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Senior People Operations Manager at Burning Man Project
Kate “Katana” Calderwood has spent the past year and a half doing work that most of us only glimpse from afar- quietly, steadily, and with diligence. As our real estate specialist, Katana’s role required not only technical skill but also grit, patience, and a true never-say-die spirit.
Katana joined us on the winding road of real estate development and permitting, helping the team navigate a complex and ever-shifting puzzle of requirements. Drawing on their architectural background, they brought clarity and structure to the early planning stages of our property improvements, helping ideas become plans and plans become something real and possible.
During their first season on playa in 2024, Katana took the time to work alongside a wide range of crews, learning how the organization functions across departments and disciplines. That willingness to listen, observe, and understand the broader ecosystem did not go unnoticed. In 2025, Katana stepped up in an even bigger way, serving as one of three NVO Camp Mayors and helping ensure that staff camp functioned as a true home for a growing and evolving department.
Katana brings a creative spirit to everything they do, with a deep appreciation for design, music, and the arts, and a curiosity shaped by extensive world travel. We are grateful for the care, thoughtfulness, and resilience they brought to their work with us, often far from the spotlight and in challenging conditions.
