Ruffin Slater, General Manager
Ruffin is a founder of Weaver Street Market and has been General Manager since it opened in 1988. Before that he was the manager of the Durham Food Co-op and a director of the Mountain Warehouse, a co-op warehouse in Durham. Ruffin is board member of the National Co-op Grocers Association. He lives in the Arcadia, a co-housing community in Carrboro.
Nazmin Alani, Treasurer
Nazmin is a newly elected Board member as a consumer owner. Until December 2019, he was a Partner with a Venture Capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies along with other venture capital firms. On the personal side, he has been involved with a number of community organizations including Greensboro Day Care, Toastmasters, Children’s Hospital (CHEO), and Help Lesotho, a non-profit organization with a vision to promote gender equity in an HIV/AIDS-free Lesotho. In his spare time, Nazmin enjoys hiking, biking, and traveling. His favorite activity is snorkeling.
Deborah Gibbs, Secretary
Deborah is a consumer owner since 1988 whose Board term began in 2022. She worked for many years as a social science researcher focused on violence against women and children, and she has volunteered as a court-appointed advocate for children in foster care. Deborah is actively involved in activities of the Pacifica cohousing community and the Chapel Hill Friends Meeting. She also volunteers for Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Paws, which trains service dogs for people with medical and mobility issues. Deborah is an avid cook, gardener, and cyclist, and a huge fan of the Seattle Apple Cake.
Allanah Hines, Chair
Allanah is a worker-owner that served behind the Carrboro pastry counter for nine years before transitioning to her current Food House position as the data coordinator. The combination of these roles has given her dual perspective, allowing for bridging of store customer service and the inner processes of Weaver Street Market. She elevates this with her new role as one of the four founding members of the E.Q.U.I.T.Y. Alliance, formed on a mission of increasing diversity and inclusion within the company.
EmJ Jakubowics
EmJ is a worker owner who started at Weaver Street in 2018 at the cheese counter in Carrboro. They helped open the Raleigh location in 2019 as the Cheese Specialist. They have been working in the cheese industry for 9 years and are passionate about all things dairy, fermented, and funky. In their spare time, they like to hike with their dog Rennet, camp and travel.
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Linda Stier
Linda is a consumer owner since 1988. She served as an elected Director and now serves as an appointed Director, Board Chair, and Board Liaison to the Elections Committee. She teaches and consults in distinguishing governance that effects organizations and communities fulfilling on why they exist.
Anna Cates Williams
Anna is a consumer-owner since 2016 and was appointed as a Board member in 2021. In 2020 she co-founded Cedar Grove Law, a law firm focused on serving farmers, artisans, land owners and land users who are passionate about “do good” food and sustainable agriculture. In addition to serving farmers and farm-facing businesses, Anna coaches law firms and lawyers on finding joy and balance in the practice of law. In her spare time, you’ll find Anna homesteading with her family in Cedar Grove, NC.
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