By DeShawn Brown
For the third consecutive year, Coworks proudly sponsors the Community Manager Awards at the Global Workspace Association FlexForward conference.
This year’s event will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, and I’m thrilled to be on stage to announce the finalists — one representing the US and another from an international space.
Just like in previous years, the GWA team invited member organizations to nominate managers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and performance. The nomination process is always challenging: Is your manager primarily a host, ensuring every member feels valued and acknowledged? Are they an operations expert, adept at maintaining smooth operations and handling unexpected issues with skill? Or perhaps they embody both qualities?
While evaluating these nominations is no easy task, speaking with each semi-finalist has been a true joy — and has revealed a common thread: a profound love for their community. Each manager could recount their daily tasks, the unpredictable nature of their job, and the extraordinary situations they’ve managed, from floods to lost children. However, their faces truly light up when discussing their community.
“Community” is a term we often use, yet it holds significant meaning regardless of the size of your member base. This is why our software prioritizes creating a positive experience for both members and managers. Managers are the backbone, logging in daily to handle invoices, set up plans, update resources, create events, monitor bookings, and more. While these tasks are crucial, they represent only a fraction of a community manager’s responsibilities.
The interviews reaffirm the multifaceted role of community managers, highlighting their integral importance to every coworking and flex space. They are the key element that distinguishes coworking spaces from traditional executive suites.
Without further ado, here are the semi-finalists for the Community Manager of the Year 2024. While it may sound cliché, they are all winners in my eyes. I am looking forward to meeting them in person.
Francisco Gutierrez – IOS Offices
Sandra Sierra – Tinkko Coworking & Flex Office
William Hatfield – The Work Well
Blaize Randell – Fractal Workspace
Chelsea Dietz – The Post Workspaces
Jen Michalik – Office Evolution Ann Arbor
Jessica Thomas – The Root Coworking
Mariana Castruita – IOS Offices
Shelly Wahl – Office Evolution
Have you grabbed your ticket to the GWA Conference yet? Don’t miss an unforgettable experience featuring inspiring keynote, engaging sessions, hands-on workshops, unmatched networking, space tours, an after party, and so much more!
Check it out the conference HERE and purchase your tickets today!
