About Patricia

Polymath. Ontological Designer. Protopian Futurist.

Portrait of Patricia Parkinson

There's a moment when a group stops performing coordination and starts actually moving together. I design for that threshold.

If you've ever been part of something that suddenly clicked — capacity unlocking that you knew was there but couldn't reach — that's the territory I work in. It's called organizational emergence: the living process by which groups develop coordination, structure, and collective capacity.

For 18 years, I've led teams at pioneering thresholds — scaling a digital financial newsroom during the 2008 crisis, advising banks and Fortune 500s through early digital transformation, designing national programs reaching hundreds of thousands, leading design for the world's largest blockchain encyclopedia, directing design for an early metaverse platform, guiding first-of-kind digital transitions for MAPS, Burning Man, and Esalen, co-creating self-organizing coalitions reaching 15M people, designing an Indigenous nature regeneration network stewarding 140k acres, and shaping participation for Canada's largest civil disobedience movement.

The pattern is consistent: I get enrolled when groups face territory they've never navigated before. I build teams and shape systems of participation that let them move.

People describe me as a multiplier — someone who amplifies the capacity of others. I'm a polymath; emergence doesn't resolve within a single domain. My work weaves together spaces, stories, and systems. The environments we gather in, the narratives we hold, the structures we coordinate through — these shape each other. This is ontological design: designing the conditions that design us.

Our compounding crises led me to co-found OpenCivics — a philosophy, practice, and network for open civic innovation. We're building peer-to-peer coordination infrastructure for navigating emergence at civilizational scale: participatory governance, mutual stewardship, regenerative collective action from the ground up. We've distributed more than $350k USD to 47 projects through participatory funding. This is what I'm most devoted to — where everything I've learned meets what this moment requires.

My home, Imaginal House, on Salt Spring Island in the Salish Sea, is a community hub and sanctuary for practitioners designing regenerative futures. I also lead the arts collective Luminary Society, and tend a knowledge garden as the Kosmic Gardener.

Career Highlights

Recently

Co-founded a civic innovation network distributing $350k+ in grants for open civic infrastructure
Shaped the organizational design of an Indigenous-led nature regeneration network stewarding 140k acres of coastal rainforest
Stewarding emerging infrastructure for networked sovereignty and local self-governance

Wild Exploration

Supported Burning Man's transition into decentralized digital experiences
Designed and executed the first online global event for MAPS
Advised Esalen during their response to pandemic-era conditions
Co-designed the world's largest blockchain encyclopedia
Built one of the first metaverse platforms to support NFTs
Led a pandemic-era digital campaign engaging 15M+ participants

Early Career

Advised major banks and service firms on early digital transformation
Helped design national-scale financial and digital literacy programs
Incubated the southern hemisphere's largest professional speaking institute

Collaborators & Partners

ANZ Bank · AP News · ATYP · Bankwest · BioFi Project · BlockOne · Burning Man Project · Buckminster Fuller Institute · Center for Humane Technology · ChangeLabs · China Mobile · Clever · Commonwealth Bank · Concep · Consciousness Hacking · Crane Industry Association · Design Science Studio · Elanora Country Club · Esalen Institute · Everipedia · EY · FCB · Football Federation Australia · Gitcoin · Google · habRitual · Indigenous Commons · Johnson & Johnson · Kwaxala · Lionsgate · MAPS · Minter Ellison · Mondelēz International · MS Research Australia · NAB · Netflix · Optus · Pegasus Pictures · Pumpables · Rackett · Regenerate Cascadia · Rhizome Springs · Seven Seven Six · Shimano · Singtel Optus · Speakers Institute · Telos · Topia · Vision 2030 · Vogue · Westpac

Areas of Focus

Explore garden →

My Vision

A future where thriving communities, resilient systems, and planetary well-being emerge naturally from cultures of participation, shared stewardship, and regenerative self-governance.

Humanity stands at the threshold of a radical reconfiguration — a time when exponential change and existential reckoning converge. Beneath every collapse lies a deeper wound — a forgetting of our belonging to the living systems that sustain us.

To move beyond collapse, we turn toward the principles life itself teaches: regeneration, reciprocity, emergence. Not as abstractions — as design conditions. This is not a moment for incremental reform. It calls for a renaissance of imagination, a renewal of participation, and a deep remembering of our interbeing with all life.

By evolving how we imagine, organize, and relate, I believe we can ignite a cultural shift — one that restores meaning, reveals new possibilities, and builds systems rooted in care.

Career Details

Organizations & Roles
  • 2009 - Current | Strategic Consulting Practice
    Currently under the name "Future Historic"
  • 2022 – Current | OpenCivics | Co-Founder & Steward
    OpenCivics is a civic innovation network empowering civic innovators, organizers, and patrons to collaboratively reimagine governance, community-building, and civic life. As co-founder, I steward the vision, frameworks, and living experiments in participatory economies, decentralized systems, and civic infrastructure.
  • 2022 - Current | Design Science Studio | Advisor
    Design Science Studio is a global learning community inspired by the work of Buckminster Fuller, dedicated to life-affirming systems change. As an advisor, I support regenerative artists, designers, and futurists in navigating complexity, refining their visions, and architecting transformative projects aligned with planetary flourishing.
  • 2023 - 2024 | Burning Man | Governance & Engagement Advisor
  • 2023 - 2024 | Kwaxala | Organizational Designer
    Kwaxala is a cultural and ecological initiative rooted in Indigenous wisdom and regenerative stewardship. I designed and advised on organizational structures to support self-governance, decentralized leadership, and place-based community resilience.
  • 2022 | Habritual | Design Strategist
    Habritual is an interdisciplinary studio integrating art, technology, and nature to catalyze systemic change through immersive experiences. I led collaborative think tank design processes informing the masterplan of a 430-acre regenerative eco-village project, blending participatory design with living systems principles.
  • 2020 - 2021 | Liminalia | Founder & Creative Director
    Liminalia was a digital-first experience design studio born in response to the pandemic-era need for transformative online connection. I co-led projects ranging from large-scale digital events to strategic consulting for organizations like Burning Man Project, Esalen Institute, and MAPS, crafting immersive formats that bridged technology and human connection.
  • 2021 | Topia | Experience Design Director
    Topia is a pioneering social metaverse platform fostering participatory, collaborative digital environments. I led major UX/UI redesigns, creative processes, partner experiences, and branded world designs, including producing best practice case study worlds and hosting major events like Virtual Burning Man.
  • 2018 - 2019 | BlockCollab | Founder & Facilitator
  • 2018 - 2020 | Decrypted | Partner + Design Director
    Decrypted was a design and strategy studio specializing in the blockchain space, supporting startups to bridge early adopter and early majority markets. I led end-to-end design projects across UX, branding, and digital strategy, helping shape user-centric platforms like Everipedia and Telos. Our work emphasized simplicity, strong calls to action, and practical pathways to adoption.
  • 2018 | Blockchain Babes | Co-Founder & Movement Multiplier
    Blockchain Babes was a global blockchain community created for women by women. Our goal was to foster the conditions where women can feel confident, competent and capable of designing a regenerative society, based on understanding of and appreciation for Blockchain technology. Over six months, we established in-person communities in 8 cities around the world and supported hundreds more women online in their exploration of the topic space.
  • 2018 - 2019 | Chestnut | Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
    Chestnut developed smart account technology designed to improve blockchain security and usability for mass adoption. I led product design, identity development, and market strategy, culminating in winning Best UX and 2nd Place at the EOS Global Hackathon London and competing as a finalist at the Cape Town Grand Finale.
  • 2017 - 2018 | SteemSmarter | Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
    SteemSmarter was an analytics and reporting tool created to support user growth and engagement on the Steem blockchain. I directed product strategy, UX development, branding, and operations, helping simplify complex blockchain interactions and deliver actionable insights to platform users.
  • 2015 | Reidefine Media | Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
    Reidefine Media was a media and technology venture focused on entertainment-driven eCommerce and eLearning for the Asia-Pacific market. I co-developed product designs, digital platforms, and partnership strategies, collaborating with Pegasus Media Group and China Film Co. on cross-continental initiatives including a $100M film fund and pioneering digital education pilots.
  • 2012 | Karrikins Group | Shared Creative Services Manager
    Karrikins Group (formerly ChangeLabs) is a global behavior change consultancy focused on leadership alignment and organizational transformation. As a member of the senior leadership team, I managed a creative department, led strategic content development, supported facilitator training programs across Australia and New Zealand, and helped design award-winning financial, digital, and active play literacy programs for major corporate foundations like Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Singtel Optus, and Mondelez International.
  • 2011 - 2012 | Funke Labs | Creative Director
    Funke Labs was a creative agency specializing in brand strategy, digital experiences, and transmedia campaigns for Australian arts, education, and media sectors. I led brand transformation initiatives, developed digital strategies, managed cross-disciplinary teams, and supported client projects for organizations such as Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP), MS Research Australia, WotOpera, ABC Music, and Luna Park.
  • 2010 - 2011 | Concep | Creative Manager - Design & Interactive
    Concep is a global B2B relationship marketing technology company focused on professional services firms. I led creative and technical projects across email marketing, microsites, content automation, and digital transformation, during a pivotal time when enterprises began integrating social media into formal marketing practices. Clients included: Google, Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Capgemini, Randstad, CommInsure, Westpac, NAB, Colonial First State, MLC, Bankwest, and JBWere.
  • 2008 | Brookeshire Media | Digital Producer
    Brookeshire Media operated a financial news network during the global financial crisis. I supported the rapid scaling of DEX.tv from a 10-person startup to a 100+ person 24/7 broadcast operation, developing digital asset management standards, creating branding materials, and assisting newsroom operations — a formative experience in startup adaptability and crisis-driven media environments.
  • 2008 | Drive Strategic | Junior Creative Director
    Drive Strategic was a boutique digital agency based in Toronto, specializing in brand-driven digital storytelling. I contributed to social media campaigns such as "Blog Your Way to Antarctica" for Quark Expeditions (15k+ participants) and supported national campaigns for brands like Shimano, developing my early expertise in integrated marketing strategy and creative leadership.
  • 2005 | Tiens Biotech Group | Canadian Consultant Services
    Tiens is a global health products and biotechnology company operating with a direct selling model. At Tiens, I helped establish North American operational systems, developed member acquisition strategies, and built early digital infrastructure including an eCommerce portal — an important foundational experience in building systems from scratch.
  • 2004 | Quirk Solutions | Founder & Production Director
    Quirk Solutions was my first registered entrepreneurial venture, launched while still in high school, producing local music events and film screenings to support emerging independent artists. This experience sparked my lifelong dedication to creating platforms and ecosystems for creative collaboration and community development.
Skills

People

  • Leadership Development & Coaching
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building
  • Capacity Building & Talent Development
  • Vendor & Partner Management
  • Workshop Design & Facilitation
  • Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
  • Culture Building & Community Engagement
  • Customer Experience & Relationship Stewardship
  • Conflict Mediation & Resolution
  • Employee Retention Strategy

Creative

  • Product Design & Innovation
  • Brand Strategy & Identity Development
  • UX/UI Design & Gamification
  • Research, Discovery & Concept Development
  • Graphic Design & Visual Storytelling
  • Immersive Experience & Transmedia Design
  • Content Creation & Campaign Development
  • Art Direction & Creative Strategy

Operations

  • Vision & Values Definition
  • Organizational Design & Modeling
  • Strategic Planning & Execution
  • Project & Program Management
  • Financial Planning & Resource Management
  • Metrics, Evaluation & Reporting
  • Change & Transformation Management
  • Scaling & Growth Strategy
  • Roadmap Development & Delivery
  • Sales, Negotiation & Partnership Development

Technology

  • Digital Strategy & Transformation
  • Systems Architecture & Integration
  • Data Analytics & Visualization
  • Enterprise & Workflow Automation (ERP/CRM)
  • Content & Knowledge Management Systems
  • Ecommerce & Digital Platforms
  • SaaS Tools & Integration
  • IT Operations & Cybersecurity Awareness
  • Process Development & Automation
  • Media & Video Production
  • Web & Interface Design
  • Data Organization & Management
  • Educational & Training Technology
Awards
  • 2020 | Muse Design Awards
    Silver Winner – Website / Art & Design (for "Bicycle Night – A Virtual Bicycle Day Experience")
  • 2018 | EOS Global Hackathon
    2nd Place + Best UX / Chestnut – Smart accounts for automation and security. Issued by 2018 EOS Global Hackathon in London.
  • 2016 | Startup Weekend (Bali)
    2nd Place (for "Plan of Attack" – a visual strategic planning tool for entrepreneurs)
Speaking
  • 2020 | Consciousness Hacking | Future of Immersive
    Exploring the future of virtual connection with the visionaries behind Liminalia, hacking participatory online experiences that blur the line between physical and digital.
    View Talk
  • 2020 | Quarantime | Commander in Us : Quaranteams
    How a global group of activists self-organized and deployed campaigns for COVID safety reaching millions, developing coping mechanisms that promote connection and well-being during physical distancing.
    Watch talk
  • 2020 | Telos World 2020 | Telos Branding
    Exploring the thought process behind Telos rebranding.
    Watch talk
  • 2020 | EOS Podcast | Secret History of Blockchain's Future
    Listen to episode
  • 2019 | Burning Man | Reinventing the web that wasn't
    Talk on playa at Camp Decentral.
  • 2018 | Hubud | Brand-driven Innovation
  • 2017 | Tulip Emerging Technologies | Brand-driven innovation
    View Talk
  • 2017 | Punspace | Do polymaths own the future?
    Our capacity for multiple talents is our true nature and greatest strength. Those who embrace their zealous minds will make a resounding impact on our future.
  • 2017 | ARD World Report | Digital Nomads in Bali
    Watch Segment
  • 2016 | Fuck Up Night Bali | Story of My First Founding Fantasy
    View Talk
  • 2016 | Pecha Kucha | Do polymaths own the future?
    View Talk
  • 2012 | Pilab Forum | Finding an audience in the digital age
    Contributed within this panel discussion on the subject of reaching audiences through digital media, serving as a subject matter expert to discuss trends and tactics to enhance engagement in the digital age.
Education
  • 2009 | OCAD University — Design
  • 2007 | Ryerson University — Journalism

My Values

The values that guide my being

Curiosity

Staying open to what I don't yet understand

Presence

Honoring what's here, not just what's next

Reverence

Remembering my web of relations

The values that guide my doing

Coherence

Aligning intention, action, and design

Plurality

Welcoming many truths without losing clarity

Wholeness

Designing for integrity, not efficiency

Gifts & Growth Areas

People describe me as having relational intelligence and a gift for synthesizing complexity into coherent, actionable systems. I make mistakes often and seek to learn and attune.

Activator

Gift

I bring energy and momentum that helps things get moving.

Growth

I can move too quickly, mistaking motion for progress and skipping over necessary depth.

Strategist

Gift

I clarify options and help others act decisively in uncertain situations.

Growth

I can default to decision-making too fast — narrowing choices before others feel heard.

Futurist

Gift

I inspire next steps and help imagine what's possible beyond the current stuckness.

Growth

I can get so focused on what's next that I lose patience for the present moment or pace.

Relational Intelligence

Gift

I create spaces of deep trust and meaningful connection across difference.

Growth

I can overextend emotionally — taking too much responsibility for harmony.

Synthesizing Complexity

Gift

I distill insight from complexity and make systems legible and actionable.

Growth

I can overwhelm others with frameworks, or over-architect things before people are ready.

Kind Words from Collaborators

My Life Story

I believe our story is a lens; a constellation of meaning through which we see and seek to be seen.

I was born into the blur of suburbia, at the edge of industrial decay and digital emergence. From the start, I sensed I wouldn't fit into a single role or follow a linear path. There's a Maltese tradition (Il-Quċċija) where a child's future is symbolized by the object they choose on their first birthday. I chose a machine gun and rosary beads. Even then, I was reaching toward something both rebellious and reverent.

By sixteen, life had already demanded I grow up fast. Loss shaped me. So did curiosity. I became a teenage activist and journalist, learning to move between stories and systems, behind and in front of the camera. In the years that followed, I carved my own path — through media, design, and technology — searching not just for success, but for meaning.

Eventually, the inner dissonance became too loud to ignore. I had spent a decade building things — brands, platforms, careers — but without a compass rooted in care, they began to feel hollow. So I walked away.

For seven years, I wandered the world as a digital nomad. I learned from elders and edge-dwellers, mystics and metaverse architects. I healed, studied, and listened. I learned that regeneration isn't just ecological — it's ontological. It's how we design ourselves, each other, and our shared worlds.

When I returned to the Pacific Northwest, I was no longer chasing titles or trends. I was in service — to something older, wilder, more whole. I found language for what had been guiding me all along: planetary regeneration, cosmolocal collaboration, civic imagination, and the sacred architecture of participation.

Today, I tend to experiments at the intersection of governance, culture, and care. But more than anything, I'm learning how to live in right relationship — with land, with time, with others, and with myself.

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete."

— Buckminster Fuller

Past Selves & Meaningful Moments

If you're building something that matters and could use a thinking partner, I'd love to hear from you.

Let's Connect