Mari was born on the Big Island watching Kilauea erupt and learning to swim at black-sand beaches. A trimaran named Manu-O-Ku was her childhood home on which she learned the invaluable knowledge of the wind, seas, navigation, and how to live lightly and simply.
While unconventional, this upbringing resulted in a strong sense of confidence, independence, resilience, and a desire to glean information and skills from every corner of life. SSIS nurtures this natural love of learning during the most influential years and this environment is what Mari believes is so important for youth today.
Mari’s professional experience ranges from a decade in Seattle as a corporate R&D manager, network administrator, payroll executor, and wedding photographer; to the last 15 years of real estate, construction, and landscaping.
She and her husband, Andreas, moved to San Juan Island in 2012 with the desire for their eldest daughter to grow up island style. They enrolled her in SSIS for middle school where she and her dearest friends flourished with experiential learning and the best teachers! Her 8 year old sister is hoping to follow in her footsteps.
