is a part of that.

In a world where most grocery stores are becoming more exploitative to customers and more miserable places to shop, Outpost is countering the trend. It offers a place to buy nutritionally wholesome foods, as well as a genuine sense of community and engagement that is focused on customers and local owners, not corporate shareholders. I would like to see that ethos thrive and expand. I hope I can be part of that by becoming a board member.

What professional skills do you bring to a Board position of a $50 million business?

As well as owning a rental real estate business, I have a primary career in the business side of IT, specifically in AI. I have spent 30 years at big corporations in this space, including IBM, ServiceNow and Deloitte Consulting, working mostly with Fortune 500 customers. As part of this career, I have developed many skills relevant to understanding and managing a large business. These include: IT systems, business strategy, project management (Waterfall and Agile), leadership and mentoring, and professional sales.

Please describe how you would contribute to the diversity, equity, and inclusivity of the board.

On a personal level, my background is highly diverse. My mother was Jewish, and I had a bar mitzvah. My father is Indian and comes from a Hindu background. My partner, Laura, and I are Buddhists. My ex-wife is half-Kuwaiti, so my children are even more diverse! I just returned from taking my kids and dad to India where they became more familiar with part of their heritage.

I was born in London, England and lived in the UK until I was 30, so I am very familiar with UK and European lifestyles. I have also traveled to about 25 countries around the world, both for work and leisure.

Describe your prior involvement with community organizations and/or cooperatives.

As part of my real estate business, I am the president of two condo associations in Milwaukee. One of them is very active, with an annual budget of $285k which must be collected from members and carefully spent according to the budget for operating expenses and reserves.