December 19. 2024 The program continues to highlight choices from its 2024 Holiday list. This episode includes an interview with Alicia Simmons, Senior Sustainability Manager at Frontier Co-op. Vernon and Alicia discuss Frontiers Co-op Market, Organic Certified Ceylon Cinnamon, and its Aura Cacia Relaxation Essential Oils Kit and Celestial Diffuser, all selections in the Holiday List. They also discuss other products and services provided by Frontier Co-op, and the many ways Frontier support its employees, partners and community. Alicia Simmons is the Senior Sustainability Manager at Frontier Co-op in Norway, Iowa. In this role, she leads environmental stewardship efforts across the cooperative, including managing the Zero Waste program and initiatives related to packaging, energy, emissions, and natural resource usage. Since joining Frontier Co-op in 2017, Alicia has also directed the co-op’s annual giving program, which exceeds $1 million, supporting community-building projects in sourcing regions, partnering with local nonprofits to reduce employment barriers, and managing two signature giving programs focused on women’s empowerment and food security. Alicia oversees the co-op’s global giving and community-based partnerships, including a three-year, $1 million project in rural India that established the region’s first farmer-owned tea collective. Additionally, she leads the co-op’s communications and public relations. Beyond her professional role, Alicia is a committed advocate for sustainability and social responsibility, holding leadership positions with organizations such as the Indian Creek Nature Center, Iowa Sustainable Business Forum, and Hawkeye Area Community Action Program. She holds a BA from the University of Iowa, an MBA with a Quality Emphasis, and a Master of Strategic Leadership from Mount Mercy University.
