The Board of Directors is responsible for leading the Co-op and guiding the organization. They have been elected by the member-owners to act on their behalf. The Board is committed to absorbing the membership’s needs and wants, with a goal of making the best possible decisions for the organization as a whole.
Elections for the Board of Directors take place at our spring general membership meeting each year. Each member is elected to serve a two-year term, which commences at the July Board meeting following elections. The Board is composed of anywhere from 9 to 11 positions.
The Board of Directors is responsible for governing the Co-op. They are elected by member-owners to act on their behalf, with the goal of making decisions in the best interest of the collective organization and community. Board of Directors elections take place at our annual spring General Membership Meeting. Each Director serves a two-year term, starting the summer following elections.
Board meetings are always open to the public. To learn more about attending a Board meeting, please email [email protected].
Click here to learn more about the board of directors summary of responsibilities and core competencies.
Board of Directors
Nora Bryne, Board President | Term Ends June 2027
Born in Korea and raised in Wisconsin, Nora is a transracial adoptee who found home in South Philly. She holds a master’s in sustainable urban development with an emphasis on being an active participant in the food justice movement. In her work, Nora fosters community amongst Philadelphians around civic engagement and community journalism skills. She looks to build on previous food co-op board experience and connect her past in working at food co-ops in order to continue SPFC’s growth and resilience.
You can find Nora walking around South Philly admiring all the window cats, playing tennis at FDR with her partner, or baking a sourdough loaf for her friends. She enjoys exploring the frays of identity and belonging through writing, attending various community events, and watching endless amounts of reality TV.
Beckett Woodworth, Board Vice President | term ends June 2027
After growing up in northern New Jersey, Beckett moved to Philadelphia in 2013 and never looked back. Beckett graduated La Salle University with a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and later earned his J.D. part-time at Temple University Beasley School of Law. Beckett works as a tax professional helping companies with their tax credits and incentives. Beckett is also a committeeperson for the 39th Ward and interested in making his neighborhood safer, cleaner, and more politically engaged.
Beckett likes to spend his free time around food, music, and plants. Beckett is an advocate for sustainable lifestyle -- he has been a pescatarian since 2013 and a food composter since 2020. His father, a grocery worker in New Jersey, runs a vegan food blog under the alias “GenXVegan.” Beckett also enjoys attending concerts of local musicians in Philadelphia and playing music himself. His guitar tabulations of songs by artists like the Black Keys, the Rolling Stones, and Neil Young have garnered more than 1.7M views worldwide. After all this, Beckett tries not to forget to water his plants on his South Philly front porch.
Chuck Booth, Secretary | term ends June 2028
With a background in tech and journalism, I want to do my best to help get the Co-op’s message out. One of the hardest things can be making people aware of the Co-op's offerings, and through clear messaging and being involved with programs throughout South Philly, everyone can find out about our little gem.
Growing up in a food-insecure area has made me very aware of the lack of healthy, sustainable options in certain areas and has given me the drive to do what I can to help change that. While South Philly has different programs like the community fridges, which serve their purpose well, the South Philly Food Co-op is something that can have a deeper impact. From having Co-op basics to ensure that household staples are accessible to accepting EBT and WIC, there is already a lot that the co-op is doing right in this aspect, but I'd like to help take that to the next level, which is why I'm running for a place on the board.
Everyone should have access to fresh food and be aware of the options available to them, and if elected, I'll do what I can to ensure that happens.
Ryan Moran, Treasurer | Term Ends June 2027
Ryan has called Philadelphia home for the past decade, living in neighborhoods from Center City to Fishtown and Fairmount, and now happily settled in East Passyunk for the last year and a half. A University of Pittsburgh graduate with a degree in Finance, his career has spanned industries including healthcare, automotive, and food retail. Currently, he serves as Director of Finance and Accounting at the online advertising firm, Leadnomics.
His interest in food accessibility began during college, where finding healthy meals in his university cafeteria was a daily struggle. That early frustration led to a growing awareness of the disconnect between food systems and health, a theme that’s stuck with him ever since. This summer, Ryan planted his first raised garden beds and continues to compost—practices that align well with the mission of South Philly Food Co-op.
In his free time, Ryan stays active through local soccer leagues, a Sunday run club, and trail runs in the Wissahickon. He’s always up for talking food, swapping garden tips, or grabbing coffee on Passyunk Ave. He’s excited to contribute to SPFC’s mission of accessibility, quality, and community.
Chase Gillam, Director at Large | term ends June 2028
I grew up on a farm and have always been interested in food. Years ago, while living in Baltimore I got to see the negative effects of urban food deserts up close and know how valuable it is to have a good grocery store within walking distance in a city. Shortly after moving to South Philly my wife and I joined the coop and it has been a great way to not only do our weekly grocery shopping but to try and eat seasonal produce, support local producers, and be more involved with the neighborhood and community. Like a lot of people I have really grown to love going to the coop, running into neighbors, finding new and interesting produce, or just saying hello to whoever happens to be working that day. Because the coop has become such an important part of my life here in South Philly I want to pitch in, and do what I can to help it succeed so that other people in the community can hopefully enjoy it as much as I do for years to come.
Wedge Wegman, Director at Large | Term Ends June 2027
Hailing from the far away land of Delaware, Wedge joined the US Marines solely to escape The First State before moving to Philly in 2007. A 2015 graduate of Drexel University’s Film and Video Production program, she has worked on film and TV across the US as well as in London and Botswana.
This is not her first time working on a community committee. While living on the southern coast of Oregon, Wedge spent 2 years on the board of directors for a community theater. She's also been involved with the Mummers comic club “Shock Troopers” as their unofficial (and unelected!) Secretary since 2019.
Her favorite days involve time spent with any of her 15 nieces and nephews, holding the title of Best Auntie Ever since 2013. You'll also likely to catch her camping in the woods, watching musical theater, or at a local punk show.
She discovered SPFCo-op long before the brick and mortar was established, becoming a Member Owner in 2012. Currently she lives in Pennsport with her partner, Mike Yak.
Colin Mendoza, Director at Large | Term Ends June 2027
Colin Mendoza is not afraid of going against the grain and not afraid of taking risks. He is always curious and very independent. He grew up in North London as the son of refugee parents and travelled the world extensively, meeting his wife in the process!
Colin is dyslexic and learned how to conjugate English by learning Latin.
Post-university, he went to work in fashion and sports tv marketing. He expanded from sports tv into youth programming, music, comedy, animation as well as production and branding.
He moved to New York and founded his own company, Highgate Agency, helping corporate and independent companies build their entertainment brands internationally. His style is hands-on, personable and strategic.Looking forward, and embracing change, Colin wants to work with communities, businesses and individuals who have a strong conviction about making our future a better place through the use of technology and Media
Zac Sheaffer, Director at Large | Term Ends June 2028
Zac has been a resident of Philadelphia since 2021, living in Chinatown and now South Philadelphia. He believes that the Co-op is a special place because being a member-owner has made him feel more connected to his community. Beyond the fresh produce and local goods, the Co-op’s mission helps to make our city a better place to live. He is excited to help advance that mission during his time on the Board.
Zac’s professional background is in project management and community outreach. In his hometown of Hanover, Pennsylvania, he leads a youth baseball and softball program with the goal of providing children with the opportunity to play safe, fun, and affordable baseball and softball. Over the past nine years, the program has impacted the lives of over 800 children. In 2023, he was recognized by The York Daily Record as one of York County’s Most Influential People in Sports because of his work with the program. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the neighborhood with his family, cooking new meals, and playing board games.
Elizabeth Warner, Director at Large | Term Ends June 2028
