More than a decade ago, Cody Wanner walked into a scrappy coworking space in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Back then, he was just looking for a break from working at home with a business partner.
Today, he’s the community manager at Pursuit Coworking, and the heartbeat of its flagship location.
“I raised my hand when the role came up,” he says, “because I was the member. I knew what people needed.” His background in video production and a love of hands-on work made him the perfect fit—not only to maintain the space but to shape its culture.
Since 2016, founder Adam Porter and the now named Pursuit Coworking has operated in a beautiful landmark building at N. 3rd and Boas streets in a part of Harrisburg known as Midtown. But recently it has also expanded into two more locations: a building on N. Front Street and a space at N. 2nd and State streets.
Now they have nearly 200 professionals who use their office space, hot desks and meeting rooms. And the heart of it all is the community manager, Cody Wanner.
Wanner’s guiding philosophy is to reduce friction at every turn. “Coworking should feel like a sliding board into productivity.”
That image is perfect, and extends to members the moment they come through the door. And he means everything from fixing the cold brew tap to rearranging desks so electricity flows smoothly. But it also means listening—and acting—when members ask for something.
“When people ask for something and it actually happens, they feel empowered to speak up again. That’s how we build a better space: together.”
One recent example? Replacing an outdated dry-erase calendar with a live, digital calendar display in the space. “It was simple, efficient, and now everyone instantly knows what’s happening.”
Coworking is less about physical infrastructure and more about mental transformation.
“When I’m here, I just feel different. My brain switches into this productive, creative mode—and I don’t have to force it. It just happens because of the space.”
As a long-time member before becoming Pursuit’s community manager, Cody has seen this shift in himself—and in nearly everyone who takes a tour.
“People tell me, ‘I’ve tried working from home. I have an office. But I keep getting distracted.’ It’s the laundry, the kids, the fridge. Life creeps in. What they crave is a place to work, on their terms." Coworking gives them that.”
But it’s not just about escape. It’s about belonging.
“There’s something powerful about walking into a place where other people are working, building, creating. You don’t even have to talk to them. You just feel it. And that energy pulls you into your own work.”
Cody believes the physical space acts like a signal to the brain: you’re here to do something meaningful. Over time, that consistency builds not only better habits but stronger confidence.
“For a lot of people, coworking is the first time they feel like their work life is under their control. That they’re part of something without needing to be on a corporate payroll.”
That, he says, is where the real value lies. Not in square footage, but in how a space makes someone feel about their own purpose.
Pursuit has three locations, but Wanner is the only community manager for now—and he’s honest about the challenge of scaling culture.
The flagship location in Midtown Harrisburg is the hub for community and connection. The other two are more focused on private office rentals.
“When I give tours, I make it clear: This is the core vibe. If you rent elsewhere, you still have 24/7 access to this space, and I encourage people to use it.”
Scaling culture isn’t just about amenities—it’s about presence. Wanner sees the value in eventually having additional community managers, but for now, he’s the link between them.
Wanner describes Coworks software like the Apple ecosystem: “Plug and play. It does what it says it will, and it works how you expect.”
That’s huge for someone juggling everything from leasing tours to ordering toilet paper. “I’m not diving into code. I’m just checking boxes, and the things I want to happen, happen.”
When small tweaks are needed—like removing “Dear User” from a receipt email—Wanner appreciates that Coworks support doesn’t say no. “They listen. I feel heard, which is rare in software.”
Founder Adam Porter counts the Coworks team as collaborators. “DeShawn, Phil, and the team have been so great to work with! If you want a responsive, helpful, and thoughtful team helping you grow your community, drop them a line.”
Pursuit doesn’t do a ton of formal networking events. Instead, it leans into mixers, music nights, and the occasional whiskey tasting. “It’s about creating opportunities for natural connection,” Wanner says.
He plays matchmaker between members too, introducing them based on shared interests or professions. He’s even considering a lightweight survey to formalize those intros.
His north star: helping members feel comfortable stepping into the common areas, striking up conversations, and forming friendships that last outside the space.
Wanner is looking forward to:
And while marketing and social media are still “on the list,” his focus remains clear: “Let’s make sure the members we already have are insanely happy.”
Cody Wanner is living proof that the best coworking operators don’t just manage—they curate. They listen. They fix. They connect.
And when you give members ownership of the experience, you don’t just build a space. You build something way more powerful: a community.
Want to empower your community managers with the tools they need? Book a demo with Coworks today
See why Coworks stands out as the top coworking space management software for 2025, offering seamless operations, community building, and robust...
Birch Road isn’t your typical coworking space. It’s a neighborhood social club, where coworking is just one of the options.
Discover the top 5 coworking blog posts of 2024, from childcare solutions to medical coworking, and see how they pave the way for coworking trends in...
