Debbie has joined the work of Cooperate WNC because she wants to live in a world and region based on cooperation and collaboration.

Debbie has lived at Earthaven Ecovillage since 2007 in a housing cooperative. She live with her husband and two cats. Most of her career was as a software engineer and manager and a technical writer. Currently, Debbie is Online Programs and Marketing Director at Earthaven's School of Integrated Living. She has served on the board for a WNC regional sustainable agriculture nonprofit and currently serves on the board of Culture's Edge.

Rachel Swinney brings more than three decades of experience in healing work, communications, and community leadership to the Cooperate WNC board. A licensed massage therapist for over 34 years, she has provided more than 38,000 sessions and is certified in a wide range of therapeutic modalities. Rachel has taught in community colleges, professional massage programs, hospitals, and community settings, and has served in leadership roles within the American Massage Therapy Association at both the state and national levels.

Rachel holds a B.A. in Communications Arts from Carson-Newman College and has worked as a Director of College Communications, Director of Public Relations and Funded Programs, and outreach coordinator for domestic violence prevention programs. Now based in Western North Carolina, she is deeply engaged in community life through food buying clubs, aging-in-place networks, cooperative boards, and local advocacy efforts. She brings to Cooperate WNC a grounded commitment to care, mutual aid, and cooperative community building.