My name is Mari Nakano.
I like hacking bureaucracies, shifting hierarchies, untangling oppressive systems, and participating in developing and applying approaches that better enable communities I am in relationship with to thrive.
I do this primarily through an ongoing practice in visual and participatory design, blending creative, structured, and emergent approaches that aim to deepen relationships and align ourselves to the needs and visions that our communities dream of.
My breadth of experience within global NGOs, small start-up environments, social innovation teams, local government and non-profits, and academia has helped me develop and hone my practice as a designer, systems strategist, coach, and educator. Now, I am exploring where and how I might be able to meaningfully contribute to movements centered around agriculture, food, and eco-stewardship as they relate to social and environmental justice.