Yancy Dominick
Home Store: Seattle

Candidate Statement:

My Family have been members of Central Co-op for 15 years, and I’ve loved coming to the co-op at least once a week ever since we joined. I appreciate the friendly atmosphere, the lifting up of local farms and indie producers, and the focus on responsible and sustainable products. There’s nothing like learning about the specific rivers where the salmon come from when I talk to the people at the fish counter, or getting cooking advice from a cashier at checkout to make me feel like a part of a community.

My biggest hope for the co-op is to maintain that commitment to relationships and community. The way that it feels at the co-op – the welcoming environment, the sense of being part of a group trying to do the right thing – is special. I would love to use my 19 years of experience as a teacher and leader at Seattle University to invite members into more opportunities to deepen relationships.

I’ve served as President of the Stevens Elementary PTA, and I’m currently the faculty representative on a Board of Trustees committee at Seattle U. I have also organized multiple philosophy conferences at Seattle U, and I currently serve as Associate Director of our Center for Jesuit Education, where I organize multiple programs for faculty and staff throughout the year. Those roles have given me experience finding ways to bring diverse groups into open conversations around shared values, and I look forward to the chance to bring that background to Central Co-op’s board.

Charles Samiljan
Home Store: Tacoma

Candidate Statement:

I’ve been a dedicated Central Co-op member-owner for nearly five years, shopping two to three times a week for the produce and meat that form the foundation of my family’s meals and my professional work. As a culinary instructor with over 20 years of experience in kitchens, catering, and community food education, I have a deep appreciation for what Central Co-op provides — access to high-quality, locally sourced food that supports both our health and our local food economy. I believe strongly that eating locally is one of the greenest and healthiest choices we can make. Central Co-op already embodies this value, and I want to help strengthen and expand that mission from a governance level.

My vision for serving on the Board centers on education. Throughout my career — from managing kitchens and leading teams to designing hands-on cooking programs for youth, adults, and families — I’ve seen how food education builds community, confidence, and healthier habits. I’d love to help Central Co-op grow its role as a hub for food literacy, whether through cooking classes, nutrition workshops, or partnerships with local schools and organizations. Beyond education, I bring practical leadership experience: managing staff, planning events, developing programs, and building community engagement from the ground up — including founding a charity sports league that raised funds for nonprofits.

I live and raise my family in this neighborhood. Central Co-op is part of our daily life, and I’m ready to give back by helping guide its future.

Vote for Your Consumer-Member Board Trustee

Scout Anderson
Works in: Seattle

Candidate Statement:

Hello fellow member-owners,

My name is Scout, and I am running for the Central Co-op Board of Trustees. Many of you may already know me as your cashier that takes an unusual amount of pride in expertly bagging your groceries. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and ask for your consideration in this election.

I currently work at Central Co-op as a Store Support Coordinator, and before joining this team I worked at The Port Townsend Co-op from 2020 to 2024. Having long-term experience at two different stores (one rural, and one urban) has given me a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges that co-ops face, as well as the values that make them such important establishments in our communities.

Having worker perspectives represented on the Board is imperative to understanding the business as a whole. Strong governance depends on hearing from people with different experiences and viewpoints, and I would be proud to contribute that perspective. In fact, the word nuance is literally tattooed across my fingers. It serves as my reminder that complex issues deserve thoughtful consideration, different opinions hold value, and that the best decisions often come from listening mindfully before acting. I am committed to ensuring that all of the voices within our community are heard as we continue building a strong, resilient, and values-driven co-op together.

Thank you for your trust and consideration. I would be honored to receive your vote!

Vote for Your Worker-Member Board Trustee

Tim Callahan
Incumbent, Home Store: Seattle

Candidate Statement:

I am excited about the possibility of continuing to serve on the Nominating Committee of the Central Co-op Board of Trustees, as I believe strongly in the Solidarity Co-op model and have been an active member of Central Co-op for over 25 years.

In addition, as a former worker-owner at Central Co-op from 2019-22, I know from experience how important the co-op is to our members. I am thoroughly committed to supporting the availability of healthy food in our community and I am so pleased to see that the co-op is recovering from the difficult challenges of the past few years. I believe that my experience working at Central Co-op, as well as working at and managing other natural food stores, will help me to contribute to the functioning of the Board of Trustees.

I welcome the opportunity to continue on as a consumer-owner member on the Nominating Committee.

Vote for Your Consumer Nom-Com Member

Sam Mandry
Incumbent, Home Store: Seattle

Candidate Statement:

My name is Sam Mandry and I would like to continue my candidacy for the Nominating Committee of Central Co-op's Board of Trustees. I came to the Co-op in 2022 after 7 years of grocery experience at multiple stores.  When I joined as an SSC, the Co-op was in a state of transition.  At the time, the Co-op was unable to help serve our customers and community to its full potential.  In 2023, we not only saw a leadership change, but a complete culture shift at Central Coop.  I saw firsthand how the store was able to improve sales and grow by putting the needs of workers first, and listening to the concerns of customers and members.

During my time at the Co-op, I have helped improve our store’s Front End Experience both for customers, members, and workers.  I worked with several community organizations to overhaul our food donation program.  I have worked with the front end team to increase membership engagement.  And, I continue to support the front end team in growing their product knowledge, and fine tune our procedures.

I would like to continue to support the Co-op by joining the Nominating Committee with the Board of Trustees.  I want to do my part in helping make sure the Co-op continues to put the best folks forward to ensure it continues for our members and our workers.  As someone who is on the salesfloor and at the register – I understand both what members and customers are looking for, as well as what workers need to have a safe and supportive work environment.  I hope you are willing to vote for me to stay on the Nominating Committee.

Vote for Your Worker Nom-Com Member