Who Are We? | Friendsandneighbors1

Gail Bagley, Founder

I was born in New Jersey, but I have lived in Florida since 1970. I was fortunate to have a 34-year career with an international high- tech industrial distribution firm as VP of Operations. My retirement passion is serving older adults through a local non-profit which provides referral services and educational programs.

I love cohousing and have strong interest in seniors living in cohousing.

I am a member of the board of directors for the Cohousing Association of America, and past president of SAGE Senior Cohousing Advocates.

I have visited over 20 cohousing communities and attended regional and national conferences and workshops.

For fun, I have been an Outing Leader with the Sierra Club since the 1990s and led my first backpacking trip when I turned 60. I also enjoy working out with a trainer, book club, meditation, and kayaking on Florida’s beautiful rivers.

Susan and Alan Harding

We moved to Florida from England in 1999 with our two sons - Daniel, a personal trainer and nutritionist, and Adam, a young man with developmental disability who loves to volunteer with SPCA. Recently retired, we ran a tax and accounting firm for 20 years. We have served on several nonprofit boards and been involved in fundraising and membership for various organizations including American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Circle of Friends and Noah’s Ark. We are strong advocates for inclusive life opportunities for families and individuals who experience disability.

Susan loves cooking, reading, walking, travel and gatherings with friends and family.

Alan’s passions include music (a drummer in a previous life), cricket, eating Susan’s cooking and football (soccer).

David and Linda Wood

We are originally from Ohio, but have followed David’s career to Indiana, Colorado and now Florida. We are retired educators who have dedicated our lives and careers to improving opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including our oldest daughter, Joann. Our younger daughter, Sara, is a licensed psychologist. She and her husband Michael also reside in Lakeland.

We are committed to developing and living in a blended cohousing community in Lakeland, where Joann can occupy her own home under our watchful eye. Joann has typically related more easily to adults without disabilities with whom she can engage in endless conversations while enjoying her sense of humor.

We hope to leave a legacy in which we are integral to something larger than ourselves.

Kristen Carlson

I was raised in a military family. I was born in Newfoundland in 1954 and we lived in CO, VT, AL, Spain, CA, FL and I graduated from high school on Okinawa. My mother settled in Tampa for my father's last tour of duty in Vietnam, so I went to the University of Florida to be close by.

I am a lawyer, practicing primarily in the citrus industry with a Tampa law firm. I am divorced with two grown sons and one English Cocker Spaniel, named Hadley.

I enjoy cycling and these days I bike with Hadley in tow. My 101 year old mother resides at Florida Presbyterian Homes and she is very much a participant with me and my sisters, Kim, who also lives in Lakeland.

I have called Lakeland my home since 1982 and have been involved in a range of civic activities over time, including being a long member of the Polk Museum of Art (past board member and President).

Currently I enjoy membership in Kiwanis, League of Women Voters and an assortment of other affiliations. I love movies, lectures, traveling, swimming, crafting and painting. Southgate is my neighborhood so downsizing to Harwood Village would keep me close to old friends and haunts, while giving me a new community of friends to enjoy and share interests with.

Donna Kinsler

I’m originally from New Haven, Connecticut, and a graduate of the University of New Haven.

I worked in management at AT&T in New York and Connecticut until its divestiture; then took a sabbatical to live in Sweden, Jamaica, Barbados and Mexico. I have also worked in Los Angeles in the entertainment industry as Executive Assistant for Stevie Wonder, Bill Duke, Marla Gibbs, Judge Mathis and Suzanne de Passe. Additionally, I served as Operations Manager for the NAACP Hollywood Bureau/Image Awards.

I moved to Florida in 2010 to spend time with my Dad whose health was on the decline. I decided to stay in Florida after my Dad’s transition to reacquaint with family.

I enjoy sharing and caring, love trivia, movies, dancing, singing. I have tutored special needs students and volunteered at the Women and Children’s shelter at the Salvation Army in Winter Haven. My passion has been to empower and teach those who are vulnerable and less fortunate. I raised funds and visited a 6-year old orphan in South African, Nomsa, and continue to support Sparrow’s Ministries.

I am currently Director of Cross County Programs for More Too Life, a non-profit with a mission to assist in the healing of human trafficking victims and a tutorial/mentor program for socio-economically challenged youth in Florida.