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From Spinal Stroke Survivor to People Magazine ,"Women Changing the World" Spotlight: Meet Marisa Hamamoto.
During Asian American Pacific Islander Month, we are proud to feature Marisa Hamamoto, the first professional dancer named People Magazine “Women Changing the World.” A leading authority on mental wellness, disability inclusion, Asian American experience, building a culture of belonging, and changemaking, Marisa was recently named LinkedIn Top Voice, and has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Today, Forbes, Fast Company, amongst other media outlets. As a sought-after international speaker, performing artist, and creative director, Marisa has been a speaker at the United Nations, shared the stage with Tim Cook at Apple HQ’s Steve Jobs Theater, and her clients and partners include Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Red Bull, Deloitte, adidas, PayPal, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, among other forward-thinking brands. Marisa is a spinal stroke survivor, a late-diagnosed Autistic, and a proud fourth-generation Japanese American. She is the founder of Infinite Flow Dance, an award-winning dance company and nonprofit that employs disabled and nondisabled dancers with diverse, intersectional identities, with a mission to advance disability inclusion, one dance at a time. Marisa is bilingual and bicultural. She completed her BA & MA from Keio University, Tokyo.
Tell us about your journey. What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
While I was in college, I experienced a spinal stroke that initially left me paralyzed from the neck down. This life-altering moment eventually led me to create Infinite Flow Dance. However, there is more to my journey.
One pivotal moment can be traced to senior high school year. I attended a performing arts high school on a scholarship. The last dance concert was a student-choreographed concert where all the senior high school students had an opportunity to choreograph a 6-minute work. I was excited to not just choreograph my own work, but also be part of my classmates’ choreography. However, none of my peers cast me into their work, which was deeply painful. But then I noticed seven other students were also left out, and I took out a pencil and wrote all of their names into my own cast. We had an incredible showcase and at commencement I was named “Dance Major of the Year,” but the real win is that since I graduated high school there was a policy placed in the dance department ensuring all dance students participate in the student choreography dance concert. It’s been over 20 years since I graduated high school, and that policy is still there.
At that time, I didn’t know this, but this episode planted a seed for my future work as a changemaker. I learned through this that our small actions can lead to big change.
I turned this story into a 5-min short film called “Changemaker."
What are the most valuable lessons you've learned about yourself through your life and career?
First, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. There’s pressure to succeed early and fast, but real impact comes with consistency and time. Infinite Flow turns 10 this year, and that milestone didn’t happen by chasing shiny objects. I’ve learned to root everything in mission, not recognition. Titles and honors don’t define you; how you show up every day does. Another big lesson: pay your dues, be humble, and stay grateful. Say “thank you” and “I’m sorry” often; those two phrases go a long way. It’s the people who keep going with humility that succeed. I’ve also learned that whether I’m performing for five kids or 5,000 global leaders, I show up 150%.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
I often feel the impact of my work in the moment, especially when I’m on stage or facilitating a workshop. There’s nothing like witnessing someone light up, feel seen, or realize they belong. That sense of one-on-one impact fuels me. Small actions truly lead to big change. I’ve also built Infinite Flow to be a systems-change organization. I’ve put deep thought into our theory of change. It’s not easy to execute, but I know we’re making a lasting impact. I also find purpose in creating a new path: being a trailblazer as a creative changemaker. I’ve shown that it’s possible to follow your artistic passion and make a difference. That sense of alignment brings me joy and keeps me going, even when the road gets tough. The bigger picture keeps me anchored: one person at a time, one ripple at a time.
If you could go back and advise your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self: You’re going to be okay. You were born to make an impact, but it’s going to unfold in your own way and on your own timeline. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t try to fit into someone else’s path. Your journey is yours—and it’s unfolding exactly as it should. Trust your gut, even when the world tells you otherwise. The things that make you feel like an outsider now will one day be your superpowers. Keep creating. Keep questioning. Keep dancing. Keep believing that inclusion is possible. And don’t be afraid to pick up the metaphorical pencil and rewrite the rules when something doesn’t feel right. You are enough.
How can GlobalMindED support leaders like yourself in achieving your goals and advancing your aspirations?
The best teachers are also the best students—and the best mentors are also the best mentees. I don’t believe in one-way relationships. I see myself as a teacher, a mentor, a guide, but also as someone who’s always learning. I hope GlobalMindED can support leaders like me by creating opportunities for both teaching and learning, mentoring and being mentored. I’m always seeking growth, new tools, and new perspectives. I’d love to be part of a community where we exchange wisdom across generations and disciplines.
To learn more about Marisa Hamamoto and her work you can follow her through the below networks:
www.MarisaHamamoto.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisahamamoto/
https://www.instagram.com/marisahamamoto
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