Riana is a passionate permaculture advocate and water resources engineer, as well as an energy worker, embodied dancer, contact improv-er, fire performance artist, neurodivergent visionary, dog mom, plant lover, intentional community enthusiast, song circle facilitator, and semi-nomadic van dweller. She is driven by a lifelong passion for creating a more harmonious and regenerative human culture that is integrated with the earth that is our home. 

Her background in water resources engineering, combined with personal experiences, has instilled in her a deep reverence for water—viewing it as alive and essential to life rather than merely a resource. Currently, Riana works remotely part-time as a water resources engineer, specializing in stream restoration and fish passage. Her over a decade of engineering experience also includes stormwater management, flood resilience, and alternative wastewater treatment. Riana has degrees in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz, Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley, and a Master’s in Environmental and Water Quality Engineering from MIT. She earned a Permaculture Design Certificate in 2019 from the legendary Starhawk and Charles Williams at O.U.R. Ecovillage in British Columbia. She also became an Usui Reiki master teacher in 2018, and has since pursued additional education in energy healing, mediumship, nervous system regulation, attachment theory, and somatic trauma healing. 

Riana first experienced Permatours in May 2022 at the Spring Spectacular in Acton, ME, where she felt an immediate sense of belonging. Captivated by the mission, the holistic nature of the events, and the incredible community, she has since participated in numerous Permatours gatherings. For the 2024 season, Riana has embraced a leadership role, serving as a lead educator and/or organizer for six events, while also participating in five others. She is involved in the programming, admin & operations, grant writing, marketing, merch, and heart circles, and is now Permatours’ newest council member.