By Andrea Dawber

On behalf of Karma’s Board of Directors, I would like to recognize Talia McGuire, Karma’s outstanding General Manager, who began at Karma in 2009 as a retail clerk and took on the role of General Manager 3 years later. Since 2012, Talia has been Karma’s General Manager, leading and overseeing all aspects of our food co-op’s operations. Her ten years of service has provided our organization, food store, staff, and members with the stability we have needed to weather tough times including COVID. Under Talia’s leadership, Karma had no workplace transmissions of COVID to staff or members and for that we are all very thankful. In March, Talia began working with our food co-op consultant, Columinate, to analyze store operations, set forward recommendations, and implement a wide range of store operating improvements to make our business more effective and efficient, and to improve everyone’s shopping experience. These efforts are greatly contributing to our recovery from the many detrimental impacts of COVID, and will help secure Karma’s future.

Over the years, Talia has recruited, trained, and oriented hundreds of Karma members to work in our food store and on our committees, and she has been an excellent mentor for staff and management partner for successive Boards of Directors. In her time at Karma, she has helped us build a community of care, commitment, and co-operation, making our food store a hub for social events, activities and workshops. Talia will be working as Karma’s General Manager until July 22nd, and I encourage you to come into the store to say your goodbyes in person.

It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside Talia, and while we are very sad to see her go, we know she will be very successful on her next adventure. We look forward to meeting Talia in the store as a fellow member for many years to come.