INTRODUCTION
Hello! My name is Ariel Wang, a Communications Director based in Seattle, Washington specializing in bridging design, strategy, and systems for institutional storytelling and social impact.
Photo: Katie Draude
Olympic National Park, where I taught science outside. Photo: Ariel Wang
HOW I WORK
I dream big.
I bring over 10 years of experience organizing interdisciplinary teams and translating ambitious ideas into action through educational, community-centered design.
SELECT COLLABORATIONS & FEATURES
ADOBE
FIELD OPERATIONS
FUJIFILM
GENSLER
NATURE IN THE CITY
NATUREBRIDGE
NEW YORK TIMES
NIPPON FOUNDATION
OCEAN NEXUS
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
PARKS CONSERVANCY
PGM ONE
PRESIDIO TRUST
REI
SFMOMA
UNITED NATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
YOUTH OUTSIDE
PROJECTS
NIPPON FOUNDATION / OCEAN NEXUS
Uniting a Global Network for Collective Action
PROJECTS
SCALE
Founded in 2019, Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus is a $32.5 million ocean social science research institute with partnerships and projects across six continents.
I joined in 2022 and I led a creative, technical, and digital transformation uniting the work and identity of a dispersed network into a cohesive brand.
The resulting brand system anchors global engagement, reaching 134+ countries and advancing a shared mission for social change on the world stage.
SCOPE
Communications Strategy
Brand Architecture
Global Engagement
Content & Narrative Frameworks
SAMPLE
1. Brand and Website Internal Launch
2. Newsletter
3. Learning Forum
Introducing the Ocean Equity Learning Forum: a visual and thematic system designed to organize, teach, and activate ocean social science research.
Poster: Nayon Kim
NATURE IN THE CITY / SFMOMA
Launching a Nature in the City Map for Civic Engagement
SCALE
This year, Nature in the City celebrates 20 years as San Francisco’s oldest nonprofit wholly dedicated to ecological restoration and education.
Initially, I joined to help design the Nature in the City Map with 27 agencies, artists, and community collaborators.
With the map complete, I led marketing strategy, including creating a website recognized as a resource for nature engagement by The New York Times.
On July 13, 2025, I was awarded as part of Nature in the City’s Founding Circle for establishing enduring systems that continue to support the organization’s mission today.
SCOPE
Communications Strategy
Media & Partnerships
SAMPLE
1: Nature in the City Map
2. Website Recording
3. SFMOMA Marketing
The double-sided Nature in the City Map transforms public data into an interactive storytelling tool.
Photo: Nature in the City
I moderated a panel discussion on how the Nature in the City Map bridges design, local action, and global climate goals at the UN Global Climate Action Summit.
Photo: SFMOMA
PRESIDIO TRUST / FIELD OPERATIONS
Designing an Urban National Park with Community
SCALE
A once-in-a-generation $118 million capital project, the Presidio Tunnel Tops project transforms highway infrastructure into 14-acres of new national park land at the Golden Gate Bridge.
I organized community design programs for the Presidio Tunnel Tops project in collaboration with the Presidio Trust, Field Operations, the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy, and the National Park Service, personally synthesizing 7,000+ comments from multi-lingual community members.
SCOPE
Civic Engagement Strategy
Community Design
Cross-sector Collaboration
SAMPLE
I lead outreach and defined actionable feedback from city-wide participants, liaising with Field Operations and shaped the schematic designs during the initial phase of the project.
Photo: Presidio Trust
ADOBE / GENSLER
Operationalizing Design Strategy in Silicon Valley
SCALE
Gensler is a global design firm with 55+ offices worldwide.
At Gensler, I wore many hats: I supported executive leadership and aligned cross-functional operations for an interdisciplinary team of administrators, architects, designers, and Silicon Valley technology clients.
I researched and wrote for a weekly brief translating market insights into strategic talking points; my research was recognized by Gensler executive leadership and scaled region-wide as a NW Best Practice for strengthening client relationships.
SCOPE
Creative & Business Operations
Internal Communications
SAMPLE
I organized virtual, hybrid, and in-person team building experiences — like “The Marshmallow Challenge” — to cultivate community and creative collaboration amongst best-in-class designers and leaders.
Photo: Gensler
OUTDOOR ASIAN WASHINGTON
Creating Spaces for AAPI Belonging in the Pacific Northwest
SCALE
Outdoor Asian Washington’s mission is to create a community of AAPI members in the outdoors.
I joined OAWA to equip resources for AAPI members to experience the best of Pacific Northwest nature while building strong, intercultural relationships.
As a proud former Environmental Educator at NatureBridge, Olympic National Park, I owe a great debt to the outdoor communities that have shaped me, and I am committed to paying it forward by ensuring that communities have access to spaces of connection and belonging.
SCOPE
Community Engagement & Partnerships
SAMPLE
At OAWA, I volunteer to organize hands-on, educational, and fully equipped programs for AAPI in partnership with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Special thanks to Chris Liu and Alison Leung for co-leading food-themed programs with me!
Poster: Ariel Wang