Rebecca Guralnick: INCUMBENT

Retired (chef and lawyer), current professional volunteer

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

I am running for re-election as a longtime Outpost owner and current board member completing my first three-year term. I believe deeply in building a healthy, sustainable, and inclusive community and in ensuring access to nutritious food for all.

With decades of experience as a professional chef, my career has centered on connecting people to good food and empowering them to cook and eat well. Serving on the board has allowed me to apply that passion at a strategic level in support of Outpost’s mission. Having served in multiple board and leadership roles over the past three years, I understand the responsibilities, collaboration, and accountability this role requires. I am eager to continue contributing my skills and institutional knowledge to help Outpost and its owners thrive.

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

I bring a strong combination of legal, business, governance, and food systems expertise. With a law degree and extensive board experience, I understand fiduciary responsibility, compliance, and effective governance. During my time on the Outpost Board, I have participated in ongoing board education that strengthens our shared understanding of policy governance and the board’s role in supporting the CEO and our mission and ends.

As a business owner, I managed operations, marketing, budgeting, and community partnerships, developing a practical understanding of organizational complexity and scale. I am a clear communicator, strategic thinker, and collaborative team member. In addition to technical skills, I bring curiosity, patience, and a deep commitment to supporting a strong board–CEO relationship in service of Outpost’s mission and to the owners.

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

As a current board member, I am deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in board culture, governance, and outreach. I was raised and legally trained in a multicultural environment grounded in human rights and respect for difference, and my decades of community involvement in Milwaukee have strengthened my understanding of systemic inequities and the need for intentional action.

I believe that diversity strengthens organizations by helping them better reflect and serve their communities. Inclusive leadership ensures that all voices are heard, respected, and valued. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for equitable board practices, thoughtful policy development, and inclusive decision-making processes that foster belonging and meaningful participation for fellow directors, staff, and owners.

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

I have served on the Outpost Board for nearly three years and as Vice President for the past two. Through my role on the Executive Committee, I have deepened my experience as a fiduciary for the owners, providing governance, strategic oversight, and accountability for the cooperative’s business. Beyond Outpost, I have been actively involved in other Milwaukee community organizations through leadership, fundraising, and hands-on service. This includes serving on grant review and allocation committees, coordinating engagement initiatives, and volunteering with food pantries and soup kitchens. My culinary career has further supported this work through teaching cooking classes, leading teambuilding workshops, running a farm-share program, and preparing meals for homebound seniors. Community service is central to my life, and I am eager to continue advancing Outpost’s mission and impact.