Khali Okazaki

Khali joins the 18 Hands board with a robust background in disability advocacy and instructional design. Through an inclusive philanthropy lens, she believes in creating spaces that center marginalized voices in decision-making processes. Khali is committed to building programs that reflect the voices of the individuals we support and prioritize the self-determination of our team members.

Khali earned her M.Ed. in Special Education from Regis University and spent six years teaching in the Integrated Learning Center (ILC) program in Cherry Creek Schools. She then served as a disability advocate with the Arc of Aurora, including advising Colorado Healthcare Policy and Financing (HCPF) on the Children's Disability Advisory Committee. Today, she applies her passion for education and neurodiversity as a Senior Learning Experience Designer at DoorDash.

Khali’s commitment is lifelong; inspired by her cousin with IDD and raised in a family of activists, she believes everyone deserves the agency to build a life they love. In her spare time, Khali is likely searching for Colorado’s best Italian food, DIYing a house project, or spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs (plus the occasional foster pup!).