Our mission is to expand cooperative ownership in Westchester County and beyond by building strong relationships and networks, cultivating a resilient ecosystem of worker-owned cooperatives, and partnering with broader solidarity economy efforts.

Our Vision

We envision cooperative ownership as a cornerstone of a thriving solidarity economy in Westchester County and beyond, rooted in equity, democratic participation, and sustainability; a system where communities flourish, workers are self-determined, community wealth is prioritized, and businesses stay local.

What We Do

Build networks and relationships that promote worker cooperative ownership and cultivate a thriving local cooperative ecosystem.

Organize educational and networking events that connect co-op founders, members, and supporters, fostering collaboration and shared learning.

Offer “Co-op 101” presentations (in English and Spanish) to introduce worker cooperatives to organizations, schools, and community groups, as well as “Conversion 101” sessions for businesses and chambers of commerce on exit planning and transitions to worker ownership.

Advocate at the municipal and state levels for policies that support cooperative and worker ownership.

Partner with local and regional organizations to advance broader solidarity economy initiatives.

Nada Khader has been the Executive Director of WESPAC Foundation since May 2001. WESPAC has been a leading force for progressive social change in Westchester County since 1974. Nada has actively promoted the solidarity economy and worker cooperatives for the past twenty years by offering film screenings, panel discussions and community forums on the subject both locally in Westchester County as well as nationally at the U.S. Social Forum.

Delia Marx, PhD, is a retired Professor of Computer Science from Mercy College who now dedicates her time to social and environmental causes. Over the years, she has been actively involved in organizations working for social justice, both locally and internationally.
Her interest in cooperative economics led her to organize and lead educational trips to Argentina, where participants explored the country’s social and economic realities and learned about the remarkable experience of worker-owned cooperatives. Inspired by the thriving cooperative community in New York City, Delia co-founded the Westchester Cooperative Network to help bring cooperative ideas and opportunities to Westchester and the surrounding region.
She believes that cooperation, shared ownership, and democratic workplaces can play an important role in creating a more equitable and sustainable economy, and she is excited to devote her time and energy to growing the cooperative movement in her community.

Angela DeFelice (she/her) grew up in a rural, working class community in Western NY, and for 14 years has lived in and around Poughkeepsie (Lenape/Mohican territory). Community based work both in Ithaca, NY and Ocotal, Nicaragua led Angela to a decade-long career in agriculture. Her work with cooperatives started as a co-founder and worker-owner of Rock Steady Farm, a queer-owned cooperative farm rooted in social justice and food access in Millerton, New York. Since 2018, she has worked toward cooperative and community ownership in the region, and brings over 10 years of business management and consulting experience to her role as Co-Director of Co-op Hudson Valley. Angela is motivated by the community wealth and power building potential of cooperatives, and is excited about moving the control of resources back into the hands of the community, where it belongs. Angela is a Good Work Institute Fellow and serves on the founding board of the Dutchess County-Poughkeepsie Land Bank.