Rena Kawabata

She, Her, Hers | Denver, CO | Facilitator & Operations

Rena Kawabata (she/her) is a social justice advocate, facilitator and trainer, and has been working to build a more equitable, diverse and inclusive world since she exited the womb. Born to a rebelling futuristic mother and a radically feminist father, she was raised in a family where dismantling systems of oppression and resisting socials norms were a part of the fabric of their identities. None of Rena and her two younger siblings conform to gender or racial norms, and as half-Japanese mixed-race millennial kids, they knew they were different, but were unapologetic about it. At some point in her childhood, Rena learned about the patriarchy and white supremacy, not in those terms exactly, but she experienced them constantly. Especially in the world of sport, she saw her achievements lessened by those of her male peers, and how a future of being a professional athlete became less and less of a reality. This was at once heartbreaking and motivating. And it subtly became her life’s work to dismantle the notion that women and people of color are any less radiant miracles than anyone else.

Rena completed her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, and worked in film & television and business development before becoming a social justice facilitator and trainer. She is an elite ultimate frisbee player and a World Champion athlete representing Canada four times on the world stage. She has been using her platform to educate and train decision makers in the ultimate frisbee community for over a year to dismantle systems of oppression and interrupt systemic racism and sexism in the sport. Rena is thinking of pursuing her Masters in Social Justice Education.