Iris Kavanagh works with shared workspace organizations to streamline operations and develop dynamic communities. She fell in love with coworking when, as a member in 2009, she realized how powerful the experience of a real, in-person community was and quickly started thinking of ways to change the world through the coworking model. Iris took an opportunity to join the team as the first employee of NextSpace – first as Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Community Officer – she helped grow the company from an idea to nine locations. Her primary roles were to guide and scale operations and then to communicate and instill the organization’s culture in each new location. Her guidance helped the staff develop vibrant communities, push the definition of collaboration, and convey the culture to members, visitors and prospective new employees. Iris co-founded the League of Extraordinary Coworking Spaces and COSHARE, produced Freelance Camps and has spoken at the Global WorkSpace Association Conference, the Global Coworking Unconference Conference, and the Young Entrepreneurship Summit.

Iris currently consults, leads Coworking Mastermind groups, heads the board of directors of COSHARE and showcases industry and movement leaders through her media series, Coworking with Iris. She lives in Santa Cruz, California with her two kids, two cats and two chickens. An avid gardener, Iris also loves to support her children’s various endeavors, Crossfit, run, create amazing things with food and hike the local trails.