Richard Diaz

Policy Advocacy

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

I have been an Outpost fan since I started shopping at the store in 2012. In 2018, I finally became an owner and started making Outpost my number one grocery store to shop at. I am interested in becoming a board member to take my allegiance to the next level and support the co-op’s longevity, strategic direction, and execution of deliverance to owners.

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

I have close to twenty years of community organizing experience campaigning for betterment of people everywhere. Years of campaigning for social change comes along with being able to strategically plan for the future and identify key performance indicators that help to track progress and measure the impact of success. My strategic planning skills within organized labor, neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, and electoral politics would make me an incredible asset to the Board of Directors at Outpost.

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

I would contribute to the diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) of the board by being a voice that advocates for DEI practices and culture norms to be reflected in how the board makes decisions.

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

My experience working with community based organizations has shaped my understanding of what it means to organize for change. When I first began to frequently shop at Outpost multiple times a week it was because I worked at Pathfinders just a few blocks away from the Capitol Drive store. At Pathfinders, I served as an AmeriCorp volunteer and got the opportunity to work with at-risk youth. We would sometimes bring youth to the store to shop and reached out to Outpost to have a presence at job fairs that were organized.