E. Kim Coontz was instrumental in founding the California Center for Cooperative Development (CCCD) and has served as its Executive Director since its inception.
When the UC Davis Center for Cooperatives closed in 2004, Kim took a leading role in efforts to preserve its cooperative development work. Those efforts ultimately led to the founding of CCCD in 2007.
Over 19 years, she helped grow CCCD from a one-room office with 1.5 FTE and a few student interns into an established nonprofit with more than eight professional staff and growing programs focused on creating ownership opportunities for low-income and underserved communities.
Kim will retire as Executive Director on September 30, 2026. She carries with her the profound gratitude and respect of hundreds of cooperative leaders across the golden state whose work and communities she has touched and improved.
Kim’s Farewell Message:
"When I first joined the UC Center for Cooperatives at UC Davis, I leveraged my background in childcare policy to focus on childcare cooperatives. Over my 14 years with the Center my work expanded to serve housing, worker, and other cooperative sectors. When UC Davis closed the program in 2004, a group of us were determined to sustain the work in another way.
CCCD’s success from the beginning has been fueled by cooperation. Board members Leland Ruth, Jessica Nelson, and Karen Tiedemann have been instrumental to CCCD’s journey from the very beginning – nearly 20 years. Longtime board members Thérèse Tuttle, Ricardo Nuñez, and Shevar Goonewardena have done the same. Cooperative development colleagues across California and the country have provided invaluable advice and support over the years. We built this CCCD together.
CCCD was also fortunate to receive early support through a Rural Cooperative Development grant, along with countless hours of volunteer and discounted legal and consulting assistance. That spirit of generosity and cooperation continues today.
As I leave my role as Executive Director, I hope to remain active and connected within the cooperative movement, while also spending more time with friends and family, particularly my grandchildren.
The best send-off is knowing that CCCD is in good hands. Leila Roberts, CCCD’s new Executive Director, has the knowledge and vision to lead the organization forward. Our amazing staff and committed board also give me great confidence in CCCD’s future.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone I have had the privilege of working with over the years. It’s been a great ride, and I look forward to the next chapter!
In Cooperation,
Kim