As a member-led organization, the Collective is committed to listening to, learning from, and following the voices of those most affected.
Our Elected Leadership
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Rachel Madison
Chair
Rachel is a co-founder of the Collective with experience in nonprofit management and communications. Her life-changing experience with post-viral illness has led her to pursue a new career in multimedia journalism and share inspiring stories of Long Covid and chronic illness survivors. She is excited to collaborate on the LCC’s photo-documentary project to spread awareness through creativity. Rachel loves to spend her time in nature, reading, and playing music.
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Jason Lanier
Vice-Chair
As a long-hauler since 2021, Jason is committed to elevating support and advocacy for this community. Professionally, Jason works as an innovation-focused director for a global automation provider, and he has extensive experience working for software start-ups. As a technology enthusiast, Jason is passionate about the application of new innovations to improve the lives of the long covid community. In his personal life, Jason enjoys traveling, learning new AI skills, and spending time with his family in central Texas.
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Maggie Moore
Secretary
All her life, Maggie has managed chronic illness, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and major depressive disorder for decades. Even so, Her Covid infections left her with debilitating symptoms and new diagnoses that suspended her 20-year archeology career. She now focuses on building a brighter future for folks with chronic illness through the Collective, and fostering kittens for her local animal shelter with her husband and teenaged son.
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Jamie Wheeless
Treasurer
Jamie has dealt with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain for years and now faces her Long Covid and diabetes diagnoses. Her lifelong passion is small business, and she's been involved with both owning and working for them, often concurrently. Jamie volunteered and served on non profit boards for years and is grateful to get to be useful to the Collective. She hopes to continue her art lessons which she loves.
Our Coordinators
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Virginia Hernandez
Newsletter Coordinator
Virginia was inspired to work with the Collective and create the Long Covid photo documentary project while watching her best friend struggle through symptoms, diagnosis, and life changes after the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia is a professional photographer based in Austin, Texas, specializing in portraiture, event, and concert photography. She enjoys spending time with her son, family, and kitties, performing amateur standup comedy, cooking, and playing bass guitar.
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Lisa Noriega
Partnerships Coordinator
Lisa is a native Austinite, a Realtor (lic. on hold), a Legal Transcriptionist, a Breast Cancer Survivor, a wife, mom, and a grandma. She’s had several Covid infections and has been living with Long Covid since 2022. Lisa attended the UT Post-Covid Clinic in 2023 in search of help. She’s also dealt with fibromyalgia, depression, ADHD, and an anxiety disorder - all of which have only become worse after her '22 infection. She is a Scorpio and enjoys quiet walks on the beach.
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Cindy Kohler
Social Media Coordinator
Cindy is a seasoned professional with over 30 years in real estate development, but now faces the daily challenges of living with Long Covid. Still, she finds love and joy in her Scottish Terrier, Fitz, who not only keeps her laughing but also inspires her creativity as the star of her Instagram videos. Through her role on the leadership committee, Cindy is committed to raising awareness about the invisible and debilitating nature of Long Covid while fostering a supportive community for those affected.
We are seeking Coordinator positions!
We are currently seeking coordinators for our remaining volunteer positions! Review our available positions below and reach out via email to express interest; longcovidcollective@gmail.com.
