Based in Duluth, Darren is a cooperative development professional with over 20 years of experience supporting and managing worker-owned cooperatives. His career began at Arizmendi Bakery in Oakland, CA where he developed expertise in policy development, facilitation, and peer evaluation systems, allowing him to effectively support regional cooperatives as a freelance facilitator and trainer. Darren has held leadership roles, including several terms on the board of the Arizmendi Association of Cooperatives, where he successfully guided the organization through financial challenges and periods of growth. He comes to MCCD as the former Regional Director at the Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MNCEO) where he expanded the organization’s reach by building critical internal systems and external networks. Darren‘s deep commitment to advancing racial and economic justice is reflected in his ongoing efforts to foster inclusive economic models that build wealth and opportunity for marginalized communities.