About Jenn Sander

Maker Education and Aspiring Careers

Jenn Sander advocates for cultivating a "Nation of Makers," inspiring students to pursue careers in creation and innovation through hands-on learning and maker spaces. In "A Nation of Makers," she explores how maker metropolises can transform education by emphasizing aspiration and practical skills [1][7]. Her vision positions making as a pathway to economic and personal empowerment, linking it to broader societal progress.

Burning Man and Spaces for Creation

Central to Sander's work is Burning Man as a laboratory for radical creation and innovation. She describes it as a "space for creation" that enables global innovation strategies, highlighting its role in surveying new culture [2][3][8]. From 2012-2022 involvement, she credits the event with fostering environments where participants co-create temporary metropolises, influencing her consultancy at Play Atelier [7][9].

Mythopoetic Meaning-Making

Sander delves into mythopoetic modes of understanding, drawing from conversations with Jason Silva and Erik Davis. Pieces like "Of Modes and Meaning Making" and "Beyond Burning Man" excerpt discussions on how mythic narratives and psychedelic experiences expand consciousness and creativity [4][5]. She positions these as tools for transcending everyday thinking, integral to innovation.

Metamorphosis and the Unknown

Themes of transformation and embracing uncertainty recur, as in "M E T A M O R P H O S I S," where Sander reflects on personal and cultural evolution [10]. "CREATING SPACE FOR THE UNKNOWN" emphasizes designing environments that allow emergence and novelty [6], tying into Burning Man's principles of radical self-expression and communal effort.

Innovation Strategy and New Culture

As founder of Play Atelier, Sander surveys emerging cultural trends to craft innovation strategies, with Burning Man as a key case study [3][9]. Her Medium profile and articles frame her as a global innovation thinker working on engagement for transformative experiences [8].