Meet our Staff

Meet the committed individuals who staff the Cohousing Association of the United States.

Craig Ragland, Executive Director
Songaia Cohousing
Bothell, WA

The Association's ED, Craig Ragland, has lived at Songaia Cohousing Community since 1992 - and loves working and playing with cohousers. Craig joined the Coho/US Board in 2006, focusing his board work on staffing and technology planning. In December 2007, he retired from the board to begin work as our Executive Director in 2008. Craig is committed to community and action – to helping the association better meet the needs of forming groups, established communities, and cohousing professionals. See Craig's Online Profile for more info.

Neil Planchon, National Tours Director
Swan's Market Cohousing
Oakland, CA

Neil is a founding resident of Swan's Market Cohousing, a well recognized cohousing "ambassador" and a mentor to many who are seeking more community in their lives.

Additional hats Neil has worn within the Cohousing Association include the rebuilding of its previous website, managing advertising and fundraising operations and since 2003 assisting in making the California, Colorado and annual conference bus tours fun and successful.

For many years, Neil has also been a certified life coach, which has allowed him to help others get out of their own way, deepen their life's work and have more fun. He especially enjoys working with, amongst others, current and future cohousers. Living in a cohousing community is a significant change in lifestyle and Neil helps many explore how living in an intentional neighborhood will fulfill their needs and honor their values.

http://www.neilplanchon.com

Barbara Bansenauer, Advertising Manager
Songaia Cohousing
Bothell, WA

Our advertising manager, Barbara Bansenauer, has been involved with Songaia Cohousing Community since 1998 where she worked with new member marketing during Songaia's development. She has also worked in fundraising and marketing in the nonprofit world. She is delighted to be working with such an energetic team at coho/ US!

Catya Belfer-Shevett, Technical Director
Mosaic Commons
Berlin, MA

Our technical director, Catya Belfer-Shevett, is part of Mosaic Commons about an hour west of Boston in Berlin, MA. Catya works as a project manager and also builds websites for cohousing groups and others. She is passionate about building connections between people, and has been involved in intentional communities since 1994. For more information, see http://www.catya.org

Melanie Mindlin, Volunteer Coordinator
Ashland Cohousing Community
Ashland, OR

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Melanie Mindlin, has been involved with Ashland Cohousing Community since it was a gleam in the eye in 2003. Acting over time as entrepreneur, promoter, designer, planner and project manager, Melanie has experienced many of the different roles of both professionals and participants in building a cohousing community. A resident since completion in 2007, Melanie enjoys the ongoing process of creating the community culture within the physical community. Melanie is currently involved in a variety of nonprofit community action activities, including the Transition Town movement, and looks forward to her new role with CohoUS encouraging people to step up and help create the world we want to live in. For more information, visit http://sites.google.com/a/mind.net/melaniemindlin/home

The Coho/US team also includes a cadre of dedicated individuals who oversee key areas on a volunteer basis. They include:

Neshama Abraham, National Media Contact
Joani Blank, Tours Coordinator
Raines Cohen, Correspondence and Networking
Betsy Morris, Research Director

The monthly online magazine is supported by the diligent work of several professional editors who volunteer their time to copy edit and proof read its content. They include:

Joani Blank
Diane Margolis
Andrew Netherton
Dorrie Slutsker
Cher Stuewe-Portnoff
Michael Whitman

Coho/US continues to be supported by many other volunteers across the country. Who have we forgotten to mention? Please let us know.

Join us! You can help us lead the movement by serving on the Coho/US board and our working teams. Learn more.