Have you ever wondered:
Is there more in me?
Hi, I'm Marisa. I'm a stroke survivor and late-diagnosed autistic turned visionary artist and changemaker, passionate about helping people and teams unlock their creative potential. Through a disability inclusion lens, I design unforgettable experiences that inspire creativity, cultivate belonging, and unlock new possibilities.
Watch my 4-minute story & speaking reel:
For much of my life, I've been told NO.
No, you don't have the right body to become a professional dancer.
No, you don't have the right credentials.
Even, No, you don't look disabled enough.
But in some ways, being told NO was a gift. It taught me what it feels like to be left out. And somewhere along the way, it became my superpower to identify who else was left out.
Where others saw limitations and constraints, I began to see possibilities.
For over a decade, I've dedicated my life to cultivating and elevating disability artistry through Infinite Flow Dance—an award-winning, disability-led professional dance company and nonprofit with a mission to reimagine possibilities, one dance at a time.
Through my work alongside extraordinary disabled artists, I've discovered something profound: Disability inclusion isn't just about removing barriers. It can be a powerful catalyst for creativity, innovation, and discovering new possibilities.
Today, I dance many roles: Visionary Artist, Transformational Speaker, Creative Director, Filmmaker, Choreographer, Performer, Storyteller, Inclusion Advocate, and Nonprofit Leader.
I've collaborated with global brands including Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Red Bull, and adidas. My work has been recognized by PEOPLE Magazine, Good Morning America, NBC Today, and L'Oréal Paris recently named me as a Women of Worth Honoree (Oct 2026).
I believe everyone has an artist within them. Creativity isn't limited to the stage or studio. And when we embrace difference, question assumptions, and dare to experiment, we can discover extraordinary possibilities within ourselves and each other.
Disability Inclusion Unlocks Infinite Possibilities.
And sometimes, all it takes to begin is one small action.
My mantra
Be You. Be Open. Be the Change. Be Infinite.
Be you
Self-expression is one of the best practices of self-care. Own your identity, uniqueness, and strengths, and unapologetically share them with others.
Be open
Never underestimate the impact of one new connection or one new experience. Move out of the box, get out of your comfort zone, and step into the unknown.
Be the change
When in doubt, focus out. How can you use the skills and experiences you have right now to make a difference RIGHT NOW?
Be infinite
Let faith guide you to your highest potential, limitless possibilities, and extraordinary dreams.
Bio
Marisa Hamamoto is a 2026 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree and the first professional dancer named one of PEOPLE Magazine’s “Women Changing the World.” A leading authority on mental wellness, disability inclusion, Asian American experience, building a culture of belonging, and changemaking, Marisa is a LinkedIn Top Voice, and has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Today, Forbes, Fast Company, amongst other media outlets. As a sought-after international speaker, performing artist, and creative director, Marisa has been a speaker at the United Nations, shared the stage with Tim Cook at Apple HQ’s Steve Jobs Theater, and her clients and partners include Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Red Bull, Deloitte, adidas, PayPal, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, among other forward-thinking brands. Marisa is a spinal stroke survivor, a late-diagnosed Autistic, and a proud fourth-generation Japanese American. She is the founder of Infinite Flow Dance, an award-winning dance company and nonprofit that employs disabled and nondisabled dancers with diverse, intersectional identities, with a mission to advance disability inclusion, one dance at a time. Marisa is bilingual and bicultural. She completed her BA & MA from Keio University, Tokyo, and is an Honorary Member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. Most recently, she was a Finalist for Best Film for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge 2025 - Film: "Killed It."
Awards & Recognition
L’Oreal Women of Worth Honoree | 2026
Japan Film Festival Los Angeles “Best Performance” | 2026
Huntington Beach Cultural Film Festival “Best Production Design” + Finalist: Director, Performance | 2026
Sozo Fellow | 2026
Grid 110 Community Business Accelerator | 2026
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge - Finalist Editing / Post-Production | 2026
Shorty Impact Award | 2025
NBCUniversal Creative Impact Lab | 2025
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge - Finalist “Best Film” | 2025
LinkedIn Top Voice | 2024
SoCal Tango Championships - 3rd Place, Escenario | 2024
Dance Innovator Award - Dancing Classrooms NYC Gala | 2023
LinkedIn Creator Accelerator | 2022
Une Femme Wines Hall of Femme | 2022
People Magazine “Women Changing the World” | 2021
InStyle Magazine “Badass 50” | 2021
Center for Asian Pacific American Women - sHero Award | 2021
International Association for Dance Medicine and Science - Honorary Member | 2021
California Arts Council - Individual Artist Fellow | 2021
adidas “Women Reimagining Sport” | 2020
CBS “People Making a Difference” | 2018
4.0 Schools Tiny Fellow | 2019
UCLA Anderson School of Management Impactathon “Best Project in Inclusion” | 2019
Dance Teacher Magazine Dance Teacher Award | 2019
Facebook Community Leadership Program Fellow | 2018
McCallum Theatre Choreography Festival Finalist (Choreographer: Gary Franco) | 2019
Social Venture PartnersLos Angeles Systems Change Accelerator Fellow | 2019
Dance Teacher Magazine Video of the Month | 2019
Facebook Oculus VR for Good Nonprofit - Meta | 2017
Red Bull Amaphiko Social Entrepreneur | 2017
Dance/USA Institute of Leadership Training Mentee | 2017
Dance Teacher Magazine Video of the Month | 2017
United Chambers of Commerce Inspirational Woman | 2017
Newcomer of the Year - San Fernando Valley Business Journal Women in Business | 2015
Professional Ballroom Dance Instructor Certification - Japan Ballroom Dance Federation | 2010
Fukuzawa Yukichi Bunmeijuku Fellow | 2010
Tokyo Foundation Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellow (SYLFF) | 2007
Keio University SFC Best Senior Thesis | 2007
Keio University SFC Award | 2007
Co-Chair, Student Committee, International Association for Dance Medicine & Science | 2006-2009
