Armando Manalo

Armando Manalo is a Partner and Director of Strategy & Interpretation at Upswell, a multidisciplinary design firm that develops and produces exhibitions, media, and storytelling strategies for museums and cultural institutions across North America. He is the father of a middle school student at Northwest Academy. Born in the Philippines and raised in France, Armando brings an international and multicultural perspective to his work. His background bridges writing and filmmaking, curatorial practice, and nonprofit strategy development.

He is a trustee at the International School of Portland, where he serves on the External Affairs committee and worked closely with the Head of School on the development of a long-range master planning vision; prior to joining the ISP board, he participated in a parent-led, nine-month process that produced the school’s first statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Armando holds a B.A. with Honors from Brown University and an M.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.