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Kateri Gutiérrez

Kateri Gutiérrez

Strategist, founder, and advocate for worker cooperatives and community empowerment

Venice, Los Angeles, CA
voyagela+1
United States
Joined June 2026
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Cooperative Community Development

Summary

Kateri Gutiérrez is a driven entrepreneur and consultant with a strong commitment to community empowerment and economic justice, particularly through the worker cooperative model. She co-founded Collective Avenue Coffee, LA County's first worker-owned cooperative cafe, which served as a hub for community engagement and youth leadership in her hometown of Lynwood, California. voyagela+3
With an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Kateri blends her business acumen with her passion for social impact. Her graduate research focused on a 'Conversion Readiness Framework' for businesses transitioning to worker cooperatives, demonstrating her dedication to fostering employee ownership and economic democracy. nonprofitquarterly+3
Kateri's career trajectory includes foundational experiences in corporate settings and consulting at Deloitte, complemented by her entrepreneurial ventures like Happin. Her background reflects a unique ability to navigate both traditional corporate structures and innovative, community-focused business models. f6s+1
As a proud Latina, Kateri actively celebrates her heritage and seeks to empower fellow Latinx entrepreneurs and students. She is involved in various community initiatives and emphasizes the importance of representation and support within the Latinx community, leveraging her experiences to inspire others. umich+1

Work

Education

Projects

Writing

Riding the Wave: Cooperative Conversion and the Silver Tsunami

April 1, 2022

An article published in Nonprofit Quarterly exploring cooperative conversion as a solution to economic issues, including small business succession and a shifting workforce. It introduces her 'Conversion Readiness Framework'.

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Latinas Are Equipped for the Cooperative Movement

January 1, 2019

An article or research piece by Kateri Gutierrez highlighting the role and potential of Latinas in the cooperative movement.

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Identifying Key Metrics for Successful Worker Cooperatives

A research topic she presented at Puentes at the University of Michigan, focusing on employee ownership and worker cooperatives.

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Undergraduate Thesis on Social Media Impact

Her undergraduate thesis at UC Berkeley explored the impact of social media on consumers as citizens.

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Hobbies

Actively participates in programs celebrating Latinx Heritage, reads relevant literature, and shares her cultural experiences through activities like hosting Lotería Nights. umich

Deeply involved in the worker cooperative movement, aiming to expand and strengthen it, and has researched pathways for businesses to convert to cooperatives. nonprofitquarterly+2

Passionate about empowering new entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented communities, and leverages her MBA to support these efforts. umich