Vincent Arena · Systems designer

My talent is making connections.

I design the maps, networks and tools that help people find each other and act together — from mutual aid on Long Island to a global directory of systems change programs. Today that work is Arcos, the platform this site runs on.

See the work About me

Now

What I’m working on

Arcos Founder. Catalist’s platform for mapping a community’s people, projects and resources — and publishing them as a site like this one. arcos.network
OMNI Mapping Advancing the field of mapping as a critical driver of systemic impact. The project

Selected work

Ventures, maps and the networks behind them

Catalist — A collaborative platform and knowledge commons enabling organizations to interconnect ecosystem maps and build on shared data, field by field.
Continuum (NOAA) — Co-developed collaborative infrastructure and partnership model that helped secure $14M in federal funding for BlueTech innovation.
Cooperation Long Island — Created a system for 50+ grassroots organizations to share needs and assign volunteers in real time during COVID-19.
Catamap — What if it were easier to see the big picture?
Beldolce Pasta — Beldolce's gluten-free pasta is made with just one ingredient - 100% Non-GMO, organic corn.
Furnäture — Gardening has shown to improve our mood, save us money, and strengthen our connection with food.

All the work

“There is no such thing as a sustainable product in an unsustainable system.”

Talks

Ideas, out loud

Social Systems Architecture — Vincent summarizes the main principles he's learned for designing holistic systems.
Categorizing Societal Transformation — A comprehensive, dynamic, and intuitive framework for categorizing and teaching the sectors of societal transformation. Explore the main elements of social impact below.
Dont Do Nonsense — As part of his course "How To Change The World" at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Professor Burt Swersey had his students chant the phrase "This Is Unacceptable" in response to problems we face.

All talks and writing

Let’s work together

If not us, who? And if not now, when?

Let’s find a time to connect and collaborate towards creating a more equitable and regenerative future.

Write to me Other ways to reach me

Contact LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Twitter