Introducing ACE’s Newly Elected Board Members: Driving Cooperative Education Forward

The Association of Cooperative Educators is delighted to (re)introduce the newly elected members of its Board following the recent Annual General Meeting. This dynamic team brings a blend of experience, passion, and innovative thinking to ACE, reinforcing our commitment to advancing cooperative education and fostering stronger, more inclusive cooperative networks across North America. Among the board members, we are especially excited to highlight our new additions who bring unique insights and a wealth of experience to ACE’s mission.

A Warm Welcome to Our New Board Members

Megan Marcoux

Hailing from Montréal but with roots in Saskatchewan, Megan Marcoux’s connection to cooperatives began at a young age. Growing up, her experiences with co-ops were more than just routine—they were foundational. From her first bank account with the Co-op Credit Union to a family membership at the local co-op grocery store, Megan’s early life was intertwined with cooperative principles. This intrinsic familiarity laid the groundwork for her deep appreciation for the co-op model.

In 2011, Megan co-founded a bicycle cooperative in Saskatoon, focusing on education by empowering community members to learn how to fix and maintain their bicycles. The fact that this cooperative remains active nearly 15 years later is a testament to her commitment to sustainable community initiatives. Although her cooperative involvement took a brief hiatus when she moved to Montréal in 2017, her passion reignited when a close friend and current ACE board member, Natalie Kallio, shared her work at the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. Inspired, Megan joined the ACE Board with the aim of contributing her experience and fostering impactful co-op education projects. Her dedication, rooted in early experiences and revitalized by recent engagements, is poised to bring fresh energy to ACE’s initiatives.

Lymarie Nieves

Lymarie Nieves Plaza, a dedicated cooperative educator and marketing manager from Puerto Rico, embodies the transformative potential of cooperative work. With over 20 years of experience in the cooperative sector, Lymarie has used her expertise to promote social responsibility, community development, and personal growth. Her most remarkable work, however, is her volunteerism in Puerto Rican prisons. Lymarie’s efforts to educate incarcerated individuals about cooperative economics have left a profound impact, offering hope and practical skills to a community often overlooked by society.

Her students speak of her passion, persistence, and the life-changing support she has provided. They describe how she empowered them not only to understand co-ops but also to engage in cooperative business development. Lymarie’s unwavering belief in the power of continuous education has led her to mentor and support cooperative initiatives long after their inception. Since 2013, she has helped establish and strengthen at least three worker co-ops within prisons and has worked to bring cooperative values to schools as part of her outreach.

A co-founder of Impulso Cero Inc., a non-profit supporting inmate communities and mission projects, Lymarie’s dedication to cooperative advocacy is coupled with impressive academic credentials. She holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Marketing, is certified as a Life Coach, and serves as a Chaplain in the Bayamón and Arecibo Penal Institutions. Currently, she is pursuing a second master’s degree in Counseling with a specialty in addictions, underscoring her holistic approach to education and empowerment. Her addition to the ACE Board signifies a powerful commitment to inclusivity and educational outreach within underserved communities.

Introducing the Full Board for 2024

Gary Hampton will serve as the Chair of ACE. Charity Schmidt takes on the role of Vice Chair. Steve Dubb assumes the role of Secretary, while Esther West will manage financial oversight as Treasurer. Joining them are Natalie Kallio, Kate Latour, Pascal Billard  and Cathy Statz.

The newly expanded board, featuring the enthusiastic new additions of Megan Marcoux and Lymarie Nieves, is set to lead ACE into a period of growth and enhanced educational outreach. Their unique experiences will strengthen ACE’s ability to connect with diverse communities and advocate for cooperative education as a tool for social and economic empowerment.

Looking Ahead

The election of this new board marks a significant step forward for ACE as we continue our mission of promoting cooperative education across various sectors. The diverse backgrounds and experiences of our board members, particularly the fresh perspectives brought by Megan and Lymarie, promise to infuse ACE with renewed energy and innovative approaches to cooperative teaching and engagement.

With this leadership team at the helm, ACE is excited to expand its initiatives, collaborate more broadly, and foster a culture of continuous learning and empowerment. We look forward to seeing the impact of their collective vision and leadership in advancing cooperative principles and education in the years to come.