Innovation Speakers

Dr. Michio Kaku is a world-renowned theoretical physicist and the co-founder of String Field Theory. He holds the Henry Semat Chair in Theoretical Physics at CUNY and is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of five books, including The God Equation. As a popularizer of science and a highly-visible media figure, his work is featured on national TV and radio, and his insights have been recognized by Academic Influence as that of "one of the most influential physicists in the world today." His talks offer authoritative predictions on the future of AI, technology, and humanity's biggest challenges.

Marty Neumeier is a business author, a brand strategist, and a leading voice on innovation, design, and marketing. He is the author of the best-selling book, The Brand Gap, which provides a clear and actionable framework for how to build a more purposeful and resilient brand. His work is a powerful counterpoint to a world of corporate shortsightedness. A compelling keynote speaker, Neumeier provides a clear and practical guide to mastering brand strategy and design. He speaks on innovation, leadership, and the importance of a more human-centered approach to business. His talks are ideal for leaders and teams.

David Rowan is the founding UK Editor-in-Chief of WIRED and a globally sought-after speaker and technology investor. His expertise focuses on non-bullshit innovation and the strategic impact of emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. The author of the bestselling Non-Bullshit Innovation, he provides leaders with 17 proven strategies for future-proofing their business. His keynotes deconstruct tech trends, offering an in-depth look at how to build prosperity, develop a culture of innovation, and align purpose with profit.

Marc Raibert is the founder of Boston Dynamics and a leading figure in robotics and AI. He is currently the Executive Director of The AI Institute and a highly decorated former professor at MIT. A member of the National Academy of Engineering and named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, Raibert brings profound expertise in the convergence of robotics and artificial intelligence. His keynotes provide an essential and compelling vision of the future of automation and the technological advancements required for ground-breaking innovation.

Heather E. McGowan is a globally recognized futurist and expert on the future of work. She is the 2x bestselling author of The Adaptation Advantage and The Empathy Advantage (a Top 10 Business Book of 2023). Her work shows leaders how to transform human capabilities—adaptability, empathy, and curiosity—into strategic advantages. As a keynote speaker, she advises organizations like Google, JPMorgan Chase, and Mastercard, providing actionable frameworks for thriving alongside AI and building high-trust environments where innovation is maximized.

Dr. Katalin Karikó is a Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2023) and the scientific pioneer who laid the groundwork for mRNA vaccines. Her research is the basis for the BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. A former Vice President at BioNTech and a researcher who battled academic skepticism for decades, her story is one of profound perseverance. Her keynotes inspire audiences with lessons on resilience, the importance of belief in one's vision, and the transformative power of groundbreaking scientific discovery.

Kate Raworth is a visionary economist and the creator of the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries. She is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Oxford University and the Co-founder of the Doughnut Economics Action Lab. Her internationally bestselling book, Doughnut Economics, has been translated into over 20 languages and influences thought leaders from the UN to business executives. Her keynotes provide actionable strategies for reinventing economic thinking to achieve sustainable prosperity within planetary boundaries.

Dr. Michael Spence is a Nobel Laureate in Economics (2001), a Professor Emeritus at Stanford Business School, and an expert in information economics and global growth. A Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and a Distinguished Visiting Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations, his counsel is sought globally. His keynotes offer unmatched expertise on economic convergence, global development strategies, and managing the current “Permacrisis” in a fractured world.

Nandan Nilekani is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys and the Founding Chairman of UIDAI (Aadhaar), India's national digital identity system. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan and the Joseph Schumpeter prize, his work is foundational to the digital economy. His keynotes provide expert, strategic insight into Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), AI in business, and leveraging technology to realize a billion aspirations in emerging markets.

Richard H. Thaler is a Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences (2017) and a preeminent behavioral economist. He co-authored the global bestseller Nudge, which applies insights from psychology to solve major societal and financial problems. As a founding principal at Fuller and Thaler Asset Management, he translates his understanding of human decision-making into superior financial returns. His keynotes offer audiences an accessible, intellectual framework for understanding decision-making, market inefficiencies, and how to use subtle design choices to improve outcomes in health, finance, and organizational behavior.

Professor Muhammad Yunus is a Nobel Peace Laureate (2006) and the founder of Grameen Bank and the concept of social business. Fortune Magazine named him "one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time" for his constant innovation. He is one of only seven individuals in history to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. His books, including A World of Three Zeroes, provide a blueprint for a new kind of capitalism based on zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions.

Cassie Kozyrkov is a pioneer in Artificial Intelligence and the founder of the field of Decision Intelligence. She is the former Chief Decision Scientist at Google, where she led the company’s AI-first cultural transformation and personally trained over 20,000 employees. As a sought-after AI advisor and keynote speaker, she uses wit, humor, and vivid analogies to make complex concepts accessible and actionable for executive and general audiences alike. Her talks focus on responsible AI adoption, elevating human potential, and leveraging data for superior decision-making, offering insights valued by CxOs globally.

Dr. Andrew Ng is a renowned pioneer in AI and online education. He is the Co-founder and Chairman of Coursera, the founding lead of Google Brain, and the former Chief Scientist at Baidu. Recognized as one of the most influential AI persons in the world by the Time100 AI list (2023), he continues to shape the future of technology through his ventures. His keynotes offer authoritative, research-backed insights into machine learning, AI strategy, and the future of work and online education.

Sir Peter John Ratcliffe is a Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2019) and a Professor at the University of Oxford and the Francis Crick Institute. He is a leading authority on cellular oxygen sensing and its role in human health. His pioneering research led to the discovery of the molecular machinery that allows cells to adapt to oxygen changes. His expertise provides invaluable insights for diagnosing and treating disorders like tumor development and coronary artery disease, demonstrating the deep connections between basic biology and human physiology.

Liz Wiseman is a leading executive advisor and researcher who is the CEO of The Wiseman Group. She is the bestselling author of Multipliers and Impact Players, and a top-ranked global thought leader on leadership and talent development. The former VP of Oracle University, her work has been recognized by the Thinkers50 achievement award for leadership. Her keynotes provide actionable, research-backed strategies for corporate clients like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft on how to amplify talent, drive innovation, and cultivate high-impact employees.

Dag Kittlaus is a leading entrepreneur and AI pioneer, best known as the co-founder of Siri and Viv Labs. His groundbreaking work has shaped the landscape of conversational AI, and his companies have been successfully acquired by tech giants like Apple and Samsung.<br><br>A compelling keynote speaker, Kittlaus shares his unique insights on the future of artificial intelligence, the process of creating a startup, and what it takes to build a scalable and innovative company. He offers valuable lessons on entrepreneurship and technology strategy for today’s market.

Dr. Margaret Heffernan is a globally influential author and management thinker, inducted into the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame. Her influential books, such as Willful Blindness and Uncharted, explore the human behaviors that limit organizational foresight and drive global uncertainty. She is a Professor of Practice at the University of Bath and a mentor to CEOs of major global organizations. Her highly sought-after keynotes draw on her TED Talks (seen over 15 million times) to provide actionable strategies for embracing uncertainty, increasing organizational agility, and cultivating the collaborative spirit needed to overcome pervasive industry challenges.

Philip Rosedale is the founder of Second Life, the pioneering virtual world with over 70 million registered accounts. He is an entrepreneur and expert on virtual reality and the future of the metaverse. Following the acquisition of his internet video conferencing product by RealNetworks, he served as their CTO. His keynotes offer deep insights into virtual reality, online economies, and distributed work, sharing his vision for how virtual worlds will reshape collaboration and societal interaction.