JESSIE KAWATA
PLANETARY STRATEGY . SYSTEMS DESIGN . ECOLOGICAL FUTURES
From the far reaches of our solar system to the living systems that sustain life on Earth, my work explores humanity’s relationship with technology, nature, and the cosmos. I build new teams, practices, and frameworks at the intersection of science, design, and technology to help organizations imagine more connected, resilient, and regenerative futures.
Strategist Catalyst Earthling
Highlights from the missions, systems, and ideas I’ve shaped across government, technology, science, and community resilience.
Design for Disaster Response LA
Founder & Lead
Mobilizing creative networks for disaster resilience
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NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Spacecraft in the Shot
Co-Investigator & Co-Author
Cinematography spacecraft payload concept
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Microsoft - Surface
Principal Director, Design for SustainabilityCircularity, repairability, and sustainable product strategy
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NASA Jet Propulsion Lab - Drought Lab Project
Design Director & Lead
Drought indicator investigation for NASA & NCA
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Microsoft - Windows
Principal Director, Design for Sustainability
Energy-efficient experiences across Windows ecosystem
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NASA Kennedy Space Center - Strategic Culture
Product Design Lead & Researcher
Research & strategy for KSC influencing cultural paradigm shift
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab - Innovation Foundry
Lead Product Strategist
Advanced concepts, design strategy, and mission innovation
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NASA Product Design Symposium w/ ACCD
Lead, Moderator, & Co-Host
NASA’s first product design event convening 50+ scientists, engineers, designers, and students.
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab - Mars Helicopter
Product Design Proposal Lead
First powered & controlled flight on Mars
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NASA Jet Propulsion Lab - Perseverance Rover
Product Design Lead
Embedded spacecraft messaging
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NASA Jet Propulsion Lab - Venus Rover Proposal
Co-Author & Product Design Lead
Extreme-environment & autonomous rover
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Microsoft - Hololens
Principal Director, Design for Sustainability
Low-impact hardware & alias strategy for mixed reality
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NASA Jet Propulsion Lab - Europa Lander Proposal
Lead Product Design Strategist
Systems design strategy for robotic landing on Europa
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Google SPAN Conference 2016
Speaker & Panelist
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NASA Jet Propulsion Lab - RoboSimian
Product Design Lead
Terrestrial robot demo for disaster recovery
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Ocean Cleanup
Microsoft Hackathon Member
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Core 77 Conference 2016
Speaker
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Microsoft - Windows & Edge
Principal Director, Experience Architecture
Defined digital trust and privacy story
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TEDxArtCenter College of Design 2015
Speaker
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OrcaHello
Microsoft Hackathon Member
BioAcoustic AI tool for endangered orcas
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Microsoft - Education
Principal Director, Experience Architecture
Shaped equitable learning at scale
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Ilan Dei Studio - Radical Optimism 2017
Panelist
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AIGA Eye on Design Conference 2017
Keynote Speaker
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Microsoft 2024 Environmental Sustainability Report
Principal Director, Design for Sustainability & Contributing Editor
Report Link
Microsoft - Xbox
Principal Director, Design for Sustainability
Advanced sustainable gaming hardware
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NASA JPL - Regional Hydrologic Extremes Assessment System
Co-Author & Lead Product Strategist
Modular hydrologic modeling framework
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Strategic Partnerships
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Strategic Advising & Consulting
Guidance for leaders, missions, and organizations working across science, design, technology, and climate resilience.
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Systems Design & Future Envisioning
Cross‑sector envisioning and design shaping programs, missions, and responses across disciplines and scales.
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Education, Speaking & Storytelling
Talks, keynotes, and thought leadership that explore the human condition and our place on a climate‑changing planet.
Get In Touch
Inquires, partnerships, or collaborations.