your team

Co-Founder, President

Lia Morse Mashaka has a background in advertising and marketing as she served as a senior account executive for a prestigious advertising agency based in Los Angeles. Lia managed the execution of multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns for clients including FORD Motor Company and Nestlé to name a few.

Lia provides personalized flat hunting and interior design services, making sure that everything is going smoothly and clients needs are surpassed. During the summer, her favorite time of year, Lia enjoys family trips to Costa Brava and is continually searching for the best properties in Barcelona that has have some special that other don't.

Co-Founder

Akida Mashaka is a Harvard Law School trained attorney who oversees the immigrations issues to live in Spain and real estate translations. Akida is a serial entrepreneur and real estate investor who founded and previously served as CEO of food and beverage companies in the United States before moving to Barcelona.

Akida makes sure that clients are getting the best deals and legal knowledge and that we have the best collaborative relationships for you. He also works closely with Barcelona city organizations and local attorneys to be aware of issues that may affect our clients. In his free time, Akida plays competitive tennis and is also Founder of Barcelona High School.

Hugh Donagher, Client Experience Manager

Hugh Donagher is a Connecticut native who spent 30 years moving around the U.S. and ultimately relocated to Barcelona in 2020 with his husband, Brian, and their six-year-old terrier, Hobo. A defining principle in Hugh's nomadic life is found in the old saying, "bloom where you are planted." It is in Hugh's nature to build community, sinking deep roots wherever he lives and connecting people to each other and to community resources.

As BCN Life's Client Experience Manager, Hugh makes sure that our team understands the totality of our clients' needs -- both the needs they articulate and those they haven't yet discovered about life in Barcelona. He then crafts a comprehensive suite of services to ensure their smooth landing and provides continuing support after arrival, connecting them to the resources they need to start building their best life in Barcelona.

Michael Schoenfeld, Client Experience Associate

Michael Schoenfeld was born in Pennsylvania, but grew up in Arizona where he attended Arizona State. Michael moved to Los Angeles where he lived for many years and had one of the most popular hair salon chains in California. During Covid, however, he began to rethink his purpose in life and started a plan to move to Barcelona as he was able to receive a German passport based on family roots there which allowed him to move to Barcelona more freely as an EU citizen.

As BCN Life's Client Experience Associate, Michael helps to select clients that match the BCN Life mission through the many email requests received on a daily basis. Michael is extremely organized and works closely with Hugh making sure all clients' needs are met, especially when it comes to prepping clients for visa applications. Michael was a former client of BCN Life which is how he found an immediate new family of friends in Barcelona.

I have just moved to the perfect (even more than perfect!!) flat in a great location, and all that thanks to Lia and Akida. 

They kept me informed during all the process, answered any questions I had and I didn't have to worry about anything (even the temporary housing between my arrival and the date I could enter the flat). 

I totally recommend BCN Life!

Thank you very much Emilia. We look forward to helping others just like you!

I recently moved to Barcelona, the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

BCN Life has made the transition seamless. Lia and Akida found me an AMAZING — and when I say AMAZING, I mean AMAZING — apartment. 

I literally checked off all my needs and wants. (House Hunters International look out you have some serious competition!).

BCN Life has also introduced me to a great group of expats. I have been accepted and included since day 1.

BCN Life gets 5 ⭐s. I cannot recommend the company enough.

Thank you very much Nicky. We look forward to helping others just like you!