Nkechi Deanna Njaka (she/her) is a practiced-based researcher,  neuroscientist, choreography artist, leading mindfulness expert and meditation guide. She self identifies as a BIPOC/ WOC. 

She is the founder of The Compass, NDN lifestyle studio and co-founder of the sleep app DreamWell. She was a 2017 YBCA Truth Fellow and a 2021 Kennedy Center Artist in Residence. She is currently a 2022 Garrison Institute Fellow,  Esalen Faculty, an Advisor of Chorus Meditation, and a lululemon ambassador for her work in mindfulness.

Nkechi has spent the majority of her life investigating the relationship between the brain and the body and has always felt the significance of their integration. She attended Scripps College in Claremont, CA where she majored in neuroscience and dance and went on to complete an MSc. in Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. She is currently a PhD candidate in Creative Research at Liverpool John Moore’s University. 

When not publicly speaking on mindfulness, guiding people in wellness or somatic practices, Nkechi is the co-host of the podcast Dating White and the other 1/2 of the music and mindfulness project RESONANCE with her music partner Tauwoo.

Nkechi also enjoys travels around the world (pre-pandemic) with her creative partner
Anna-Alexia Basile to make art.

Her expertise has been recognized by the New York Times,  SF Chronicle, Women's Wear Daily,  Black Girl in Om, Blood and Milk, Esalen, Wanderlust. , and Forbes and her clients and partners include lululemon, Google, de Young Museum, The Kennedy Center, Amazon, goop, Calm, Apple to name a few.  Through her work, research, practice and study, she discovered that mindfulness and creativity are crucial for sustaining individual and global wellbeing. Her work intersects wellness, science, art and social practice.