This is the "real deal" list of people who actually live, breathe, and shape the coworking industry every day.
These are the folks you see at the conferences, hear on the podcasts, and who are actively helping shared space owners like you make more money and build better communities.
Here is your definite, curated list of who to follow in the coworking world.
1. The global visionaries
The OGs who hold the history and the future of the movement.
Liz Elam (The Futurist)
- Role: Founder of GCUC (Global Coworking Unconference Community).
- Why follow: Liz is the industry's hype woman and futurist. She beats the drum on "loneliness" and how coworking saves lives. She will inspire you to treat your members like guests in a boutique hotel, not tenants in an office.
Jean-Yves Huwart (The European Connector)
- Role: Founder of Coworking Europe.
- Why follow: He sees the trends that happen in Europe 2-3 years before they hit the US or Asia. He connects the dots between rural coworking, city hubs, and social impact better than anyone.
2. The alliance builders
These are the people organizing the industry at a country and regional level. They are your gateway to local support and lobbying.
Ashley Proctor (Canada/Global)
- Role: Executive Director of Coworking Canada and founder of Creative Blueprint.
- Why follow: Ashley is an absolute powerhouse for the "independent" coworking movement. She fights for the soul of the industry, advocating for inclusivity and arts-based coworking. If you want to know how to build a community that lasts 10+ years, watch her.
Jeannine van der Linden (The Soul of Coworking)
- Role: Director at European Coworking Assembly & Founder of Open Coworking.
- Why follow: Jeannine is the industry's conscience. She fights for accessibility, sustainability, and inclusivity. If you want to know how to build a space that actually serves its neighborhood (and not just tech bros), listen to her.
Melanie Burnier (Switzerland)
- Role: Co-President of Coworking Switzerland.
- Why Follow: Switzerland has one of the densest and most collaborative coworking ecosystems in the world (often in rural areas!). Melanie is the connector who makes that happen.
Manuel Zea (Spain)
- Role: Founder of CoworkingSpain.
- Why Follow: He organizes the massive Coworking Spain Conference. He knows more about the Spanish-speaking market than anyone else.
Claudius Krucker (Switzerland/Rural)
- Role: Rural coworking expert and co-president of Coworking Switzerland.
- Why Follow: If you are opening a space in a village or small town, Claudius is your guy. He understands "Village Office" concepts better than city-focused consultants.
3. The niche coaches & specialists
Specific problems require specific experts. These people don't just say "run a space"; they tell you exactly how to fix specific parts of it.
Jerome Chang (Architecture & Operations)
- Role: Founder of BLANKSPACES (LA) and Architect.
- Why Follow: You specifically asked about him—he is the "Architect Operator." Unlike most consultants who just talk business, Jerome actually designs the physical layout for revenue. He understands how moving a wall 6 inches can change your profit margin. He is also a key organizer of the Coworking Operators Weekend.
Zoe Ellis-Moore (Marketing & Spaces)
- Role: Founder of Spaces to Places.
- Why Follow: Zoe comes from the commercial real estate world but speaks "flex." She helps operators find the right buildings and, crucially, how to market them to fill them up before you even open.
Claire Carpenter (Social Impact)
- Role: Founder of The Melting Pot (Edinburgh) and a social enterprise pioneer.
- Why Follow: Claire built one of the world's first coworking spaces (2007!). She coaches on "Quality of Life" and social impact. If you want your space to be a charity, non-profit, or community hub rather than just a business, she is the mentor you need.
Garrett Tichy (Authenticity & Brand)
- Role: Founder of Hygge Coworking (Charlotte) and a "brand vibes" expert.
- Why Follow: Garrett hates corporate "BS." He teaches you how to build a brand that feels human, messy, and real. Follow him if you want to stop sounding like a robot on social media.
Jamie Russo (The Profitability Coach)
- Role: Host of Everything Coworking podcast & Coach.
- Why follow: Jamie is the "teacher" of the industry. She doesn't just talk trends; she talks numbers. She will help you understand unit economics, why your coffee budget is too high, and how to price your private offices correctly.
Marc Navarro (The Ops Realist)
- Role: Coworking Consultant, Content Creator, & Host of The Flex Factor.
- Why follow: Marc hates fluff. He focuses on efficiency. He will tell you exactly why your reception desk is in the wrong spot and how to automate your billing so you actually get paid.
Generate recurring revenue and offer exceptional customer experience at your shared or coworking space
Karen Condi (The Launch Expert)
- Role: President of Workspace Strategies.
- Why follow: She specializes in opening new centers. If you are about to sign a lease and need a feasibility study to prove you won't go bankrupt, check her content first.
Nir Kelner (The Retention Master)
- Role: Head of Brain Embassy (Israel/Europe).
- Why follow: Nir focuses on "co-creating" with members. He is an expert on reducing churn by making members feel like they own the space, not just rent it.
4. The researchers & knowledge banks
The people who read the academic papers and crunch the spreadsheets so you don't have to.
Carsten Foertsch (The Data Guy)
- Role: Founder of Deskmag and the Global Coworking Survey.
- Why Follow: He provides the slides you need for your investor pitch deck. He tracks if desk prices are going up or down globally.
Johanna Voll (The Librarian)
- Role: Co-founder of the Coworking Library.
- Why Follow: Yes, there is a library! Johanna collects academic research on coworking. If you need scientific proof that coworking improves mental health, she has the paper.
Pauline Roussel & Dimitar Inchev (The Travelers)
- Role: Founders of Coworkies and authors of "Around the World in 250 Coworking Spaces."
- Why Follow: They physically traveled to hundreds of spaces globally. They share photos and stories of "best practices" from Tokyo to Berlin. It is pure visual inspiration.
5. The media & podcasters
The voices you should listen to while you commute.
Hector Kolonas(The Tech Curator)
- Role: Author of This Week in Coworking newsletter.
- Why Follow: He reads all the news so you don't have to. His newsletter is the single best summary of tech updates, mergers, and industry gossip.
Bernie J. Mitchell (The Podcaster)
- Role: Coworking Values Podcast.
- Why Follow: Bernie gives a voice to the little guys. He focuses on the "European Coworking Assembly" values: accessibility, sustainability, and openness.
Cat Johnson (The Convo Starter)
- Role: Coworking Convos.
- Why Follow: She hosts monthly Zoom calls where hundreds of space owners hang out and solve problems together. It is free therapy for space owners.
6. The inclusivity champions
Iris Kavanagh & Laura Shook Guzman
- Role: Founders of Women Who Cowork.
- Why Follow: They are tackling the gender gap in workspace ownership. They offer a "safe harbor" community for female founders and non-binary operators.
How to use this list
Don't just follow them—engage with them.
- Subscribe to Jamie's podcast for your weekly business lesson.
- Read Cat’s newsletter for marketing ideas you can use today.
- Attend a GCUC or Coworking Europe event to meet Liz and Jean-Yves in person.
- Get ahead: Check out this guide on coworking space trends to see what these experts are predicting for 2026.
This industry is incredibly friendly. If you reach out to these people, they will likely answer. That’s the coworking way!
