Hi! I’m Tony.
I led the charge to build Manhattan’s first coworking space. Now I’m showing folks how to reclaim a life of vibrant social connection. Lear more about the Belongfulness project below.
I like bringing people together.
I’m here to help people find and foster belonging everywhere. To achieve that, I work with leaders to create amazing experiences in spaces and events—as a speaker, facilitator, emcee, and consultant.
I’ve been an organizer and champion of local communities since starting Manhattan’s first coworking space, New Work City, in 2007.
What I’ve been up to
Created a course in belonging
Learn how to nurture connections without being super social.
Wrote the State of Belonging report
Investigating the epidemic of disconnection: the causes, the consequences, and the solutions.
Kicked off the Belongfulness project
Developing practical solutions to our loneliness epidemic with educational materials, helpful social posts, and a podcast.
Director of Mighty Community
I’m honored to have worked with the incredible folks at Mighty Networks, which combines a powerful software platform with online education and support—so there’s nothing standing between you and the community you’ve always wanted to create.
Painting Kindness Rocks
I’ve hosted a couple of FieldTrips through Creative Mornings to gather folks who want to paint Kindness Rocks.
Kindness Rocks are a perfect example of simple actions most anyone can take most anywhere to cultivate belongfulness in their area.
Building better community online
From 2021-2022, I worked with the SPI team to develop a cohort-driven model and a series of programs designed to increase engagement and retention for their online membership community, SPI Pro.
Exploring the community experience
I’m honored to have been invited to co-host the first 30+ episodes of the Community Experience podcast. It’s being produced by SPI Media, the team behind Pat Flynn’s top-rated business podcasts..
We’ve have already learned so much from our amazing first slate of guests. Check it out wherever you podcast!
Hosting online events
I’ve designed and produced several large online conferences, all with an emphasis on creating a meaningful and engaging experience.
Telling my story
Learn more about my work and my approach in this interview with Doc Williams, an amazing guy I met while working with Vaynermedia.
Addressing the loneliness epidemic
Learn about my work with Jillian Richardson of the Joy List to address the loneliness epidemic.
Some places I’ve spoken
I’ve given keynote speeches, emceed, facilitated unconferences, moderated panels, led workshops at the below events and many more:
Topics I like to talk about
Gathering
The simple act of gathering can address otherwise impossible challenges. Much of what I do is focused on showing people the power they have to gather.
Loneliness
We are living through an epidemic of isolation, and it’s having profound health effects—fortunately, solutions are emerging.
Community
The core of a healthy coworking space is its community. Over the years, I’ve learned the best ways to approach crafting a lasting one.
Coworking
Championing the community movement of coworking since 2007 in New York and around the world.
Future of work
Having studied and written about the changing landscape of work, I’ve learned a lot about where it’s going—especially as it pertains to remote work.
Ecosystems
Prosperous cities arise out of a combination of culture, community, access, and more. I can speak to my experience cultivating these and how others can do the same.
“Tony is a visionary in the coworking world. We have been in partnership with Tony for years and I can vouch for his professionalism, enthusiasm and passion. He has moderated, lead workshops, spoken and led unconferences for us over the years. I highly recommend him.”
— Liz Elam, Founder of GCUC
“Whether at an ad-hoc unconference or a globally broadcast flagship event, Tony speaks from the heart. His on-stage presence is matched by his tremendous passion for creating and cultivating communities and makes for captivating talks that resonate with his audience.”
— Mark Burstiner, founder of Baeond
“Listening to Tony speak gave me the conviction in coworking I was looking for. Suddenly, the impact I had an inkling coworking was having on my community, instead, I knew to be real.
Tony was effortlessly able to connect the global impact of coworking to what was happening on a granular level in actual, real world spaces.
You won't be able to help but feel inspired and invigorated when you get a chance to hear him speak. He's a natural leader and speaker!”
— Jessica Bommarito, cofounder of Groundswell Coworking
Let’s talk.
Email me at tony [at] nwc.co or use the contact form below.
Video clips courtesy of GCUC, GCUC Canada, Coworking Europe, Coworking Nigeria Conference, Brand Factory, La Fonderie, and Brian Lehrer