Natalie Montecino

Natalie Montecino is the Instructor for the Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan Program and the Stanford e-Minamata Program, which examines environmental justice, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and U.S.–Japan relations. 

In addition to her role with SPICE, Natalie serves as the Executive Director for the Climate Democracy Initiative, a nonprofit organization based in Colorado that supports democratically informed climate solutions. Through her development of education, media, and community organizing programs and partnerships, Natalie seeks to apply critical climate and democracy lenses to all aspects of her work.

Prior to joining SPICE, Natalie completed a Fulbright Fellowship in Okayama, Japan where she researched rural revitalization efforts, community engagement, and local development practices in partnership with Okayama University. During this time, Natalie also studied Japanese tea ceremony and Bizenyaki pottery techniques. 

Born in Littleton, Colorado, Natalie holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Colorado State University, with concentrations in Japanese, French, International Development, and Political Science. Natalie was one of fifty young leaders chosen from across the world as a Davos50 delegate and guest speaker at the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Additionally, she is an alumna of the Asia Foundation’s LeadNext: Ambassadors for a Global Future program and the Critical Language Scholarship’s Japanese program.