Meet Our Staff
Explore the heart of Co-Op Dayton through our dedicated team. Along with cooperative development, we collaborate with community members, working hand in hand to build a just and equitable economy. Join us in shaping a future that values collaboration, equity, and a shared future for all.
Cherrelle Gardner
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cherrelle Gardner is a cooperative developer, community builder, and economic democracy advocate based in Dayton, Ohio. She believes deeply that communities, not corporations, should own and control the resources that shape their lives, and she has spent her career turning that belief into infrastructure. Her work lives at the intersection of economics, ownership, and community self-determination, with a particular commitment to Dayton neighborhoods that have historically been divested. Cherrelle is a co-founder of Westside Makerspace, a cooperative for makers and creative entrepreneurs, and currently serves as Executive Director of Co-op Dayton.
Read Cherrelle's thoughts on Executive Transition.
Kacey Trueblood
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Kacey Trueblood is a Dayton native and first-generation farmer with dedication deeply rooted in fostering community well-being, including support for food access and security, education, and mental health. She joined Co-Op Dayton as co-founder and farm manager of NuSol Farms, a collaborative farm in West Dayton, with a professional background in administration and operations. Her philosophy centers on advocating for regenerative practices that nurture the land and our community, aiming to establish shared success and sustainable growth in Dayton. Kacey strives to help create an equitable and just economy alongside a thriving ecosystem, prioritizing both human well-being and environmental health in the pursuit of overall prosperity.