Dr. Mariko Sakamoto, RN, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria and Founder of the Dementia Action Co-Lab. Her community-engaged program of research focuses on co-creating age- and dementia-inclusive communities through participatory and patient-oriented research, with an emphasis on health equity, social inclusion, and knowledge mobilization. Supported by a Michael Smith Health Research BC/Alzheimer Society of BC Scholar Award, Dr. Sakamoto partners with people living with dementia, care partners, community organizations, and health system leaders to co-design practical solutions that improve quality of life and support meaningful community participation. She is a member (past president) of the Gerontological Nurses Association of British Columbia and co-leads the UVic CARING Dementia Collaborative. Her work aims to bridge research, practice, and policy to foster more inclusive and supportive communities for older adults and people living with dementia.