Mario Reddy joined the DEI Team at OIST in February 2025, bringing valuable experience from his background as a social worker in Vienna.

Originally trained as an engineer in construction, Mario specialized in building streets and bridges. However, during his civil service, he realized that working with people was far more fulfilling. This led him to pursue a degree in social work, where he encountered widespread social inequities. His growing interest in gender and identity studies prompted him to further his education in Gender Studies at the University of Vienna.

For the past five years, Mario has worked with individuals facing mental health challenges. He began his career in a residential home, supporting people with mental illnesses in living as independently as possible. Later, he spent 1.5 years working with individuals struggling with addiction, including alcohol and substances such as heroin and cocaine.

While he found his work meaningful, Mario felt limited in how much he could help. His desire to deepen his understanding of human psychology and provide more effective support led him to begin training as a psychotherapist. In Austria, this training is divided into two parts, and before moving to Okinawa, he completed the first stage. Now, he looks forward to specializing in person-centered therapy, inspired by the humanistic approach of Carl Rogers.

Carl Rogers’ philosophy—that individuals are the experts of their own lives and possess the inner resources for self-understanding and growth—resonates deeply with Mario. He believes that by fostering a safe and supportive environment, individuals can develop a true sense of self, advocate for their needs, and lead autonomous lives. Throughout his career, he has prioritized active listening, empathy, and creating spaces where people feel empowered to embrace their identities and aspirations.

Now at OIST, Mario is excited to apply his experience and knowledge to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. He is excited about building relationships across OIST and enjoys connecting with people from different backgrounds. In his free time, he explores the island, goes bouldering, and spends time with friends. Be sure to tell him about your favorite hikes—he loves a good long trek, especially if it spans several days.

Kristin taught high school English in a rural American Indian reservation community on the Navajo Nation and spent over a decade working in leadership development and education with sovereign indigenous Nations in the southwestern United States. She has prior experience directing human resources at a for-profit company, teaching technological literacy in rural Namibia, supporting programs at an international education nonprofit, directing a global leadership network, and facilitating leadership development for high achieving teams.

As a national managing director on an admissions team, Kristin led innovative work around values-based talent matriculation that led to the most diverse group of candidates admitted in a cohort of 3,400 individuals. She developed inclusive recruitment and hiring strategies for underrepresented candidates and organized professional development workshops for hundreds of participants from diverse backgrounds. As a consultant, Kristin has supported groups to build more inclusive and fair workplaces in education, nonprofit, government, law, and technology firms in the Fortune 100. Kristin has facilitated workshops exploring topics such as navigating complex workplace dynamics, trust building, effective communication across lines of difference, leading through values, equitable decision-making and creating powerful group culture.

Kristin received her bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Texas at Austin and master’s degree in International Education Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and a Certified Professional Diversity Coach through The Institute for Coaching Innovation. Kristin is passionate about helping professionals to be clear on their values and become effective leaders that make meaningful impact.

In between working and family life, Kristin practices photography and creative nonfiction writing. She loves to help people figure out what matters to them at moments of big transition. If you let her, she’ll probably life coach you in an elevator or while waiting at an airport.