Meet Your Board Candidates
2025/2026 Board of Directors Election
Carissa Elmstrand, Incumbent Owner for 7 Years
Learn More About Carissa Here
What is your personal vision for the future of our co-op?
It’s difficult as a board member to think past the current expansion project, since this has been on the forefront of my mind. With the larger store, I’m excited to see what new products we will be able to bring in and new relationships we will be able to build with our local growers and producers. With the addition of a meeting space, I’m passionate about bringing classes back to the co-op for our owners. As board members, we help design the vision of what the future of the co-op looks like. I look forward to continue contributing to the success of our co-op.
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for City Center Market?
I love our co-op and everything it represents in our community, I enjoy contributing to that in a meaningful way. I’ve learned and appreciated so much from my last six years serving on the board of directors and I still have so much more I want to contribute.
Please list your educational background and/or any special accomplishments.
Graduated from Bethel University with degrees in Environmental Studies and Third World Studies.
What life experiences & strengths do you have that you believe will help to enhance and broaden your co-op and Board of Directors?
I’ve served as a City Center Market board member for the past six years and as Board President for the past three years. In my years on the board, I’ve built connections and utilized resources to help me grow as a board member. Prior to moving to North Branch, I worked at the food co-op in Duluth. This experience gave me insight into how co-ops run and can serve their community, both from an employee and customer point of view.
Steve Jorgenson, Owner for 13 Years
Learn More About Steve Here
What is your personal vision for the future of our co-op?
City Center Market will be a positive influence in the region; educating customers about healthy food and lifestyles; collaborating with other mission-oriented local businesses; modeling good business behaviors with ethical economic, cultural, charitable, and environmental practices; living out the Co-op’s values in our actions.
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for City Center Market?
Believing strongly that food systems play a big part in a healthy society, and that Food Co-ops are currently one of the most effective influencers, I want to do everything I can to help my local Co-op continue on its successful path.
Please list your educational background and/or any special accomplishments.
I only possess a High School diploma, although it’s from one of the most prestigious private schools in the country – Phillips Exeter. While there I spent my Junior year abroad in Spain, becoming fluent in Spanish and developing a better understanding of the world from a different perspective. I graduated one semester early in an accelerated program offered to students who could meet all requirements for graduation early. I graduated Cum Laude. I studied one semester at Macalester College, then left school to begin working. I never felt the need to return for a degree, as I quickly was offered management positions and enjoyed learning many new skills on the job. I also found many ways to educate myself while on the job, with reading, mentors, professional associations, conference, classes, etc.
What life experiences & strengths do you have that you believe will help to enhance and broaden your co-op and Board of Directors?
I have been interested in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for many years, and have maintained a membership with Land Stewardship Project. I also worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service before I joined City Center Market. Lastly I have worked at City Center Market for 5-1/2 years as the Grocery Manager, and, naturally, have an intimate knowledge of the inner workings, strengths and opportunities at th Co-op.
Optional Question: Is there anything else you would like to share? Or tell us a little bit about yourself!
I love Co-ops, and am members of three. I love retail, having started my career there and returned to it as my last full-time employment before retirement, wanting my last job to be something that would make a difference in the world. I am now semi-retired, with time to continue to contribute positively.
Michelle Pevic, Owner for 1 Years
Learn More About Michelle Here
What is your personal vision for the future of our co-op?
I look forward to the co-op expanding and providing a greater selection of healthier items to our community. The co-op café has always been a welcoming space, and I’m excited to watch it grow, providing an even better place for our community members to build connections. Ultimately, I’d love to see the co-op be known as THE destination hot-spot of Cambridge; whether the café starts holding open mic nights, or out-of-towners must make their pit stop for healthy and affordable food on the way up to their cabins, the co-op draws everyone in.
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for City Center Market?
I’m relatively new to the area and the co-op is my favorite place to shop in Cambridge! I have a personal passion for health, food, and nutrition and I’m looking to be a bigger part of the community, so the co-op seems fitting. I aim to support the growth of the co-op and the community that surrounds it.
Please list your educational background and/or any special accomplishments.
I have a degree in Biology from UMD and a certification in Data Analytics. Since graduating college, I’ve worked in several different industries, beginning in health and safety, making my way into health and wellbeing. One of my biggest accomplishments in the workplace was helping to establish the acceptance of SNAP benefits at the Cambridge Farmers Market, increasing healthy food access to more of our community, while working for Isanti County Public Health.
What life experiences & strengths do you have that you believe will help to enhance and broaden your co-op and Board of Directors?
In my day job, I work as a senior account manager for a wellness tech company. I manage a book of business worth $250,000/year, creating wellness programing for over 10,000 participants. I analyze participant data to make recommendations for wellness programming, and strategize marketing, communications, and website/app tools to increase participation in wellness programming. I also serve as a product stakeholder; evaluating and providing input on the development and rollout of new products and enhancements. I run seven monthly meetings, providing constant updates to clients, and responding to their feedback. I believe much of what I do on a daily basis are transferrable skills, and could be useful to some of the roles and duties of being a board member.
Optional Question: Is there anything else you would like to share? Or tell us a little bit about yourself!
I have a wonderful partner of five years together and we share a 5 lb Pomeranian named Lola, and she’s our whole world! I have several hobbies which include running, kayaking, cooking, reading, and listening to live music. I’ve lived in Cambridge for four years, where I’m very happy, but looking to meet more people and put forth more effort to help build my community.
Joanne Kneller Spence, Incumbent Owner for 19 Years
Learn More About Joanne Here
What is your personal vision for the future of our co-op?
I’d like to see City Center Market continue to expand its variety and local sources of products. I hope to see it continue to grow in it’s presence in the community.
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Directors for City Center Market?
I have served on the Board the previous 4 years and I have learned a lot and I have enjoyed being a part of something that benefits not just our community as a whole but also as individuals.
Please list your educational background and/or any special accomplishments.
I have a Bachelor of Arts; my major was Sociology and my minor was Music. Since my previous term on the City Center Market Board I have continued to volunteer with the local school district and the Angel Tree, as well as work as a PCA. The past 3 years on the Board I have served as the Board Secretary and participated in the Community Engagement Committee.
What life experiences & strengths do you have that you believe will help to enhance and broaden your co-op and Board of Directors?
I enjoy reaching out and connecting with others. I have been committed to attending Board meetings and representing the Co-Op at community events such as Third Thursday, the Farmers Market, the ARC gala, and being an active member of the Capital Campaign.