With a professional background displaying an eclectic mix of architecture (design), urban planning (systems) and foresight (innovation + strategy) Jonelle Simunich is on mission to make futures part of everyone’s life. Jonelle is looking to bring foresight and futures thinking – specifically around cities, infrastructure and the built environment – into a creative mix. And to build partnerships with Edinburgh Futures Institute and its partners.
Jonelle met Steve Earl (EFI Head of Foresight) and was inspired by his work, passion and focus on futures which aligned perfectly with her interests. Working with Steve, and wider Futures Institute teams is rewarding, she loves work related to the built environment – specifically with cities, infrastructure and placemaking, and with a futures angle.
“The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Futures Institute are the only academic institutions I have found who combine built environment AND futures in one place. When I saw this, I simply HAD to find a way to engage! One of my life missions is to make futures more accessible, to show each of us that we can engage with and create the future we want to inhabit. I also love working on creative projects.”
Background
Jonelle Simunich is a futurist, entrepreneur and designer. Trained as an architect, city planner and innovation strategist, Jonelle’s focus on urban life aims to evolve a better understanding of the future in order to more rapidly transition toward positive outcomes for people, place and planet.
Jonelle works around the world generating unique experiences, creating compelling content and delivering meaningful outcomes. She co-founded and runs [y]our 2040. A global organisation that works on ‘foresight-to-action’ – bringing people together to create visions of the world they want to live in, to craft pathways to get there, and determine actions that will make it possible. y/our 2040 helps groups and communities to co-create positive and pragmatic narratives for the future.
