Rafael Ortega

CANDIDATE STATEMENT

Rafael Ortega is a globally experienced business leader with more than 30 years of work across sales, product development, strategic planning, brand building, and organizational growth. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations ranging from emerging businesses to internationally recognized brands identify opportunities, navigate change, build strong partnerships, and translate ideas into sustainable results. His professional experience includes leadership roles and work with companies such as Nike and YETI, as well as organizations, teams, and partners in the consumer goods and services world.

Rafael also brings direct experience in cooperative governance and community-based leadership. While living in Portland, Oregon, he served first as a director and later as chair of the board of Food Front Cooperative Grocery. In those roles, he gained firsthand experience with the responsibilities of member ownership, board governance, financial stewardship, organizational oversight, and collaborative decision-making. The experience strengthened his appreciation for the important role a locally rooted co-op can play in supporting its members, employees, local producers, and the broader community.

Raised in a multicultural environment and having lived in several regions of the United States, Rafael values diverse perspectives, thoughtful dialogue, transparency, and inclusive leadership. He approaches board service with curiosity, strategic thinking, sound judgment, and a willingness to listen and learn. He would welcome the opportunity to contribute his professional experience, previous co-op board leadership, and commitment to community in service of the co-op’s members and long-term success.