Miguel McKelvey

Miguel McKelvey co-founded WeWork with Adam Neumann in 2010, bringing a deep understanding of spatial design and the psychological impact of physical spaces, which was critical to the creation of the highly designed, community-focused work environments that defined the WeWork brand and drove its early explosive growth.

Miguel McKelvey, born in 1974 in Oregon, is an American architect and entrepreneur who co-founded WeWork with Adam Neumann. McKelvey studied architecture and was deeply influenced by the concept of how physical spaces can influence human behavior and interaction. Before co-founding WeWork, McKelvey was involved in the early coworking movement, launching Green Desk, an eco-friendly shared workspace in Brooklyn, which served as the direct precursor to WeWork. McKelvey's role in the company was primarily focused on the physical design and the community culture; he was responsible for the iconic, industrial-chic aesthetic of the WeWork locations, featuring exposed brick, glass-walled conference rooms, and communal tables that became the hallmark of the brand. McKelvey was also deeply involved in the curation of the community, personally interviewing potential members and organizing the events that fostered the collaborative atmosphere. As the company grew and professionalized, McKelvey's influence waned, and he eventually stepped down from his role as Chief Culture Officer in 2018, prior to the company's disastrous IPO attempt. McKelvey's contribution to WeWork was foundational; his design philosophy and community-focused approach created the physical product that the company sold, and his early partnership with Neumann provided the creative spark that launched the flexible office revolution.