Bringing your whole self to work can be challenging, especially during difficult times. Emma Yorra aimed to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, particularly those who are often overlooked: the neurodiverse, people with disabilities, and those living with mental health issues. She understands firsthand how hard it is to feel a sense of belonging.
After ten years in nonprofits supporting cooperatives and three years working in a cooperative that provides bookkeeping services, Emma encountered the same issue: the workplace was not designed for everyone. In one job, she experienced burnout under a demanding supervisor who prioritized personal goals over the team’s well-being. In another instance, during a mental health crisis, she felt neglected and cast aside.
Five years ago, Emma co-founded Wholehearted Bookkeeping with Iliana SD Reinhardt. Today, the cooperative has seven employees, four of whom are worker-owners, serving cooperatives and aligned nonprofits nationwide. The organization’s systems are intentionally designed to support employees, even during challenging times. Committees and three structured plans—Away, Accommodation, and Accountability—provide guidance when someone faces a crisis.
Wholehearted also plays a role in training the next generation of bookkeepers. In the field of cooperative finance, the demand for skilled CPAs and bookkeepers often exceeds the available supply. A proficient bookkeeper rarely needs to market themselves; the work tends to come to them. Half of Wholehearted’s team consists of Spanish speakers/Latine, and its apprenticeship program specifically focuses on developing Spanish-speaking, co-op-literate bookkeepers.
The cooperative also fosters collaboration with its clients, enabling organizations to learn from one another about workplace culture, paid time off (PTO) policies, systems, and effective meeting strategies.
LEAF provided Wholehearted with a line of credit and, later, a loan to support the growth of their cooperative. Wholehearted demonstrates that a different kind of workplace is possible—one where individuals can sustain themselves through life’s inevitable challenges. It stands out as a thriving example of the kind of business LEAF aims to fund.
