Founder

Sam Shea is a community-driven leader recognized for her deep expertise in coworking and hybrid work and her commitment to elevating the industry.

As Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at LiquidSpace, with earlier roles managing workspaces for Workbar, WeWork, and Google (via JLL), she combines hands-on operational experience with strategic partnership development, expanding enterprise access to flexible workspace and strengthening operator success.

Sam is passionate about building pathways for the next generation of industry talent. Her goal is to equip emerging leaders with the networks, education, and visibility to grow their careers and shape the future of work.

Community & Engagement

Blaize Randell is a community-led innovator in the coworking and flexible workspace space, celebrated for weaving connection into every touchpoint of member experience.

As Director of Community and Operations at Fractal Workspace, Blaize merges people-first service with backend operational precision—designing flexible environments that flex with the evolving needs of hybrid professionals.

Driven by a passion for the future of work, Blaize is committed to building spaces where engagement, belonging, and productivity converge, empowering individuals and collective growth.

Operations & Strategy

DeShawn Brown is a technology-driven entrepreneur and visionary leader in the coworking industry, recognized for creating tools that help operators streamline operations and scale with confidence.

As CEO and Founder of Coworks, he guides the company’s vision and strategy, leading product development, advancing automation, and harnessing data to give workspace owners and operators the insights they need to grow.

Passionate about the future of work, DeShawn is committed to leveraging technology to transform coworking into a more connected, efficient, and people-centered experience.

Membership & Growth

Anne Olsen is a collaborative leader in the flexible workspace industry, known for cultivating inclusive communities and driving meaningful connections across diverse member networks.

As Director of Coworking for The Domain Companies, she oversees operations and programming for The Shop Workspace in Salt Lake City, New Orleans, and Brooklyn. With prior experience at Kiln, Anne brings a depth of expertise in workspace management, community engagement, and scaling dynamic environments.

Passionate about innovation and growth, Anne is dedicated to shaping coworking communities where collaboration thrives, creativity flourishes, and professionals feel supported in their journey.

Marketing & Industry Relations

Caroline Van den Eynde is a strategic marketing leader in the flexible workspace industry, recognized for her creativity, brand vision, and ability to turn big ideas into measurable impact.

As Director of Sales and Marketing at iQ Offices, she drives strategy across a national portfolio of premium workspaces, overseeing brand development, campaign execution, and initiatives that strengthen market presence and member engagement.

Passionate about purposeful storytelling, Caroline is dedicated to building coworking brands that not only stand out but also stand the test of time.

UK Chair

James Panepinto is a hospitality-driven leader known for his operational insight and dedication to delivering exceptional member experiences.

As General Manager at Clockwise, with earlier leadership roles at NewFlex, he blends a service-first, hotel-style hospitality approach with strategic workspace management—optimizing performance, enhancing community culture, and ensuring every location delivers above expectations.

James is passionate about curating flexible work environments where high-touch service meets efficiency, fostering spaces where teams feel supported, productivity thrives, and long‑term brand value is built.

Mark Gilbreath is the Founder & CEO of LiquidSpace, the largest real-time global marketplace for flexible office space.

Since launching the company in 2010, he has led its mission to transform how professionals and enterprises access workspace on demand—pioneering agile solutions that help businesses of all sizes embrace the future of work.

A seasoned entrepreneur, Mark brings a deep passion for innovation and workplace transformation, with prior experience founding and leading multiple technology ventures.

Hector Kolonas is a co-founder of Syncaroo and the curator of This Week In Coworking, where he shares insights and trends shaping the global workspace industry.

Previously, he founded included.co and scaled its global perks network to 700+ communities, supporting over 133,000 members and businesses.

With experience spanning 850+ initiatives across sectors from proptech to marketplaces, Hector brings a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, community, and the future of work.

Jamie Russo is a coworking entrepreneur, educator, and industry leader who has launched, operated, and successfully sold two coworking companies.

As the founder of Everything Coworking, she equips entrepreneurs with step-by-step courses covering every stage of building a profitable workspace—from site selection and lease negotiations to community management and technology.

Passionate about empowering operators, Jamie is dedicated to helping business owners create thriving coworking communities that achieve both financial success and lasting impact.

Craig Baute is the founder of Creative Density and Denswap, and a driving force behind the Denver Coworks Alliance.

Since opening his first coworking space in 2010, he has combined hands-on ownership with expertise in market feasibility and business modeling, supporting developers and entrepreneurs in launching successful coworking ventures across the U.S.

Passionate about coworking as an economic driver, Craig is dedicated to helping spaces thrive in small and mid-sized cities, empowering communities and expanding access to flexible work.

Stormy McBride is the force behind GCUC’s global operations, where she orchestrates events and initiatives that unite and inspire the coworking community worldwide.

She began her career at Link Coworking, rising from intern to General Manager and overseeing multiple Austin locations before their acquisition by Common Desk, a WeWork company.

With over a decade of industry experience, Stormy brings operational expertise and a meticulous eye for detail, ensuring every GCUC event fosters collaboration, innovation, and meaningful connections across the industry.

Sarah Slater is a corporate real estate and coworking leader with over 15 years of experience spanning global brands including Industrious, FORA, Convene, and Space&Co.

She is currently advising on the development of a flex sentiment platform with Prescient Properties and supporting the global expansion of Koho, a client management and revenue optimization software.

Passionate about the evolution of flexible work, Sarah brings deep expertise in scaling brands, driving innovation, and shaping solutions that empower operators and their clients.