Carolee Colter

Since 1984, Carolee Colter has consulted for consumer and worker co-ops and other small community-based businesses. Carolee started her career working for a co-op warehouse in 1973 and right away found that human resources were her niche because she has always been interested in what makes for a positive workplace. Throughout the years, she has helped hundreds of co-ops develop human resources policy, job descriptions, and training and evaluation programs.

Using a collaborative problem-solving approach, Carolee helps co-ops to create productive and satisfying workplaces. “The foundation of all the consulting I do is listening. People are more willing to embrace a decision if they have a voice and are heard. Every person brings a valuable perspective,” she said.

Carolee’s services include:

• Supervision training and team-building for management teams
• Organizational structure and staffing plans for expansions
• Employee surveys for monitoring staff treatment
• Human resource systems audits
• Assisting boards in hiring and compensating co-op management
• Pay scales and pay raise systems
• Co-presenter of “Rising Stars,” a three-day leadership seminar designed specifically for department managers of natural food stores. www.risingstarsseminar.com

“The employee survey reporting that you did recently for BriarPatch was the best I’ve seen. The analysis was thorough, methodology was logical and the recommendations were on target with the findings of the survey. Well done!”

— Debbie Plass, President, Board of Directors, BriarPatch Community Market, Grass Valley, Calif.

“I want to take this opportunity to report on the power of your last consulting. The management team has really jelled, are taking accountability issues seriously, raising the bar and becoming quite effective…The management team credits your work with the new outlook.”

— Margo O’Brien, General Manager, St. Peter Food Co-op, St. Peter, Minn.

“Thank you for all your incredible work and vast experience. The staff and managers alike truly enjoyed sharing in your energy and perspectives. We would not be where we are now…without you in the process.”

—Liza Tedesco, General Manager, Chico Natural Foods Co-op