As many of you know, the Co-op is currently in a period of transition. During this time, our longtime Finance Director, Hanah McCarthy, has stepped into the role of Interim General Manager. With over 16 years at the Co-op, Hanah brings deep experience, strong leadership, and a genuine connection to our community. We sat down with her to learn more about her background, her path to this role, and what members can expect in the months ahead.

What went through your mind when you agreed to step into this role?

The past month has been a whirlwind. When the board asked me to step in, I was honestly floored, but my answer came immediately: “Of course.”

It’s surreal, and I feel incredibly honored. I would do anything for this organization, and it means a lot to step into this role, especially as the first female General Manager.

What first brought you to the Co-op 16 years ago, and what has your path looked like since then?

My mom, Lauri, was first a volunteer at the Co-op in the early 2000s, and later became the chill purchaser and manager. In high school and during summers home from college, I worked several positions around West Main, including stocker, cashier, and barista.

After college, I found myself back in Bozeman and applied again because I knew what a great place it was to work. The staff felt like family. I started in the café (formerly the Flying C), worked my way into a lead role, and eventually managed the department.

In 2015, I followed my love of numbers to the finance team, where I worked under my predecessor and mentor, Dana Huschle, for five years. This was part of a long term succession plan, and when Dana retired in 2020, I stepped into the Controller role, which later became Finance Director.

What does the Co-op mean to you after all this time, both as a workplace and as part of the Bozeman community?

The Co-op has always felt like home. Everyone knew my name and made me feel welcome. As someone who didn’t always feel like I fit in growing up, the Co-op gave me that sense of belonging.

In my mom’s words, “I never felt like I fit in anywhere until I found my people at the Co-op.” It’s been a place for a summer job when I needed it, for picking up holiday shifts, and eventually for building a career I didn’t even know I was looking for.

What’s a memory or moment from your time here that’s stuck with you?

In 2015, I was managing the café and feeling a bit lost, like a lot of people do in their 20s, wondering what I was doing with my life. I was considering leaving Bozeman and exploring other career paths.

Then I had a conversation with Kelly Dean, our longtime General Manager, who I deeply admired. He asked about my future and shared an idea: knowing Dana’s retirement was coming in a few years, he wondered if I’d be interested in learning the finance side of the business.

I was floored and honored. That was the first moment I saw the Co-op as something that could be part of my life long term. Kelly and Dana have been incredible mentors, and they have shaped how I think about our business, our community, and the world.

How does your background as Director of Finance shape the way you’re approaching the GM role?

I’ve always gravitated toward numbers because they are clear, you are either right or wrong. But working at a Co-op is not that simple. We are constantly balancing the needs of our 30,000+ members, our employees, and our producers.

It is an ongoing puzzle: lower prices for members, better wages and benefits for staff, fair compensation for producers, and continued community giving. At the same time, we need to remain financially sustainable. If sales are not growing, it becomes harder to maintain everything we currently offer, let alone expand.

Numbers matter, but they are not everything. The goal is finding that balance and continuing to build a Co-op that is a great place to shop, work, and partner with.

What are your top priorities during this interim period?

Right now, my main priority is stability. Continuing the great work already happening, keeping our shoppers and members happy, and making this the best summer yet.

While there has been a shift in leadership, most roles and day to day operations remain the same. We are here to provide great service, even better food, and a place for our community to gather.

As someone once told me, when things feel overwhelming, at the end of the day, “we simply sell groceries.” But it is all the extra care and intention behind that work that makes the Co-op special.

What can members expect during this interim period?

Our doors are open and we are ready for you! From a customer perspective, there should be little to no change, the same smiling faces, nourishing food, and neighborhood grocery store you know.

Internally, we are taking time to assess priorities. There may be some changes ahead, but the goal right now is to stabilize, take a breath, and focus on doing the basics really well.

Do you know anything about the Board’s timeline or process?

I do not at the moment. I know they are actively discussing next steps and what that process will look like.

To our boards credit, they are a group of uncompensated volunteers who prioritize our Co-op over their own businesses and lives at times, trying to make our community better. This was a difficult decision, and I hope our community can offer them patience and grace as they move forward.

Is there anything you want to say directly to member owners?

Whether the Co-op is just your grocery store or something more, thank you for being here. If you are a member, thank you for investing in your local, member owned Co-op. And if you have been with us for decades, thank you for growing with us.

The Co-op is bigger than any one person, it exists because of all of us. In a world where it is easy to just be a consumer, being a Co-op member means being part of something more.

Your support helps keep decisions local, strengthens our community, and ensures we are building something that reflects our shared values. Thank you for continuing to make the Co-op your store, we are grateful to be on this journey with you.

See you in the aisles!