Marisa Zalabak is the founder of Open Channel Culture and a TEDx speaker, author, educational psychologist, equity advisor, and AI ethicist. She specializes in adaptive leadership, transdisciplinary collaboration, social-emotional and creative intelligences, conflict resolution, social justice, climate sustainability, and organizational culture and change. Marisa believes that human “soft skills” are essential capabilities for navigating the future and enhancing regenerative profitability—the triple bottom line that aligns profit, people, and the planet with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through her work, she helps leaders and organizations improve psychological safety, collaboration, innovation, well-being, and productivity while integrating purpose and values into action.

Her contributions extend to AI ethics and governance, including co-chairing committees on expanding AI ethics education and serving as a contributing author for IEEE.org recommendations on ethical AI and intelligent systems design. Marisa brings these insights to The Digital Economist, where she is a Senior Executive Fellow, supporting initiatives that explore responsible AI, human-centered innovation, and inclusive leadership strategies.