Jehane Akiki

Hi, I’m Jehane! I’m a systems designer, strategist, and social entrepreneur based in NYC. I am passionate about tackling complex global challenges through innovative, human-centered, design-driven approaches.

With over a decade in international affairs, strategic design, and business management, I craft sustainable, impactful solutions that bring together people, place, and purpose.

I love working at crossroads—merging disciplines, connecting people and ideas, and synthesizing disconnected ideas for innovative projects to emerge.

Whether building new initiatives or consulting with different organizations, I’ve led teams to co-create and implement solutions by developing innovation processes and strategies informed by community insights, systems thinking and collective ideation.

My work centers around regenerative design and how we can build holistic, long-lasting impact in harmony with communities, nature, and the interconnected systems that shape our world.

My experience spans across different fields such as regenerative agriculture and food systems, climate change, education, refugees, slum dwellers, social inclusion, cities and real estate.

Services

Design Research & Stakeholder Engagement

I help uncover deep insights through human-centered research, tapping into the needs, motivations, and perspectives of key stakeholders. Using a mix of strategic design, systems thinking, primary research and stakeholder engagement, I provide a holistic, multifaceted analysis.
Strategic Planning & Development

From vision to actionable strategy, I guide organizations through comprehensive planning. Together, we identify long-term objectives, prioritize key initiatives, and create a roadmap to reach the desired outcomes. My approach is engaging and adaptable and favors quick testing, iteration and validation to set the foundation for sustainable impact.
Regenerative Design & Sustainability Consulting

My regenerative approach focuses on designing solutions that not only minimize environmental impact but actively restore and enhance ecosystems and communities. I assist clients in integrating sustainability principles for lasting change, grounded in harmony with natural and human systems.
Design Thinking & Innovation Consulting

I bring fresh perspectives through structured, collaborative ideation sessions, equipping organizations with tools to solve complex problems innovatively. Together, we use design thinking to unlock creative solutions, prototype ideas, and drive meaningful, scalable impact.
Workshops & Facilitation

Through tailored workshops, I facilitate learning and ideation processes that empower teams and stakeholders. My sessions are designed to be immersive and interactive, fostering shared understanding, creativity, and strategic alignment.
Project Management & Roadmap Development

I offer structured, adaptable project development and management to bring visions to life. With clear roadmaps and defined milestones, I keep initiatives on track and aligned with strategic goals, ensuring efficient execution and measurable results.

Projects

200529_FNA_Vision Prize Final Submission32.png — Farms Not Arms

As co-founder and managing director of Farms Not Arms from 2018–2023, I guided an international team of architects, farmers, and strategists in addressing food security, climate resilience, and social cohesion. Through extensive design research, stakeholder engagement and workshop facilitation, we developed a scalable, multi-agricultural farm model blending regenerative agriculture and low-tech hydroponics to maximize food production and sequester carbon. I led strategic planning, roadmap development, and carried the project from model creation to implementation. I launched Turba Farm, a women-led , regenerative organic farm, that piloted the farm model in Zahle, Beqaa, Lebanon and ran successfully from 2021 to 2023.

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Learning Blocks
As the founder of Learning Blocks, I led the development of a certification system designed to validate non-formal and alternative education for displaced and underserved learners. Driven by design thinking and research, I developed the concept and built a team to address the challenge of documenting non-traditional learning achievements. Learning Blocks piloted a blockchain-powered solution, enabling personalized, tamper-proof certificates of student achievements. Tested in Jordan and Lebanon, recognized by UNICEF, and showcased at Web Summit 2019, the project revealed insights into the role and limitations of blockchain technology in providing access and validation to quality education.

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Digilit Bootcamp

The Digilit Bootcamp is an education initiative I designed to address the rapid changes in the global economy, with a focus on equipping underserved populations—like refugee communities—with practical, 21st-century skills. I developed a three-part curriculum combining digital skills, design thinking, and social-emotional learning through the arts. This foundational approach helps learners gain valuable tools for economic participation, creativity, and resilience, ensuring that education directly supports their potential in the workforce.

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Screen Shot 2021-07-30 at 6.19.03 AM.png — The Launching Pad

The Launching Pad is a 21st-century education strategy I designed to create a holistic, student-centered, and skills-based education system. It considers the evolving landscape of global skills demands while fostering the inherent capacities and curiosities each learner must develop to thrive in an uncertain world. This strategy focuses on building the foundation for education that empowers students with the necessary tools to navigate and contribute to the rapidly changing economy.

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Eliminating the Other

This project, which started as part of my Master's program, uses design thinking to explore how to build inclusive environments for marginalized groups. Initially comparing cases of social marginalization—such as gentrification in NYC, migrant workers in China, and Syrian refugees globally—this project led to a framework for social integration. It later expanded to focus specifically on Syrian refugees, identifying the networks and areas needed for smarter economic and social inclusion.

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Public Speaking

UNESCO, Mobile Learning Week, Paris.

Presented “*Digital Bootcamp: Laying Down the Foundations for a 21st Century Education*”.

Habitat III presenting pic.jpg — UN Habitat III, Thematic Meeting on Informal Settlements, South Africa.

Hosted side event *‘Eliminating the Other’* talking about how design thinking can illuminate governance challenges in creating more inclusive cities.

Policy Writings

Arab Center for Scientific Research and Humane Studies

I was selected to participate in Istanbul and Marrakech policy trainings in December 2017 and May 2018 respectively with a group of practitioners working on integration of refugees.
Following the series of policy workshops in Istanbul and Marrakech, I wrote the policy paper “Empowering NGOs to Provide Effective, 21st century education for Syrian Refugees.”
Habitat III, New Urban Agenda

I was invited to contribute to the policy papers, which where spearheaded by EAROPH, Australia, and that fed into the New Urban Agenda adopted by cities globally in Habitat III in October 2016.
I was a contributing writer to 2 Implementation Policy Papers regarding Municipal Finance (Issue paper 7) and Local Economic Development (Issue paper 12), where I proposed policy recommendations and action plan frameworks.