Hello,

I am eager to manifest a position honoring our collective history and nurturing empathy for today's challenges. I draw inspiration from the audacious journeys of my ancestors, who crossed the Atlantic in steerage with only the clothes on their backs and arrived in Milwaukee to begin a new life.

Learn more about me below and let's connect.

or send me an email: krystalmeisel@gmail.com

Portfolio:

My diverse background equips me to assist organizations, individuals, and projects in unveiling origin stories that catalyze global paradigm shifts.

DIVERSE COLLABORATION CATALYST

Mobilizing communities for impactful projects has been a cornerstone of my career. Whether spearheading collective impact initiatives in Oregon or embarking on investigative ventures in Palermo, I possess the ability to engage with professionals and community members across diverse realms. My curiosity and relentless pursuit of learning have furnished me with a flexible knowledge arsenal enabling me to forge connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds. I eagerly look forward to the opportunity of learning from and collaborating with multidisciplinary project teams.

Example projects include:

• The Hawaiʻi Shark Protection Act necessitated public awareness. Through the Mālama Manō collaboration I engaged nonprofits, the Hawaiʻi Department of Natural Resources, Herb Kane's legacy, and the Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation. My efforts yielded 320 outdoor signs at 40 boat harbors and distributed over 8,000 informational cards statewide.

• The Building in the Forest initiative, led by concerned residents near a UNESCO Biosphere reserve, revamped a building guide. Spearheading the update and redesign, I collaborated with local land rights experts and advocated for incorporating artwork by a Native Hawaiian artist. This elevated the brochure to a revered community resource that is distributed to real estate agents and local residents alike.

• Native Hawaiian activist Keala Kelly authored an article, Our Rights, slated for publication in the Atlantic. However, the publication rescinded its offer. Collaborating with Keala, I reformatted the text into a pocket-sized (4x5) self-published manifesto.

• June Gutmanis' renowned work, Na Pule Kahiko, a collection of Native Hawaiian prayers, had been absent from print for nearly three decades. Collaborating with her daughter and a local publisher, we undertook the task of re-releasing the book. This involved securing permissions from artists, guiding the family through defunct publishing contracts, and setting up new agreements. Additionally, I aided in marketing, press releases, and timely advertising for a holiday release.

AN EDUCATOR AT THE CORE

I’ve established makerspaces that empowered 30 first graders to independently explore the enchantment of 3D printing, guided the Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles through a labyrinth of overlooked MOUs, and mobilized an entire island of Native Hawaiian practitioners and new educators to come together to get students’ hands in the ʻāina (land) and out of the classroom. Thirteen years as an exceptional educator have prepared me to support an incredible team in crafting narratives, identifying key messages, and conceptualizing stories.

Example projects include:

• In July of 2015 I found myself presented with the opportunity to transform a small room on the third floor of a school in Los Angeles into a makerspace. Rooted in transferable skills, I built curriculum on the basis of Raspberry Pis, Arduinos, and imagination. There were unique opportunities for investigating and reflecting on how a classroom should look and sound and I compiled all of my findings into a white paper titled Educational Tectonics.

• I meticulously prepared the manuscript titled Rapa Nui Related for submission to the University of Hawaiʻi Press. Authored by Brigid Mulloy, daughter of the renowned Rapa Nui archaeologist William Mulloy, this impactful work delves into the team's crucial experiences documenting and uncovering the Moai on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). I ensured the manuscript adhered to humanities submission guidelines and it is currently undergoing peer review for publication.

• The Code for America leadership team prioritized delving into the history of places during conferences and gatherings. For the 2022 Brigade Congress in St. Louis, Missouri I took the initiative to research and design a comprehensive zine on the area's historical events. This zine offered attendees an insightful overview of the significant historical events that unfolded in the downtown area enriching their understanding of the local context.

• Candice Herriot, a food blogger turned aspiring author, enlisted my expertise to edit, organize, layout, and facilitate the self-publishing process of a seasonal cookbook highlighting the rich offerings of Charleston, South Carolina's low country, Provisions to Plate. This project marked Palmetto Publishing's initial venture into self-publishing, later acquired by Arcadia Publishing.

PROFESSED LOVE FOR PRIMARY SOURCES

I’ve been referred to as a forensic investigator, a magician, and a document maven. Investigative research is my driving force and I take pride in knowing that no boundaries, whether they be linguistic, national, or archival are insurmountable. If information exists I’m determined to unearth it. Decades of exploration and three years leading a research-based production company have equipped me to adeptly conduct thorough research, ascertain the relevance and accuracy of resources, and provide clear and accurate summaries of information.

Example projects include:

• For four months in Palermo, Sicily, I delved into uncovering my family's history, revealing a profound link to the origin story of Bagheria, Sicily. I unearthed the fact that my great grandmother was abandoned as a foundling child in Palermo. Utilizing translation tools, networking skills, and a knack for research, I successfully traced and gathered all primary sources related to my family's story. Watch the documentary.

• A Chief Marketing Officer sought insight into his immigration story for deeper leadership understanding. My research unveiled a compelling lineage: a link to the Jewish diaspora in Romania, a familial tie to the pioneering notary for the King of France in Quebec, and a forebear who worked as a teamster, navigating wagon trains across the US-Canadian border.

• An influential executive in Honolulu's education and networking sphere had scant knowledge about her grandfather. After six months of dedicated research, a treasure trove of artifacts emerged, shedding light on the life of a Chinese family fleeing communism in Hanoi, Vietnam. Delving into the archives of France, Vietnam's colonial power, unearthed primary sources including a 1930s radio permit and addresses of buildings that still exist in the city today.

• I co-founded the Hawaiʻi Lit Production Co. and championed ancestral storytelling's transformative power, aiding in personal growth and understanding. I believe that knowledge and discovery are essential building blocks for individual sovereignty. My wife and I created a guide, Unearthing Ancestral Power, encouraging readers to discover their inner ancestral territory. It emphasizes the importance of charting one's progress, asking difficult questions, and collecting artifacts of one's story. Despite potential challenges, it invites readers on a transformative journey, offering resources as a starting point for self-discovery and ancestral healing.

FEARLESS ADVENTURER

From 2022-2023 my wife and I streamlined our possessions into a 40L backpack and embarked on a life centered around experiences. Our journey took us through Germany, Sicily, Montenegro, Tunisia, Morocco, and all across the United States. This nomadic lifestyle instilled in us a profound appreciation for the diverse global community. I've grown bolder, wiser, and deeply connected to the idea of valuing time. Our adventures are chronicled on our blog.

I also excel in discerning connections among disparate elements. Collage art showcases my talent for weaving possibilities from various pieces, an innate skill that defines my approach to life.

The future: 

Muhammad al-Idrisi, an eminent 12th-century Berber geographer, crafted extensive maps commissioned by King Roger II in Palermo, Sicily blending various geographical traditions. His masterpiece, Nuzhat al-mushtāq fī ikhtirāq al-āfāq (also known as the Tabula Rogeriana), remains partially preserved in ten manuscript copies yet none can be found in Palermo where it was created.

My great grandmother was abandoned at a foundling wheel in Palermo and descends from Berber tribes who navigated the Mediterranean to Palermo. In honoring her legacy, I aim to contribute to returning al-Idrisi's work to its origins in Palermo as part of a PhD dissertation in Visual Culture from the Università degli Studi di Palermo before my 75th birthday.