- John Maeda
I constantly think about the state of the world and its most complex problems. I am driven by a deep belief that anything is possible and all problems can be tackled, no matter how big they are.
I have witnessed time and time again that when people come together with diverse lenses and skillsets, energized by a desire to make a difference, magic happens and no obstacle is too big to overcome. No matter the task, I am always laser-focused on understanding the why of any problem and creating a positive impact.
My background in social innovation, tech startups, non-profits, and humanitarian relief all have one thing in common : I constantly seek ways to help people reach their full potential, whether it's been:
Building an app to help amplify the reach of community mobilizers and the B Corp movement
Launching and managing a startup incubator to aid social ventures in achieving product-market-impact fit
Scaling up an entrepreneurial development program to help lift at-risk youth and women out of poverty in Ethiopia
Teaching UX to young professionals to equip them with new skills
Designing an experience to encourage people to discover their entrepreneurial mindsets
Researching and reporting needs to provide lifesaving care to refugees to help them rebuild their lives
I chose the UX/UI field because of its immense potential, taking what is one of the greatest advances of society - the power of technology - to (as cheesy as it sounds) help create a better world and end enduring injustices.
We - humanity - can do so much better and I want to contribute all I can (personally and professionally) toward making the world more equitable, ethical, accessible, and sustainable. It's why I'm passionate about social innovation, ethical design, human rights and combating climate change.