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, lives at Songaia Cohousing Community and loves working and playing with cohousers. He is also project manager for a forming group, New Earth Song Cohousing, which is creating more cohousing on adjoining property. Craig joined the Coho/US Board in 2006 and has worked with staffing and technology planning. In December 2007, he retired from the board to become our Executive Director. Craig is committed to community and action – to helping the association better meet the needs of forming groups, established communities, and cohousing professionals. See his January '08 Letter or 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!

Lisa Biskup, Database Manager
RoseWind Cohousing
Port Townsend, WA

Our database manager, Lisa Biskup, has lived at RoseWind Cohousing in Port Townsend, WA since 2003. Formerly a bilingual elementary school teacher, she currently homeschools her three young children and builds websites for fun. She has worked as webmaster/director of marketing for various authors, including bestselling author Byron Katie, and managed a successful online retail site in the Mac software industry. She enthusiastically supports cohousing and has sold many people on the benefits of living and raising children in community. She looks forward to connecting cohousing groups with the resources that will help them successfully build, grow and maintain their communities. For more information, visit http://www.lisabiskup.com.

Catya Belfer-Shevett, Webmaster
Mosaic Commons
Berlin, MA

Our webmaster, Catya Belfer-Shevett, is part of Mosaic Commons, under construction 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

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.