About

Kate Paulino

Founder + AI Design Engineer

From Many Paths to One Purpose

I took the scenic route to design—studying political science, teaching English in Taiwan, working in law, and spending four years with preschoolers in Seattle. Each chapter taught me what people truly need: connection, belonging, and tools that work.

Eight Years of Human-Centered Design

Across fintech, education nonprofits, and defense tech, I've learned that great design transcends industry. People want digital experiences that feel human—intuitive, purposeful, and connected to something larger.

The Kapwa Philosophy

Kapwa Labs reflects the Filipino concept of "kapwa"—our deep interconnectedness. Your 3 AM frustration with broken software? I feel it. Your delight when something just works? That's mine too. I design by stepping into your world.

Beyond the Screen

I serve on Greentrike's board, making play accessible to every child. When I'm not designing, you'll find me diving with marine life, fishing by quiet waters, or exploring trails that lead everywhere and nowhere.

The ocean and forests teach me about connection in its purest form—how creatures depend on each other, how ecosystems thrive through collaboration. These natural relationships inspire how I approach design for humans.