"We are representing a shift in the hospitality industry towards a more equitable and sustainable business model which is a worker-owned cooperative."
- Lauren Ruiz
what iS a workER OWNED COOPERATIVE?
A worker-owned cooperative (or “worker co-op” for short) is a business that is owned and controlled by its workers. There are two defining characteristics of a worker-owned cooperative:
1. Worker-owners contribute their labor to the financial success of the business, and share in its profits based on the amount of labor they contributed.
2. Each worker-owner has one vote in major decisions for the company, including electing The Board.
MEET OUR WORKER OWNERS
LAUREN RUIZ
Lauren cut her teeth in the Miami cocktail scene, behind the bar and in the kitchen! Eventually, the industriousness and creativity of New York City’s food scene enticed her to make the move north, and she found a home at Donna. With an eye for industry trends and a background in art, marketing, and the legal profession, Lauren can swiftly pivot to meet the needs of the cooperative. Lauren fully champions Donna's vision to reimagine what a thriving business can look like when the workers are also the owners. Alongside her colleagues, she is ushering equity into an industry known to resist worker-friendly change. Lauren describes the relaunch of Donna as one of the first cooperatively owned bars in the U.S. as the most transformative experience of her time in hospitality.
ULISES FUENTES
Ulises is Donna’s kitchen manager, and has dedicated over 4 years of his career to the business. He has always liked the environment at Donna, and the many hours that he has already worked alongside his cooperative business partners has made them feel like a second family. Ulises has been involved in the creation of the worker-cooperative at every step of the way and sees the business as a unique opportunity to fight the inequality in our current economy. Uli is known for his punctuality, efficiency, and responsibility. He is excited to bring his 9 years of experience in food service, as well as his knowledge of computer programs, to Donna’s new incarnation and to this new stage of his work life. Ulises is a proud graduate of the University of El Salvador.
MARIANA ITURBIDE
Mariana Iturbide was born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, and brings over twenty years of experience in the bar and restaurant industry. She is currently part of Donna, a project that reflects her approach to hospitality: grounded in discipline, driven by curiosity, and focused on creating spaces that leave a lasting impression. Focused, self-sufficient, and always in motion, she is drawn to projects that challenge, build, and endure. She believes in doing things well, in the strength of a solid team, and in hospitality as a meaningful way to connect with people.
WHAT IS A WORKER ownEd COOPERATIVE?
A worker-owned cooperative (or “worker co-op” for short) is a business that is owned and controlled by its workers. There are two defining characteristics of a worker-owned cooperative:
1. Worker-owners contribute their labor to the financial success of the business, and share in its profits based on the amount of labor they contributed.
2. Each worker-owner has one vote in major decisions for the company, including electing The Board.
MEET OUR WORKER OWNERS
LAUREN RUIZ
Lauren cut her teeth in the Miami cocktail scene, behind the bar and in the kitchen! Eventually, the industriousness and creativity of New York City’s food scene enticed her to make the move north, and she found a home at Donna. With an eye for industry trends and a background in art, marketing, and the legal profession, Lauren can swiftly pivot to meet the needs of the cooperative. Lauren fully champions Donna's vision to reimagine what a thriving business can look like when the workers are also the owners. Alongside her colleagues, she is ushering equity into an industry known to resist worker-friendly change. Lauren describes the relaunch of Donna as one of the first cooperatively owned bars in the U.S. as the most transformative experience of her time in hospitality.
ULISES FUENTES
Ulises is Donna’s kitchen manager, and has dedicated over 4 years of his career to the business. He has always liked the environment at Donna, and the many hours that he has already worked alongside his cooperative business partners has made them feel like a second family. Ulises has been involved in the creation of the worker-cooperative at every step of the way and sees the business as a unique opportunity to fight the inequality in our current economy. Uli is known for his punctuality, efficiency, and responsibility. He is excited to bring his 9 years of experience in food service, as well as his knowledge of computer programs, to Donna’s new incarnation and to this new stage of his work life. Ulises is a proud graduate of the University of El Salvador.
MARIANA ITURBIDE
Mariana Iturbide was born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, and brings over twenty years of experience in the bar and restaurant industry. She is currently part of DONNA, a project that reflects her approach to hospitality: grounded in discipline, driven by curiosity, and focused on creating spaces that leave a lasting impression. Focused, self-sufficient, and always in motion, she is drawn to projects that challenge, build, and endure. She believes in doing things well, in the strength of a solid team, and in hospitality as a meaningful way to connect with people.
"We are representing a shift in the hospitality industry towards a more equitable and sustainable business model which is a worker-owned cooperative."
- Lauren Ruiz
