This week, Vernon will welcome four Co-op Leaders and Scholars attending the 2026 IMPACT Conference: Antonio Amore Rojas, Monique Harper-Desir, Rosalba Lopez Ramirez, and Elizabeth Yost. They will discuss the diverse cooperative sectors they represent, their experiences in the cooperative movement, and the unique perspectives they bring to building stronger communities through cooperation.
The Cooperative Leaders and Scholars (CLS) program is an opportunity for employees, board members, and post-secondary students working for cooperatives and others interested in working for a cooperative or cooperative organization to participate in multi-sector programming and events and engage with co-op industry thought leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The program is administered by the Cooperative Development Foundation.
Antonio Amore Rojas is the La Esquina Manager, overseeing the organization’s first project, a Worker Coop Hub in East San Jose. He works with SOMOS Mayfair, Excite Credit Union, and Latino Business Foundation to provide services that help cooperatives stabilize, grow, and build connections. Antonio also supports the development of a regional Coop Network and is creating curriculum and a pipeline for new cooperatives.
A 2023 graduate of Santa Clara University with degrees in Business Management and Environmental Studies, Antonio began his cooperative career with Veggielution, where he helped launch a catering cooperative with immigrant residents of San Jose’s East Side. He also completed DAWI’s Rapid Response Cooperative Program. At La Esquina, he is focused on strengthening the cooperative ecosystem in Silicon Valley and supporting the development of new worker cooperatives.
Monique Harper-Desir (Mo HD Creates) is an arts and social justice strategist, facilitator, and cooperative leader based in Humboldt County, California. They are Co-Founder and Board Chair of Black Humboldt, a Black-led cooperative nonprofit focused on building cultural power, leadership pathways, and shared community infrastructure through arts, mutual aid, and community-led programming.
With more than 15 years of experience in organizational management, development, fundraising, communications, and fiscal administration, Monique helps values-aligned organizations strengthen their systems, develop effective governance, and turn their vision into sustainable practice. Their work brings together arts-based facilitation, community engagement, organizational strategy, and cooperative development to advance community wellbeing and cooperative resilience.
Rosalba Lopez Ramirez, raised on unceded Yokuts territory with roots in Oaxaca, brings together food justice, plant medicine, and community development to support BIPOC communities. Her work has been shaped by her upbringing in rural Central California and her experience with urban land stewardship and youth development in New York City.
Rosalba co-founded Black Zocalo, an educational cooperative honoring Black and Indigenous knowledge and wisdom. She holds a Master of Science in Community Development from UC Davis and is committed to building community through food, medicine, and cooperative approaches.
Elizabeth Yost is Education Director at Wisconsin Farmers Union, where she leads youth education and cooperative learning rooted in democratic values and place-based food systems. She directs Farmers Union Camp at Kamp Kenwood, overseeing curriculum, staff training, and experiential programs that introduce young people to cooperative principles.
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Community Development from Northland College, with minors in Sustainable Agriculture and Native American Studies. Her academic and professional background includes cooperative studies, food access, farmers markets, outdoor education, and community engagement. Her senior capstone explored non-market economic participation in rural communities. As an emerging cooperative educator, she is particularly interested in expanding inclusive pathways into cooperative careers and strengthening cross-sector learning.