Onur Kocan

It's challenging to think of any other organization that possesses the capacity to reach and impact as many individuals as governments do. I have spent much of my career working on civic service design, which refers to how we create, understand, and improve government-run or government-funded programs that serve the public. We seek to understand the experiences of the people impacted by public services. By working at the intersection of research, design, government, and policy, I help reimagine civic engagement. My goal is to foster collaboration among stakeholders, including nonprofits and government entities, to dismantle complex problems and co-create practical, and actionable solutions. Doing this work allows me to witness the profound impact that design can have in improving society's overall quality of life.

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Currently, I am a design strategist at the Mayor's Office of Strategic Initiatives in the City of Mobile, Alabama. In this role, I am dedicated to creating social innovation projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Mobilians by unlocking the City's untapped potential. My primary responsibilities include building strong relationships between the government and society and devising sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by our community. We’re currently working on a project to uncover the financial needs of those in our community who are facing economic challenges so that we can work with partners to uncover new solutions. It is truly rewarding to use my skills and expertise to contribute to making a positive impact on the community. I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve the public and make a difference in this meaningful way.

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