Gigi Otalvaro, PhD

I bring over a decade of experience in San Francisco’s arts and nonprofit sectors, and twelve years at Stanford University, where I taught in the Program in Writing and Rhetoric, Theater and Performance Studies, and most recently led the LifeWorks Program for Integrative Learning within Stanford Living Education (academically sponsored by the School of Medicine). Across these roles, I designed and directed courses and initiatives that foster creativity, contemplation, well-being, and community—most notably founding the AWE (Art & Wellbeing Engagement) Initiative at Stanford in 2022 and tripling course offerings in LifeWorks during my tenure.

With a strong foundation in arts and wellness education, I create transformative learning experiences that bridge creativity, critical thinking, and embodied practices such as theater for social change, laughter yoga, and Qigong—currently teaching the latter two through UCSF’s Osher Center for Integrative Health. My work cultivates resilience, belonging, and compassionate leadership, supporting both individual growth and organizational innovation.

As an artist, author, and educator, I explore how performance, visual culture, and questions of race, gender, and sexuality can expand our understanding of identity and history. My courses, workshops, and scholarly talks consistently bring together diverse communities, advancing holistic approaches to education, healthcare, and workplace well-being.

Passionate about integrating creativity and well-being across sectors, I’m excited to connect with organizations and collaborators in arts education, healthcare, corporate wellness, tech, and higher education administration to build initiatives that inspire meaningful impact.