Voices of the Future

OF THE FUTURE

BY TARIQ QUREISHY

TARIQ QUREISHY

AUTHOR & HOST

“To me, as a futurist, I’m an explorer, I’m curious, I ask lots and lots of questions like a child...

That empty void space, the invisible, to me, is more powerful than the visible.”

FOREWORD BY DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH

Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the Thinkers50

#1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here

Won’t Get You There.

In Voices of the Future, Tariq Qureishy has curated an exceptional blend of insights from individuals actively shaping the landscape of tomorrow. This isn’t your typical book—it’s akin to having a casual chat with the brightest minds of our time over a cup of coffee, delving into the realms of technology, leadership, and the trajectory of our world.

As someone deeply immersed in coaching leaders, I can attest to the invaluable wisdom encapsulated within these pages. It’s like receiving a sneak peek into the future, equipped with essential knowledge about new technology’s current status and its transformative potential. Consider it a friendly heads-up from your future self, urging you to brace for the rapid changes unfolding before us.

It transcends mere technological discourse, delving into the ethical dimensions of our digital evolution and emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusivity and compassion in our technological advancements, financial institutions, innovations, and beyond.

Navigating the future can feel daunting as conquering a challenging ski slope, but Voices of the Future serves as the metaphorical chairlift, offering guidance and perspective on the journey ahead. Written in a conversational tone devoid of technical jargon, it feels akin to receiving insider knowledge from a trusted friend—straightforward, yet profoundly enlightening.

“Voices of the Future isn’t just a compilation of visionary ideas; it’s a reservoir of pragmatic insights and candid discussions from trailblazers that are actively shaping our collective destiny”.

Delving into this book, readers are greeted with a kaleidoscope of diverse perspectives, meticulously curated by Tariq—a testament to the rich tapestry of our globalized world. Each page reflects the crucial interplay of cultures and ideas, emphasizing the need for cross-disciplinary dialogue in shaping our collective narrative.

Tariq’s extensive work in leadership development resonates with the themes echoed throughout this anthology, the urgency of embracing adaptability, continuous learning, and empathic leadership in the digital era becomes evident.

It’s not merely a book; it’s a roadmap navigating the uncharted territories of our digital future, inviting readers to partake in the ongoing dialogue and co-create a more equitable and prosperous world for generations to come.

This book stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit driving global innovation and underscores the imperative of leveraging technology for the betterment of humanity. It beckons readers to engage in a conversation about leadership, learning, and the profound societal shifts catalyzed by the ongoing technological renaissance.

Tariq Qureishy has not only crafted a compelling read but has also ignited a beacon of hope for a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.

ACCELERATING THE FUTURE

HIS EXCELLENCY KHALFAN BELHOUL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION

His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), stands at the forefront of the United Arab Emirates’ ambitious journey into the future, steering the nation towards becoming a global hub for innovation and futuristic technologies. Under his visionary leadership, DFF has emerged as a pivotal platform for shaping the future of the region and beyond, embodying the spirit of innovation that drives Dubai’s ambitious goals.

Belhoul’s approach to innovation is not just about harnessing the latest technologies but fostering a culture that embraces change, encourages risk-taking, and prioritizes the sustainable development of society.

His work with DFF is a testament to the belief that the future is not something to be predicted, but something to be created through diligent effort, strategic planning, and collaborative engagement with global thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers.

The foundation under Belhoul’s guidance focuses on several key areas crucial for future readiness, including blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing. These are not mere buzzwords for Belhoul and his team but are integral components of a strategy designed to position Dubai and the UAE as leaders in the

global economy of the future. By investing in these technologies and creating ecosystems that support their growth, DFF aims to catalyze innovation across all sectors of the economy.

One of Belhoul’s significant contributions through DFF is the emphasis on public-private partnerships as a vehicle for innovation. Recognizing that the challenges of the future cannot be solved by any single entity alone, he advocates for collaborative efforts that leverage the strengths and resources of both sectors. This approach not only accelerates the development of innovative solutions but also ensures they are grounded in real-world needs and opportunities.

Education and talent development are other areas where Belhoul’s impact is profoundly felt. Under his

leadership, DFF has launched initiatives aimed at equipping the youth with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the future economy. Programs like the One Million Arab Coders initiative reflect his commitment to empowering individuals with the tools to innovate and contribute to the digital economy.

Belhoul’s vision extends beyond technological advancement; he sees innovation as a means to improve the quality of life for people around the world. Projects like the Dubai 10X initiative aim to propel Dubai into the future, making it 10 years ahead of other global cities in all aspects, from government operations to daily life for its citizens. This bold vision underscores his belief in the transformative power of innovation to create a better future for all.

In the realm of international collaboration, Belhoul has been instrumental in positioning Dubai as a global platform for discussing future trends and challenges. The annual World Government Summit, supported by DFF, brings together leaders, thinkers, and innovators from around the globe to share insights and ideas that shape the future of governments and societies.

Khalfan Belhoul’s leadership at the Dubai Future Foundation exemplifies a commitment to a future where innovation is the key driver of economic growth, social well-being, and global competitiveness. His work is a beacon for nations seeking to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, proving that with visionary leadership and a collaborative approach, the future holds boundless possibilities for innovation and progress.

CHAPTER ONE

DIGITAL FUTURE & TECHNOLOGIES

THE DAWN OF AI – A DUAL DESTINY

DIGITAL FUTURE & TECHNOLOGIES GERD LEONHARD

“Whoever wins the AI arms race will control the world.”

When Gerd talks, people listen. His insights on the future are captivating, impactful, and provocative.

He’s a preeminent futurist and keynote speaker, among the top 10 globally, captivating over 2.5 million people across 50-plus countries with his 1600-plus engagements. His best-selling book, “Technology vs. Humanity” (2016), available in 12 languages, is a testament to his thought leadership, and he is renowned for his insightful films on the future of technology and humanity, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence.

He’s a global influencer in digital ethics; his clientele spans Fortune 500 companies, governments, and NGOs. Gerd, CEO of TheFuturesAgency, is also a fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, and a member of the World Future Society. He is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as a leading Media Futurist and ranked #88 in Wired Magazine’s top 100 influencers in ICT in Europe.

“When the world was first introduced to AI, we had two futures before us, two destinies,” Gerd opens our interview. “Would AI be a force for good or for evil? Would it be heaven, or would it be hell? We’re at a crossroads with AI. This isn’t just about technology; it’s about our very essence, our morality, our future.” This stark dichotomy set the stage for our discussion for exploring the profound impact AI could have on our future, underlining the criticality of the choices we face today. With his words describing the dual destiny of AI, I found myself grappling with a mix of excitement and apprehension. His words painted a future that was both incredibly promising and dauntingly uncertain.

“It took 40 years for electricity to illuminate every home in the developed world. We often had the luxury of slow progress. But today, with Artificial Intelligence, it’s happening in warp drive mode,” he shares. His perspective on the pace of technological change was eye-opening: “It’s not just the speed; it’s the exponential growth curve we’re on.” The rapidity with which AI evolves forces us to make existential choices today, not tomorrow. For me, it is a stark reminder that the future he speaks of isn’t a distant reality, but one we’re stepping into with each passing day. This acceleration, he warns, leaves little room for error and even less time for careful consideration.

“It took 40 years for electricity to illuminate every home in the developed world. We often had the luxury of slow progress. But today, with Artificial intelligence, it’s happening in warp drive mode.”

“Picture a world where AI becomes instrumental in becoming a better guardian of our planet: doctors armed with AI could create personalized treatments and educational systems that are truly democratized.”

AI has the potential to transform society positively, from revolutionizing healthcare to mitigating climate change. Gerd’s passionate about the potential of AI: “Picture a world where AI becomes instrumental in becoming a better guardian of our planet: doctors armed with AI could create personalized treatments and educational systems that are truly democratized.” He elaborates on how technologies like AI and quantum computing aren’t just progressing linearly but are catapulting us into a new era at a pace humanity has never experienced before. Therein lies a double-edged sword – and Gerd agrees: “It’s like opening Pandora’s Box. Once certain technologies are out, there’s no going back. If we don’t look up and keep a watchful eye on AI and deploy responsibly, things could go very wrong.”

Undoubtedly, 2023 marked a watershed moment in AI history. As Gerd recounts: “100 million people started using apps like ChatGPT and DALL-E, generating endless streams of AI-made content.” With this great power, however, came significant risks, including the challenge of convincing misinformation campaigns,

he observes.

That segues into a discussion on the controls for AI. Gerd compares the rise of AI to the space race, not between countries, but between tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Meta. “This isn’t just about technological supremacy; it’s about defining the future of humanity. Whoever wins the AI arms race will control the world,” he asserts. It raises geopolitical implications and the potential consequences of AI becoming a tool for dominance rather than a resource for the common good. This race toward a potentially hyperintelligent AI raises an existential question: Who is mission control for humanity?

I believe in the need for a global AI governance. Gerd shares this perspective, likening AI’s rapid progress to “an asteroid on a collision course for civilization.” He shares his support for the Future of Life Institute’s call for a moratorium on largescale AI experiments to allow time for policy development. “We need a global framework, now more than ever. Insisting on careful evaluation and sensible precautions is not anti-business. It is crucial for the flourishing of humans and our planet,” he proclaims. He emphasizes the necessity of international cooperation to manage AI’s

development and deployment, and points out the risks of a fragmented approach, where each entity pursues its agenda, potentially leading to a dystopian future.

I envision a future where AI augments human capabilities, enhancing our creativity, empathy, and innovation. Despite the transformative power of AI, Gerd warns of its potential to erode human essence. “We’re not just using AI; we’re starting to live alongside it,” he notes. This technology blurs the lines between human and machine intelligence, highlighting the need to preserve what makes us uniquely human in a world where AI is omnipresent.

Looking forward, he envisages a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. “The goal isn’t to replace us but to augment us, to free us up for creativity, empathy, and innovation – the things machines can’t do,” he explains. He stresses the importance of finding a balance where AI enhances our lives without diminishing our humanity.

He advocates for a “protopian” future – a careful, stepwise approach towards a better world.

“It’s about balance, about taking steps towards improvement while being acutely aware of the potential pitfalls,” he says. He calls for a future where technology serves humanity’s broader goals, not just economic or technological advancements. He underlines the need for a collective value alignment and investment in human and natural capital, not just technology.

As our conversation draws to a close, Gerd leaves me with a profound thought: “This isn’t just about the next quarter or election cycle. It’s about the next century, the next millennium. Our future legacy will be defined not by our dazzling scientific breakthroughs but by our wisdom and care while realizing our newfound powers.” He calls for a global vision, a collaborative effort to harness AI for the collective benefit of humanity.

He concludes with optimism: “The future is better than we think. We need to collaborate and govern our powers wisely. We have more potential than ever before to create a world that’s sustainable, equitable, and flourishing.” His words are not just a call to action but a potent reminder: the future is in our hands, and it is our responsibility to shape it for the betterment of all.

DIGITAL FUTURE & TECHNOLOGIES

THE EXPONENTIAL MINDSET

SALIM ISMAIL

“An exponential organization is at least ten times more effective, efficient, and/or faster relative to its linear peers in the same market.”

Salim Ismail is a futurist and serial entrepreneur building disruptive digital companies since the early 2000s. He trades in optimism and opportunities.

My conversation with Salim Ismail unfolded like a journey into the future, delving into his vision with a clarity and optimism that was infectious.

He is the Founding Executive Director of Singularity University and Co-Founder and Chairman of OpenExO, a global transformation ecosystem that connects world-class professionals with organizations, institutions, and people who want to build a better future. OpenExO is a truly transformative organization with a global consulting team of more than 155 certified coaches and advisors from 29 countries doing business in 24 languages.

He has also founded and led influential tech companies, including PubSub Concepts and Angstro, which Google acquired in 2010. He led Yahoo!’s internal incubator, Brickhouse, and is an XPRIZE Foundation Board member. Salim co-founded the Fastrack Institute, sits on the Board of Rokk3r, Inc., and is a general partner at its Rokk3r Fuel ExO venture fund.

When Salim speaks, leaders take note. His wisdom, sharp insight, and power to change are profound. He is a prolific speaker, giving more than 150 talks

a year to audiences of all sizes around the world. Salim has been profiled across a vast array of media outlets, including The New York Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Fortune, Forbes, WIRED, Vogue, and the BBC.

Salim and I believe CEOs and C-level teams exhibit a corporate immune system response to changes from outside. We begin our dialogue by exploring this resistance. Salim explains: “All of our organizations are architected for efficiency and predictability. They’re trying to deliver the same widget in a thousand locations for the same price. That’s completely antithetical to disruptive innovation. Because of all the breakthrough technologies, the world is now being driven by disruptive innovation. Therefore, our legacy organizations and institutions need to be able to absorb, deal, and juxtapose with disruptive ideas in a much more constructive way.”

I then ask about methods to overcome this resistance. Salim shares his experience in developing tools to transform ‘no’ into ‘yes’ within legacy organizations, mentioning a 10-week engagement program that propels leadership and culture years ahead.

The pandemic forced a rapid and dramatic upheaval in all our lives. What once took decades to evolve now transpires in mere months, sometimes even weeks. Looking ahead, amidst the echoes

“By scaling trust, especially through technologies like blockchain, we’re ushering in an era of abundance where trustless transactions eliminate concerns over ethics in exchanges. This opens up possibilities for applications that could significantly alter how we interact and transact.”

of COVID, what amazing new developments do you see emerging from this period of profound change and adaptation? Salim observes, “We have now a dozen technologies that are doubling very steadily,” and “The only thing that prevents you from doing something radical now is mindset.” He illustrates this with breakthroughs in neuroscience and psychedelics, emphasizing precise, beneficial dosages for mental health treatments. He also discusses the democratization of technology, stating, “Today, for the first time in human history, advanced technologies are very cheap,” which fuels disruptive innovation worldwide. Salim underscores a paradigm shift from scarcity to abundance, with new business models challenging traditional institutions to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Trust, truth, and ethics: these are the pillars upon which I launch every presentation. They set the compass for responsible technological advancement. Alongside them stand empathy and values, equally crucial guides. Without the first trio, AI risks becoming a monstrous force devoid of moral grounding. And without empathy and values, what purpose does this technology truly serve? “I’ve realized that “scarcity equals abundance minus trust” truly encapsulates a profound concept,” Salim answers.

He’s optimistic about technology’s role in minimizing traditional conflicts over resources, envisioning a future where abundance makes the concept of war obsolete. Reflecting on the pandemic’s outset, the choice between a dystopian or utopian future was stark. Despite political forces pushing towards chaos, he believes in steering us towards a harmonious, Star Trek-like world, emphasizing the potential for positive transformation.

I ask him: Technology aside, how do we rebuild that trust in institutions or have different institutions?

He suggests the creation of new institutions as the solution, inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s principle that new systems should render the old ones obsolete. He highlights the inadequacy of current education systems to prepare students for the future job market. He calls for innovative models in education, healthcare, and legal systems that integrate trust, transparency, and integrity. According to him, the optimism for building these institutions reflects the belief in leveraging technology for societal improvement, despite uncertainties in the path forward, including challenges like establishing trust in media through crowdsourced verification.

The conversation touches upon the transformation of education and the shift from traditional credentialing to merit-based systems like GitHub ratings for software developers. He expresses: “A transparent, open meritocratic score is replacing the traditional credentialing given by universities and so on. That will start happening in other domains, too.” Salim has hope for a future where education aligns with personal passions rather than market demands.

Discussing cryptocurrencies, Salim is optimistic about Bitcoin, seeing it as a solution to the limitations of debtbased monetary systems. He also foresees a future where programmable transactions revolutionize how we handle financial exchanges.

Salim shares insights on the ExO economy, aiming to facilitate the transition to an abundance-based world. “This shift will create a massive disruption but also a massive opportunity,” he says. “We aim to make that transformation as seamless and painless as possible, ushering a change from the ‘scarcity world’ to this ‘abundance world.’”

Is there a business model, an incentive, that can attract people to drive this transformation? Once ignited, such a model could create a self-sustaining flywheel, accelerating progress exponentially. Now, where does the Metaverse fit in? Is it merely a rehash of the 1997 internet, or do you envision something more transformative? “There’s incredible potential in the Metaverse, but for very specific use cases, initially. For

example, a doctor could perform surgery through a Metaverse augmented reality with a master surgeon instructing and guiding that doctor, which essentially expands the reach of an expert. Internet technologies erase time, space, and distance. Now, a world-class surgeon can operate across the world through the hands of another surgeon to complete tricky procedures. This will facilitate a whole other world that’s incredibly potent in its own way, and it’s going to spread the diffusion of technology to the edges of the world in a very powerful way.”

His predictions for the future focus on the impact of solar energy, biotechnology, and the potential of peer-to-peer monetary systems like Bitcoin. He’s also enthusiastic about the potential of solar energy to disrupt the energy market, noting how a slight oversupply significantly impacts oil prices and how solar’s rapid growth could transform energy consumption. He believes: “We will be able to deliver eight times the amount of energy we need with solar at a price of zero.” He is optimistic about the Middle East’s transition to solar energy, given its low extraction costs. Additionally, he sees the advent of biotech, particularly CRISPR technology, as a groundbreaking development, enabling genetic modifications that could redefine human capabilities and ethics.

Salim urges us to embrace two pivotal mindsets: abundance and gratitude. He illustrates this by reflecting on humanity’s progress, saying, “A thousand years ago, our average lifespan was 30 years old. We had no way to diagnose those illnesses

that led to death.

“Today, if you’re not disrupting yourself, someone else is; your fate is to be either the disrupter or the disrupted. There is no middle ground.”

Today, we have an infinite more data coming in. It’s magnificent how amazing the world of today is, and we should dwell in that optimism and gratitude. If we did that, then things become possible and easier.” They highlight the awe-inspiring revelations from modern telescopes as a testament to the world’s wonders, advocating for dwelling “in that world of optimism and gratitude.” It aligns with my vision, too: that mindset opens

up possibilities, making achievements more attainable in today’s era.

From my deep connection with Salim, it is clear that the future hinges on our ability to embrace change, foster innovation, and transition from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance. His insights offer a roadmap for navigating the complexities of our rapidly evolving world, underscoring the need for transformative thinking in an era of unprecedented technological advancement.

THE HARMONY OF HUMAN INGENUITY AND AI

DAVID SHRIER

David Shrier, a notable professor at Imperial College London and co-director of the Trusted AI Institute, stands at the intersection of technology and humanity. His work, transcending academia, delves into the commercialization of AI and digital assets, influencing top-tier corporations and governments alike. Through our conversation, it is clear he is not just a thinker; he’s a builder of tomorrow.

In the global arena, Shrier has spearheaded over $10 billion in innovation initiatives and significant investments, shaping the future of technology and finance.

Like how the steam engine and electricity revolutionized their times, we are now evolving towards generative AI. Does he view this as hyperbole or a real and substantial technological shift? David’s response is enlightening: “The revolution of AI is not exaggerated; if anything, it’s understated. The infusion of AI is not just a progression but a transformation. AI has the potential to help address some of humanity’s biggest problems, whether that be human longevity, cancer, or climate.”

“We are at the dawn of an new epoch, where AI will change everything. If we take the correct actions, it could change things in a way that makes everyone’s lives substantially better, relieving drugery and solving intractable problems of the UN Sustainable Development Goals like curing cancer or remediating the climate crisis. However, there is the risk that AI will cause tremendous disruption to the labour force and to society as a whole, and we need to take steps to guard against that.”

Yet, with the awe of possibilities comes the shadow of disruption. He acknowledges AI’s dual nature: a catalyst for economic growth and a disruptor of jobs and social structures, necessitating careful navigation.

Are broader society’s fears regarding AI justified, too? “For centuries, we’ve feared human-created technology attacking and destroying us – and media makes a lot of money out of fear,” he says. Hollywood’s fascination doesn’t surprise me – nor David. “However, some of that fear is justified,” he adds. “We need a better framework for dealing with AI, and I’ve started that with Trusted AI.”

David’s venture into Trusted AI echoes a commitment to safety, responsibility, and assurance. “We want to create a better future by assuring and opening up safe and responsible AI,” he explains. “At Trusted AI, we’re building an open-source workbench: it is software and code, policies, and corporate governance documents. It will provide resources for people on what to do and where to get started.”

With over 3,000 researchers and collaborations with esteemed institutions like MIT and Oxford, Trusted AI seeks to be the torchbearer in the odyssey of AI integration. He shares: “We are looking at a huge array of topics, such as managing AI risk to safeguard both security and societal impact, promoting inclusion, financial inclusion, and, for example, using AI to mitigate algorithmic bias, improve public infrastructure and transportation, and help with water and food security.”

We run the risk of losing the essence of humanity when companies utilize AI. Greed and power are significant motivators. “By keeping the concept of a human in the loop (HITL) in AI, we can maintain control and the relevancy for humanity,” David counters. It is precisely why government intervention such as the EU AI Act has never before been more prescient. It’s not a free flight but a journey with guardrails, where the human is integral, and oversight is paramount. He emphasizes that relying solely on the goodwill of corporations is utterly insufficient. He elucidates: “AI, being a human-created technology, means its applications and impacts are under human control. Therein lies the power and the duty. Therefore, it’s crucial to make decisions ensuring AI benefits society as a whole.”

Trust, truth, and ethics are sorely lacking. Will AI not diminish what little bit we have in society?

David answers: “Interestingly, the trust deficit is a consequence of unregulated AI.” He points out that the rise of AI-driven social media has led to societal fragmentation and declining trust in institutions. Social media’s tendency to echo users’ beliefs, motivated by the dopamine-driven engagement that agreement brings, has shifted public discourse away from a middle ground towards more extreme views. This shift, propelled by AI’s role in content delivery on these platforms, significantly contributes to the weakening of modern institutions. His voice is a call for awareness, management, and responsibility. “We get to decide what it does, so we should decide that it does good things for society,” asserts David.

That makes me wonder who defines ethics in AI. According to David, ethics in AI is a dance of global norms and local nuances. He sees a world where ethical norms are adapted but connected, shaped by local values but echoing universal principles. It’s a discourse not of imposition but adaptation, a dialogue where the human, the local, and the global intersect.

As profoundly as AI impacts our world today, it will be nearly unfathomable in the next generations. David sees Gen Z as pivotal in AI’s future,

advocating for a blend of their technological fluency with the experience of older generations to foster balanced innovation. He believes Gen Z are generation not just defined by technology but propelled by a vision for global transformation.

However, I posit that the marriage of technology and youth isn’t without its complexities. The speed and efficiency brought forth by digital nativity sometimes overshadow depth and context. David insists on the importance of a multi-generational dialogue. “Max Planck, the physicist, had a poignant expression: ‘Innovation happens one funeral at a time.’ While I hope for change to occur more swiftly than that, my worry is that the older generation isn’t moving quickly enough,” he cautions.

David shares more on the Trusted AI program. The Trusted AI initiative focuses on translational research with real-world applications. It’s not just theoretical; it’s about creating tangible solutions in collaboration with global institutions and impacting millions. A notable project is the European Commission’s personal data framework, affecting nearly 450 million people, and led to a successful commercial venture with Fidelity overseeing 350 million financial accounts, impacting 800 million people.

My presentations emphasize the importance of embracing our humanity alongside technology and policy discussions. Love, intuition, creativity, imagination, spirit, judgment, heart, and soul are just as crucial, if not more so, than understanding the technological aspects of the future. I liken technology, such as AI, to a horse - it’s more powerful, faster, and stronger than me. But the key lies in learning how to harness its power.

We will look for a responsible and promising future if we can manage this with empathy, love, kindness, generosity, and similar human values. David asserts: “Remember AI-induced job disruptions mostly impact technical, mathematical, and analytical fields. AI lacks in areas like empathy, teamwork, and collaboration, what we used to call “soft skills” in school. But now, these soft skills are vital in this post-AI era.

These inherently human traits will be essential for humanity staying relevant in the future.”

David’s core message: “Embrace creativity and humanity in the AI era.” He advocates for harnessing AI’s power with empathy and kindness, ensuring technology assists human ingenuity and spirit.

“AI has the potential to help address some of humanity’s biggest problems, whether that be human longevity, cancer, or climate.”

From L-R: Kempton White, CEO, The Emissions Capture Company (ECCO); Sam Dayani, Board Member & Investor, ECCO; Sophia Pasetti, CEO KOKO Foundation; Rt. Hon. Chris Skidmore MP, Advisor, ECCO & former Minister of State of the UK for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation

DIGITAL FUTURE & TECHNOLOGIES

NAVIGATING THE AI HORIZON

DR. USAMA FAYYAD

“As important as understanding what the technology can do is understanding what it cannot do and why it fails.”

In the riveting expanse of technological advancements, few minds have pierced the veil of the future as incisively as Dr. Usama Fayyad. My conversation with him was nothing short of a voyage into the realms of possibility, a journey through the labyrinth of artificial intelligence (AI) and its seismic impact on our world.

A visionary in his field, Dr. Fayyad is the Chairman and Founder of Open Insights, a role he has held since 2008, with a brief hiatus when he served as the Chief Data Officer at Barclays

Bank in London from 2013 to 2016. He is also the inaugural executive director of the Institute for Experiential AI at Northeastern University. His career is marked by significant contributions to AI and data science, including co-founding OODA Health to revolutionize the U.S. healthcare system and holding advisory roles at Stella.AI and MTN’s innovation division.

His tenure as Chief Data Officer at Yahoo! was particularly notable, where he grew revenues by 20x in four years and founded Yahoo! Research

Labs. His background includes co-founding Audience Science, leading the Data Mining & Exploration group at Microsoft Research, and a pivotal role at NASA/JPL, where his work earned him top honors from Caltech and NASA.

With a Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Michigan and multiple degrees in electrical engineering, computer science engineering, and mathematics, Dr. Fayyad is a published author, patent holder, and a respected figure in academic circles, being a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). His contributions extend beyond academia and industry, impacting the U.S., EU, and Middle East as an active angel investor. I question Dr Fayyad on whether AI’s impact on society is as monumental as some suggest, likening it to the introduction of electricity 300 years ago

and the steam engine 400 years ago. Dr. Fayyad’s answer sheds considerable light: “No, the change is not an exaggeration. People may exaggerate what they expect the technology to be capable of doing.” Many people assume AI systems can fully understand contexts, make ethical decisions, and surpass human intelligence.

However, this isn’t the case. “We are definitely in the world of narrow AI where narrow means a solution that works on a given problem and might work better than humans like a chess player has nothing to say about how to play another game,” he asserts. “Computers can only do better than humans in settings where you have a lot of data and little understanding of the processes underneath them.”

Dr. Fayyad explains that AI, essentially, is a predictive technology that has reached a critical point of societal influence, primarily due to two factors. First is the explosion of data-driven by

digitization and computerization. This growth, especially when combined with machine learning and predictive algorithms, has spawned an industry focused on approximating human intelligence by analyzing data to make informed decisions under certain conditions.

Despite historical breakthroughs in AI, like creating a chess player superior to humans, this doesn’t equate to cracking the code of intelligence. The real game-changer now, which is the second factor, is the emergence of the knowledge economy. In wealthier nations, this economy constitutes a significant portion of the overall economy. The combination of vast data and computational power allows AI to expedite many aspects of knowledge work, which is repetitive and mundane. This capability of AI to handle tasks traditionally done by humans makes it so impactful, especially from an economic standpoint. While generative AI might not be scientifically groundbreaking in

the next few years, its economic implications are profound, particularly in the knowledge economy. This distinguishes AI’s current state from simply being a better chess or game player – it’s about its substantial influence on the knowledge economy.

Provocatively, I ask Dr. Fayyad: as AI technology advances and large language models such as ChatGPT improve, does it make AI omnipotent and omniscient? His answers eliminate AI myths: “Like when Google Search first appeared, if you told me that it could reach 90% or 95% of everything that’s been written by humans, I’ll say yes. Well, that hasn’t changed how we work. It changed what it means for us to retain and learn, and when and how to learn. It made us more powerful and hasn’t replaced the need for human judgment.” He explains that none of the AI algorithms truly understand the data they’re consuming.

“We are still mostly in the world of narrow AI where narrow means a solution that works on a given problem and might work better than humans like a chess player has nothing to say about how to play another game.”

This is what he terms “stochastic parrots.” “They don’t understand what they’re saying, they can generate variety in their outputs, but they’re just saying stuff. When we perceive it, we attribute intelligence; it’s very far from understanding what’s being generated,” he elucidates.

I’ve come across numerous presentations calling data the ‘new oil.’ For CEOs and leaders, what are the elements for utilizing their data assets for data modernization and monetization? He declares: “Data is so essential, yet so misunderstood; it is a resource with immense potential if harnessed correctly.” Many executives and CEOs believe they have ample data and understand their business through analytics. However, they typically lack a comprehensive understanding of effectively capturing and utilizing data in context. There’s also a misunderstanding about the nature of data useful for humans versus algorithms. He says: “While business analytics focus on summarized, aggregated data to provide an overview, algorithms require detailed, granular data to function effectively. This fine-grained data, often seen as overwhelming or irrelevant by humans, is vital for machine learning.”

For Dr. Fayyad, the challenge lies in recording

data and organizing and representing it to make it accessible and usable for algorithms.

This skill, which he has focused on at Open Insights and in his work at Yahoo!, Barclays, and Microsoft, is crucial yet lacking in many organizations. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta excel in this area, investing heavily in collecting and systematizing data for algorithmic use. “The disparity between these AIsavvy companies and the vast majority, who don’t leverage their data effectively, is growing. This divide separates the few ‘AI haves’ from the overwhelming majority of ‘AI have-nots.’ The key for these havenots is to harness the wealth of data generated from their operations, which contains valuable intellectual property, and use it to their advantage. The failure to do so results in a significant waste of potential. AI is a competitive advantage we must be aware of and understand. As important as understanding what the technology can do is understanding what it cannot do and why it fails,” he shares.

The conversation takes a philosophical turn when we discuss the human aspects of AI and technology. Trust, truth, and ethics are fundamental to our existence, especially moving forward. Dr. Fayyad shares his insights on the importance of ethical AI

and the human role in shaping AI’s future: “One of the biggest areas of emphasis at the Institute for Experiential AI is Responsible AI – How to avoid ethical issues, and assess and mitigate risks. How do we build trust in AI? We must ensure we’re not doing anything unethical with the algorithms. These algorithms are very biased to the data: if the data has any bias, the algorithm will draw a definitive conclusion to very biased data that could be bad for humanity, depending on what you use it for.”

He explains that “trustworthy AI” can be built through “accuracy, consistency, and stability.” He muses: “How do we get people to trust algorithms and believe that they won’t go off on an arbitrary tangent?” Algorithms behave differently and focus on very different features than humans. We must figure out how to change this so people get used to it. This comes from ensuring accuracy, testability, verification, stability, and behavior under different circumstances. We must figure out how to systematically detect potential points of failure and instability and govern the algorithms correctly. That’s critical for the acceptance of AI and doing AI responsibly.”

“A trustworthy AI” can be built through “accuracy, consistency, and stability.”

That raises another ethical dilemma: How can governments and institutions control AI in its current format? We can’t simply leave it to greedy people doing it for money, just to make more money, and money gives them power. “We must have guardrails,” he stresses. He uses an analogy: “We build sports cars that have great brakes not because we want the cars to go slower, but to enable them to go faster, safer.” According to him, those guidelines advance the technology faster. What it also does is it creates liability and accountability. “Realistically, my solution to

this problem - and I’m not a lawyer - is we must insist that the machine does not have a right to decide, that every decision or recommendation is attributable to a human or a legal entity that bears the responsibility. We can’t say the algorithm did it. It has to be a human who’s held liable and responsible for what that algorithm does,” he emphasizes.

One of the most powerful messages from Dr. Fayyad is his advice to the younger generation and leaders. He urges them to leverage technology responsibly and to understand its limitations. He warns against overestimating AI’s capabilities, emphasizing the need for continuous human intervention and judgment. He shares: “In reality, the abilities of these AI tools are definitely increasing, but they cannot reason, innovate, think, or understand.”

Dr. Fayyad’s final thought, which he encapsulates in a metaphorical message in a bottle for 2030, resonates deeply: “Are you capturing all the data you

need to capture? Are you putting it in a place where it can be managed? Is it catching all the context? Because that is one of the secret ingredients of making things work.” This summarises the essence of his message for the future - a call for meticulous attention to data, its management, and context.

My conversation with Dr. Fayyad is not just an exploration of AI and its potential; it is a deep dive into the philosophy of technology, ethics, and the future of human civilization. His insights are a beacon for anyone navigating the complex and ever-evolving world of AI and data science, reminding us of the need to balance technological advancement with ethical responsibility and human insight.

DIGITAL

FUTURE & TECHNOLOGIES

A VISIONARY ARCHITECT OF TOMORROW DR. JEROME GLENN

When one thinks of the luminaries reshaping our world, Dr. Jerome Glenn is a man with an undeniably prophetic voice echoing throughout the corridors of the future. His insights, wisdom, and projections guide us through the labyrinth of uncertainty toward a more sustainable, intelligent, and connected future.

Dr. Glenn specializes in creating a sustainable global collective intelligence system through the Global Futures Intelligence System. His expertise lies in global futures research and crafting sophisticated global scenarios. He is adept at delivering speeches and briefings that provide a comprehensive global overview of humanity’s prospects and strategies to address global challenges.

Dr. Glenn’s journey into the realm of futures research is as varied as it is impressive. His tenure has spanned across political spectrums and think tanks, culminating in the birth of the Millennium Project in 1996 alongside his collaborator, Ted Gordon. The Millennium Project, a leading global think tank with 71 nodes worldwide, has produced 70 research documents and reports on future states. At the heart of its mission is the desire to improve thinking about the future.

Artificial general intelligence (AGI) is extremely topical today. As Dr. Glenn is a thought leader on this rapidly evolving landscape, asking his perspective on it is illuminating. Recognizing the complex nuances of AI, he simplifies it into three categories: narrow intelligence, AGI, and super intelligence. Narrow intelligence is taskspecific, excelling at a single purpose, much like

Over 30 years ago, Future Mind showed how AI and other tech could create the post-Information Age Work/Technology 2050 explains how alternative futures would grow from today to 2050 and over 90 actions to improve your prospects

ChatGPT or other highly specialized tools. AGI is akin to an actor, taking on a wide range of roles and capabilities, equivalent to a standalone human genius. Finally, super intelligence represents an evolution of AGI, an entity beyond our control and comprehension, whose emergence may or may not be beneficial to us.

Dr. Glenn likens the evolution from narrow AI to AGI to raising a child, emphasizing the importance of guiding AI’s development responsibly.

Therein lies the dilemma and the urgency in my position on AI. Dr. Glenn stresses the need for global guidelines to manage AI’s exponential evolution, ensuring its beneficial development.

I call AI – in its current form – a weapon of mass destruction. The parallels between AI’s emergence and nuclear energy’s advent are undeniable. Both represent ground-breaking technologies capable of reshaping societies or wreaking havoc, depending on their application. The distinction, however, lies in AGI’s self-replicating and self-improving nature and its decision-making capabilities. This distinction, while creating an opportunity for

unprecedented advancements, also poses a new set of challenges. The question becomes, how do we regulate the birth and development of a technology that, by its nature, is designed to surpass our capabilities?

To this end, Dr. Glenn underscores the importance of a collective global approach. The Millennium Project is in the process of gathering data, refining questions, and developing potential scenarios for the management of AGI. The ultimate goal is to present a comprehensive report with a detailed framework for the global conversation around AGI. From there, the report will be sent to international entities such as the UN to take forward the conversation. “We need to get a system created and structure the conversation more intelligently because we simply don’t have time to play around with this,” he cautions.

My position is that the UN, World Bank, IMF, UNESCO, and others were created 75 years ago for issues 75 years ago. These institutions aren’t equipped to deal with today’s issues. Dr. Glenn adds worryingly: “We’re the only people in town so far.”

“

“Human consciousness and technology are merging to create the future ConsciousTechnology Civilization with a Self-Actualization Economy for a fabulous future,  if the world game of zero-sum geopolitical power can evolve to creating synergetic relations among nations.”

AI, particularly in the form of ChatGPT-4, is hurtling towards becoming an all-knowing, omnipotent force that might threaten the foundations of sectors such as advertising, search engines, and e-commerce. Dr. Glenn directs us to the Millennium Project’s report, ‘Work Technology 2050, Scenarios and Actions,’ where scenarios are drawn that anticipate the implications of this dramatic shift in knowledge acquisition and processing.

He highlights a significant concern on the evolution of scenario planning. “I worked with Herman Kahn, the pioneer of scenario development,” he says. “He’d be dismayed by today’s approach to scenario planning. The original aim of scenarios was to uncover the unknowns, particularly things we didn’t realize we were unaware of, and to explore potential futures, some of which might turn out to be implausible.”

According to him, scenarios are essentially stories linking the present to a future state. However, many futurists today merely present future conditions without illustrating the journey to these states. This approach lacks logical connectivity. He explains: “In scenario writing when you hit a roadblock, you should research further, as was the case at the Rand Corporation. They used scenarios to avert World War III, considering futures where nuclear war didn’t occur for decades. This led to the creation of

fallout shelters during the Cold War as a means of demonstrating the U.S.’s readiness to engage, convincing adversaries to stand down.”

He urges audiences discussing scenarios to craft a narrative from the present to a future, detailing cause and effect, decisions, and the people involved. This method reveals that certain futures can only be reached through specific means, like international treaties or new inventions. The true purpose of scenarios is to enhance our understanding of what is possible.

How can we initiate the process of encouraging key figures, such as CEOs, chairpersons, board members, and others, to consider and embrace this approach, enabling them to make more informed and rational decisions? He replies flatly: “It’s a struggle.”

Dr. Glenn suggests to corporations that societal control has evolved from religion to government, and now to corporations, which are new forms of power. According to him, corporations play a crucial role in addressing global challenges like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as most financial resources lie in the private sector. He finds there’s a need for a paradigm shift in business thinking, in which the current focus on competitive strategies in business education should expand to include synergetic intelligence. This concept moves beyond the zero-sum game towards synergy, which is essential for avoiding endless conflict.

But what got Dr. Glenn started in this realm? His interest in the future’s potential was sparked by a series of formative experiences. A significant moment occurred in his seventh grade when a math teacher casually remarked, “Not all of mathematics has been invented yet.” This idea, suggesting there was more beyond established concepts like geometry and trigonometry, left him both perplexed and fascinated, igniting a deep curiosity in uncharted domains.

Another critical experience unfolded during his master’s degree when the state of Vermont invited him in 1970-71 to contribute to “inventing the future” of education. As a financially constrained graduate student, the opportunity, particularly the meetings at ski lodges, was irresistible. Before the session, he delved into a box of readings from thinkers like Buckminster Fuller and Herman Kahn. This realization that future methodologies could succinctly package vast information for decision-making was pivotal.

He then pioneered the field of Futures of Curriculum Design, where he integrated future methods into teaching techniques, leading to innovations like the futures wheel. This breakthrough garnered him a national reputation and steered him towards a broader focus on general futures studies.

By 2050, the Millennium Project forecasts one billion people, along with AGI, will manage civilization’s systems, raising questions about the remaining five billion. Dr. Glenn offers an inspiring solution: “The next evolution could be a self-actualization economy.” In this new economy, people would make a living by being themselves, creating and selling their unique value. They would have AI tools to develop themselves, find their audience, and monetize their interests.

Dr. Glenn envisions a future where AI systems handle civilization’s operations, freeing humans for creativity and self-actualization. Therein lies the beauty of Dr. Glenn’s message for the future. The approaching technological advances are not threats but opportunities for people to explore their individuality and to be creators, not just consumers.

He leaves us with a thought-provoking message: “The future is not about conforming to established systems but creating and reinventing ourselves,” he says. This transformation, though daunting, is full of potential. As we stand on the precipice of this new era, Dr. Glenn’s words encourage us to embrace change and look forward to the promise of a future that is truly ours to shape.

BEYOND THE HORIZON DR. MARK ESPOSITO

Dr. Mark Esposito is a luminary at the intersection of economics, strategy, and the future. In our conversation, he unfolds our future, offering an insightful exploration into the themes of technological transformation, human-centric systems, and the architecture of tomorrow’s global systems.

As a distinguished figure in the discourse of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he plays a pivotal role across global academic and advisory capacities, including his work with the World Economic Forum and various national governments.

“A discontinuity from the past is needed for us to see a new future emerging.”

His extensive academic engagements span prestigious institutions like Hult International Business School, Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Mohamed Bin Rashid School of Government in the United Arab Emirates, where he imparts his expertise on economics, strategy, and foresight. Dr. Esposito’s influence extends into the realms of innovation and sustainability, recognized by Thinkers50 and Thinkers360. At the same time, his authorship enriches the dialogue on emerging economies and artificial intelligence, contributing significantly to understanding the future’s unfolding landscape.

Dr. Esposito has significantly contributed to academic and industry literature with over 150 publications and 13 books, including two Amazon bestsellers, ‘Understanding How the Future Unfolds’ and ‘The AI Republic.’ His recent work, ‘The Great Remobilization: Strategies and Designs for a Global Smarter World,’ delves into the impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and strategies for a smarter global future. His academic achievements are crowned by a doctoral degree from Ecole des Ponts Paris Tech, highlighting his distinguished career in business and economics. Currently, Dr. Esposito is a Professor of economic strategy and foresight. He teaches across institutions: Harvard International Business School, Harvard University, and Georgetown University.

Our discussion pivots around the core message Dr. Esposito projects in his life and work. “A discontinuity from the past is needed for us to see a new future emerging,” he begins, setting the stage for a dialogue that explores the essence of our rapidly evolving societal landscape. “That future emerges not predetermined; it’s largely a construction of what we think it is. It’s this power that is around human-centric systems to project the future; that is what we want to construct and eventually try to execute.” This perspective resonates deeply with me as we navigate the complexities of the present to envisage a future where technology and humanity coalesce harmoniously.

His book, ‘The Great Remobilization,’ addresses the current societal upheaval and the necessity for a new architecture in global systems amidst significant technological transformations. My thesis posits that as society becomes increasingly technology-driven, the importance of human values such as love, compassion, humanity, trust, ethics, and creativity escalates dramatically. This perspective challenges the conventional dynamics of economics and strategy within hypercapitalistic societies, advocating for the integration of these profound human values to foster a more

balanced and ethical global framework. “One of the strategic mistakes we have made is to think that technology by itself is enough,” he says. He focuses on the flip side of that and challenges: “Can we use technology to augment humans? If we start thinking of technology as a driver of human-centric systems, then we could think about addressing some of our major social challenges through technology.”

When asked whether AI will replace humans, my response is that I don’t foresee AI taking over human roles entirely within the next 25 years. However, the synergy of humans augmented by AI technology is a powerful combination that could potentially redefine our current roles and capabilities. “It’s a power of thinking that by integrating powerful technology, we also are elevating ourselves,” he concurs.

‘The Great Remobilization: Strategies and Designs for a Global Smarter World’ took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its premise is predicated on a question that arose from the COVID-19 disruption: “Where do we see the global systems and infrastructure moving forward?” Through Dr. Esposito and his co-authors’ networks, they conducted 100 interviews with prime ministers, influential leaders, political leaders, business leaders, and NGOs to investigate the emerging new structure.

What is this emerging new structure? Dr. Esposito encapsulates that in the ‘six Cs’ framework he and his colleagues developed, which provides a comprehensive lens through which to understand the convergences shaping our future.

This framework, as detailed by Dr. Esposito, begins with the cognitive aspect of technology, moving through the impacts of COVID-19 on internet use, the rise of cryptocurrencies and their role in decentralizing value, to cybersecurity challenges and climate change narratives. It culminates with a focus on China’s emerging global influence. He emphasizes the cognitive economy, where technology enhances human capacities rather than replacing them, deeply integrating them into various aspects of life. The increase in web access during COVID-19 signifies a shift towards more decentralized and diverse business models. The goal of this book is to engage a generation of design leaders who are active in building the infrastructure of tomorrow. He adds: “As Sheikh Mohammed says, ‘The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it.’”

What motivates these large corporations and trillion-dollar entities to embrace this change? Considering their dominant market positions and control, one might wonder why they would feel compelled to alter their course. Dr. Esposito reflects on the dynamic market landscape, where disruptive entities like OpenAI emerge unexpectedly, challenging the status quo of established players. “OpenAI is a perfect example of a company that none of us really had on our radar,” he notes, highlighting the shift in innovation power. He expands to global trends, observing the rise of companies in various regions, from Israeli tech firms to Nigerian fintech, indicating a geographical diversification of innovation. He articulates: “Today’s supply chain innovation is not coming from the U.S. anymore,” suggesting a fundamental shift in the global business ecosystem.

Dr. Esposito posits that while the trajectory of large technology companies might show a lack of incentive to change, grassroots movements and new players are redefining the landscape, introducing a tension between macro and micro levels that wasn’t present before.

Dr. Esposito discusses how technology is increasingly influencing behavior, negating the need for traditional means like military force to impact a nation. Instead, persuasion and manipulation through digital platforms become vital tools. He highlights the ease of brain manipulation, exacerbated during COVID-19, leading to extreme behaviors. Social media, in his view, has escalated inequality by creating an alternative reality and echo chambers that influence political power, as observed in the US elections. This shift from clear-cut realities to nuanced perceptions presents new challenges in distinguishing authentic information.

His closing thoughts encapsulate a vision of continuous growth and learning. “The best days are ahead of me,” he muses, encapsulating the spirit of innovation and the relentless pursuit of knowledge that defines our journey into the future.

As I reflect on our conversation, it’s clear that Dr. Esposito’s message for the future is one of hope, resilience, and transformative possibility. Through our dialogue, the essence of ‘Voices of the Future’ emerges not just as a collection of insights but as a clarion call to imagine, design, and execute the future we aspire to, underpinned by the foundational values of humanity, compassion, and ethical stewardship in the face of technological advancement. markesposito@fas.harvard.edu

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LEADERSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY

LOUBNA IMENCHAL

“My aim is to ensure technology has a positive, impactful and balanced role within humanity.”

Loubna Imenchal’s insights are compelling and profound. As VP of Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, and Central Asia at Logitech, her journey is one of resilience, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of dreams. It extends far beyond her corporate success; it is a narrative of ambition and determination with a voice of the future.

“I don’t believe things come easily in life; it taught me that if you want something, you must fight for it,” Loubna reflects.

This fighting spirit has deep roots in her family history. Reflecting on her early influences, Loubna shares her mother’s impactful story: “My mom got married when she was 15 years old with the love of her life and had to leave her family. She is my inspiration: when you want something, go for it because you must fight for it, and nothing comes easy. She taught me always to visualize the future – to work towards achieving that vision and dream.”

Her professional path has been groundbreaking, particularly in a tech world still primarily dominated by men. Before Logitech, she was at Honeywell.

“Our fighting and success make it slightly easier for future generations of women in tech leadership. We forget how tough it was in 2007 because today it seems so much easier.”

There, she initiated a cultural shift within the company. Her rise to leadership was a statement against stereotypes and a beacon for aspiring women in technology. “When I grew up, I always looked for ways to impact the next generation; at Honeywell, I managed men with more than 35 years’ experience at the company – but once they saw the success, they promoted me three times,” she reflects. “Our fight and success makes it slightly easier for the next generation of women in tech leadership. We forget how tough it was in 2007 because today it seems so much easier.”

At Logitech, Loubna reshaped workplace norms, introducing a fresh approach towards leadership and inclusivity. Loubna is a role model – but her passion stands out beyond that. She’s an ardent activist for women’s empowerment and a fierce advocate for women in tech. She strives to bring about transformations in diversity, inclusion, and equity.

While chatting off-camera before our podcast session, she shares insights on this commendable role: “I am committed to diversity, equity, inclusion – bringing people together with different backgrounds, talents, and ideas drives innovation. Diversity is good for business and good for society. My childhood and life has been all about embracing different cultures and people. Logitech partners with Girls Who Code, assisting girls with Logitech’s Master Series and helping them pursue education

opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).”

The discussion turns toward leadership and embracing diversity of thought at all levels of leadership. As a successful business person and technologist today, her approach to leadership is unconventional and inspirational. “Multicultural leadership is crucial when we talk about leading three continents and 72 countries,” she affirms, highlighting her role at Logitech. She emphasizes: “As an Arabic Moroccan woman who grew up in a culture with three religions all living together, I’ve learned never to judge, be open to other cultures, and respect their values. My key role is to ensure my team members feel their voice is heard, are

respected for their actions, and encourage them to make mistakes.” This resonates deeply with me as I live by this motto: a rising tide lifts all boats. At Logitech, Loubna most definitely personifies that, too.

As the world becomes more technology-driven, I think technology is a tool to help humans do things faster and better. However, with AI, the world’s problems may become exacerbated. A call for balance is necessary: humans and AI must coexist harmoniously. Loubna’s response is refreshing – and astute: “When humans invented the wheel, everybody was scared. Then, we embraced it. Ever since its mass adoption, it has become a mandatory technology.

AI’s acceleration has been unprecedented. Emotionally, we’re not ready for it.

Organizationally, we’re not prepared for it. I posit that we must be careful in using it as a tool to improve our lives rather than let it take over. The danger of AI is that it can learn, develop, and replicate: other technologies can’t. We have one skill over AI: love. Loubna agrees: “This disconnection from technology is important to embrace the nature of humanity. AI is like medication: if you use it properly, it can solve a problem; if we use it with ill intent, it can be dangerous. Now, the challenge is keeping our value as humans without technology negatively impacting our daily lives.”

“Never give up on your dream.”

I share the same sentiment as Loubna’s vision for the future: we must build intrinsically human traits to ensure humanity’s progress. In her words: “We must change education systems and teach our children how to love, be kind, have the right values, art, and philosophy – the things a robot or AI can never do,” she says. “If we look at AI as a machine, limiting its role to what it should be – to serve humanity – then everything will be peaceful in the future.” She cautions that AI creates individuals, not groups, and we teach our children how to love and live together as humans.

On education, Loubna is forthright in her opinion: “To be better than AI, we need to focus on education, education, education.” She believes the education system needs to be restructured to teach values instead of being competitive: “When I talk to my kids, I don’t tell them to be first in class. That’s the pressure we, as Generation X, experienced. I don’t advise my kids on how to be first; I advise them on how to be happy, be kind to themselves, make mistakes and learn from them, and keep fighting for what they believe in. It’s important to teach them to be kind to themselves: there’s enough judgment from society. My son is Muslim, and my daughter is Christian; they love and respect each other, and we have peace in the family and are kind to each other. I wish that all parents around the world can teach their kids to be kind and respectful, and then the world will have peace.”

In our closing moments, Loubna shares a heartfelt message for the future, especially for her children: “Be kind. Kindness is key. Being kind is the basis of everything: in your work, with people, animals, and nature.”

Loubna Imenchal’s insights offer a profound message for the future, reminding us that our journey ahead is not just about technological advancements but also about retaining our humanity, kindness, and ability to dream and fight for a better tomorrow. Her journey is a powerful testament, inspiring us to believe in ourselves and strive for a world where optimism, compassion, and determination reign supreme.

FUTURES ENVISIONED .

DR. SAEED AL DHAHERI

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It’s not about technology enriching our lives; it’s about enriching our lives with what truly matters - passion, family, values.”

In a future where tradition weaves seamlessly with innovation, my dialogue with Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri unfolds, rich in insight and vision. This isn’t just an exchange of ideas; it’s a deep dive into the life of a visionary committed to guiding us through the complexities of tomorrow.

As the director of the Center of Future Studies at the University of Dubai and the president of the UAE’s Robotics and Automation Society, Dr. Al Dhaheri’s passion is evident. “It is a quest to inform and prepare future generations for the future yet to come,” he shares, highlighting his dedication to foresight in molding the future of nations and individuals.

In our discussion, Dr. Al Dhaheri’s future vision emerges, deeply rooted in his upbringing in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and the valuable lessons learned there. His childhood, filled with studies and playful exploration, laid the foundation for his life’s principles of preparedness and determination. He recalls a formative experience: “When I was ten years old, we’d swim in a large pond in Al Ain. I saw a little boy jump in without his parents noticing. So, I saved that boy.”

Dr. Al Dhaheri also draws inspiration from sports, believing: “If you have a passion and a goal, with persistence and determination, you can achieve what you want.” His journey reflects the UAE’s remarkable transformation, guided by leaders like Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the founding father of Dubai, and the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, mirroring the nation’s leap from visions to reality. “We believe that nothing is impossible,” he states, encapsulating the spirit that drives the UAE’s pioneering advancements and its position as a global leader in innovation and future technologies.

Mindset is crucial in the UAE’s remarkable journey of innovation. In Dr. Al Dhaheri’s book ‘Digital Nation,’ he delves into the belief system driving the UAE forward, highlighting initiatives like the Ministry for Possibilities that embody the nation’s ethos of tackling challenges directly. He emphasizes, “Don’t shoot for the moon; shoot for the stars,” reflecting the leadership’s ambition to inspire future generations.

Reflecting on the UAE’s blend of innovation and tradition, I’m reminded of a story I penned for Gulf News about twins Ali and Alia, projecting into a future where, despite technological advances, the essence of family and tradition remains unchanged. This story exemplifies the UAE’s dedication to progress without losing sight of its roots.

Dr. Al Dhaheri reminisces about the early days of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, crediting Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for transforming the desert into a global tech hub. “The remarkable vision and determination of our leaders stand out distinctly,” he states, showcasing the UAE’s ability to rally its people towards a shared vision, from major projects like Emirates Airlines to DP World. This exemplifies the UAE’s technological achievements and commitment to community and tradition amidst rapid progress.

His journey is marked by an enduring passion for education and innovation. Graduating in electrical engineering from UAE University in 1987, he was driven early on by a desire to educate the next generation. A significant turning point was his participation in the first International Space Program at MIT in 1988, selected by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak.

Ater earning his PhD in bioengineering from Drexel University, he returned to lecture in the UAE. His leadership roles have been crucial in modernizing national infrastructure, from tackling the Y2K bug to spearheading the UAE National ID Card System. He shares a career highlight: “One of my achievements is enrolling and registering His Highness Sheikh Khalifah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and giving him the first ID card system.”

Dr. Al Dhaheri has recently turned his expertise towards studying the future, founding the Center for Future Studies at the University of Dubai to support the UAE’s foresight strategy. “We wanted to align with the UAE strategy,” he notes, emphasizing the center’s dedication to advancing foresight as a rigorous discipline. His commitment extends to engagements as a visiting lecturer at Oxford and Cambridge and his participation in the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Metaverse.

In a world increasingly shaped by AI, the contrast between digital knowledge and the deeply human experiences of love, compassion, and creativity is more apparent than ever. This evolution emphasizes the critical role of wisdom and critical thinking, suggesting a future prioritizing inherently human qualities that technology cannot duplicate. “Definitely, you hit the nail on the head,” Dr. Al Dhaheri agrees, stressing the need for educational reforms to prepare children for a tech-centric future. He led a pivotal study on the future of higher education, highlighting a shift towards integrating AI in learning while preserving human interactions. “If we teach today as we did yesterday, we rob our grandchildren of their future,” he cautions, calling for a new approach to education that balances AI’s benefits with the nurturing of irreplaceable human skills.

“Gratitude to the Foresight and Vision to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates & Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister.”

Dr. Al Dhaheri’s insights extend to the workforce, where AI literacy becomes crucial as technology reshapes job landscapes. He urges the need for a societal grasp on AI’s expanding influence on life decisions. He advocates for an educational overhaul that leverages AI for personalized learning without losing the human touch, aiming for a harmonious blend of innovation and humanism in teaching.

Addressing the challenge of keeping educators abreast with rapid technological advancements, I’ve coined the term FOBO - Fear of Becoming Obsolete. This concern, coupled with the imminent arrival of Artificial General Intelligence, underscores our unpreparedness for the next leap in AI development. He concurs, “We are not ready for it,” championing a humancentric approach to AI that bolsters life quality without causing displacement or harm.

Discussing the tech sector’s challenges, it’s clear that our post-World War II regulations are illequipped for today’s technological landscape, where issues like data management and ethical integrity are paramount. As a futurist, I believe our future is defined by trust, truth, and ethics amidst a trust deficit and the dominance of tech giants practicing techno-colonialism. Highlighting the risks of AI, akin to nuclear weapons, I stress the urgent need for regulatory guardrails to prevent uncontrollable outcomes, underscoring the significant gap in current governance.

Dr. Al Dhaheri highlights the growing concern over AI’s impact on society. Citing UNESCO’s AI ethics recommendations - endorsed by over 190 countries - he stresses the necessity for international agreements to regulate AI in weaponry, insisting on technology that benefits humanity: “We have to be wise, be human, and put solid governance around AI.”

Reflecting on pursuing profit over human values, Dr. Al Dhaheri recalls a discussion on drone ethics dismissed by profit motives identical to what I experienced in a similar role, illustrating the tension between materialism and human well-being. Conversations with individuals

prioritizing happiness and love further affirm his belief that true success lies beyond material wealth, advocating for societal values rooted in “passion, family, values.”

He criticizes technology’s role in fostering isolation. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing genuine human connections. Additionally, he notes the backlash against impersonal, automated services as a call for more human-centered interactions, challenging the convenience of technology against the backdrop of societal needs for authenticity and connection.

Dr. Al Dhaheri delves into the impact of longevity and AI on society, asserting, “It’s not about technology enriching our lives; it’s about enriching our lives with what truly matters - passion, family, values.” He highlights the need for genuine human connections amidst technological growth.

Looking forward to his 100th birthday, Dr. Al Dhaheri is optimistic about a future where “technology serves us,” enhancing health and productivity while affording more time for family and community. He envisions a legacy defined by human connections rather than technological possessions, urging a choice toward a life rich in meaningful interactions over one dominated by digital advancements.

Dr. Al Dhaheri’s wisdom resonates as a beacon for the future. His vision for a balanced, cohesive society serves as a guiding light, offering hope and direction in navigating the complexities of modern life and the challenges that lie ahead.

“Ethics and trust really is about what markers you leave behind on other people.”

DIGITAL FUTURE & TECHNOLOGIES

ETHICS, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT

determination and effort, teaching him the essence of resilience and striving beyond limits.

KUSHAL SHAH

When talking with Kushal Shah, the Managing Director of e& capital, I am struck by the depth and range of his experiences. Kushal, a man whose life journey began in the serenity of Nairobi, Kenya, opened our conversation with a profound reflection on his roots. “I was born and brought up in Kenya, where sometimes giraffes crossed the roads,” he shares, painting a picture of a life initially bounded, yet serene and stable.

Kushal’s early years were shaped by disciplines that went beyond the ordinary. At the age of seven, he would rise at dawn to meditate, a practice instilled by his grandmother. This discipline was not just about stilling the mind but also the body, creating a foundation of purpose and stability from a young age. His childhood was also marked by exposure to extreme athletics, surrounding him with a milieu of

Our conversation takes a turn towards Kushal’s educational journey as he reminisces about his initial days at Cambridge. He narrates his experience of cultural differences and how embracing them became a part of his DNA. He recalls the custom of greeting people with a handshake or an embrace, especially upon our second meeting of the day. This practice, ingrained in him from his Kenyan upbringing, often surprised others. They would question, “Why are you shaking my hand again? Why the second embrace?” To him, that was a natural expression of warmth. Through these interactions, he came to understand

that while customs may vary, the genuine warmth conveyed by that second gesture of friendliness became a fundamental part of who he is. He adds: “It’s a distinct and unexpectedly delightful aspect of my character, one that, in my experience, tends to bring back a very positive energy, a good karma.”

Kushal’s story then meanders through his career path, where he speaks candidly about his decision to become an accountant - not driven by parental pressure but by practicality and ease. His reflections on his career transitions are enlightening, especially his observations on the change in business models and the importance of trust, truth, and ethics. “Ethics and trust really is about what markers

you leave behind on other people,” Kushal points out. He elucidates: “Undergoing health tests at age 50, where you monitor your physical markers over time, is akin to how trust and ethics function as markers on your consciousness. These markers are observed by others, indicating your position on the spectrum of trustworthiness. Similarly, through repeated interactions, like those second handshakes, you sense changes in someone’s emotions, reflecting their good or bad days. These markers represent karma. These interactions have built a deep understanding with others. With founders, this sense of trust and ethics becomes even more pronounced. It’s a long-term process, where the impact of the markers you leave on others defines the essence of trust and ethics.”

Our discussion delves deeper into the ethics of technology, especially in the context of AI. Kushal’s perspective is clear: “Our commitment is to safeguard what’s crucial – people’s data and the distinction between right and wrong. This principle serves as a definitive line and a line of defense in our operations. As we introduce new technologies, maintaining this ethical mindset is paramount. This ethos is not just a personal stance but a cultural value ingrained at both the executive and board levels, permeating our entire team. Our approach to ethics governs everything from our conduct to the technologies we adopt and how we use them to protect our customers.”

The perceptions around data are drastically changing. From Big Tech companies using our data and creating algorithms they build to monetize our data, there’s a blurring of lines that needs to be addressed. “This relates to the simplicity with which children perceive right and wrong, seeing things in black and white without the gray areas that adults often consider. Children easily grasp

clear concepts, such as opposing global warming. Our approach to teaching and guiding them should focus on defining these clear distinctions rather than applying the more complex and nuanced perspectives we might use with a 40-year-old who has a wealth of diverse experiences.”

On discussing the future, I posit that we’re giving the children a ‘burning planet.’ How are we nurturing and empowering the youth to tackle these global issues? Kushal asserts: “The amount of brain power that’s being put into solving the burning planet is a big change from just a few years ago. In the old days, our parents pushed us into careers like engineering, medicine, law, etc., but now the parents, teachers, schools, and universities are offering sustainability-related courses. Is there the right amount of brain power shifting to these areas for the future? Definitely, yes.”

We’re living in a world of rapid technological transformation and exponential change. Anything that can be digitized will be. However, anything that cannot be digitized, like love, harmony, compassion, kindness, generosity, heart, soul, spirit, common sense, and ethics, will be a million times more valuable. My thesis is that as we become more technological, ironically, we need to be more human, and technology serves us. Kushal’s response is illuminating: “Reflecting on Dubai’s evolution, it’s noteworthy how perceptions have shifted. A decade or so ago, Dubai was often viewed as just a concrete landscape lacking culture. Today, however, it’s a hub of diverse and rich cultures, strongly supported and community-driven. This transformation is parallel to what children are experiencing. They recognize the need for a tangible social culture beyond the virtual realms of platforms like Instagram. As my children have grown from teenagers to young adults, aged 18 to 22, I’ve observed their increasing engagement

with and drive towards this evolving social and cultural landscape.”

Kushal’s insights into entrepreneurship and technology are particularly striking. He describes entrepreneurship as riding the waves of technology, underlining the importance of being at the forefront of innovation. His views on nurturing future generations were equally compelling. Kushal emphasized the shift in educational focus toward sustainability and the importance of guiding young minds toward being more humane in a technologically advanced world.

As our conversation approaches its conclusion, Kushal shares his vision for the future. He hopes for a world where nature and the environment regain their rightful place, coexisting harmoniously with human advancements. “I would love it that in the next 50 years, we let the environment nature come back as a beast, and it’s not just the human in the loop, it’s the nature in the loop,” he says, envisioning a future where natural and technological ecosystems thrive in symbiosis.

In Kushal, we see a visionary who bridges the gap between the grounded wisdom of the past and the boundless possibilities of the future. His story is a testament to the power of embracing one’s roots while boldly charting a course into new frontiers. As a voice of the future, Kushal’s message is a clarion call to all who dare to dream and innovate for a better tomorrow.

SHAPING THE CONVERGENCE OF TECH AND BIOLOGY RAYMOND MCCAULEY

Raymond McCauley is a polymath whose curiosity and passion for exponential technologies have shaped his illustrious career. In an engaging conversation, he shares his insights that are not just profound but pivotal for our understanding and navigation of the future.

At the young age of six, he created a laboratory in his garage to explore the workings of ants, rockets, and electronics, displaying an early curiosity that persisted into his professional life. His career spans across biotechnology, including pivotal contributions to genomics and bioinformatics, and the co-founding of the first biohackerspace. His diverse background includes roles from demolition to executive producer for PBS, reflecting a broad skill set. Currently, Ray is the founder and science officer at Exponential

Biosciences, where he advises on digital biology strategies for various organizations, focusing on areas such as personal genomics, cryogenics, and agricultural technology. His academic journey through multiple prestigious institutions underlines a solid foundation in a wide range of scientific fields. He values teamwork highly, considering his ability to maintain positive relationships with colleagues as his greatest professional achievement.

Every story has a beginning. I open the interview by asking him what he was like as a youngster. He begins by reflecting on his childhood, a testament to the power of curiosity and experimentation.

“When I look at where my professional and adult life comes from and the way I do things, everything comes back to those days,” he shares. “That really

“The future is going to be better than the present and much better than the past.”

set me up for this hands-on adventure. Without that, I wouldn’t be the person that I am now.”

He emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience and the role it played in shaping his approach to science and technology. He elucidates: “Without the opportunity to explore and experiment from a young age, I wouldn’t have developed the openness to collaborate and innovate. These early experiences of hands-on learning have been crucial in shaping my approach. I’m passionate about extending this freedom to experiment, especially to young children who are still full of curiosity. It’s vital to empower them to question, explore, and create on their terms,

fostering a transformative environment for both their personal growth and future contributions.”

Technologies converge, then cook, then diverge. What are his thoughts on the way forward for humanity? Ray emphasizes we’re in an era of convergence, where the fusion of various technologies leads to innovative solutions, mirroring nature’s complexity. This shift from seeking answers to asking the right questions highlights the importance of critical thinking and hands-on experimentation. He advocates for a practical, prototype-driven approach over theoretical planning, suggesting this mindset can revolutionize our interaction with technology and problem-solving.

My thesis is that the future’s stability and growth depend on trust, anchored in truth and ethics, crucial for overcoming societal challenges. This foundation, coupled with transparency, combats dystopian fears and bridges divides, underscoring the role of empathy and moral values. As we navigate technological advancements, preserving our humanity through compassion and embracing diverse talents is vital. This strategy highlights the need to align technological progress with fundamental human principles for genuine and meaningful advancement. “That’s so incredibly true,” Ray responds. “Initially, as a parent, my highest hope for my children was intelligence, followed by health and happiness, reflecting my value of being smart. However, over time, my perspective shifted, placing kindness above all. This transformation stemmed from realizing that the most impactful experiences are those imbued with kindness. It highlighted a gap in my earlier outlook, underscoring the importance of integrating kindness not just in personal values but also within our broader systems, including capitalism and technology, to mitigate societal issues.”

In advocating for the evolution of societal institutions, Ray stresses the need for structures that reflect and accommodate the complexities of the modern world. He calls for innovative, adaptable organizations capable of addressing contemporary challenges, suggesting that the static models of the past are insufficient for the dynamic realities of today and tomorrow. This perspective envisions a future where governance and societal systems are as fluid and innovative as the technologies propelling us forward, emphasizing the necessity for change to ensure resilience and relevance in the face of rapid advancements.

Discussing the future, and in a world where a

few people own 50% of the wealth and drive the economies and legislations, Ray’s perspective is illuminating: “I aspire for a future where everyone thrives, competing on advancements in art and science. Yet, I fear a divided world where power and wealth are concentrated among a few, creating a societal divide. My approach involves nurturing kindness and openness in my children, encouraging them to strive for excellence. This way, they can make independent decisions and secure their economic independence, aiming to prevent the elitism that contributes to societal fragmentation.”

But is Ray optimistic about the future? “Absolutely,” he affirms. “The future is going to be better than the present and much better than the past.”

The current focus on growth and profit is harming the planet. Instead, I advocate for a holistic approach that includes people, the planet, prosperity, profit, and peace. This approach suggests replacing GDP with metrics that consider happiness, climate change, and other vital factors, proposing a balanced set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) beyond mere economic growth. Ray agrees and argues against the dystopian fear of surveillance, envisioning a future where technology, through AI, nurtures well-being rather than manipulates.

He proposes a “Big Sister” future, emphasizing, “I like a Big Sister future where you’ve got this omniscient AI that only wants to watch you and measure things so it can make you happy.” This vision includes AI-driven solutions that prioritize health and happiness, subtly guiding choices for the better without infringing on freedom. He expresses optimism about achieving a balance between technological advancement and personal well-being.

What is digital biology? Ray defines it: “The term conceptualizes the fusion of biology with computer technology, reflecting its exponential growth under what’s now known as Wright’s law. It encompasses the integration of medicine, agriculture, and genetic engineering with computing to revolutionize how we approach health, food production, and materials. Instead of traditional methods, future solutions involve programming genetic makeup and growing materials, moving towards a world where everything is bio-engineered rather than extracted.”

Marrying human skills with scientific advancement, Ray champions the integration of compassion, creativity, and critical thinking into education and business. He sees this blend as essential for fostering innovation that is both groundbreaking and grounded in ethical values. By valuing these human qualities equally with technical achievements, we can ensure a future where technology enhances our humanity rather than diminishes it, creating a society where progress and compassion go hand in hand.

Ray leaves us with his messagein-a-bottle, his bumper sticker on the future. It reads: Tomorrow’s going to be a good day. And: Change what you can, manage what you can’t.

Raymond Macauley stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration. His journey, insights, and unwavering belief in the potential of humanity to overcome its challenges and seize the opportunities of the future remind us that the future is not just something we inherit but something we actively shape, together.

“You must train your brain to imagine future possibilities you’re looking forward to rather than future possibilities you fear because your brain’s trying to keep you safe. It’s a skill to have an active imagination.”

NAVIGATING THE FUTURE

JOHN SANEI

The air buzzes with an electric mix of anticipation and curiosity when talking with John Sanei. His unique blend of storytelling and futurism makes him a lighthouse for those seeking clarity in an ever-changing world. John turns complex visions of tomorrow into accessible narratives – and action plans.

His journey, from the son of Persian parents in Africa to a renowned strategist, author, and international keynote speaker, is a testament to adaptability and resilience. His early setbacks, including a daunting bankruptcy, shaped his future. Stripping away material distractions, he emerged as the inspiring figure we see today. Now, he uses his storytelling to spur action and foster self-reflection, believing every challenge is an opportunity for a new, inspiring chapter.

The Storyteller

John’s storytelling philosophy resonates deeply: it centers around an emotional journey from uncertainty to hope to action, directly confronting our addiction to certainty. He reveals: “Audiences must feel why they need to do the work – and feel the privilege and responsibility – to prepare for the future.”

In my talks, I emphasize a striking truth: we’re in a golden era of wealth, health, education, and beyond, according to every major metric. However, our emotional states have never been worse. “We’ve been programmed to seek stability over everything else,” he declares. “We’re not just suffering from burnout, but from a betrayal of the promised comfort by the system,” he observes. His approach involves acknowledging our collective fear of uncertainty and then introspecting to access new versions of ourselves and creative ways of thinking. “Optimism is a superpower,” John proclaims. He embodies ‘agile optimism,’ embracing enthusiasm and uncertainty: he urges us to question the narratives we’ve been sold and to seek new, more fulfilling definitions of success.

To bring about change, transformation, and innovation as a future strategist, John shares his three-pronged approach of trust, courage, and clarity for board members and executives. He illustrates to board members and executives how they don’t have all the answers for tomorrow. “I help them realize that many of the largest companies in the world today, and the smartest, richest people in the world, including Google – who didn’t launch OpenAI, but OpenAI did, and NASA who didn’t launch SpaceX, but SpaceX did – don’t have all the answers for tomorrow,” he shares. He believes it takes a team, not one individual, to clarify what tomorrow needs: “only by

building a system with trust, courage, and clarity can we prepare for the future without making anybody too scared.”

Trust, truth, and ethics are crucial for shaping our future. Yet, today’s organizations, institutions, and governments have a palpable trust deficit. I asked John about the essential elements to restore trust in our lives. His awareness is profound: “It is our internal dialogue and a patterning of trauma that says, ‘I am in danger, there’s danger around me, I’m seeking danger, so I’m finding danger,’ which reinforces that feeling that you can’t trust.” John delves deeper: “Healing our internal conflicts is key to rebuilding trust,” he advises.

He describes a disconnect between our emotional and rational selves, noting our hearts remain unhealed while our minds are overwhelmed by anxiety, greed, and a desire for certainty. “It’s a ferocious monster that can never be sated because no matter how much you have, it’s not enough,” he shares that it results in a general mistrust in oneself and others. This misalignment, he suggests, stems from conflicting desires of the heart and mind, disrupting our internal balance. He emphasizes the importance of individual self-reflection and healing to address this widespread trust deficit, which can positively influence broader societal structures like organizations and governments.

Then he drops this gold nugget: “You must train your brain to imagine future possibilities you’re looking forward to rather than future possibilities you fear because your brain’s trying to keep you safe. It’s a skill to have an active imagination.”

The Lecturer

The youth – and education – play a significant role in shaping the world of tomorrow. He expresses concern over the outdated nature of our current education system. “We’re preparing our kids for 1986,” he laments. He urges for a paradigm shift in how we educate the next generation.

Not having studied at a university but lectured at more than 20, including Singularity University, John emphasizes the pivotal role of unlearning in our journey toward adaptability and innovation: “It isn’t learning something new and forgetting the past. It’s understanding the science of your brain to unlearn patterns, habits, and behaviors you’ve spent years developing. The practice of unlearning becomes imperative as we start to access new types of creativity. Your uniqueness, not your sameness, becomes your currency of the future.”

The Learner

Speaking at a KPMG Global Summit some years ago, I began my talk with, “I’m a failed accountant.” This opening was more than just an ice-breaker; it was a gateway into my personal story of transformation and paved the way for my current path. My approach to failure is highlighted in what I call the ‘five Fs of failure’ - fail fast, fail frequently, fail frugally, failure is not fatal, and always fail forward. Failure is not just inevitable; it’s a necessary stepping stone to growth and innovation.

John’s views on failure intertwine with his thoughts on societal norms and the fear of change. “It’s not so much failure, it’s ‘I don’t want to move out of my familiarness,’” he explains. For him, this addiction to familiarity is what holds many back from embracing change and adapting. People aren’t necessarily afraid of failure but rather the discomfort of stepping out of their comfort zone. He challenges the very notion of failure and the societal norms that dictate our definitions of success and failure. And his own life is a testament to this philosophy. Despite not fitting into the conventional narrative of success, he’s carved out a thoroughly rewarding life, traveling the world, and impacting others through his work.

The Collaborator

Discussing the future of AI, my views are that AI cannot replace uniquely human attributes like imagination, intuition, and judgment, and secondly, that anything digitizable will be digitized. John agrees that our challenge lies in enhancing those human qualities that AI cannot replicate. Drawing an analogy to riding a horse, I suggest that AI, like a horse, is a powerful tool we can guide and control rather than compete against. It emphasizes the need for humanity to evolve, harness new forms of creativity and courage, and transform AI from an adversary into an ally.

He draws a poignant analogy that likens the advent of AI to a Disney tale. An apprentice uses a spell to automate his chores, only to lose control, leading to chaos. “We’ve opened Pandora’s box and don’t have the magic spell to close it,” he reflects. He sees AI as a challenge to be mastered, not feared: “We must access new types of creativity and develop new types of courage to access new versions of who we are so that AI becomes an ally.”

The Leader

As our conversation shifts to the future of leadership, John advises leaders to focus on emotional intelligence, a skill crucial to navigating the complexities of today’s world. “Keeping the lights on in a fast-changing world is a job on its own, and you can’t simultaneously try to be innovative and disruptive,” he asserts. “Build a team that focuses on tomorrow and another that focuses on today, and keep them siloed so they can solve problems in totally different worlds with totally different KPIs and capabilities. A leader’s emotional intelligence is their highest skill set.”

John’s vision for the future is grounded in kindness and respect, both for ourselves and others. His message for future generations, encapsulated in a hypothetical message in a bottle, would be simple yet profound: “Be kind to yourself.”

John’s unique blend of storytelling, strategic thinking, and empathetic leadership provides a roadmap for navigating the future with confidence and optimism. His insights remind us that the future is an opportunity to be embraced with curiosity and an open heart.

DIGITAL FUTURE & TECHNOLOGIES

HUMANIZING TECHNOLOGY

NICHOL BRADFORD

If you have ever considered the interplay between humans and technology, the name Nichol Bradford should ring a bell. Living in San Francisco, Nichol is a seasoned innovator, investor, and thought leader at the exciting crossroads of technology and human transformation. With the co-founding of TransformativeTech.org and Nirmeia Collective, and notable roles at prestigious companies like Epic Games, Activision Blizzard, Disney, and Vivendi, she has made an indelible mark on the tech industry.

Nichol begins by setting the stage with a powerful declaration that encapsulates her mission: “It’s time to bring the human into technology; it’s time to become our best selves,” she states. “It’s time to understand that the way we save the world and solve our problems is by becoming our best selves individually and collectively.” This statement introduces her as a pivotal figure in the intersection of technology and human development. It highlights her commitment to using technology as a catalyst for personal and collective growth.

As with every technological advancement, the advent of AI and generative AI brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. Nichol focuses on the shift in tasks in the world of work, a known outcome of AI, but also reveals an unexpected benefit: the potential for developing emotional fluency. “Generative AI will train us to become emotionally fluent because humans are optimizers in many ways,” she elaborates. “If I learn that the way to get what I want is to describe it in a certain way, and I have to say how I want it to feel, then I believe that that means the next time I’m talking to you, I might be a little better at describing what I want and how I want to feel. If you think most of the mischief-making you’ve seen in your life, when good people have misunderstandings, it is because the people can’t say what they want, and they can’t say how they feel and end up speaking past one another.”

Born and raised in a neighborhood where few looked like her, Nichol attributes her humble beginnings to her father, a plumber. She shares: “I have a very strong sensibility – a democratic sensibility – in the sense that I want everyone to have access to the good things because I ended up where I am because of mentors or refusing to stop until I found a way to improve and to grow and to thrive. I have humble beginnings. If we have a world where it’s only for a few, I’m not on board with that.”

Early exposure to the Star Trek series, a show that emphasized discovery, humanity, and a future of meritocracy, influenced her interest in science and technology as the means to a better world. “As a little girl, I used to watch Star Trek, and starting with Lieutenant Uhura and then Geordi la Forge, and all of the other black characters, it was so impactful for me to see them there because that’s how I knew there were black people in the future,”

she recalls. “The awesome thing is on Star Trek, it was a meritocracy: human beings had decided, for the most part, they were on the same page. We cleaned up our home world, and our business was discovery and helping people. That aligned with me. I saw science and technology as the means to create this world.”

When asked about our generation’s ability to maintain a long-term vision (such as in Star Trek), Nichol explains, “This is the moment that, if we all row together, we can shift to a more equitable and sustainable future for everyone.” She warns that the next 10 to 15 years will decide if our future resembles Star Trek or the Hunger Games, advocating for a unified effort towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.

“It’s time to bring the human into technology; it’s time to become our best selves.”

Her belief is that the answer lies in human growth and potential. By leaning into our humanness and developing our mental and emotional health, we can spur the creativity and innovation needed for a prosperous future.

As we venture into the future, Nichol’s message is a reminder and a clarion call: “It’s not technology that will save us. It’s us that will save us. Our ability to evolve, to grow, to be more emotionally fluent, to be more self-aware, to adapt, to be resilient, to be able to co-create, collaborate, and communicate – that’s the work of the future.”

She also points out that, just as every job has become a technology job in the 21st century, every job will become a human development job. “Your ability to understand yourself and others, manage yourself, build relationships, and make decisions will be crucial. That’s human development,” she asserts.

By incorporating these principles into our interactions with technology and each other, we can better navigate the world and create a future that echoes more Star Trek than Hunger Games. It’s not just about developing the technology but evolving as humans – and that’s a future that Nichol Bradford, with her transformative vision, is dedicated to helping shape.

CHARTING THE PATH OF THE FUTURE ZENIA TATA

“Why are we wasting money going to the moon and Mars and not looking at the poverty outside?”

In a world where visionary thinkers are forging futures, Zenia Tata stands as a luminary, a woman whose life and work are rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for humanity. She is a maverick in every sense of the word, constantly challenging herself and others to visualize a future full of breakthroughs. Zenia is the quintessential futurist, and our dialogue navigates complex landscapes from space ambitions to sustainability, from empowering the world’s poor to high-stakes innovation challenges.

Born in Mumbai, she set out with one primary goal: to reach the stars, quite literally. While many of us have our heads in the clouds, she was determined to bring her dreams to reality. Her first foray into the skies was through aviation, a passion she pursued vigorously, leading her on an adventure from Mumbai to California to Alaska.

However, her serendipitous journey into social services truly set the stage for her future endeavors, creating an impact beyond the stars. The innovative lens she applied to seemingly intractable problems, like youth violence, reshaped traditional systems into something far more sustainable.

Joining International Development Enterprises (iDE) was more than just another role. It was a testament to Zenia’s belief in flipping existing narratives. While the world viewed the impoverished as mere beneficiaries of charity, iDE and Zenia saw them as potential customers. She recounts: “What if we stopped treating the poor as beneficiaries and started treating them like customers?”

The transformative model she contributed to at iDE not only survived but thrived. Fueled by a grant from the then-nascent Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, she and her team empowered 24 million farm families to break free from the chains of poverty. It was a move from mere sustenance to self-sustainability.

She reflects on her career trajectory, which took an exciting turn with XPRIZE, where her tenacity, innovative spirit, and drive for impact found the perfect outlet. Here, she designed moonshots that looked to shape the future and pull it closer.

Whether it was the Water Abundance XPRIZE or the audacious Age Reversal XPRIZE, Zenia’s leadership sought to stretch the boundaries of what was thought possible.

From our conversation, I recognize Zenia’s unique position allowed her to bridge two worlds: the visionary tech environment of the US West Coast, where she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Peter Diamandis, Elon Musk, and other renowned thinkers, and international audiences, from South Indian conferences to government agencies from Singapore and Australia. These encounters were marked by poignant questions: “Why are we wasting money going to the moon and Mars and not looking at the poverty outside?” Zenia explains that these questions are not only valid but crucial. Although space and deep-water exploration projects are the ones that often capture the public

imagination, she reveals that the majority of her work centers on climate change and related technologies.

Are moonshots effective? She believes that moonshots aren’t just about money; they’re about driving humanity towards a cleaner, healthier future. In her words: “The problems aren’t going to be solved immediately, but it is important to get people going in that direction.”

She explains XPRIZE: “These prizes are catalysts for innovation – they offer a financial incentive. Still, they offer something far more valuable. The biggest incentive is for people to do something good, to touch or change the life of somebody else.” According to her, the investment of a $10 million prize can foster research and collective intelligence worth 10 to 20 times that amount.

After a decade with XPRIZE, it’s clear Zenia is still committed to creating a meaningful impact by working on projects ranging from addressing plastic waste with the Australian government to developing sustainable, affordable housing in developing countries such as India and Egypt. “Can we crack that nut and house millions of people? Is that possible?” she challenges us.

Her next objective? She’s writing a book. Not just any book, but one that sets forth a concrete plan to halt and start reversing climate change by the mid-century. “We can definitively – scientifically – halt climate change by 2040,” she asserts. “Why are we not listening to this incredibly crazy message happening all around us every day?”

That leads us to delve into humanity’s seemingly waning connectedness with our planet. She agrees: “At a quantum scientific and energetic level, we are one.” Her research and book are a clarion call, urging us to recognize and act on our intrinsic link with our planet — a call rooted as much in love as it is in science.

What are the major hurdles in combating climate change? For her, it is the immense influence of the oil and gas industries. She mentions technologies that can retrofit existing infrastructures, enabling these companies to continue operations without the environmental devastation. “These pass the emission laws; there’s a solution,” she insists.

We share the perspective that the key is to make sustainability not just affordable but profitable. This isn’t merely a dream, according to her research: “The landscape is changing with ever-stricter emerging

requirements for companies to report ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) metrics.”

“We need oil and gas,” she acknowledges, but her vision doesn’t demand a complete overthrow of existing systems overnight. Instead, she envisions a future where these giants can continue to operate but in a way that aligns with the health and wellbeing of the planet. “They can keep pumping with less or no emissions,” she states, highlighting the availability of current technologies that can make this transition possible.

The urgency of her message lies in her belief that it is not too late to change our course, but the window is closing fast. “We have to listen,” she implores, “by understanding our fundamental interconnectedness with our planet and having a different mindset to it.”

Perhaps one of the most captivating shifts in Zenia’s narrative is her transition from massive moonshot projects to a more practical approach. She emphasizes the importance of balancing profitability with purpose, challenging the traditional notion of disruption. For her, the new disruptive is not about tearing everything down but retrofitting. It’s about drop-in technologies that integrate with existing systems but produce significantly better results. She witnessed the challenges firsthand at XPRIZE, where the vision was sometimes ahead of its time, leading to shelving ground-breaking ideas due to risk aversion.

She believes incremental doesn’t mean insignificant. Businesses can achieve disruptive

results by retrofitting and integrating new technologies into existing systems. The pathways might seem logical and linear, but the results are exponential.

When asked what message she would leave for the future, Zenia poetically brings it back to where we all live: our planet. “We’re finally here. We’re all in love with our planet,” she dreams. “I really wish that all of us could start developing an individual love affair with our planet and understanding our deep connection because only that will change this current zeitgeist.” In this simple yet profound wish, she encapsulates her overarching message: for humanity to thrive in the future, we must harmonize our relationship with the Earth.

Her message for tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and dreamers is clear: “Embrace disruption, believe in the transformative power of innovation, and always remember that a different lens on the world can cultivate hope, inspire change, and deliver impactful results. Innovation, a different mindset, and a different lens on the world can upset the normal apple cart and create something new, a better future, more hope, and better results.”

In the spirit of Zenia, let’s not wait for the future; let’s shape it.

DIGITAL FUTURE & TECHNOLOGIES

THE FUTURE OF LAW

DR. ABIR HADDAD

“As technology evolves, creating spaces beyond physical control, new models for international governance and enforceability must be developed.”

Challenging the status quo requires a brave voice, one that resounds with a clarity and vision that slices through the din to shape the contours of tomorrow. My conversation with Dr. Abir Haddad, a luminary in the realm of legal transformation, unfurls a narrative rich with rebelliousness, innovation, and a profound belief in the power of law to forge a better future.

As a celebrated Legal Futurist, recognized in the Capital 40 under 40, and an esteemed alumna of the Max Planck Association, Dr. Haddad brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her role as a comparative law expert at the University of Cologne is complemented by her past contributions to the United Nations Climate Secretariat (UNFCCC), where she advised on legal strategies for climate resilience. Today, she pioneers the ‘7 Steps to Legal Transformation,’ applying this unique methodology to navigate the institute through the tumultuous waters of legal and societal change. Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Haddad is known for her passion for the Bedouin lifestyle and the simple beauty of the desert.

From the streets of Baghdad to the academic halls of Germany, Dr. Haddad’s journey is a testament to resilience – and rebelliousness. “I was the perfect straight-A student until puberty hit, then I rebelled against my teachers, parents, and society because I was so smart. Somehow, I managed to get through school, take a gap year, study, and enter the legal profession,” she reflects.

Born in wartime Baghdad, her family fled their home and, a few years later, emigrated to Germany. Despite struggles to adapt to life in her new country, educational system, and society, since the age of 11, she was determined to become a lawyer. “I fell in love with law because of the way of thinking, how things work together, and how words can create a world and govern a society,” she recounts. “Law is a tool to make people’s lives better,” she asserts.

What energy flowed inside her to excel and succeed as an immigrant in her new home? She responds: “To get along and succeed, I had to be ten times better than everyone around me.” According to Dr. Haddad, the experience of being an immigrant, particularly from Arab or Muslim backgrounds in European countries, involves facing significant challenges. Society often fails to embrace these individuals fully, limiting their access to opportunities due to differences in name, culture, or language, despite proficiency in German – even without an accent. Being an immigrant meant starting from scratch due to a lack of networks and systemic barriers. Additionally, there’s a cultural tension from within, where families fear the loss of cultural identity, leading to restrictions and traditional expectations. For her, this dual burden of external societal barriers and internal cultural expectations creates a complex landscape for immigrants to navigate.

She articulates her motivation for success: “Driven to be a mentor for future generations, I navigated my own challenging journey as a young immigrant in Germany, feeling isolated without role models. Dedicated to supporting immigrants through mentoring, speeches, and building networks, my goal is to provide the guidance and encouragement I lacked, ensuring no one feels abandoned.”

My thesis is that as the world becomes increasingly technological and digital, the value of non-digitizable qualities like love, ethics, trust,

creativity, and critical thinking will exponentially increase. Dr. Haddad emphasizes the irreplaceable value of humanity. “In the perfect utopian world, the currency we exchange with each other is a pure loving energy,” she envisions. “I’m wealthy in loving energy, healing energy, giving love, and receiving love. From this, my creativity is nourished. From this, my approaches and boldness – especially as a lawyer – grow.”

Dr. Haddad is devoted to creating a future that aligns with her vision of a fulfilling life for herself and her children. Embracing the Bedouin lifestyle, she finds solace and energy in the simplicity of desert life, tending to animals and connecting deeply with nature. This experience grounds her, reminding her of her humanity beyond her professional achievements and societal status. She advocates for the importance of reconnecting with one’s essential self, regardless of wealth or academic accolades.

The conversation turns to her work at The Institute for Legal Transformation (ILT). Serving as a think tank and consultancy, it seeks to revolutionize legal thought, regulation, and definition. It envisions its innovative concepts being integrated into university curriculums within a decade. Already initiating change in Germany, it focuses on

redefining classical legal education to incorporate legal transformation principles. Partnering with educational and judicial institutions, it trains legal professionals at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and innovation. The ILT employs a unique, interdisciplinary ‘7 Steps to Legal Transformation’ methodology, blending traditional legal studies with foresight techniques to foster agile regulatory approaches and shift the mindset of the legal community.

Courts and governance often trail the rapid pace of technological advancements, leading to numerous “pre-legal” phenomena - situations not yet addressed by existing laws, as distinct from illegal activities. This distinction raises my curiosity about Dr. Haddad’s perspective on navigating between these frameworks in the context of emerging technologies. She highlights the concept of “legal grey zones,” areas not yet regulated in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, such as blockchain and NFTs. These aren’t illegal but lack clear regulations. According to her, the focus is on how society and governance adapt to and regulate these technologies, emphasizing the need for analysis, foresight, and protective measures through national and governmental regulations to address their societal impacts.

Where are the guardrails? “The complexity of regulating emerging technologies requires global cooperation, as these challenges transcend national boundaries,” she affirms. “International treaties

and cooperation have become essential. The lobbying power of tech companies complicates regulation, while the enforceability of laws across different jurisdictions poses significant challenges. As technology evolves, creating spaces beyond physical control, new models for international governance and enforceability must be developed to address these parallel digital spaces.”

She offers two approaches to establishing guardrails for technologies, such as generative AI and large language models. She elucidates: “Two approaches address emerging technologies: regulating AI and its subsets like large language models and educating people to better engage with these advancements. Education spans from schools to universities, focusing on understanding the risks and benefits. The aim is to harness technology for the greater good, highlighting that the main concern is not the technology itself but its misuse.”

Global institutions like the World Bank, WHO, and UNHCR, created 80 years ago to address past challenges, are struggling to keep pace with today’s exponential changes. Institutions like Dr. Haddad’s ILT have the potential to modernize legal education and influence judicial systems, offering a fresh perspective with the ambitious goal of addressing global issues and fostering a world grounded in understanding and love.

Dr. Haddad shares the vision for her work: “We’re redefining legal mindsets, moving from Eurocentric methods to embrace global legal diversity, including indigenous and Islamic law. Our approach, integrating comparative law and history, revisits agile, ancient concepts for today’s issues like sustainability and tech. Collaborating with governments and drawing on indigenous practices that have safeguarded biodiversity, we aim to merge innovation with tradition, crafting a legal framework that innovates while honoring our global heritage.”

Her message in a bottle, “Dare to love, dare to try, dare to fail, and dare to create,” serves as a clarion call to us all. It beckons us to embrace the unknown with courage and to forge a future where law, technology, and humanity converge in a symphony of progress and compassion.

THE NEW OIL OF THE DIGITAL AGE

ROB GONDA

“We generated more data over the past two years than the history of humankind.”

In an era where technology defines the boundaries of possibility, my conversation with Rob Gonda, CEO of DVX, unveiled a visionary perspective on the future, deeply rooted in the present’s digital transformation. As we navigated through various topics, Rob’s insights offered a lucid understanding of the changing landscape of business, technology, and society.

A father, husband, businessman, and changemaker, Rob’s been at the forefront of understanding and shaping technology’s impact on society. His journey began in the early ’90s and has been marked by a relentless pursuit of harnessing technology for positive societal impact.

Today, he’s a sought-after business and technology leader who specializes in transformation and growth, has started and sold five companies, and has led three large digital transformations at privately held, PE-backed, and public companies; among others, at McDonald’s, he was the Chief Digital Officer, and during his leadership, the company tripled their market cap.

Rob is a dynamic thought leader and faculty member at the prestigious Singularity University. He is also a published author, Forbes columnist, and frequent public speaker. Additionally, he sits on multiple boards, including his former roles as digital chair for both the 4A’s and the ARF. Rob has been featured on TV at Reuters and Bloomberg innovator series. Currently, he is actively involved with TED, Summit, and the UN, where he strives to bring exponential thinking to address the world’s greatest challenges.

In the digital age, where every click, every search, and every interaction leaves a digital footprint, data has emerged as a critical asset, shaping the future of businesses and society. He shares: “We generated more data over the past two years than the history of humankind.” This staggering revelation emphasizes the exponential growth of data generation and underscores its pervasiveness in every aspect of modern life. Data is at the forefront of revolutionizing various industries, from personalized marketing strategies to predictive analytics in healthcare.

Rob vividly paints data as “the new oil,” a comparison that encapsulates its immense value and potential. He explains: “Like oil, data is a source of power, fuels innovation, drives growth, and is a key differentiator in the competitive landscape.” Much like how oil powered the industrial revolution, data is now powering a new era of technological advancement and business innovation.

In his vision, effectively harnessing data is not just about collecting and storing vast information. It’s about extracting insights, like refining oil, to fuel smarter decision-making and innovation. “Data, when refined and used wisely, can help us understand customer needs, predict market trends, and create better experiences,” Rob emphasizes, illustrating the potential of data to drive business success and societal progress.

When looking at the S&P 500, the leaders aren’t traditional, asset-heavy companies but those driven by intangible assets like technology and data. He says: “At the moment, nine out of ten top companies are information-based companies.”

As we delve deeper, Rob shares his vision of a future where technology and AI, far from being threats, are catalysts for human advancement. “AI will augment humans, and humans with AI will have an unfair advantage over those without,” he asserts. This vision, though optimistic, is not without its challenges.

Discussing the darker side of technology, Rob expresses concerns about societal manipulation through data and AI and unrestrained exploitation of data. Yet, he remains hopeful, advocating for a moral compass in AI development and a regulatory framework that ensures the ethical use of technology. His stance on AI regulation is unequivocal: “AI is a powerful tool, but without proper guidelines, it can be misused. We need to establish a set of ethical standards and legal frameworks to guide the development and use of AI. The goal should be to use AI to create value, not just for the company, but for society as a whole.”

One of the critical concerns we touch upon is the potential for AI to perpetuate biases and inequalities. “AI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on,” he points out, drawing attention to the risk of AI algorithms inheriting and amplifying societal biases. This concern underscores the need for regulations that mandate fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems. He calls for a unified global effort to create regulatory standards that are consistent and effective across different regions and cultures: “AI doesn’t recognize national borders, so our approach to regulating it shouldn’t either,” he states.

However, he warns against overregulation that could stifle innovation. A balanced approach is needed. “Regulations should guide it in a direction that is beneficial for society,” he explains.

In a business context, he stresses the critical role of a well-thought-out data strategy in harnessing the full potential of AI. He advises companies to look beyond the allure of AI itself and focus on developing a future-ready data strategy. “A company without an AI strategy is like a car without an engine,” he analogizes. He believes that AI is not just a technological add-on but a fundamental component that should be intricately woven into the fabric of a company’s strategy. “AI or technology will not replace companies, but companies that effectively utilize AI will replace those that don’t,” he believes.

AI is a versatile tool that can significantly boost efficiency and innovation. Rob agrees with my perspective of ‘humans plus AI,’ in which humans must leverage AI to augment human capabilities, not replace them. “We must be mutually codependent. For the history of humanity, technology has allowed humanity to do more with less. From the discovery of fire, transportation, airplanes, and computing, it has always allowed us to do more with less. AI will continue to allow us to do more with less,” he believes, envisioning a future where AI and human intelligence work in tandem to achieve greater outcomes. He adds: “There are elements of humanity, such as emotions, sense-making, and creativity, that will be absolutely essential. We must figure out how to coexist and take advantage of AI to allow us to scale our purpose, passion, and reason for existence.”

As our conversation draws to a close, I ask Rob for a message to the future. “We really tried,” he replies, a simple yet profound statement reflecting the collective effort and aspiration to shape a better future.

In this era of rapid technological advancement, Rob Gonda’s insights serve as a guidepost, reminding us of our immense potential and responsibility. We must embrace technology, harness its power for good, and always strive to bridge the gap between human needs and technological capabilities. The future is about creating a world where technology and humanity coexist in harmony, driving progress and prosperity for all.

“AI will augment humans, and humans with AI will have an unfair advantage over those without.”

CHAPTER TWO

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

HACKING HEALTH, HACKING HUMANITY

VIVEK WADHWA

“I’m an entrepreneur again because I have to save the world.”

Getting lost in the tech whirlwind in Silicon Valley is easy. But amidst this chaos, Vivek Wadhwa is a guiding light of reason, foresight, and passion. Our conversation is a journey into the future guided by a man who has not only seen the horizon but is also actively shaping it.

A distinguished figure in the tech world, Vivek merges academia, entrepreneurship, and authorship in his quest to address global challenges. His portfolio boasts five best-selling books, including ‘From Incremental to Exponential’ and ‘The Driver in the Driverless Car.’ A globally syndicated columnist and a respected fellow at prestigious institutions like Harvard Law School, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford Law School, his expertise spans continents and disciplines. His current role as CEO of Vionix Biosciences marks his latest venture into biotech, aiming to revolutionize global health starting from India.

What is it that drives this great visionary? “I’ve been going wherever life takes me; life makes its own plans,” says Vivek. “I recently lost my wife to cancer, and I’ve made it my life’s mission to cure cancer and fulfill her wish that no one suffers the way she did. I’m an entrepreneur again because I have to save the world.”

At the helm of Vionix, Vivek is pioneering a revolution in medical diagnostics. It utilizes AI to analyze biological samples, enabling early disease detection. By simplifying complex diagnostics into more affordable and accessible forms, Vionix aims to bring life-saving technology to a broader audience. Vivek’s vision is

to reduce the cost of their devices, making them a standard in medical facilities globally, from local clinics to educational institutions. Using software for spectral analysis further enhances the versatility and reach of their technology.

Everyone wants to know the same thing: why is it so hard for the global health industry to cure cancer? His response is illuminating: “Cancer is not a single disease; every cancer is unique. There’s no one-medicine-for-all solution to cancer.”

His critique of the profit-driven medical systems in the West, especially the U.S., is scathing, calling its medical system “probably the most corrupt in the world.” He believes these systems are more invested in maintaining illness for profit than true health solutions. For Vivek, the mission is clear: disrupt the status quo and champion preventive and more effective healthcare approaches globally. “We can - and we must - help billions of people live better and healthier lives,” he states.

I proffer a more holistic approach to tackling this challenge: most cardio-metabolic diseases are selfinflicted. “Well, that’s the ultimate solution for us to live healthier and better lifestyles,” remarks Vivek.

“To prevent and cure disease, we must diagnose it at its earliest stages.”

He explains that technologies like AI and quantum computing could address humanity’s biggest challenges. Recognizing that each cancer is distinct but follows specific patterns, Vivek emphasizes the desperate need for large-scale data collection to develop effective treatments.

Frustrated with the barriers the U.S. medical system poses, which he perceives as obstructive to radical innovations, Vivek turned to India. There, he presented his vision to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and collaborated with Indian philanthropists, including Ratan Tata, to revolutionize India’s

cancer care. This led to the creation of Karkinos Healthcare, which aims to transform cancer care across India and gather vital data for cancer research. Vivek continues as an advisor to this fantastic company.

Karkinos has already screened 1.5 million people, identifying early-stage cancers in a small percentage and providing treatments. However, he notes the limitations in detecting only the most common cancers in India, like throat and breast cancer, due to the high cost of sophisticated tests needed for other types. This challenge is not unique to India but is a global issue, especially in less affluent regions.

“I’m going to solve that problem and make diagnostics inexpensive and to detect every possible disease early so people can start treatments and change their lifestyles.”

To address this, Vivek utilized the technology of a Chilean startup to create Vionix today. “I’m going to solve that problem and make diagnostics inexpensive and to detect every possible disease early so people can start treatments and change their lifestyles,” he asserts. He believes that awareness of imminent health risks can motivate people to adopt healthier habits, like quitting smoking or improving their diet, to avoid lifethreatening illnesses.

The conversation moves to the impact of exponential technologies on society and humanity. Vivek is forthright: “These technologies can cure cancer. AI is like electricity: it powers everything. It’s an amazing technology to help you understand the world around you and power breakthroughs.”

However, Vivek cautions against the potential duality of these technologies for beneficial and harmful uses. My concern is the lack of guardrails to block malicious intent. His insight is sharp: “The cat is out of the bag; it’s too late. AI is open sourced. Even if governments told Big Tech to stop developing AI, the open source version of these

technologies is out there. We have to deal with the consequences of what we created.”

Vivek emphasizes that despite people using technology for harmful, greed-driven purposes, there are also those dedicated to employing it for humanitarian good. This mirrors the scenario with computer viruses, where for every malicious virus creator, there’s someone developing antivirus software to counteract them. “That’s the way it’s going to be now, whether we like it or not,” he remarks.

We’re seeing a potential tech-driven colonialism, but Vivek’s not too worried about it. He views regions like the Middle East, Africa, and Asia as crucibles of innovation, countering Western tech dominance. He asserts: “The cost of technology has dropped to the point that anyone, anywhere, can solve the grand challenges of humanity.” This democratization of technology inspires him to mentor entrepreneurs in these areas who are directly confronting real-world challenges. He emphasizes: “They’re the ones who ultimately will do good and bring the world together.”

Should politics and politicians step in? He expounds: “Leave that aside. I care about the entrepreneurs. I care about people like us who really want to do good for humanity and can solve global problems. They’re the ones who ultimately will do good and bring the world together. It isn’t the governments who will save us because governments are corrupt politicians, and they have their own agendas.”

The democratization of technology is a significant shift: from having the power from guns and weapons, it is now more about data and humanity. Vivek affirms: “Innovation has globalized. Entrepreneurs everywhere can solve the grand challenges of humanity. Forget about governments and so on; they don’t matter. Let’s focus on entrepreneurs who can now transform humanity.”

Silicon Valley’s Big Tech companies don’t democratize innovation. I ask Vivek if legislation should break up these companies. His answer is a clarion call for action: “Forget about them; they are what they are. Let’s focus on empowering entrepreneurs worldwide. We can help thousands of unicorns from incubators in India, Dubai, South America, and Africa. Rather, let’s amplify the entrepreneurs aiming to solve humanity’s grand challenges today.”

And billionaire innovators like Elon Musk? “I used to love Elon and considered him the greatest innovator of our times. He’s turned to the dark side; power corrupts. Unfortunately, that’s what I see happen in Silicon Valley repeatedly. I’m sad that a great innovator like Elon’s gone from being Luke Skywalker to Darth Vader.”

He discusses these in his books, ‘Driver and the Driverless Car’ and ‘From Incremental to Exponential.’ He shares insights on these incredible books: “‘Driver and the Driverless Car’ demystifies AI and quantum computing, presenting their potential and perils in a way everyone can grasp, highlighting how they could solve humanity’s greatest challenges or lead to our downfall. ‘From Incremental to Exponential’ delves into Silicon Valley’s blueprint for building billion-dollar companies and industries worth trillions, offering a roadmap for monumental business success.”

What must we do to build a billion-dollar company to make that culture? “You build a billion-dollar business by helping a billion people,” Vivek proclaims. “That’s what I’m doing. I’m not doing this all philanthropically; I will build a multi-billion dollar business, but I will do it by helping a billion people and uplifting humanity.”

The conversation turns to how to shift the mindsets of these CEOs. “We must look at startups stepping onto our turf, investigate exponential technologies and what they can do for our companies. For instance, generative AI will cause some industries to implode simply because we no longer need

them. Leaders need to ask themselves: what could wipe out my company? How can I be one of the disruptors? How can I eat up every industry and gobble up everyone asleep at the wheel?”

Trust, truth, and ethics are central to my work as a futurist. It is what the future needs. “Those must be sewn into the fabric of startups and businesses; everything must be based on ethics. Once a leader and company start making ethical comprises, that’s the beginning of the end.”

I’m optimistic about the future – the potential for greatness is astounding. Vivek’s view on the future is a blend of optimism and caution. He sees exponential technologies as a catalyst for profound change, capable of addressing humanity’s most significant challenges. However, he stresses the importance of ethical guidance in harnessing this potential. “We have no idea where we’ll end up: we could destroy humanity, or we could be shooting for the stars,” Vivek reflects. This duality underscores the need for responsible innovation, where advancements are aligned with humanity’s best interests. He believes that the younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Alpha, will be crucial in steering this future, bringing fresh perspectives and higher moral values to address global issues.

As our lives become increasingly digital, our humanity, love, compassion, empathy, critical thinking, spirit, soul, judgment, common sense, creativity, and passion become more significant. When we look at AI and the future, AI will

“Do what your heart says. Just do it. If you haven’t done it, do it now. No excuses.”

produce massive outputs. But, our brains and our hearts connecting to that is what will hopefully make the future. These are the final frontiers. What should our education do for the youth? He elucidates: “This nonsense about Harvard and elite universities and getting your children to study day and night to memorize things so they can get into an elite college is misplaced. They can go to any school they choose, but inspire them to think bigger. Empower them to know they can contribute to humanity and that we want them to do what their heart says while helping others. Our children must love to learn and do good for the world. We want them to become good human beings.” When I ask Vivek what his hypothetical messagein-a-bottle is for the future, he shares this golden nugget: “Do what your heart says. Just do it. If you haven’t done it, do it now. No excuses.”

“Caring is the core principle I aim to incorporate into my endeavors.”

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

BLUEPRINT FOR A COMPASSIONATE FUTURE

ERIK ANDERSON

Innovation, empathy, and sustainability intertwine to sketch the silhouette of tomorrow. Erik Anderson stands at the vanguard, a guiding light illuminating the path to a future replete with promise and potential. His story of purpose-driven leadership unravels a profound message for the future, etched in the annals of business and social progress.

Erik, founder and CEO of WestRiver Group, stands at the forefront of global innovation and philanthropy. His career is distinguished by numerous honors, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, among other prestigious recognitions.” Erik is acclaimed in the golf industry through his pivotal roles at Topgolf Callaway Brands Corporation, and a proven leader and investor at Hyzon Motors Inc., and Solid Power, as well as CEO and Chairman of Singularity Group and Vice Chairman of caused-based winery ONEHOPE. Erik also founded America’s Foundation for Chess, reaching nearly 160,000 U.S. children with its innovative curriculum, and contributed over a decade to the Board of Play Magnus, championed by Magnus Carlsen. His diverse impact spans several industries, supported by a solid background in strategic roles at Avista Corp, Frazier Healthcare Partners, and Goldman, Sachs & Co., and underpinned by his engineering degrees from Stanford and Claremont McKenna College, the latter earned cum laude.

Erik’s journey is not merely about capital or leadership; it’s a testament to the transformative power of caring. “I was raised by a nurse,” he shares, a simple yet profound admission that lays the foundation for his ethos. “Growing up with a nurse as a parent, I learned the importance of care in all aspects of life. This upbringing influences me to prioritize care in everything I do, from my work with various companies like Colossal Bioscience to creating meaningful experiences. It’s about consistently applying a caring approach, which I believe is crucial for responsibly managing the opportunities I’m given. Caring is the core principle I aim to

incorporate into my endeavors.” This intrinsic value of caring, instilled from an early age, has been the compass guiding Erik through the labyrinth of global innovation.

I am deeply convinced that qualities like care, empathy, humanity, and compassion enrich our lives, standing as treasures that defy digitization. I envision a future where these essential, undigitizable aspects shape our businesses and environments, reflecting the core of the human essence. Yet, I question the practicality of this ideal.

Erik affirms the value of human connection over technology through his work with TalkVol, highlighting its mission beyond business to enrich lives. He recounts the impactful story of a young cancer patient uplifted by their service, exemplifying their human-first approach. “But it’s the stories, the moments

we created, that truly embody humanity in its purest form,” Erik emphasizes, showcasing that real human connections transcend technological advancements. His experience underscores the growing importance of empathy and personal connections in our digital age.

Erik stands at the intersection of decarbonization, experiences, technology, and beyond, experiencing numerous “Gutenberg moments” that simultaneously shape our time. This convergence of innovation mirrors the transformative impact of the printing press, weaving together unforeseen opportunities, challenges, and serendipitous discoveries that define our era.

Looking ahead, I understand the difficulty of predicting the future amidst rapid change, but I believe identifying the forces shaping our tomorrow is possible. Erik emphasizes the importance of connectivity and collective action, noting our world’s increasing abundance and the critical need to address distribution challenges to correct societal imbalances. He succinctly remarks, “We’re generating opportunities but lack in equitable distribution, essential for preventing unrest and securing sustainable futures worldwide,” underscoring the necessity for a connected, community-focused approach to achieving global harmony and prosperity.

I believe trust will be foundational to our future, especially as current global institutions fail to address modern challenges, revealing a profound trust gap in both organizations and politics. Erik Anderson echoes this sentiment, stressing that, “We move at the speed of trust,” highlighting that successful organizations place a premium on trust above incentives. This notion complements my view that trust, ethics, and values are essential for navigating the future amidst AI and tech advancements.

Erik’s experience with initiatives like Topgolf showcases trust’s role in ensuring reliability and fostering connections, underscoring its importance in crafting meaningful experiences. Trust, in my opinion, is a currency vital to an organization’s reputation and brand. Erik illustrates this by offering free services to families in need, showcasing his brand’s ethical reliability. Every aspect of our interaction, from personal technology use to business conduct, hinges on trust, marking it as the indispensable currency of our future. In boardrooms, I’ve noted a resistance to change

similar to the human immune system’s reaction to threats, with companies often treating new shifts as dangers to their stability and finances. To counter this, I’ve implemented strategies to promote innovation and adaptability. I queried Erik on his approach to overcoming this reluctance and nurturing adaptability, especially with startups.

Erik shares his strategy at WestRiver of distinguishing between “execution” tasks and “options” for potential projects, transforming perceived threats into growth opportunities in a dynamic environment. This approach - referred to as his “Model Thinking” - prevents innovation from being stifled by financial worries or immediate objectives. “You have to embrace the possible,” he emphasizes, promoting the idea that change is not a threat but an opportunity, prioritizing innovation over strict budget fidelity.

Addressing the rapid technological evolutions, such as the emergence of ChatGPT, I highlight the need for boards to rethink traditional financial and organizational structures in response to these swift changes.

Erik articulates a dual-focused strategy at WestRiver Group, balancing immediate actions with exploring future opportunities. This stance acknowledges disruption as an integral component of strategic planning and positions it as a force to be leveraged for innovation and growth, akin to the inevitability of gravity. Through this philosophy, “You have to embrace the possible,” Erik champions a forward-thinking approach that aligns with embracing change as a catalyst for development.

I argue that adaptability and agility are indispensable in today’s fast-changing world, sometimes necessitating a complete organizational transformation. Erik agrees that seeing volatility as an opportunity rather than a risk is crucial for equipping leaders to handle complexity. He supports Singularity University’s goal to train leaders to navigate volatility, agility, trust, and exponential growth, essential for leadership in the unknown.

To bridge the generational divide in boardrooms, I’ve implemented the 60-40-20 rule and established shadow youth boards, bringing the digital generation’s perspectives to executive decisionmaking. This approach shifts traditional boardroom dynamics and fosters a new leadership model that merges youthful innovation, experienced executives’ empathy, and AI’s efficiency. Erik praises this approach as a forward-thinking strategy to enhance leadership and adaptability amidst future uncertainties.

For my final query, I’m intrigued about envisioning Erik’s future on his 100th birthday: the sights he’ll see and his aspirations. Erik envisages a future where his team’s efforts in areas like singularity have thrived, aiming to impact a vast audience with their visionary work positively. He’s particularly excited about his involvement with Colossal

Bioscience, likened to “a modern NASA,” with its noble mission to revive extinct species and amend past environmental harms.

Erik dreams of a future where technology is harnessed not just for personal gain but for the broader good, aiding in Earth’s preservation. He looks forward to a time when people have the leisure to pursue their interests fully, enriching both community and global wellness.

Reflecting on our conversation, Erik’s aspirations affirm his commitment to impactful leadership and a brighter future. His hopes and endeavors present a vision for groundbreaking advancements and a call to action to shape a future that reflects our core human values and collective ambitions.

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

A VISIONARY IN HOSPITALITY SANDEEP WALIA

The Oxford English Dictionary defines hospitality as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. Sandeep Walia is a true ambassador for the hospitality industry, and his passion, innovation, and forward-looking vision drive the industry’s rapid transformations. But, at the heart, it is all about humanity, love, connection, memories, and authenticity.

Sandeep is the Chief Operating Officer for Marriott International in the Middle East, where he oversees the operations of over 230 hotels and more than 110 properties in the pipeline across 12 countries. With over a quarter-century of experience spanning the hotel sector globally, Sandeep has amassed extensive expertise in luxury hospitality.

“People are most important to us, and creating those experiences for them is what we focus on. We delicately balance technology with people.”

His journey into the hospitality industry was serendipitously shaped by his early life in India, where his father’s career in the Air Force meant that the family was constantly on the move. They would embark on a new adventure every two to three years, exploring diverse locales and cultures. This nomadic lifestyle instilled in him a profound love and connection to the industry he is a part of today. “That was my first love and connection to this industry and where I am today,” he reflects.

His childhood experiences extended beyond just travel; they introduced him to the essence of hospitality, which wasn’t found in the grandeur of luxury hotels but in the humble surroundings of officer’s messes. He recalls that the service, delivered with genuine care and warmth, made a lasting impression on him. “The person looking after you would be doing the service from his or her heart,” he reminisces.

Reflecting on the origins of hospitality, Sandeep highlights its simple yet powerful beginnings: a world where weary travelers were welcomed into homes with open arms, offered a hearty meal, and a place to rest. “That’s most certainly evolved, but we still need to reconnect to that and keep connecting as humans,” he suggests, underlining the industry’s foundational values of care, warmth, and genuine human connection.

The hospitality business is a realm that touches everyone in some form, from the billion people traveling around the globe to the 200,000 hotels offering shelter and experiences. But beyond the staggering numbers, our conversation ventures into the realms of memories, moments, and how technology is reshaping the future of hospitality.

The hospitality industry has undergone profound changes over the past 20 years. The advent of smartphones and the iPhone marked this transformation’s onset, heralding the shared economy era epitomized by Airbnb. Alongside this, the rise of online booking platforms has reshaped the competitive landscape. I ask Sandeep how he navigates this new environment. His perspective is deeply intertwined with his vision for its future.

“Travel as a business is growing; it’s here to stay and grow,” he asserts. “Growth is vital, and I firmly believe there’s space for everyone; there will always be people who prefer an Airbnb setup and those who choose hotels with various services.”

For him, it boils down to the fact that in a world where the allure of the Northern Lights or an African safari outshines the desire for tangible luxuries, the importance of creating unforgettable hotel experiences cannot be overstated.

While the rise of technology has undeniably altered the landscape of hospitality, for Sandeep, the key lies in embracing technological advancements and staying true to the core values of hospitality - caring for guests, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring the well-being of employees.

“As much as things change with technology, they stay the same – and that’s important.

Globally, we’re witnessing significant shifts in consumer behavior. A notable 44% of Gen Zers are eager for meaningful travel experiences, while millennials prioritize purpose-driven travel. These younger generations prefer to invest in sustainable organizations and hotels. Additionally, there’s a growing trend towards what’s termed ‘pleasure travel,’ blending business with leisure, alongside the rise of digital nomads. Sandeep articulates: “As much as things change with technology, they stay the same – and that’s important. We are one of the largest hotel companies, with 8,600-plus hotels globally, but we don’t own hotels; we own brands. We have more than 31 brands, all brought to life by our people. People are most important to us, and creating those experiences for them is what we focus on. We delicately balance technology with people.”

Furthermore, Sandeep emphasizes hiring individuals passionate about hospitality to create memorable guest experiences. He advocates for prioritizing heart over skill, asserting that while technical abilities can be taught, genuine care and a desire to make people happy are intrinsic qualities. This resonates deeply with me.

I posit that by 2030, up to 80% of today’s hotel jobs will have evolved, necessitating new roles and

skills. I advocate for a forward-thinking hiring strategy focused on empathy and adaptability, guiding HR and management to seek out individuals ready for the future’s demands. Sandeep agrees wholeheartedly and shares innovative initiatives he’s introduced, like iJobs, to revolutionize talent development within the Marriott Group. This comprehensive training program ensures that employees are proficient across various operational domains beyond their initial roles, fostering a versatile workforce adept at navigating different functions, particularly during peak demands. This strategy encourages a learning culture and equips staff with the necessary skills and readiness to tackle future challenges, creating an environment of excitement and anticipation for professional growth.

Furthermore, Sandeep firmly stresses diversity and localization to enhance the authenticity and inclusivity of the hospitality experience. Through targeted programs such as Tehseen, in partnership with Cornell University, aimed at cultivating local leaders, and the Female Leadership Initiative (FLI), there’s a deliberate effort to diversify leadership and ensure service reflects the genuine culture of their locations. These initiatives focused on hiring for passion and developing a diverse, multifaceted workforce, form the cornerstone of his approach

to preparing the hospitality industry for a vibrant, inclusive, and adaptable future.

In my keynotes, I highlight a guiding formula for HR: prioritize heart and purpose, focusing on ethics, decision-making, mindset, and vitality in hires. This approach helps maintain team cohesion and focus amidst external changes, showcasing the importance of aligned values for organizational success. Sandeep’s response is illuminating: “I often emphasize that hoteliers should possess the heart of an innkeeper and business acumen, yet it’s the emotional connection with people that’s crucial in this industry for enduring success.”

As the world changes and younger generations emphasize shifts towards sustainability in their behaviors, Sandeep is deeply conscious of this shift within the hospitality sector, emphasizing that it’s no longer just a trend but a fundamental responsibility. “Sustainability is no more a trend; it’s something for a planet we are actually living on,” he states. He proudly shares Marriott’s proactive steps, like the ambitious planting of 12,000 mangroves in Abu Dhabi. This project not only combats carbon emissions but also fosters a sense of community and purpose among the staff. Moreover, he discusses the transition from plastic to glass bottles, aiming for a deeper integration of sustainable practices in

hotel operations, including generating their own water to minimize their carbon footprint.

Sandeep’s commitment to sustainability extends to infrastructure, advocating for the construction of hotels powered entirely by renewable energy, such as the St. Regis in the Red Sea, which operates on 100% solar energy. This forward-thinking approach encapsulates his vision for the industry’s future, where green initiatives are not peripheral but integral to every aspect of hotel management and guest experience.

“We need to look at the future and how we’re building hotels today,” he says, stressing the importance of sustainability in shaping the legacy and operational ethos of the hospitality industry, which aligns with my perspective.

Looking ahead, I am curious to know Sandeep’s vision for the landscape of his industry evolving in this region over the next 5 to 10 years. He shares a recent survey conducted with Marriott Bonvoy guests, which revealed significant trends shaping the hospitality industry. Highlighting the intersection of technology and travel, “50% of

Bonvoy members have used artificial intelligence to choose their vacation destinations, and 70% indicated they will use it in the future,” pointing to a growing reliance on technology for travel planning, particularly in high-growth markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, the concept of ‘slow travel’ has emerged as a notable trend, accelerated by the pandemic. According to him, guests seek to balance work connectivity and the opportunity to unplug and slow down during leisure time. “70% of respondents expressed a desire to disconnect from technology and experience a slower pace of life in the next three years,” Sandeep notes, emphasizing the need for resorts to offer options for guests to unwind. Sustainability is also a priority, with “about 60% of guests willing to pay more for destinations that emphasize sustainable practices,” reflecting a heightened awareness and commitment to environmental conservation. Furthermore, the desire for shorter, regional travel is increasing, suggesting a shift towards more localized leisure activities.

Despite global challenges such as conflicts, environmental issues, and the increasing pressures of sustainability, Sandeep’s question arises: does optimism for the future remain? “Absolutely, yes. The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a stark example of our collective resilience. Faced with one of the most challenging scenarios imaginable, where the very fabric of our daily lives was halted, we adapted, fought back with agility, and are moving forward. The ability to overcome, and sometimes even forget, such trials empowers us.

This shared resilience fosters a genuine optimism about our future as long as we continue to stand united.”

Discussing the potential of data monetization as a new revenue stream, Sandeep acknowledges the importance of leveraging data to anticipate future trends and adapt offerings accordingly, such as the rising interest in ‘slow vacations.’ He cautions, however, about the complexities of data privacy laws varying by country. Highlighting the value of the Marriott Bonvoy program, he notes, “We are 200 million members strong,” equating the membership base to the population of multiple European countries combined, emphasizing its significant potential as a hidden asset. This extensive membership, he suggests, mirrors emerging trends, underlining the immense, yet underutilized, value it represents for the industry.

We propel Sandeep to his 100th birthday. What does he envision around him, and what is he celebrating? “Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed with mentors and leaders who guided me and championed my progress behind the scenes,” he reflects. “They were instrumental in my advancement, showing me the path to success. Inspired by their support, I aspire to mentor and sponsor others, passing on the knowledge and opportunities I’ve received. Celebrating the growth

and leadership of those I’ve helped develop is a deeply valued aspect of my professional journey, embodying the cycle of guidance and advancement.”

My final question to Sandeep is about his message in a bottle. His response connects back to his passion, his hotelier career:

“While we all need the brain of an entrepreneur, we need the heart of an innkeeper, otherwise, it would be difficult to continue with this business.”

In this rapidly evolving world, voices like Sandeep’s are not just shaping the future of industries; they are crafting the future of experiences, connections, and memories that transcend borders, cultures, and generations. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the journey of hospitality is far from over - it’s just beginning to unfold in new and exciting ways, with pioneers like Sandeep leading the way.

LEGACY OF INNOVATION

ERIK ALMQVIST FOUNDER AND CEO SENSE STRATEGY, OWNER ALMQVIST FAMILY OFFICE

In a world teetering on the brink of vast technological advancements and ethical dilemmas, voices like Erik Almqvist’s are not merely refreshing; they’re imperative. My profound connection with Erik offers a glimpse into the future through the lens of a legacy marked by innovation and altruism.

Born in Sweden and now based in Dubai (UAE), Erik, founder and CEO of Sense Strategy and owner of the Almqvist Family Office, has made global waves with his contributions to strategy, innovation, and digital transformation, especially in challenging environments across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Notably, he pioneered the world’s first scientific calculation of the socioeconomic effects of broadband speed upgrades, co-authored continental blueprints for the economic growth, social and digital progress of Africa, orchestrated the financial rescue of Mobily in Saudi Arabia, helped propel the Stockholm School of Economics from unranked to a top 20 position in the world, rescued the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, Latvia and assisted in the growth and global success of the world’s first internet bank.

“Paradoxically, one of the greatest blessings a country can have is the absence of any raw materials. For this means you have but one asset to invest in: people. And investing in people is the key to sustainable growth and an equitable society.”

Erik’s spirit was shaped from birth. “I come from an innovative, entrepreneurial, and explorer family,” he shares. He highlights his great-grandfather Sven Alexander Almqvist’s collaboration with Ludvig Nobel (older brother to Alfred Nobel) in 1878 to build the world’s first oil tanker. “What impresses me, apart from the feat of building something novel that no one had done before, is that they decided not to patent it but to give it as a blueprint to mankind to copy freely. In fact, they named the first generation of tankers after various religions and philosophies (The Zoroaster, The Buddha, The Mohamed, and The Socrates), as they believed it was for all to share.” That story resonates with me, as I believe in the impact of altruism combined with genius on global progress.

The Almqvist family crest predates the invention of the world’s first oil tanker and stands for growth through knowledge, which is deeply ingrained in Erik from childhood and has been the cornerstone of his journey.

Influenced by a blend of philosophical skepticism, existential freedom, and Stoic harmony, Erik’s

worldview emphasizes compassion, ethical action, and the pivotal role of every individual in societal progress, principles that have driven his global consultancy’s mission.

In 1999, he founded Sense Strategy, which to date has done projects in 114 countries. From his travels and work in over 70 countries, his worldview is unwavering (and unparalleled): “The best societies are those where inequalities are not extreme between the rich and poor, men and women, between ethnicities, and so forth.”

That leads me to ask Erik why Sweden dominates global innovation rankings. I’m curious as to whether Sweden’s incredible innovation stems from cultural, societal, or philosophical aspects unique to the country, prompting its remarkable innovation achievements despite its size. Erik explains: “It’s the relative value of every person.” He credits Sweden’s innovative edge to its deep-rooted values of equality, community responsibility, and the high value placed on individual contributions, reflecting a culture where necessity and collaboration fuel progress.

Reflecting philosophically, I note the U.S. economy’s post-war boom as a golden era of growth, marked by a flourishing middle class and substantial investments in education and health, fueled by high taxes aimed at societal progress. Yet, from the 1980s, wealth redistribution began favoring a pyramidlike hierarchy, eroding the middle class. This shift created a stark disconnect between technological innovation in areas like San Francisco and the tangible benefits to the broader population. Erik urges: “The emergence of a strong middle class is absolutely crucial for society. If a country doesn’t have one, that’s a recipe for deep tensions, instability and ultimately (possibly violent) social upheaval.

He adds: “Paradoxically, one of the greatest blessings a country can have is the absence of any raw materials. For this means you have but one asset to invest in: people. And investing in people is the key to sustainable growth and an equitable society. You must reinvest in people and technology, and make your country attractive to others to trade with and invest in. If you fail to reinvest in people and only invest in the raw materials, then you are creating a very thin layer between the ruling class and the people who carry out the work. That’s a recipe for tension and instability. Singapore, Luxembourg and Ireland have among the highest per capita incomes in the world, two of three have near zero natural resources and all three invest in highly skilled work forces and policies making their jurisdictions attractive.

As a global speaker, I challenge audiences to rethink what defines the future, suggesting it’s not just AI and blockchain but trust, truth, and ethics. In our digital era, while technology advances rapidly, the true value lies in non-digitizable qualities like empathy, love, and creativity. These, I argue, are the essentials we need to nurture, that ethics and compassion are not weaknesses but the core of our humanity, guiding how we live, educate our children, and interact daily.

Erik’s perspective on what lies ahead resonates deeply with my own beliefs. He articulates this through his observations on AI. He says: “AI is potentially a threat to all of humanity as it learns from each question. As of today, there’s no stop button. As with all technology, AI can be used for good or malicious purposes. With proper ethical regulations in place, AI can be an opportunity to solve the planet’s most urgent challenges. It can also eliminate inequalities as it empowers young and old, men and women.” He adds a cautionary note: “Although we live in an era of unparalleled opportunities, there are grave risks, and it appears we are heading into a more violently disruptive era before it becomes better.”

Therein lies the foundation of Erik’s company, which deeply reflects my own principles and ideals. “I am myself a seeker. As a seeker of knowledge, truth, justice, balance, and innovation, I founded Sense Strategy 25 years ago to focus on knowledge, strategy, technology and transformation. Our work, particularly in Africa, revolves around harnessing technology to uplift both the real and digital economies, making a tangible difference in people’s lives.”

He highlights the necessity of a shared vision and genuine values as the foundation for substantial transformation, focusing on purpose and value to customers and society. In his words: “The pandemic underscored the chasms in our society; it’s not just about creating technology but ensuring its reach is near equally distributed bridging the digital divide and the haves and have nots.”

Our conversation naturally steers toward the moral underpinnings that guide Erik’s vision. “Action not mere thought has always resonated with me. It’s not enough to ponder; we must act ethically and purposefully.” Erik underscores a profound truth that I advocate, too: the future is sculpted by our deeds, by the tangible contributions we make toward a more equitable and enlightened world.

Erik shares a reflective vision of his legacy: “The best perspective on life you can have is if you picture yourself already half into the grave. On my 90th birthday, I hope and aspire to reflect on a life marked by meaningful contributions that have left the world a better place. Inspired by my grandfather’s calm and composed demeanour at life’s end, I’ve realized the importance of living not based on societal petty comparisons, focusing instead on impactful actions. My ultimate goal is to approach my final moments with no regrets, knowing that my efforts, in some humble way, improved our world for future generations. This perspective is my guide to living a fulfilling life.”

What message-in-a-bottle would he leave? It is simple and profound: “In our time of accelerating change lie the greatest opportunities and the gravest risks. What we do in life echoes in eternity.” He ends our conversation with a thought-provoking quote by Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it is done.”

In Erik Almqvist’s words and actions, we find a beacon of hope and a roadmap for a future where technology and humanity coalesce, ensuring a legacy of prosperity, equity, and ethical progress for generations to come.

Sven Alexander Almqvist Zoroaster First Oil Tanker

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

PURPOSE IN THE TUNNEL

DORIE CLARK

“Embrace adaptability, uphold your purpose, and move forward with resilience and optimism.”

In the heart of America’s corporate hustle, where ambition beats faster than a Wall Street trader’s pulse, Dorie Clark is a beacon of foresight and inspiration. This moment isn’t just a conversation; it is a masterclass in future-flung vision, delivered by a woman who’s cracked the code on thriving in a world obsessed with the ‘now.’

A strategic titan, Dorie Clark advises Google and coaches Microsoft executives. Thinkers50 ranks her among the world’s top 50 business minds, while Marshall Goldsmith hails her as the #1 communication coach. Beyond consulting, she pens articles for Harvard Business Review, teaches at Columbia, and even hosts a Newsweek show. A former journalist, campaign spokesperson, and award-winning music producer, Dorie invests in Broadway, writes musicals, and shares her wisdom through self-assessments and engaging talks. From Forbes to The New York Times, her impact echoes across business, education, and the arts. This multifaceted powerhouse proves reinvention isn’t just a skill; it’s a way of life.

My conversation with Dorie began with a simple yet profound question about her childhood influences. Recalling a summer camp experience at 13, Dorie says: “At the camp, we engaged in creative writing, acting, and various other creative disciplines that piqued my interest. Back in my hometown, there weren’t many individuals who shared these interests.

Experiencing the contrast between people who truly understood and stimulated me at camp and the lack of such connections at home made it clear that my hometown wasn’t really my place.” This early experience of seeking broader horizons is a testament to her forward-thinking nature. This quality has undoubtedly shaped her into the visionary she is today, whom I so admire.

Did her parents push for her to take a traditional career pathway? “My mom definitely was on the train that I should be a lawyer,” she recounts wryly. “I was a philosophy major as an undergraduate, which ironically is considered a strong pathway into law school. To my mother’s chagrin, I went on to get a master’s degree in theology. She had no idea why I would want to do such a thing, but I was willful.”

Early rejections from doctoral programs sent Dorie down a winding path. Journalist? Laid off. Campaign manager? Two crushing defeats. Nonprofit leader? Valuable skills, but still not home. These setbacks, however, were a turning point, as she pivoted towards an unconventional path that led to her current success. “I had not planned on that; I very hastily had to come up with a new life plan for myself.” Within a few years, she was able to find a side door and begin teaching at universities, first at the undergraduate level and then for business school programs. She reveals: “That’s actually become a central part of the drum that I like to beat, reminding people that there is not one path to get the outcome that you want.”

Dorie’s view on philosophy’s role in our future, a field I believe pivotal for humanity in an era where technology intersects with every facet of our lives, captivates me. Our connection is strong: she agrees with my views: “In a world where technology is increasingly important, it’s the humanistic studies like philosophy, anthropology, and theology that help us understand the complexities of our existence.”

Discussing her book, ‘The Long Game,’ Dorie stresses the importance of long-term thinking. “Before the pandemic, in conversations with high achievers, a common refrain was their wish for a moment to think amidst the constant busyness,” she says. “It led to a realization: despite having the freedom to choose, many, especially the selfemployed, were trapped in a cycle that contradicted their long-term goals and strategic thinking. This paradox sparked my exploration into why we fall into such frenzied patterns and how we can break free. ‘The Long Game’ is about becoming effective long-term thinkers and understanding that a wellplanned approach initially can greatly simplify future tasks and decisions.”

Adaptive planning is indispensable in our rapidly evolving world. Traditional long-term plans may not suffice due to rapid changes. We should pivot to shorter, dynamic planning cycles, like threemonth sprints, even challenging the conventional 12-month financial year. The critical challenge is to merge strategic thinking with the ability to adapt swiftly in this fast-paced environment. I ask Dorie about the feasibility of traditional planning in such scenarios. Her response reflects her deep insights into our world of uncertainties. She eloquently discusses the importance of having a provisional plan, even in the face of unforeseeable events like pandemics or technological advancements such as generative AI. She argues: “You can make the greatest plan in the world, and then there’s a pandemic…”

She hypothesizes that a provisional plan is far superior to having no plan at all. She believes that even if circumstances require a change in direction, a preliminary plan propels one in approximately the right direction. This approach is particularly beneficial when unexpected changes occur, whether in global circumstances or personal career choices. Dorie’s career, much like mine, exemplifies that adaptability.

Discussing transformation, Dorie mentions reinvention, which I consider to be the final stage

of a process following change and transformation. Transformation is faster, yet reinvention is where we truly evolve. Given her expertise in reinvention, I’m interested in her perspective on its importance, especially in preparing us for the future. Her insights are illuminating. She differentiates between capital ‘R’ and lowercase ‘r’ reinvention, stating, “It’s about continuously learning and pushing your boundaries.” This philosophy of constant self-improvement and adaptability is particularly relevant for future resilience.

The next phase I foresee is a metamorphosis, similar to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, symbolizing significant change. At its heart lies the concept of purpose, which is increasingly vital in our rapidly evolving world. I advise HR teams to focus on understanding a candidate’s purpose, ethics, and vitality over traditional qualifications. The key question is how this sense of purpose fits into our future planning and strategic decision-making. “Purpose is critical to everything,” she affirms. She shares a compelling metaphor: “It’s like you’re entering into a tunnel, and you don’t know how long the tunnel is. You can estimate the length in your head, but once you’re in that tunnel, you really just have to keep moving. If you have a sense of purpose, that can be incredibly powerful because you just need to keep on moving forward without the certainty of when or exactly how things are going to happen at the end of the day.”

Looking towards the future, Dorie maintains a balanced outlook. She acknowledges: “There are a lot of challenges we face,” but remains optimistic, “I have faith in humanity’s ability to innovate and solve problems.” I, too, advocate that this equilibrium of recognizing threats while believing in human ingenuity is vital for future navigation.

Dorie’s message for the future is compelling: “Embrace adaptability, uphold your purpose, and move forward with resilience and optimism.”

My interaction with Dorie is a deep dive into the mind of a visionary. Her thoughts on embracing change, the significance of purpose, and the essence of strategic long-term thinking are crucial for anyone navigating the future’s uncertain terrain.

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

THE SYMPHONY OF EMPATHY

ROB KAPILOW

“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”

Music is often described as a universal language, bridging gaps between cultures, societies, and individuals. Rob Kapilow, a renowned composer, conductor, commentator, lecturer, and musician, is a maestro in more ways than one. His extensive experience and in-depth understanding of music have given him a unique perspective on life –not just composing harmonious melodies but also forming harmonious relationships through listening.

The importance of listening, providing assistance, showing empathy, and being attuned to our surroundings are key takeaways from my dialogue with Rob. He underscores the importance of listening, offering assistance, showing empathy, and staying attuned to our surroundings. He discusses his involvement in the Knight-Hennessy

Scholars Program at Stanford University, designed to nurture the next generation of diverse global leaders. In Rob’s presentation titled ‘Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better,’ he observed that these highachieving scholars had limited experience with failure, making even minor setbacks significant.

One impactful encounter involved a young woman who attended his talk and later connected with him. Their three-year dialogue emphasized the power of listening. She shared her transformation from a teenage alcoholic and drug addict to a Ph.D. candidate at Stanford, thanks to a teacher who genuinely listened and made her feel valued. She stressed the need for more listening in the educational system, saying, “What’s really missing is listening; no one hears the kids.”

Rob also shares an experience at Stanford’s medical school, where the head of psychiatry affirmed the healing power of being heard in therapy, stating, “Therapy’s true value lies not in advice but in the act of being heard, which is intrinsically healing.”

Are today’s youth more afraid of failure than other generations? He discovered in his teaching at these elite institutions that the students are “failure deprived – a term these institutions invented to explain the situation.” Rob explains: “There is a tremendous fear of failure among these students; the more success you have, the greater the fear of failure.” His learnings? “The key to almost everything I’ve done after that is realizing that you have to listen to who you are in the context of the situation you’re in.”

His career story begins like a “pebble tossed into a lake.” Initially a dedicated classical musician at Yale, his world was somewhat constricted. But then came the ‘aha’ moment: “My psychiatrist friend said, ‘Most people know what they know. Some people know what they don’t know. What you don’t know, you don’t know.’ Having finished my courses at Yale, I thought I knew what I needed to know. Something in me went, ‘This couldn’t be all I needed to learn.’”

This notion led him across the pond to France under the guidance of the celebrated composition teacher Nadia Boulanger. Here, Rob started his odyssey into the world of listening.

Returning to the USA, the young professor landed a coveted position at Yale and took on the mantle of conducting a Broadway show. This dual role unveiled a vital distinction for Rob: the stark contrast between the classical music world and Broadway’s dynamic, audience-focused world. The spotlight, it seemed, needed to be turned not on the performer but on the audience. He elucidates: “In the classical music world, we think about what kind of music we want to play and how we want to play it. But when I went to Broadway, I realized the focus was completely the opposite. Every moment in a Broadway show is about the audience’s experience.”

Armed with this insight, Rob reshaped the narrative of his career, shifting his focus from the performer’s side of the footlights to the listener’s side. His mission morphed from transforming how people play music to transforming how people listen to music. The wider his ripples spread, the wider his scope became. Rob found his mission expanding, and his passion for connecting audiences – and people – grew stronger. His story is compelling proof that to shape the future, we must not only look at the footlights on our side of the stage but, more importantly, focus on the other side — the listeners, the audience, the world.

When projecting our voice into the future, what are the essential factors we should consider that are often overlooked? “The most important is actually listening to yourself to make sure that the voice you’re projecting is authentically yours.” His philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that authenticity is crucial in every interaction, whether with music or people. He invokes the powerful words of Joseph Campbell, a renowned scholar of mythology, who said, “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”

His experiences taught him that authenticity outshines all else. The echoes of authenticity ring true when we are comfortable in our skin and project our true selves. He advises striving to find our true selves instead of emulating others.

That truly resonates with me. In our quest to project perfection, we often forget the power of vulnerability. Authenticity comes from acknowledging our failures and clumsiness. In a world where it’s challenging to be vulnerable, especially in business, being authentic is about opening up and allowing others to see us as we are. I often discuss trust, ethics, and truth in business, and it’s worth exploring these concepts in this context. Trust has always been vital, but its

importance has grown immensely in our current climate, where communication relies heavily on it. “One of the things that’s so hard is every day, we are literally filled with a complete lack of trust. We don’t even realize the extent of skepticism and doubt that pervades our interactions. Finding a trustworthy person or institution seems increasingly rare. In roles like a conductor, performer, or any collaborator, fostering trust among team members is crucial. The way a conductor listens to and corrects someone parallels how a project leader or CEO might act. The atmosphere they create, allowing vulnerability and acknowledging the possibility of failure, shapes the entire mood and dynamic of the group.”

For Rob, the orchestra serves as a powerful metaphor for effective leadership. An orchestra requires careful coordination, synchronization, and harmonization of its different sections — much like a successful business.

However, he quickly points out that leadership, whether in a business setting or an orchestra, is less about leading and more about listening. He shares: “One of the most powerful things you can do while conducting is just listening. Your job is to make what’s out there the best possible, and that can only happen if you’re not busy leading but listening.” According to him, the difference between the greatest orchestras or companies and the rest isn’t about the quality of players but the quality of listeners. “The person at the top is just shaping something that’s already going on,” Rob explains.

I posit that in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and robotics, one might fear the erosion of empathy. Rob, however, insists on the indispensable role of empathy, a critical quality that seems more important now than ever. He agrees with my perspective that companies, too, must embody empathy. In an era where companies turn to AI for solutions, Rob argues: “No matter what, you cannot replace the power and impact of human interaction.”

He elucidates on ChatGPT and similar AI technologies: “We engage in pursuits like music precisely because they transport us to a world beyond the familiar, allowing us to envision possibilities. This is what’s lacking in AI—those unexpected moments. AI excels at recognizing patterns, yet it’s the deviation from those patterns that captivates us. AI may confirm our existing knowledge, but it doesn’t unveil the uncharted territories of the unknown.”

Since meeting Rob some years ago, my belief has been reinforced that business boards should hire musicians, conductors, anthropologists, and

psychologists - people who listen, feel, and can contribute significantly. However, many boards haven’t adopted this advice. Why is there such resistance to including professionals like musicians, who listen differently, or conductors, who view the board as an orchestra offering diverse perspectives? “There’s a tremendous fear that if you let these musicians on the board - or people outside that area of expertise that you have - that your area of expertise will be devalued. Plus, there’s a lurking fear that perhaps ‘I should know about this stuff, but what will be exposed is that, actually, all I know is my one narrow area of expertise, and if a musician could tell me something about it, it literally undercuts my reason for being that expert in the first place.’ What it also does is highlight the failure of listening.”

My current role is connecting the dots, providing context, and offering wisdom rather than predicting the future. This is one of the reasons I initiated this platform, where we discuss the kind of voice we want to hear and project, bridging technology, humanity, science, and society, bringing them all together. The US Senate needs to connect the dots

more often. Rob has experience working with the US Senate: “I would argue that the US government serves as a stark metaphor for a situation where people ceased listening long ago. More certain than the lack of legislative progress is the fact that individuals have stopped truly listening to one another.”

Rob’s message is deceptively simple: “All you have to do is listen.” From understanding sonatas to navigating the post-pandemic landscape, the wisdom in that statement spans widely. He reminds us that connection isn’t merely about similarity or familiarity. It is about understanding and embracing differences, about expanding our mental, emotional, and cultural horizons to find common ground. It is about recognizing the innate human experiences that connect us all, no matter how diverse or disparate our lives may seem on the surface.

This calls to embrace our shared humanity and strive for greater understanding. We have the tools to listen and connect in ways we’ve never had before, and it is our responsibility to use them for the betterment of our shared future.

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

FLAVORS OF PERSEVERANCE CHEF SATISH ARORA

Chef Satish Arora’s five decades at the Taj Group bring not just a legacy of culinary excellence but a treasure trove of wisdom, encapsulating the essence of a life devoted to passion, perseverance, and innovation. During our conversation, it becomes evident that his words serve as a compass for younger generations facing an uncertain future.

Voices of the Future is a record of the diversity and humanity interwoven with the skills and talents that shape our world. The future isn’t solely about technological advancements but about embracing our humanity. I strongly believe that food is a pivotal force in uniting families and fostering dialogue across spheres of society.

Chef Arora delves into his origins: “I was born in 1946 in Jalandhar to a humble Punjabi family,” he shares, “growing up with two siblings, and not very interested in academics.” His passion for food was deeply influenced by his mother’s exceptional cooking skills and her dedication to traditional

“Embrace change, but never lose sight of the traditions and passions that define us.”

cooking methods. Observing her in the kitchen, he absorbed her techniques and diligently noted everything.

Despite achieving only a third-class pass in his final exams, and against his father’s initial reluctance, he pursued culinary studies at a new culinary college in Delhi. Excelling there, Chef Arora embarked on industrial training that exposed him to the complexities of professional kitchen operations and Indian cuisine. This journey included internships

at renowned hotels and restaurants, where he garnered invaluable experience and solidified his ambition to become a chef.

Chef Arora has cooked for numerous dignitaries and stars, including Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and Lady Diana, Robert Mugabe, Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth, and countless Indian heads of state. In 1983, he recounts, he had to prepare a state dinner for 48 heads of state at the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting

(CHOGM), which involved weeks of preparation, test cooking, inspections from the foreign heads of state assistants as to the quality and safety of the meals, and more.

He recalls: “I had the honor of preparing lobster thermidor for Margaret Thatcher at the Taj Hotel in Bombay, a dish she was particularly fond of. This time, however, I added my own twist to the recipe. After the meal, I approached her to inquire if everything was to her satisfaction and if she enjoyed my version of lobster thermidor. She praised it highly and then made an unusual request; she asked me to remove my cloth cap and asked for a marker. To my astonishment, she autographed my cap with “Margaret Thatcher, CHOGM, Goa,” and dated it 1983. I’ve treasured that cap ever since. The then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi acknowledged our efforts with a pat and commended, “Well done, my boy. You and your team have made the country proud.” These moments are precious rewards for our dedication and hard work.”

In discussing leadership, Chef Arora shares how he balances the dual demands of firmness and gentleness - a necessity in the kitchen. “I had to become an actor in the kitchen,” he says, adeptly navigating the diverse personalities and situations he encounters.

He illustrates his perspective on leadership in an anecdote that strikes a chord in me. “When I joined Taj in 1967, I was thrown into the deep end, unlike what happens today. Back then, chefs rose from the ranks with sheer experience; education in culinary colleges like mine was unheard of. I remember being ignored on my first day, not even being told to go for lunch until I asked. I was left

to stand outside the chef’s office, receiving little attention. This initiation was tough; I was tasked with menial jobs like peeling prawns and chopping onions, but it made me ponder how I would do things differently if I were in his shoes. The ethos was different; knowledge was guarded, recipes were secrets, and this secrecy, I felt, hindered the standardization of Indian cuisine.”

“When I became an executive chef in 1973, I aimed to change that,” he shares. “I embraced the trained students and decided to run the kitchen inclusively, valuing the seasoned cooks while integrating new processes and teamwork. Gaining respect was a challenge; I had to prove myself by cooking to demonstrate my competence. I remember convincing a stubborn chef by preparing Pomfret Bonne Femme my way, eventually earning his apology and respect. I always share these experiences with new chefs, emphasizing the importance of hands-on work and teamwork in pleasing our guests. This approach helped me foster a more open, learning-focused kitchen environment, a stark contrast to my early days.”

As we contemplate the future, Chef Arora shares his insights on trends like sustainable eating and factory-produced meat. Despite these changes, he remains optimistic about the lasting importance of traditional cooking and preserving our culinary heritage.

His son, Puneet, also a chef and leading entrepreneur in the UK, poignantly answers: “I realized the importance of preserving the culinary legacy left by previous generations. Growing up in a time when the only household communication was a landline phone, transitioning to mobile phones and now Zoom meetings, I’ve wondered how to safeguard and document the recipes and techniques my father developed. In my role as a director in the UK, where my father also serves on the board, I devised a method to capture his culinary art without disrupting his creative process. I would ask him about the ingredients for a dish, pre-measure them, and place them at his workstation. After he finished cooking, I’d calculate the remaining ingredients to standardize the recipe. This allowed me to document his recipes in our R&D kitchen, leading to their distribution through Sainsbury’s, on multiple airlines, and in the ‘Chef in the Box’ concept in Singapore, where his name graces every Indian dish sold. This ensures his legacy endures – and the essence of Indian food.”

Chef Arora also envisions a world where the essence of cooking remains untouched by the sands of time - a world where the act of sharing a meal

retains its power to connect hearts and minds. His message for the future was clear: “Embrace change, but never lose sight of the traditions and passions that define us.”

I ask him what he would be celebrating on his 100th birthday. He elucidates: “dreaming up a menu that marries my culinary passions with innovative twists. The appetizer will feature a hollowed-out avocado filled with sautéed tandoori chicken marinated in teriyaki sauce, mixed with olives or water chestnuts, and topped with a light, wine-infused teriyaki-mayonnaise dressing. Despite never having prepared this dish before, I trust it will delight the palate. The second course will showcase large, butterflied prawns marinated in Thai spices, wrapped in banana leaves, and baked to infuse smoky flavors, served with edible flowers for a feast for the senses. The main course caters to family favorites with a twist on butter chicken, possibly using quail or duck instead of chicken to enrich the classic sauce. This will be paired with a lovingly prepared biryani, unveiled at the table, featuring a unique meat preparation of chicken and lamb mince, offering a medley of flavors, textures, and colors, garnished with saffron and rose petals.”

As our conversation ends, I’m left with a profound sense of gratitude and inspiration. Chef Arora’s journey was more than a narrative of culinary excellence; it was a beacon for future generations, illuminating the path toward a future where passion, innovation, and humanity converge to create a world enriched by the flavors of diversity and the warmth of shared experiences.

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

“Live your life in the most meaningful way you know how.”

THE PATH TO UNIVERSAL PEACE

HIS EMINENCE SHYALPA TENZIN RINPOCHE

“As I am helping everyone on this spiritual journey, I realized that everyone is struggling, no matter who they are. There is no one I found who is not interested in freeing themselves from suffering; we are all on the same journey of life.”

His Eminence Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche is a voice of wisdom and peace in a world teetering on the brink of uncertainty. Born in the Nepalese Himalayas and now a global traveler, His Eminence imparts a message that resonates deeply with anyone yearning for a future of peace and harmony.

Chosen from a very young age as a Holy Child and recognized as the reincarnation of the great master Shyalpa, His Eminence trained and studied the ancient rituals and practices to bring enlightenment to the world. “Today, I feel very fortunate; there is nothing more profound than

associating with this lineage,” he says. His words provide a glimpse into the profound responsibility and dedication that guides his path.

What started His Eminence on his international journey of peace? He elucidates: “As I am helping everyone on this spiritual journey, I realized that everyone is struggling, no matter who they are. There is no one I found who is not interested in freeing themselves from suffering; we are all on the same journey of life.”

A life dedicated to spiritual enlightenment doesn’t mean His Eminence is ignorant of the modern world around him. His ancient wisdom is even more relevant today than ever. “In this 21st century, Millennials and Gen Z are not necessarily interested in following the traditional way of their parents and grandparents. Now, these religious ways are not necessarily the most inclusive places either,” he muses. “On that note, I realized we need to find a common place where every human, whether religious believers or not, can find peace because peace is everyone’s responsibility.”

One of the most striking aspects of our discussion was His Eminence’s perspective on the intersection of technology and spirituality, especially in the context of Artificial Intelligence. He shares: “This modern development of technology should be seen as a stepping stone towards truly being able to actualize the essence of one’s being.”

While acknowledging the potential of AI to serve humanity, he cautions against viewing it as the ultimate answer to our spiritual quest: “AI and other developments can be used to serve humanity properly, but it will not bring enlightenment,” he says.

The more technological the world becomes, the more human we need to be. Love, harmony, compassion, connection, intuition, heart, soul, spirit, judgment, and common sense will become more valuable in the digital future. How do we build personal integrity and authenticity in this modern world where we mask ourselves to the outside world while we don’t have inner strength? He provides an analogy that resonates deeply: “Consider a mango. It may appear ripe on the outside, but you know its true quality only when you taste it. Similarly, a person finds their true maturity and realization within, and then their character and true nature are revealed. To manifest the best that you are, you need to find the best inside yourself to truly embrace your true nature. When you embrace your true nature, you will exude confidence, love, and compassion. Only then will you experience humility.” His mantra, “Make peace more fashionable than war,” succinctly encapsulates this philosophy.

“We are building peace within. The sanctuary within is something you can realize and experience yourself. For this, there are so many ways to participate. Our website explains the purpose, meaning, and vision: peacesanctuary.org.”

One of our modern diseases is instant gratification. His wisdom: “It weakens everyone’s ability. It impacts peace, our movements, and more. Spiritual journeys are for life; there’s no instant gratification. The spiritual path is to walk until you attain enlightenment. Then, you walk to serve all those who are not enlightened yet. Instant gratification is a disease; you are absolutely right, Tariq. It stems from insecurity. We need to provide people with ways to bring confidence into their lives. Modern technology distracts people, numbs their brains, and causes huge societal problems. We need to be careful when creating modern tools for our youth.”

His Eminence offers a profound perspective on sustainability and creating a prosperous world. He suggests significant change is achievable when influential individuals unite to contribute to monumental tasks, achieving outcomes beyond ordinary expectations. Emphasizing the concept of a ‘living legacy,’ he advocates for active involvement in initiatives like the Universal Peace Destination. Such involvement, he argues, allows individuals to experience life while contributing to lasting, positive change fully. His advice is to live fully and joyously, making the most of one’s existence.

His latest book, “Living Fully,” is a clarion call for that action. “The secret of my book is in the subtitle: ‘Finding Joy in Every Breath.’ When we talk about every breath, we can take no single breath for granted.

There is no single breath that we can waste. In every single breath, we must find joy. This book brings tools and techniques to find joy in every breath.”

As a great proponent of meditation, I ask His Eminence for guidance: “In my learnings and experience, you must be able to meditate 24/7. No other meditation is going to be effective. To meditate is to live life; to meditate is to find your natural way. Through meditation, you will find your passion in your

being in such a way that you do not have any distractions. Non-distraction is the ultimate meditation.”

His Eminence’s vision extends to constructing 108 physical and digital peace sanctuaries worldwide, fostering a global movement for peace and harmony. The first building is in Lumbini, Nepal – and a digital twin for the Metaverse. “The Universal Peace Sanctuary is for everyone; creating world peace is only possible if we co-create it,” he shares, “I want everyone to feel ownership of this project. If you breathe for just one moment by prioritizing peace, you are already a stakeholder in this Universal Peace Sanctuary.”

He explains: “More than that, we are building peace within. The sanctuary within is something you can realize and experience yourself. For this, there are so many ways to participate. Our website explains the purpose, meaning, and vision: peacesanctuary.org.”

In his final message, His Eminence urges us to embrace our authentic selves and trust our inherent abilities to overcome challenges and lead fulfilling lives. “Live your life in the most meaningful way you know how,” he implores.

His Eminence’s teachings, deeply rooted in ancient wisdom yet remarkably relevant to the modern world, offer invaluable guidance for anyone seeking a more peaceful, compassionate world. As I reflect on this enlightening conversation, I am filled with a renewed sense of hope and purpose for the future we are all a part of creating.

THE UNCONVENTIONAL VOICE SHAPING THE FUTURE

DR. PETER MIDDLEBROOK

“In the End You are Bound By the Limits of Your Own Imagination.”

An unrelenting spirit of exploration and a tireless dedication to the world’s prosperity make Dr. Peter Middlebrook a name that inspires change. A diplomat, economist, and futurist, Dr. Middlebrook has cemented his legacy in the annals of global development. His illustrious career serves as a beacon of hope, guiding us toward the transformative possibilities of the future.

He is an emerging and frontier market specialist, growth economist, geo-strategist, governance expert, and public speaker. Dr. Middlebrook is the CEO of Geopolicity Inc., an international management and investment advisory group

based in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Europe, the USA, and Asia. He’s a former World Bank (Vice President’s Office), UK Government, European Union, and United Nations economist with experience in more than 40 countries across the MENA region and Central Asia.

His work has been covered on CNN, BBC, Time Magazine, Aljazeera, and Bloomberg, where he is also a regular contributor. He played a key role in designing the New Silk Road Strategy and led the White Paper on a Marshal Plan for the MENA region, an Arab Stabilization Plan. Dr. Middlebrook is a UN Roster Expert for the

Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BPCR), the United Nations Security Sector Reform Unit, and International Security Sector Advisory Team (ISSAT). He is a member of the Advisory Board for Stop Ivory (stopivory.org).

The Power of AI

As a futurist, he’s passionate about the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly its role in democratizing education. He views AI as a powerful tool for facilitating individual curiosity and inquiry into the “ecosystem of knowledge.”

He believes we are only at the dawn of the AI revolution, equating our current technological advancements with the Wright Brothers’ first flight. He’s confident that the rise of AI will ultimately disrupt all systems, predicting a future where our phones become our all-in-one tool for banking, learning, healthcare, security, immigration – and beyond.

He also sees the digital revolution as a fundamental shift in our social contract, moving from governments to governance. He suggests that this transition will dismantle traditional boundaries and redefine societal norms.

Dr. Middlebrook astutely points out: “AI is us in the collective. It’s a summation of human knowledge, but it’s a system that allows you to go through it very quickly and make either inductive or deductive reasoning, and that’s a very powerful thing.” In essence, AI is not separate from us but an extension and enhancement of human cognition and capabilities.

Calling generative AI a ‘weapon of mass intelligence,’ Dr. Middlebrook cautions us about the need for broader, democratic control over technology. The democratization and regulation of these technologies are paramount, and this transition, he suggests, is an inevitable, perhaps even necessary, growing pain. He argues that we must manage and channel our enormous data and technological resources toward the greater public good. Only then can we navigate the complexities of our changing world and realize a more inclusive, adaptable future.

Institutional Hurdles

In the same breath, Dr. Middlebrook warns about the institutional obstacles impeding change. Drawing on his experiences in Lebanon and Azerbaijan, he paints a grim picture of countries struggling to modernize amid financial constraints and systemic inefficiencies.

“I’m not optimistic that our institutions are particularly good – or fit for purpose,” he admits. He raises valid questions about the capacity of current institutions to adapt to emerging realities, citing the example of public sector modernization programs in Lebanon. He envisages a future where they may be replaced by something better, although he acknowledges the process won’t be orderly.

Is there a place for 80-year-old institutions like the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and the European Union in this new world order? He posits that, while these organizations have been successful in the past, they need to evolve to remain relevant. He suggests that an organization like the United Nations is essential but needs to be reimagined to meet the changing global dynamics and demands. As the world changes, so too must the institutions that govern it.

He advocates for a bold transformation: “A great deal needs to be reinvented. Things like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may be seen as ideological. Challenge one of them: look at the key performance indicators and ask if we should support them.”

Achieving the SDG goals requires enormous funding most governments simply don’t have. The solution, he suggests, lies in attracting private capital. Creating an ecosystem that encourages private capital and provides state guarantees will attract more funds for development projects. “The aim is to change the incentives, tax regimes, derisking, access to capital, create apex structures that de-risk on lending for commercial banks into SMEs, and others too,” he shares. “The pace has been slow, but unless we align private capital towards some of these goals and make it more transparent, we will fail.”

“Predicting a future where our phones become our all-inone tool for banking, learning, healthcare, security, immigration – and beyond.”

His stance on global debt is equally forthright: “Everyone’s borrowing; the debt levels are going through the roof; we want to be sustainable, and then let’s get into debt to do it – it’s an oxymoron, and it’s one of the many paradoxes.”

The New Profitable: Green Sustainability

At the intersection of environmental consciousness and economics lies an often-overlooked consideration: making sustainability profitable. Dr. Middlebrook emphasizes: “Until we have that formula in our heads, we’re not going to have any real sustainability.” This underscores the necessity of seeing sustainability not as a corporate social responsibility project but as a practical and lucrative endeavor.

Beyond the simple profit equation, Dr. Middlebrook compels us to consider a deeper issue: the ‘do no harm’ principle. In essence, he argues that there are things we, as a human species, simply should not be doing. His insights shine a light on the issue of externalities in our current economic system. Considering the environmental cost of all the products we consume, he points out, “most of them would not be at a price that is affordable.” The real cost is not the product itself but the environmental damage it causes.

While carbon emissions are a monumental concern, Dr. Middlebrook urges us to consider other impending crises, such as the loss of our ecosystems, hypoxic dead zones in the oceans, and our resource use linked to capitalism. “The more you consume, the more you’re elevated in society,” he notes, emphasizing the need for a systemic shift in our values and metrics of success.

Extreme Poverty amidst Extreme Abundance

A striking paradox exists in today’s world: extreme poverty persists even amidst a backdrop of abundant wealth. This disparity is especially evident when considering countries like Sudan and South Sudan. As Dr. Middlebrook puts it: “I cannot rationalize the disparity.” He can’t accept the coexistence of such wealth and destitution and suggests that our current systems are failing to alleviate global poverty.

He emphasizes: “What is the poverty rate in India or Africa? Have the old systems helped that? How many people live on less than $10 daily in this world? 60% of the world. The old system has not done a great job.”

When asked about the redistribution of wealth, Dr. Middlebrook recalls discussions around the Tobin Tax, a tax on financial transactions. Such a tax, he notes, could potentially provide a foundation for minimal wealth transfers to the world’s poorest people without significantly affecting the financial industry.

The Power of Collective Action

Dr. Middlebrook has a message for the future: the power of collective action can and will shape the course of our society. But this power, he warns, will only be realized if we foster social cohesion among disparate groups. In today’s world of division — by sex, race, and countless other categories — he firmly believes that our collective voice can influence the future.

When asked about the potential for collective action to drive change in large corporations, he was pragmatic. “That collective voice and bargaining can probably determine the future, but only if there’s a sense of social cohesion amongst what are now seen as disparate groups,” he explains.

The linchpin in this equation, according to Dr. Middlebrook, is trust. Not a blind trust, but one built on transparency, truth, and ethics. “The trust is always going to add to a premium now, even more so on trusting our institutions, technology, and all of the shifts and changes happening,” he said. “Truth should define trust, ethics, and our moral compass.”

Trust, for him, is not a nebulous concept but one that can be quantified and evaluated. It’s a notion that needs to be supported by evidence and independent verification. He states: “Trust can only be held high based on metrics of transparency.”

Dr. Middlebrook sees technology playing a vital role in this system of trust, serving as both a facilitator and an object of trust. He notes that, while some might worry about the invasive potential of technology, there’s also an opportunity for it to facilitate transparency and trust.

He encourages us to embrace honesty and authenticity, and use our voices to influence the world. “There’s no greater freedom than being honest and natural with yourself, being exactly the person you are.” According to him, the authenticity and respect individuals bring to their interactions are crucial for driving global improvement. And perhaps, most importantly, he reminds us of the value of enjoyment in life, saying: “P.S. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.”

“Truth should define trust, ethics, and our moral compass.”

Prince

“The paramount importance lies in humanity, in fostering love and authenticity, and in seeking out that essential quality within our surroundings that ensures everyone feels respected.”

DIVERSE EMINENT PERSONALITIES

REDEFINING SUCCESS WITH HEART AND AUTHENTICITY

THOMAS LUNDGREN

Thomas Lundgren, a visionary CEO, intriguingly prefers the title Chief Emotion Officer. His perspectives propel our conversation into a realm where the future isn’t just an extension of the present but a vivid reimagination of what could be. Thomas, an old friend and a beacon of innovation and authenticity, doesn’t just run The One Total Home Experience LLC, a furniture retail company; he orchestrates a symphony of emotions, dreams, and genuine human connections.

Thomas, a Swedish entrepreneur without a college degree, embarked on his quest for happiness and creative fulfillment, leading to the foundation of The One chain in the Middle East. With a childhood spent playing ice hockey, drawing comics, and dreaming of rock stardom, his unique blend of idealism and artistic frustration propelled him from working with IKEA in Saudi Arabia at 24 to facing the challenges of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and eventually establishing his roots in Dubai, UAE, in 1993.

Despite initial setbacks and numerous rejections, his perseverance paid off when the first The One Theatre opened in Abu Dhabi in 1996, after months of relentless planning and dedication alongside two partners. This began a sprawling retail empire across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, celebrated for its innovative approach to home décor and furniture retailing.

Thomas’ entrepreneurial journey has been decorated with accolades, including the Great Place to Work Leader of the Year (2018-2019) and Esquire Middle East

Businessperson of the Year (2018). His philanthropic efforts underscore his commitment to education and environmental conservation. Residing in the Middle East for over 39 years and receiving 2 Gold and 4 Platinum music records, he credits his success to naivety, curiosity, creativity, stubbornness, strategic hiring, and rigorous work ethic, fueled by the realization that traditional employment was never his calling.

He opens our dialogue with a poignant statement: “The paramount importance lies in humanity, in fostering love and authenticity, and in seeking out that essential quality within our surroundings that ensures everyone feels respected. This is crucial because the world currently suffers from a significant deficit of respect.”

He adds: “Authenticity is the foundation. It begins with being genuine, and naturally, if you’re true to yourself, you’ll express your emotions freely. Whether it’s crying when you need to or feeling anger, it’s about experiencing your emotions fully. Just like when you’re engrossed in a movie, allowing yourself to feel amplifies the intensity of those emotions tenfold genuinely.”

Who shaped and inspired this titan of retail, leadership, and creativity? Delving into his early life, Thomas shares: “I think my mom shaped me because my father died when I was very young, and it was me and my mom against the whole world.” His journey wasn’t paved with traditional achievements but adorned with creative outpourings on paper, a testament to a child’s resilience and imagination amidst adversity.

“I wanted her to recognize me,” he confides, highlighting the human yearning for acceptance and validation.

Thomas’ path wasn’t linear; it was a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of curiosity, artistic flair, and an indomitable spirit. Dyslexia didn’t hold him back; instead, it steered him towards visual storytelling and dreams, surpassing traditional academic routes. “I didn’t know the word dyslexia when I was a kid. Instead, it forced me to work harder on the things I was good at,” he reflects on the mixed blessing of his condition, underscoring the importance of nurturing individual strengths.

As we venture into his business philosophy, Thomas’s narrative is inspiring. “Success in my mind as a kid was happiness. That’s the whole point. I will find my happiness in my success,” he shares, only to reveal a deeper understanding that true success and happiness are deeply interwoven with our relationships and the emotional environment we cultivate.

The essence of Thomas’ leadership lies in authenticity, respect, and an unwavering commitment to human connection. “To me, leading employees is akin to parenting,” he muses, drawing parallels between nurturing a family and fostering a workplace culture rooted in empathy and understanding.

His insights on the future resonate deeply with my own convictions. I posit that trust will define the future, underpinned by truth and ethics. That trifecta of trust, truth, ethics, and transparency is where the future will be. In a world teetering on the brink of technological omnipotence, he reminds us of the imperishable value of human attributes. “You need to make it more human. The interaction between people must be with respect,” he argues, advocating for a balance between technological advancement and preserving our inherent humaneness.

Our conversation meanders through the realms of artificial intelligence, customer service, and the inexorable march towards digitization, only to circle back to the elemental truths of human existence - respect, empathy, love, and the undervalued art of listening. “To reduce wars, diminish conflicts, foster successful companies, and, above all, cultivate love, it’s essential to enhance our listening skills,” Thomas imparts, echoing a universal truth that transcends time and technological evolution.

In him, I see not just a business leader but a visionary poised at the vanguard of a future where humanity and technology coexist in harmony, where love and respect are not mere corporate buzzwords but the foundation of a thriving, interconnected world.

As our dialogue draws to a close, Thomas’ parting message was a clarion call to nurture the environment, not just in the ecological sense, but as a holistic embrace of our interactions, our communities, and the legacy we wish to bequeath to future generations. “I’m currently contemplating the concept of ‘environment’ because it encompasses everything related to love, respect, and our actions—all of which influence this environment,” he ponders, urging us to redefine our relationship with the world and each other.

His story is a compelling testament to the power of love, creativity, and the indomitable human spirit. It’s a reminder that amidst the relentless march of technology, the future we yearn for lies not in the cold calculus of machines but in the warmth of our shared humanity. As we stand on the precipice of tomorrow, Thomas’ insights serve as a beacon, guiding us toward a future where technology enhances, not eclipses, the profound connections that define us as human beings.

CHAPTER THREE

FINANCE, BANKING & PAYMENTS

THE FUTURE OF BANKING BRETT KING

“In Bank 5.0, you won’t need to go into a bank; the bank is part of the infrastructure of the world.” “

Brett King stands as a beacon of innovation and foresight. His journey, a blend of passion for technology and a keen eye for the ever-evolving financial landscape, positions him uniquely as a leading voice in the realm of digital banking and fintech. Delving into his insights, Brett’s narrative reveals not just the roadmap of his professional milestones but also his vision for the future.

As an influential coder-turned-author and futurist, he’s authored seven international bestsellers, including ‘Augmented: Life in the Smart Lane.’ His insights have gained recognition, including in China’s President Xi’s 2018 address, and have led to advisory roles with the White House, NASA, and various media outlets. He founded Movenbank, the first US mobile appbased bank, and Provoke Media, launching the top fintech show ‘Breaking Banks.’ Brett’s work spans fintech, AI, climate-tech advisory, and futurism, with his latest book ‘The Rise of Technosocialism’ exploring AI, climate change, and societal shifts.

Brett opens our dialogue by reflecting on his early inspiration with a sense of nostalgia and clarity. He reminisces: “Growing up in Melbourne, Australia, I started working at ten years old, with a paper route on my BMX. When I was 13, I sold that BMX to buy my first computer, a Commodore Vic-20, because I saw computers as the future, and I wanted to learn everything about them.”

It was the spark that ignited his lifelong passion for technology and innovation. One pivotal moment sticks out: he applied to join Melbourne High School to further his interest in technology. “I sat for the entrance exam, and I was fortunate enough to get in; that moment changed the trajectory of my life,” he recalls. “That opened my eyes to the potential possibilities; I wasn’t constrained by my upbringing and where I lived – it gave me a vision of what I could become.”

His transformation from a high school student obsessed with programming to a fintech visionary

At the same time, Brett started presenting executive training and teaching part-time at the MBA program for the Australian Graduate School of Management in Hong Kong. Meeting a group of professional business development specialists there, he spun off a digital strategy consultancy, called User Strategy, with his first clients, HSBC, CitiBank, and other major financial services companies in Hong Kong.

As with all technopreneurs, he moved to Dubai in 2005 to expand his financial services training business and started a digital transformation strategy consultancy. Unfortunately, the 2008 financial crisis struck and collapsed his business. “So, I took a year off and wrote my first book, ‘Bank 2.0,’ and as it turns out, that was a pretty great idea because it set me on this trajectory as a banking futurist,” he explains.

Upon its release in 2010, ‘Bank 2.0’ presented “pretty radical thinking.” He shares: “I presented these concepts of digital dominance and how digital was going to overtake banking. So many bankers were saying, ‘Yes, this is all fine to talk about, but this stuff is tough to do.’ I’d already been doing ten years in the trenches of digital strategy, so I fundamentally disagreed with them. I thought it was a matter of intent rather than technical complexity.”

At a book signing event in Santa Monica, California, in 2010, he met William Quigly, a venture capitalist. “He said to me, ‘This all makes complete sense to me.’ That was all I needed,” recounts Brett. That afternoon, he registered the domain for MovenBank and began building what was to be the world’s first mobile banking app. MovenBank provided contactless payments as a technology, and a complete rethink of the design of mobile banking where the homepage real estate was used for financial health artifacts instead of a list of accounts and real-time receipts, which has become the template for the industry today. MovenBank has morphed into a Banking as a Service (BaaS) platform that serves many international banking platforms today.

thinking. The iPhone is the perfect example of that: Apple didn’t iterate a new Nokia banana phone or Motorola flip phone; it was new thinking. So, I borrowed this 1994 quote from the CEO of Deutsche Bank: ‘Banking is necessary, but banks are not.’”

He adds: “Suppose you were to build a bank from scratch today using the first principles approach. In that case, you’d have money management tools embedded in your smartphone, smart speaker, and life through a technology layer, with accessibility to that core utility of banking. It is the core three: the ability to safely store money, safely move money, and ability to access credit.”

In advising banks and boards, I advocate for diversifying recruitment beyond traditional banking roles, focusing on roles such as anthropologists, data scientists, behaviorists, AI experts, and others. Given that up to 70% of financial jobs by 2030, as projected by Accenture and Dell, don’t yet exist, it’s crucial to anticipate and prepare for these emerging roles in your organization. For Brett, that’s “Bank 5.0, and that trajectory’s already started.” He describes the is marked by several key milestones. He started his professional journey as a coder in 1988 for a financial services software platform. This initial phase of his career laid the foundation for his later achievements. His unique ability to bridge the gap between technology and business strategy became a defining characteristic. He elaborates: “That skill to communicate between the technologist, the strategist, and the business leaders has been something that I’ve amplified and worked on throughout my career.” By the mid-1990s, he was managing large-scale SAP implementations for his company. He set up his own Internet Service Provider (ISP) business on the sidelines as the e-commerce boom happened in 1999.

Headhunted by Deloitte in 2000, he was sent to Hong Kong to head up its new e-business unit for the Asian market. However, his story of constant learning and adaptation saw him move shortly after that into a 160-person, four-office digital ad agency in Hong Kong.

Fast forward to today, the new strategies banks must adopt are experiential, behavioral, and human as opposed to just technology-driven. Technology is the underlying layer. What was the genesis of that idea, and how did it come about? “First principles approach,” says Brett. “It became clear to me that for any game-changing innovations, I had to adopt a first principles

evolution of banking: Bank 1.0 represents traditional banking methods. Bank 2.0 introduced self-service elements like ATMs, call centers, and internet banking. Bank 3.0 evolved with smartphone appbased banking. Bank 4.0 encompasses embedded banking through AI interactions, offering financial advice and habits coaching. Finally, Bank 5.0, or AI-based banking, predicts that future banking will be largely code-driven, leading to a smarter economy and transaction system based on smart contracts. “In Bank 5.0, you won’t need to go into a bank; the bank is part of the infrastructure of the world – and it’s the trajectory we’ve been on since computers first emerged in banking in the 1950s,” he asserts.

Brett’s vision of techno-socialism emerged in his 2015 book, ‘Augmented Life in the Smart Lane,’ a topic on which he is a leading thought leader. His book offers glimpses of a tech-driven future in 2025 and 2030. While the book explores individual adaptation to this world, it raises broader questions about societal changes. He draws inspiration from

historical governance models, distinguishing between pyramid-style and diamond-shaped economies. However, he warns of instability within the latter as wealth disparities grow. As technology, AI, climate change, and pandemics intersected, Brett devised a four-quadrant grid, considering chaotic vs. planned futures and inclusive vs. exclusionary governance. He highlights differences in collective vs. individual perspectives, with Europe and China favoring inclusivity while the US prioritized individualism. His scenarios range from banning AI to systemic failure and the emergence of neo-feudalism. His preferred path of techno-socialism leverages technology for better healthcare, education, and government efficiency, albeit requiring dismantling inefficient capitalist constructs for equitable wealth distribution and improved quality of life.

My thesis is that institutions like the IMF, the UN, the World Bank, and UNHCR were built 75 years ago to address issues from 75 years ago; they’re not able to address today’s problems. Trying to

dismantle these organizations, we face roadblocks –which I call immune responses to change. I ask Brett if techno-socialism could redress these institutions for an even more significant impact. His answer is poignant:

“If you look at the last 300 years of technological development and disruption at an industry level, the number of industries that have survived unscathed with their business model intact over those 300 years is zero. The resistance to technological change is ultimately futile.”

Brett, reflecting on Ray Dalio’s ideas and discussions with sci-fi authors like David Brin, sees a 50-50 chance for humanity to overcome major challenges. He argues for a philosophical shift towards

cooperation, drawing from Aristotle’s concept of thriving humanity. He advocates for technosocialism, citing historical examples like the Human Genome and Apollo Projects, where collaboration, not competition, spurred significant advancements. King challenges the notion that competition is the sole driver of innovation, emphasizing the need for cooperative approaches to tackle AI and climate change issues.

Hypercapitalism’s crowned elite, a mere 0.01%, have cracked the data code, turning it into the new oil. They hoard this knowledge, fueling their dominance through a handful of mega-companies, leaving the rest as mere cogs in their machine. AI, the next frontier, is theirs too, their investments ensuring their lead. The nightmare? These 100 control the world forever. Can anything stop this dystopian monopoly? According to Brett, tech behemoths are redefining power dynamics. With influence surpassing many governments, they steer policy and sway markets. Witness the UK Prime Minister and US President convening with tech giants to discuss AI regulation – the tail wags the dog. This massive wealth accumulation fueled by core technologies has a glaring problem: distribution.

“Only 15% of Americans even touch the stock market, leaving the bulk of the population in the dust,” he affirms. “Our traditional model of jobdriven wealth faces an existential threat – AI’s primary purpose is to replace human labor. The

question then becomes, without jobs and limited market participation, how do we ensure this concentrated wealth reaches everyone? This is the central challenge of our AI-powered future.”

The conversation naturally veers to what Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates promulgate as the solution: Universal Basic Income (UBI). For Brett, UBI is essential due to the unprecedented potential for AI to disrupt multiple industries simultaneously. Unlike past technological booms, where new jobs offset losses, AI’s scale of impact predicts widespread technology-driven

unemployment. UBI serves as a safety net to distribute the immense wealth generated by AI, ensuring individuals can continue consuming and sustaining capitalism’s engine. This concept resembles a “robot tax.” Additionally, there’s the notion of techno-colonialism, where tech giants like Apple and Amazon could acquire entire countries like Malta or Cyprus, granting them influence on the global stage, as depicted in various sci-fi works, including the Apple TV series ‘Extrapolations’ and Kim Stanley Robinson’s ‘Ministry for the Future.’

I emphasize the importance of maintaining and valuing our humanity amid technological advancements. As we become more entwined with technology, human aspects like creativity, empathy, and love become even more crucial. I suggest that these inherently human qualities will become increasingly valuable as technology takes over more routine or analytical tasks. Brett envisions a future where UBI redefines work from a survival necessity to a choice driven by passion and values. This shift is supported by the success of over 70 UBI programs, where participants are more entrepreneurial and community-oriented. He foresees a society where automation manages routine tasks, allowing humans to focus on meaningful work and interactions, fundamentally transforming our relationship with work and enhancing human value in a highly automated world.

As the conversation draws to a close, I ask Brett what legacy he hopes to leave.

“Our traditional model of job-driven wealth faces an existential threat – AI’s primary purpose is to replace human labor.”

“My sincere hope is that people recognize my contributions as valuable and view me as someone who has had a positive impact on society.”

In Brett’s future, technology and human ingenuity intertwine to redefine our societal and economic structures. This conversation is a profound connection with Brett, a journey through the corridors of future possibilities guided by his expertise and experiences. It is a future of optimism for humanity.

FINANCE, BANKING & PAYMENTS

A BLUEPRINT FOR A TRUST-CENTRIC FINANCIAL FUTURE PETER VICKERY

“It is about how you work with people and that flexibility, that adaptability, and how you train that.”

“What you do is less about skill set and more about attitude and emotional intelligence.” “

In the constantly evolving landscape of the global financial sector, where technology and tradition are intricately connected, Peter Vickery emerges as a true leader. With the backdrop of Dubai’s bustling spirit, it is a fitting setting for a discussion centered on the future of finance and leadership. With a career trajectory that has seen him rise from the quaint streets of Nottingham, UK, to the towering skyline of Abu Dhabi, Peter’s story is not merely one of success but of transformation, authenticity, and foresight.

“Everything is digital”

As Executive Vice President and Head of Distribution and Sales at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Peter’s career in the banking sector started when he was just 16, making the coffee at the local bank branch in Nottingham. By age 26, he oversaw 400 branches and 4,000 employees. “I left school at 16 to work in the bank and did all the frontline jobs possible,” he reminisces. “After 26, I dove back into education at Harvard Business School and Cambridge for my banking degree.” He spent the following years working in South Africa, Botswana, and establishing himself in the UAE.

When I explore the spark of his burning ambition, he reveals the spark was his dad’s work ethic as a house painter. “I’ve never seen anyone work harder or love their work more than my Dad,” he admits. Peter’s father taught him to take pride in every task, not for customers, but for himself. He translated that into his leadership philosophy: “Leadership is what you do when people aren’t watching. He’d

always say that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well. I’ve lived with that mindset and followed it all my life,” he muses.

“Love and recruit diversity increases your perspective”

In the era of ChatGPT and AI tools, I ask him about a new world in which work ethic is challenged by these technology tools, where hard work is less critical and empathy more so. He asserts: “Work smart, not hard. You can do something brilliant worth more than a week’s work in a minute. It’s not about the hours you put in but what you give of yourself in those hours to find the magic moments worth months of hard work.” Peter believes that by utilizing technologies such as AI to complete time-consuming tasks, people are released with the capacity to utilize their individual skills, such as empathy, which differentiates humans from technology. It is through intertwining human and digital capabilities that organizations will truly flourish.

Peter’s ethos is anchored in a deep-seated belief in integrity and the potency of the human element in a digitized world. “Trust is the absolute foundation of banking. It isn’t easy to build a customer’s trust in an organization. Two principles guide building that trust: always treat everyone equally, regardless of gender, race, religion, or station in life. Second, being honest and candid builds integrity,” he articulates, his voice echoing the conviction of his experience. Peter explains that we must look

beyond the banking industry: “The interfaces our customers use, and their experiences in other industries alter our customers’ expectations. Therefore, as we continually look to exceed these expectations, we must look across industries to deliver excellence for our customers. It’s not just one interaction; it’s about consistency, discipline, and repetition. We have a saying in the banking industry: ‘Wherever you are, wherever you want to be, we’re there for you.’ That’s what customers demand.”

“The Closer you are to the customer, the more likely you are to be right”

At a time when a mere 28% of Americans feel a sense of trust towards their financial institutions, he emphasizes nurturing a culture of reliability and personal touch as the industry’s path forward. “Be there for your customer at different points and segregate the complexity of banking,” he says. “Robo advisors will be worth $100 trillion in the next five to seven years; AI bots will increase trust by automating transactional capabilities to make banking seamless for customers. As markets become more and more complex, humans can’t absorb everything. Technology will be able to deliver the advice needed for customers to make better decisions – and build trust in organizations at a human level.”

He shares a poignant analogy: “If I’m your doctor, my role is not only to diagnose you; machines

“My father taught me with painting walls; Leadership is what you do when people aren’t watching”

do that better. But my caring for your needs will increase as my empathy and humanity levels increase, and the diagnostics role decreases. It’s about humans and technology coming together to benefit humans.”

As we delve into the intricacies of his vision, his insights reveal a landscape where digital innovation is not merely an adjunct but a central pillar in modern banking architecture — yet one that still upholds the human connection as its unshakable foundation.

“Be happy and be your best; life gets better every day”

Adaptability, in his lexicon, is an essential lifeblood, particularly in a sector perennially in the throes of change. With projections indicating that up to 80% of current financial jobs may dissolve by 2030, he advocates for a cultural renaissance within the

industry that prizes learning and flexibility as its cornerstones. “It shows how important it is to adapt, change, and with speed,” he declares, emphasizing the need for a workforce as dynamic as the market it serves. “What you do is less about skill set and more about attitude and emotional intelligence. You can’t change the jobs of the future – we don’t know what they’ll be. What we can change is our behavior and attitudes. Enjoy what you’re doing, work at pace, and embrace change.”

As a futurist, I use a 70-20-10 framework — a balanced approach to investing 70% of efforts in core competencies, 20% in related skills, and 10% in new frontiers. This triad, I believe, is also the key to nurturing personal development and preparing a future-ready workforce with younger generations. Peter agrees: “Train the emotional state, behaviors, values, and understand the coming generation. It is about how you work with people and that flexibility, that adaptability, and how you train that,” he notes.

“You learn so much more when surrounded by people who don’t think and act like you”

Going beyond that, I’d proffer that the future has already happened; it’s unevenly distributed. When I ask Peter to project his voice into the future on how he prepares people to be future-ready within organizations, he shares: “I love diverse thinking and teams.” He explains: “To prepare for the future, I recruit diversity. The last thing I want is people who look, think, and act like me. With people from different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and education, you can build diversity to have a different perspective when something fresh appears. With diversity, the best decisions are made.”

In a move that reflects his forward-thinking approach, he stresses the significance of integrating youthful insights into the financial sector’s

narrative. In his words: “One initiative is according to the 60-40-20 rule: 60-somethings make the big decisions; 40-somethings execute them; and 20-somethings are the biggest demographic consuming them.” He sees youth advisory boards as a bridge to generational divides and leveraging the unbridled innovation of digital natives.

Peter’s message in a bottle for the next generation is a tapestry of simplicity and profundity: “Be happy and be your best.” This dual pursuit, he posits, is the lodestar for personal and professional fulfillment in an age where authenticity and performance are the dual currencies of success. He adds: “When you have thousands of people, and every individual gives slightly better than their best, that’s when transformational change happens.”

Looking towards 2030, he envisages a future where institutions are bastions of economic stability and paragons of ethical practice. He imagines a world where the bedrock of finance is trust, cultivated through discipline, diversity, and an unwavering dedication to excellence.

“After building a platform of trust and ensuring discipline and structure, add a layer of agility. You need to change to what the customer wants; if you follow what the customer wants, you can’t go wrong. True leaders go one step further and create an environment where, based on thought leadership and insights, a team proactively anticipates customer demands,” he projects. As our conversation nears its conclusion, it becomes evident that Peter Vickery’s blueprint for the future

“Discipline, structure, and an agile collaboration aren’t a contradiction”

is a fusion of innovation and timeless principles. It’s a narrative that champions the synergy of human insight and digital progression, a vision where finance serves not just economies but societies and individuals. He’s unafraid of the future, instead daring to lead, innovate, and inspire.

UMUT SHAYAKMETOVA FROM TRADITION TO INNOVATION

In a world defined by constant change, Umut Shayakhmetova’s story emerges as a profound source of inspiration, showcasing the impact of vision, resilience, and innovation. Our dialogue peels back the layers of her journey, revealing the transformative force she wields over Halyk Bank and her pivotal role in sculpting the future of ethical leadership and technology for a sustainable, inclusive world.

Umut’s journey unfolds in Almaty, Kazakhstan, amid the seismic shifts of the Soviet Union’s collapse, and is marked by boundless aspirations and academic excellence. Her voyage to Moscwo’s People’s Friendship University was more than an educational pursuit; it was a gateway to the world, enriching her life with a kaleidoscope of cultures – from the heartbeats of Sri Lanka to the rhythms of Lebanon. Immersed in this global melting pot, she discovered a universal truth: “This made a big difference and changed my mind; I became very open-minded. Everybody is equal; everybody is a friend.”

“Everybody’s talking about being a digital person, but nobody talks about just being a good person”.

“She introduced a hands-on approach unfamiliar to the bank, personally engaging with clients in their own environments”.

Amid a closed society, her university years were pivotal, nurturing friendships that defied borders and beliefs. Her words echo her transformative university years and her emergence as a global citizen, a champion of equality and unity.

As the Soviet Union dissolved, Umut chased the American dream, which propelled her to pursue an MBA at Rutgers University in New Jersey. This chapter wasn’t just about academic rigor; it was a whirlwind of cultural shocks and value realignments. “This was a cultural shock, but I got new, very useful qualities: that you should be competitive and compete on your merits,” she reflects, her voice tinged with the wisdom of those formative years. Umut’s immersion in the American ethos shattered her previous beliefs, steering her towards a future rich with potential and reshaping her leadership philosophy. This set her on a path of limitless potential.

Returning to Kazakhstan, Umut’s career trajectory took her from ABN AMRO to the helm of Halyk Bank in 2004 – a leap that jolted her from ABN AMRO’s culture of transparency to an institution mired in outdated practices and yet to achieve its potential. “It was a big shock for me,” she admits, facing a challenging environment with no automation and traditional banking methods. As the only woman among male executives, she didn’t just fit in; she stuck out. Umut viewed this as an opportunity to use her expertise to initiate change. She led a major overhaul that modernized operations and redefined customer service, transforming Halyk Bank to meet international standards and successfully listing it on the London Stock Exchange in 2006.

“It was not easy; it was a lot of hard work, but it was teamwork,” Umut muses, encapsulating the essence of her leadership – driven by a profound cultural shift within the organization, which I often deem the most challenging for executives. Achieving such a transformation - to foster an open-minded, global, client-focused, and technologically savvy culture - is truly remarkable. As deputy CEO of corporate banking, Umut was determined to redefine Halyk Bank’s client relations and culture and push for ethical leadership. She introduced a handson approach unfamiliar to the bank, personally engaging with clients in their own environments. This shift, initially surprising to clients used to a more conventional banking approach, gradually reshaped their view of the bank, fostering a positive perception that permeated the entire organization under her eventual leadership as CEO.

Taking the reins of Halyk Bank during the 2009 financial crisis, Umut demonstrated remarkable resilience and a deep-seated commitment to driving its cultural and technological evolution, propelling significant growth and positioning it at the forefront of Kazakhstan’s banking sector. “It was the peak of the financial crisis. The values of professionalism, commitment, and honesty guided my decisions,” Umut muses. Fueled by a belief in her own strength and a willingness to embrace risk over regret, Umut adopted a strategy of bold action. “Why should I regret it? Let’s try, let’s risk,” she declares, embarking on a year of tireless effort, expanding her focus to include wide-ranging responsibilities and engaging in crucial discussions with key stakeholders. Despite the challenges, her resolve never wavered, underlining her determination to validate her approach and readiness to tackle any obstacle.

Umut didn’t just lead the bank; she revolutionized it. From its standing as the third-ranked financial entity commanding a mere 10 percent market share in Kazakhstan, she catapulted it to the zenith of Kazakhstan’s banking sector. Now, reigning supreme with over 30% market dominance and bolstered by fifteen subsidiaries, Halyk Bank has morphed into a regional titan under her stewardship. Armed with her rich tapestry of experience and a relentless gaze fixed on the horizon, Umut’s trailblazing leadership has redefined Halyk Bank, steering it into an era of unprecedented growth and dynamism, solidifying its status as a market leader with a mission.

“When you reach a certain experience, you try to share, you try to help younger people”.

Today, Umut doesn’t just stand as a formidable leader; she’s a beacon of mentorship and societal impact as a successful woman, banker, and leader, evolving to inspire the next generation, considering ways to lower consumer loan rates, enhance clients’ financial literacy, support meaningful projects, and define the bank’s role in charity and society. Initially concentrated on her own professional development, she shifted her focus towards nurturing young talent. “I didn’t think about inspiration, to be inspirational to others,” she recounts from her early career. She is now actively involved in mentorship and leads women’s entrepreneurial forums and educational initiatives in Kazakhstan. “I’m leading the women’s entrepreneurial forum and developments in Kazakhstan,” she shares. This shift highlights her commitment to sharing knowledge and experiences to support others’ growth, emphasizing the significance of mentorship. “When you reach a certain experience, you try to share, you try to help younger people,” Umut acknowledges, underlining the mutual benefits of mentorship.

The conversation veers towards innovation. She cites Halyk Bank’s digital transformation as her top innovation, transitioning from extensive paperwork to a comprehensive digital platform. “Well, definitely the development of the digital services in the bank,” she states. The digital pivot proved crucial during COVID-19, boosting client engagement and streamlining operations. Furthermore, she considers AI’s role a disruptive force in banking and client services, envisioning a future where banking evolves to meet new demands and challenges. Her vision reflects a commitment to continuous innovation and the

integration of technology with core human values, aiming to revolutionize banking for the future.

Does she believe we’re leaving our children a healthy planet? “Of course, we should do much better,” she asserts, pointing out the stark contrast between ecological conversations and the financial realities obstructing sustainable solutions. She values the ongoing global discussions but identifies significant gaps in action toward sustainability.

Criticizing the modern world’s obsession with technical prowess at the expense of the human heart, Umut highlights a crucial gap in preparing youths for the future. “Everybody’s talking about being a digital person, but nobody talks about just being a good person,” she reflects. She advocates a revival of the age-old virtues of love, trust, and loyalty – qualities she believes are becoming endangered in our society. This neglect, especially among the younger generation, ignites in her a fierce determination to weave these essential human values back into the fabric of our educational and social institutions. This resonates profoundly with my principles and purpose.

As a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, she faced an uphill battle in proving her professional mettle at the onset of her career. “I was often the only woman in the room, and I had to work even harder than them to prove my worth not just as a banker but as a leader, too,” she says. Umut demonstrated her proficiency, decision-making strength, and capacity to shoulder significant organizational responsibilities. A decade ago, Kazakhstan’s banking sector featured merely one or two female CEOs; today, women helm half of

the country’s twenty-four banks. Leadership positions such as the banking regulator, the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan, and the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange are also occupied by women, underscoring the significant value placed on women’s roles in the Kazakh financial sector.

Umut also had to earn the trust of investors and customers, stating, “For a banker, trust is everything that really matters.” Now recognized and established in the industry, her gender becomes irrelevant. “Now, my identity in the industry is not defined by being a woman but by being a formidable force in banking,” she declares, her story a powerful testament to her skill and indomitable spirit.

Discussing trust’s essential role in future strategies, Umut and I agree on its importance. Her organization is proactively addressing these ethical challenges, focusing on the responsible development and application of AI to prevent misuse. She notes that maintaining client trust is crucial, emphasizing, “The trust of our clients is the main value; you can lose it in one day.”

Amid rapid advancements and societal shifts, Umut reflects on the enduring essence of love and happiness. Despite how different generations express affection, she emphasizes Kazakhstan’s enduring family ties and cultural values as critical sources of love and support. “Well, in my view, it’s essential,” she states, underlining the importance of maintaining traditional family connections in a changing world.

Looking ahead to her 100th birthday, Umut envisions a gathering filled with love, laughter, and the companionship of her husband, closest family, and friends. Despite uncertain technological advances, she asserts the primacy of enduring values over tech reliance. “It doesn’t matter what technologies we encounter, the core values like love, friendship, trust are what truly matter,” she underscores the timeless importance of human connections.

“Be brave. Don’t be afraid. Be happy. And be honest”.

Her parting wisdom - “Be brave. Don’t be afraid. Be happy. And be honest” – resonates as a beacon for all. Reflecting on our intimate conversation, it’s clear that Umut’s vision for the future is about leading with innovation and infusing our journey with integrity, compassion, and deep-rooted respect for our shared humanity and the planet we inhabit. Her legacy is a clarion call for leaders everywhere to embrace change with a heart full of courage and a soul committed to making a meaningful difference.

LEADING WITH HEART AMNAH AJMAL

“Leadership is not just about business savvy; it’s about forming heart-to-heart connections based on empathy and trust.”

Amnah Ajmal’s ascent to global corporate leadership is nothing short of riveting. She shines as Mastercard’s Executive Vice President for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, covering 80 countries . This conversation unveils her remarkable path through the ranks, highlighting a relentless pursuit of excellence across continents.

Mastercard is on a mission to usher 1 billion people and 50 million MSMEs, focusing on 25 million women entrepreneurs, into the digital economy by 2025. They’re reimagining the future of payments to match our digital lifestyle, emphasizing security, inclusivity, and digital-first solutions. As a leading technology company in the payments sector, Mastercard aims to foster an inclusive digital economy, ensuring transactions are secure, straightforward, and accessible. Their global reach spans over 210 countries, driven by a commitment to sustainability and the potential to unlock limitless opportunities for all. This is where Amnah’s leadership and her strategic vision truly shine.

“Mastercard aims to foster an inclusive digital economy, ensuring transactions are secure, straightforward, and accessible.”

Her academic journey, though challenging, reflected her tenacity. Overcoming setbacks, she persisted, eventually finding a university to study software engineering. After completing that undergraduate degree, Amnah left home to study for an MBA “I dreamt of working for P&G, Unilever, or Nestle, but they rejected me,” she recalls.

She fortunately landed an interview with Citibank. Within 24 hours, the company offered her a position in their prestigious international graduate program, and she soon jetted off to work in the UAE, Turkey, and Egypt. That marked the beginning of a remarkable ascent through the ranks of international business.

Amnah spearheaded a digital and cultural revolution in the consumer banking and payments sector, innovating the customer experience across multiple regions, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. She skillfully managed the complete Profit and Loss (P&L) and operations of a consumer bank. Currently stationed in Dubai, she is the Executive Vice President and Group Executive of Merchants & Commerce, Digital Partnerships & Fintechs, Strategy, and Mergers & Acquisitions. Recognized globally, she has

been voted twice as one of the ‘Top 25 Women in Financial Technology Worldwide’ and among the ‘Top 10 in America.’ Her approach in business spans continents, marked by her ability to redefine the consumer experience and drive product innovation.

I asked her that with her vast experience, what is leadership, and what core attributes make for good leaders in today’s incredibly fast-paced world? She elucidates: “I firmly believe in the deep connection between people, transcending culture, age, gender, and more. Trust is earned through actions that demonstrate reliability, support, and transparency. Respect comes from showing empathy. By combining these qualities with business acumen, we empower others to achieve greater success.” She emphasizes championing inclusivity for the diversity of thought and experience, too.

“Leadership is not just about business savvy; it’s about forming heart-to-heart connections based on empathy and trust. These core values define our humanity and, when brought into leadership, enable genuine connections with others. Then, the impossible becomes possible.”

“Humans will accept anything if they have transparency and predictability.”

In a rapidly transforming world, where technology drives change, anything that can be digitized will be for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, inherently human qualities like curiosity, creativity, love, compassion, and ethics, which can’t be digitized, will become increasingly valuable. This perspective is crucial when hiring new people, prioritizing these irreplaceable human traits. Her answer is illuminating: “We must avoid restricting people to specific roles; versatility and experience in various industries are crucial.” At Mastercard, she hires from sectors like pharma and healthcare because they bring essential skills like understanding consumer needs, urgency, ownership, and decision-making. “It’s important for individuals to constantly push boundaries and challenge the status quo,” she emphasizes.

In disrupting the established norms, large organizations are unable to adapt quickly, pivot, or integrate new technologies efficiently and successfully. Amnah affirms: “Large firms seek agility because they have the distribution, scale, reach, data, and customers, but they just lack agility. On the other hand, fintechs have the agility, scale, distribution, and the data.” According to her, every fintech’s dream is to get scale as large organizations have, and large organizations dream of being as agile as fintechs.

My job is to facilitate that mindset shift in leaders Similar to our body’s immune system, I’m up against a corporate immune system: anything coming in that’s new or from outside is blocked. The excuses are: ‘We can’t do that, it’s too difficult, it’s impossible, too expensive,’ etc. Amnah has overcome multiple obstacles in her life and career and shares her insight:

“Humans will accept anything if they have transparency and predictability.”

Every industry is becoming horizontal; verticals are fast disappearing. For a company as influential and prominent as Mastercard, what does she foresee for the future of the financial sector in that regard? Technologies aren’t the only disruptors, she believes. “15 years ago, the barriers to entry to our industry were incredibly high; now most of the players aren’t even financial companies, but tech companies,” she declares. Customer choice opens up, tech companies are driving digital transformation, and services such as international funds transfers, remittances, e-commerce, and more are offered by a slew of tech products.

“The ones that provide the best customer experience and innovations will be the winners. Underneath the technology, platformication and data are driving the future,” Amnah explains.

“It’s important for individuals to constantly push boundaries and challenge the status quo.”

The dialogue turns to the youth and their perceptions of the world. I believe that young people trust technology companies more than they trust traditional financial institutions. That results from a trust deficit. She disagrees:

“In the UK, an average Brit’s marriage lasts for 11 years, whereas their banking relationship lasts for 17 years. The large traditional financial organizations still have an advantage in that people trust them with their money.”

She’s in agreement that the next generation is slowly trusting technology companies more and more, though. She counters:

“If you start looking at your point, banks have more data on customers than anyone else, which makes it far easier for tech companies to build Lego-like platforms onto banks’ back-ends to create unique customer experiences.”

In the context of payments and financial inclusion in regions like Nigeria, the Middle East, and Africa, two key aspects are identity and inclusion – which are close to Amnah’s heart. The focus is on integrating 100 million Nigerian women into the financial system, starting with establishing their identity. This integration is crucial for their empowerment and participation in the economy. The second aspect involves the transformative potential of fully including women in the financial ecosystem in these regions, which could fundamentally change the dynamics of the economy. For her, progress is slow, and more work is needed. She identifies two challenges:

“Access to credit is a major obstacle for women, particularly in SMEs. By digitizing transactions, these women can build credit records, access nano credit, and enter the financial world. Gender disparity in business funding is another significant issue, with women-led businesses being notably underfunded. Mastercard addresses these challenges by providing women with a platform to voice their concerns, tools to digitize their businesses, and connections to firms that open further opportunities.”

A monumental mindset shift is necessary. Amnah defines this: “In business, we often achieve what seems impossible by setting deliverables and deadlines, then figuring out the ‘how.’ This approach should apply to gender equality, too. Achieving this requires determination and perseverance, along with a commitment to ‘walk the talk.’ Gender equality is not an impossible goal; it requires creativity and unwavering determination.”

In 10 years, will we still have cards for payment transactions? Amnah explains that new transaction methods are constantly evolving. She sums it up with a famous Steve Jobs quote: “Most people overestimate the change that will happen in the next five years and underestimate the change that will occur in 10 to 15 years.” Payment methods are likely to become more fluid with advancements in AI, she predicts. The need to bank traditionally will diminish as data exchange becomes more prevalent thanks to AI, creating an open marketplace. This shift will turn the world into a vast marketplace for various services and products. As a result, she believes the consumer experience will continually become more convenient, characterized by increased choice, speed, and flexibility.

With the torrent of changes to the world, as a mother, is Amnah optimistic about the future for her children? Her message is deep:

“My daily advice to them is: In the world where you can be anything, be kind. As the world progresses, we’ll have less and less time for people. In the little chance that we do have to interact with people, we should be kind. It’s important to keep the human within you alive.”

However, she cautions: “AI can scale everything, including existing societal inequities. The biases humans have historically held are being integrated into the future through the decisions made in technology development. This raises concerns about the potential for technology to amplify these biases on a larger scale, which is a worrying prospect.”

Our values and moral compass need to be a hundred times more magnified. That’s why I advocate that in large organizations, we need to break the mold of only measuring success in terms of growth and profit. We need to prioritize people, planet, purpose, and peace. Amnah proclaims: “I’m optimistic about the future as more organizations focus on purpose, sustainability, and planet. This trend is evident in my workplace and among our clients. Incredibly, the progress in these areas is likely to exceed what has been achieved in the past five years.”

What’s her message in a bottle for her children and the world of the future? It is simple yet profound:

“Believe in yourself and be kind.”

Her story intertwines professional achievements with life’s core values - love, kindness, and humanity. Her insights remind us that while technology is a powerful enabler, it’s ultimately our human qualities that will lead and shape the future.

She represents a beautiful voice of the future, emphasizing the importance of human leadership in the world of advancing technology.

“Large firms seek agility because they have the distribution, scale, reach, data, and customers, but they just lack agility. On the other hand, fintechs have the agility, scale, distribution, and the data.”

“We can prosper by leveraging AI as a partner to amplify our human potential.”

& PAYMENTS

ON THE HUMAN EDGE IN AN AI WORLD FINANCE, BANKING

ROSS DAWSON

As I sit across from Ross Dawson, the backdrop of our conversation is a world in flux — a kaleidoscope of cultures, technologies, and ideas that he navigates with the ease of a polymath. His credentials are as diverse as they are impressive: a leading futurist, a sought-after keynote speaker, a strategy facilitator, a parallel entrepreneur, and an author whose books have shaped the discourse on the future of business.

“These are exciting times,” Ross begins, his eyes alight with the fervor of someone who not only predicts the future but thrives in its unpredictability. His latest literary venture, “Thriving on Overload,” delves into the human brain’s remarkable capacity to flourish amidst an avalanche of information — a theme that resonates profoundly in our current era.

Ross’s journey to the forefront of future studies is as eclectic as the expertise he brings to it. The son of a United Nations worker, he grew up in the International School of Geneva, a melting pot of 65 nationalities that instilled in him the value of diverse perspectives — something he regards as fundamental to confronting today’s complex challenges. “As Gregory Bateson says,” he quotes, “the more perspectives we can bring to bear, the better, the better we can confront the incredibly complex challenges we have today.”

In a world brimming with complexity, Ross advocates for synthesis over simplicity. He believes that while generative AI can contextualize broadly, the uniquely human capacity to see the whole — a synthesis of conscious and unconscious cognition — keeps us ahead of machines. Through his concept

of ‘Humans Plus AI,’ he believes humans with AI can augment and amplify our capabilities to create an even better future – and achieve far more than they can independently. “It’s not about having the answers; it’s about having the right questions,” he shares, “We can prosper by leveraging AI as a partner to amplify our human potential.” Through these questions, technology can help us navigate toward potential answers and pathways, thereby augmenting our human capabilities.

Ross emphasizes the superpowers of humanity: the power of questioning, the art of listening, and the magic of storytelling. These abilities enable us to prompt and engage with AI meaningfully. “Primarily, it is about intentions,” he says. Machines lack intentions, so we must imbue them with our aspirations and guide them toward creating the worlds we desire for our children.

As AI’s capabilities burgeon, I pose the evolving role of media, search engines, and recommendation systems within an omniscient digital landscape to Ross to ponder. He contends that possessing all information is not tantamount to knowledge, for knowledge is the capacity to act effectively. Thus, the way humans seek information to understand our world and the potential for AI to assist us must be approached with caution to avoid narrow, echo-chambered views. “Humans are information animals. From birth, we absorb information, make sense of it, build mental models, and act on it. That will evolve with the evolution of AI. AI may curate, but our innate curiosity will continue to drive the quest for knowledge and truth,” he shares.

Looking ahead, Ross sees a media landscape in flux. While the traditional model of major news outlets may wane, supplanted by AI-curated

personalized summaries, the essence of media— curiosity—remains distinctly human. “To be curious is to be human; it’s the foundation of our ability to add value,” he muses, underscoring the necessity for an unbounded curiosity to navigate the future.

When I ask him about the potential for technology to usurp control, as algorithms create echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs, there’s a growing need for responsible individuals to guide public discourse. He calls for responsible engagement with technology. He envisions a future where regulatory structures for responsible AI exist: “It’s crucial to balance awareness of potential dangers with maintaining openness to the beneficial possibilities technology offers.”

As regulation struggles to keep pace with rapid innovation, often lagging years behind, society can’t afford the delays in policy responses. This is compounded by a significant trust deficit in institutions like the UN, World Bank, and WHO, which were established decades ago for different challenges and haven’t since adapted adequately. I raise these critical questions about whether current policymakers can effectively address these modern issues. Ross highlights this situation is improving: “The EU AI Act was drafted in days and passed in less than nine months; Initiatives are being created to shift this dynamic,” he elucidates. “To the broader point of institutional trust, trust in every institution is eroded in almost every country. The larger the institution, the greater the inertia and challenges of dealing with the rapidly changing world. They aren’t well-equipped for the pace of change. The most significant focus is building a greater pace of change in institutions.”

When asked about the message he would leave for his loved ones to find in years to come, Ross reflects on growth and development. “My message is: who have you become, and who will you become? Have

I changed? Am I a different person? Am I a better person? Have I grown? Have I developed? Have I become more?” He believes reflecting on personal change and betterment is essential for navigating the future.

“Thriving on Overload” is more than just a book title for Ross—it’s a manifesto. It represents a shift from being overwhelmed to embracing abundance. “We have to choose to change our habits, learn new behaviors, and develop skills,” he explains. His book provides a framework not just to cope but to thrive in the face of information overload.

For parents pondering the future for their children, Ross offers reassurance. “Parents should believe that a better future is certainly possible: technology can support us in becoming more human, more compassionate, more creative,” he advises, emphasizing the importance of fostering humanity in our children to help them lead happy lives and contribute to a promising future.

Ross also touches on the necessity for cognitive diversity, particularly regarding gender in leadership and policymaking. “Cognitive diversity is the heart of all success today,” he notes, highlighting the different perspectives men and women bring to the table.

Addressing the mental health challenges faced by youth, Ross encourages self-discovery and individuality. “It isn’t about fitting yourself into society; we’re increasingly seeking uniqueness,” he says, suggesting that embracing one’s individuality is vital to a prosperous future.

As our conversation draws to a close, Ross leaves us with a final message: The world is accelerating, presenting both challenges and opportunities. “We must focus on those opportunities,” he urges.

“That will be the story of the next decades of our lives, who we can become as individuals, as humans, and as humanity.”

In the spirit of Ross Dawson’s vision, we are reminded that the future isn’t a distant realm to be feared or awaited — it’s a landscape to be crafted with intentionality, a narrative to be written with every action, and a myriad of possibilities that resonates with the unique voice each of us contributes. It isn’t about fitting ourselves into an existing mold but forging a future that cherishes our uniqueness. As Ross succinctly puts it, “We’re increasingly seeking uniqueness.” This isn’t just a reflection; it’s a clarion call to embrace the multiplicity of our identities and potentials as we step boldly into the future.

& PAYMENTS

THE BUILDER FINANCE, BANKING

KAY VAN-PETERSEN

“There’s a big reset needed; there’s a whole rethink needed regarding the financial system.”

In my pursuit to unravel the mysteries of what the future holds, I had the privilege of interviewing Kay Van-Petersen, an avant-garde thinker and a trailblazer in the realm of finance and technology. His insights, not just on where we are heading but on how we can shape our trajectory, left me contemplating the profound impact of our choices on the future.

With over 20 years of experience in finance, he’s worked in London, Hong Kong, New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Singapore, with eight years as Director and Global Macro Consigliere at fintech giant Saxo Bank. KVP was an early advocate, investor, and proponent of blockchain technology and was one of the first strategists at a major international bank to openly discuss the longterm opportunities, disruption, and risks of the new crypto asset class.

KVP is also an angel investor, NED, a brand ambassador to RVVUP, an executive strategic advisor to the board of the HODLE Finance Group, and an investor and consigliere to DayAway, Brevion, SkyHook Capital, and VC fund SoGal Ventures.

As Co-Founder and Global Chief Consigliere at D•Central, he heads global efforts across Strategy, Macro, Venture, Crypto, and Special Situations. D•Central is the next-gen gateway to high-end, bespoke advisory and consulting services powered by decentralized rockstar talent across the globe.

Significant roles held by KVP all contain ‘consigliere’ in their titles. Breaking it down, it refers to an insider, a person of trust. It is someone who will keep their word, will not abuse their authority, ensure fairness, and will do the right thing. A consigliere possesses competence and credibility. There, KVP and I are aligned. It’s why we connect so synergistically.

Mistrust, deception, and fraud are rife in today’s world. The future needs trust. We can all agree that rebuilding the world’s institutions, systems, and regimes is necessary as we go into the next phase of humanity. KVP concurs: “If you look at my career path in finance, the blueprint you were given is to study X, and you’ll get Y job, and you’ll have a great life. No, that’s false. It may have worked, but now it’s a completely wrong approach. We need to start thinking in terms of ecosystems. In the future, it won’t be about where you live; it’ll be about being in the same community, and ecosystem, and getting different benefits from belonging to different ecosystems. This is the true power and vision of blockchain and crypto that many people don’t understand. It’s the ability – for the first time in recorded humankind’s history – for anyone to choose where they want to allocate their time and resources and with whom based on their principles and parameters for functioning. That’s one example of how an institution can be rebuilt, bringing more trust to the people.”

KVP’s perspective on the future of finance is revolutionary. “There’s a big reset needed; there’s a whole rethink needed regarding the financial system. I’m not saying Bitcoin or crypto, but we need a better system of accountability and transparency,” he asserts. This statement strikes a chord with me, echoing the sentiments of many who yearn for a system where accountability and transparency are not just ideals but reality.

When I probe KVP about the role of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, his vision is clear and futuristic. “It’s the ability – for the first time in recorded humankind’s history – for anyone to choose where they want to allocate their time and resources based on their principles and parameters for functioning.” His words encapsulate the essence of freedom and choice in a digital age, a future where boundaries

are redefined by technology. “Crypto – and decentralized finance to a larger degree – is here to stay no matter what,” he declares. “In the Gartner Hype Cycle, we’re at the bottom of the ‘Trough of Disillusionment. It’ll go up over time. Low-interest regimes must be considered more carefully; when there’s loose money and easy money to make, governance goes out the door.”

Discussing the impact of geopolitical dynamics, especially China’s role in sustainability and global development, Van-Petersen’s insights were illuminating. He believes that “China will turn out to have the biggest effect in terms of sustainability conversation, the climate crisis, and future world development.” His rationale, rooted in China’s unique blend of cultural unity, population scale, and control structure, provided a fresh perspective on the global power dynamics.

He continues: “It has a unification from a culture and people that other nations miss; it has a collective rather than individualist mindset. With that, it has a top-down command and control structure of the country that operates and harnesses its resources regarding talent, time, commodities, and money that no other nation can match. He continues: “We’re going to see a lot of pioneering and innovating things coming from China and its scientists. Collaboration between Chinese and US scientists continues, sharing information and discoveries; any good scientist, any good engineer isn’t concerned about a flag –they’re passionate about their craft and making a difference.”

KVP’s thoughts on venture capital were equally enlightening, highlighting its role in shaping the future. “Venture is the most important asset class in the world,” he states. “It shapes what products we will see and services offered, but most importantly, it will shape who is running them and how they impact the world.”

What resonates most with me is his take on the need for a paradigm shift in our collective mindset, which is driven by the focus on ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance). “As a species, we need to start thinking and looking collectively and treating the Earth as one,” he reflects. This perspective is a clarion call for unity and collective action in facing the challenges of our time.

That is why KVP’s helping to build D•Central to offer an alternative to today’s systems, institutions, and societal problems. The company is building at the intersection of crypto, blockchain technology, and technology in general – and a place where anyone can fit in and be productive. The mission is to offer local talent access to global opportunities – a decentralized mindshift to provide the ability for anyone anywhere to participate in the future.

Kay Van-Petersen’s insights offer a compelling vision of the future, one where technology, sustainability, and a collective spirit converge to redefine the contours of our world. His words serve as a potent reminder that the future is not just something that happens to us but something we can actively shape with our actions and choices today.

FINANCE, BANKING & PAYMENTS

REDEFINING SUCCESS IN A CHANGING WORLD HASNAE TALEB

It’s a rare privilege to connect – and connect so deeply - with someone like Hasnae Taleb, a remarkable embodiment of success and inspiration. As I sit down with her, I find myself in awe of her journey, achievements, and vision for the future.

“At a young age, we all experience an uncertainty of not knowing exactly what to do,” she begins our conversation. “I had a deep desire to accomplish something remarkable, but just didn’t know exactly what, and achieving independence was crucial. However, the path to that goal wasn’t clear. So, I decided to throw myself into opportunities,

knowing that was the only way to truly discover my calling and define my path.” This sentiment truly resonated with me. The drive for independence and success, even when the path is unclear, is a powerful motivator.

Hasnae certainly has a lot to be proud of today. A NASDAQ history maker, Hasnae thrives on bringing innovative ideas to life, empowering corporations, and developing strategic investments. Beyond traditional finance, she is a co-founder of a cutting-

edge stock market scanner, EarningsWinner.io. This powerful tool excels at identifying earning champions, providing insightful technical analysis, and enabling automated research. Throughout her career, she has masterfully created, balanced, and rebalanced numerous Smartfolios for both short and long-term investment horizons.

At 17, she was “in the middle of nowhere in America, talking about the moon, rockets, and black holes.” After completing space camp, she

“Only you know how capable you are when you really put yourself in the ocean and learn how to sail.”

was granted a university scholarship – once more against her parents’ fears. “Sometimes, our biggest enemies are those people closest to us who are trying to overprotect you, block you, and keep you in a safe space they think is right for you,” she says. “I had to convince my parents to let me go, to potentially fail, but to figure out my own life. That is a hard path; a lot of things change within you.”

During her undergraduate studies, she attended a macroeconomics class. She was fascinated by the concept of stock markets and trading stocks as a source of passive income for financial independence. Her commitment was incredible: she researched and studied the mechanics of trading for more than a year before buying her first share.

While some traders buy Lamborghinis, others lose it all through greed. Where does success stop and greed begin? She shares: “In trading and life, setting stop losses is crucial. It’s about knowing your exit point, like deciding to sell a stock at a specific price. For instance, if you buy a stock at $10.01 and set your stop loss at $10.05, you must exit when it reaches that point. People often lose money by getting greedy, holding onto a stock at $11, hoping it’ll hit $13. The key is to be content with your earnings and know when to walk away.”

I ask how she applies this approach to her personal life. She emphasizes the need for balance between business discipline and family complexities. For her, a balance between these two aspects of life is essential.

Success and greed are a fine line to tread in business, particularly in her line of work. I posit that her success grew from her desire to push herself out of her comfort zone. “That’s where success comes from; you have to throw yourself out there,” Hasnae affirms. “That is the risk you need to take because only you know how capable you are when you really put yourself in the ocean and learn how to sail.”

Her success is remarkable – and she’s humble: “In 2014, the NASDAQ Composites awarded me for achieving the highest points, and then I got another award for becoming the youngest millionaire at 23 on the trading floor.”

From $1,000 in her account to $1,000,000 by age 23. From my personal experience, I believe that most people are failure-deprived. Young people, especially, aren’t trained or educated in coping with failure, and when they do experience it, they crumble. Her response is brilliant: “I fail every day. Success comes only from failure. However, I don’t call them failures; I call them learning experiences. Failure is part of what we do, but most people don’t understand failure.” Like mine, Her outlook redefines failure not as a setback but as a stepping stone to greater achievements. It’s a lesson in resilience and perseverance.

As we delve into who Hasnae is, it becomes evident that her journey is not just about personal and financial success but also about empowerment and change. “I am driven by people. I love people. I love to work with people,” Hasnae shares. “Success for me is when I make a positive impact on someone, and they, in turn, pass on what they’ve learned to others, creating a ripple effect with me as the initial catalyst.”

Hasnae co-founded Northladder, which enables electronic device trade-ins for cash, promoting sustainability and a circular economy. By turning unused devices into valuable resources for others, such as aiding a child’s education in Africa, Northladder focuses on the human impact of each transaction, not just the financial gain. Northladder is about creating meaningful connections and positive change through sustainable practices.

Discussing the future, Hasnae shares her vision for 2030: “Inspiring women and changing perceptions of money.” Her goal is to empower women to embrace their true selves and demonstrate that they can be self-sufficient and unique without relying on others. She emphasizes the need to shift how especially middle-class and poor people perceive money. She believes that money, often equated with success, should not be seen in this light. Instead, she argues that money can be accessible to anyone, provided they discover their unique formula for earning it. She believes that focus and discipline are critical to financial success. In her view, money is a result of expertise and success in one’s field, not a precursor to it.

“In trading and life, setting stop losses is crucial. It’s about knowing your exit point.”

Looking ahead to her 100th birthday: what will she be celebrating? “I believe our purpose in life extends beyond mere existence; it’s about creating change, helping others, and leaving a meaningful legacy. My goal is to leave this world knowing I’ve made a lasting impact and inspired people to continue a tradition of kindness and positive change.”

She offers a profound message-in-a-bottle: “Don’t doubt your abilities or set limits on yourself. With discipline, dedication, and education, anything is possible. If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”

Hasnae’s story, a blend of self-belief and determination, is a guiding message for the future, marked by a commitment to make a difference. A remarkable person!

FINANCE, BANKING AND PAYMENTS

EMPOWERING VOICES: THE FUTURE OF FINANCE MIRNA SLEIMAN

“Every person has the right to be part of the financial system, has the right to be bankable, and the right to access financial services.”

Mirna Sleiman is evidence of the transformative power of resilience, vision, and sheer force of will. Born in the chaos of the Lebanese civil war, Mirna’s journey is a testimony to the age-old adage, ‘adversity breeds character.’ From the start of this conversation, I feel a deep connection to Mirna and her vision of the world of tomorrow.

She begins with a profound insight: “Our life is a series of stories, and people with no stories have no meaningful life. Those who’ve been through a tough life develop something that changes the world.”

Mirna’s story is one of transformation from experiencing the harshest realities of war to becoming a pioneer in fintech. She was twice dispossessed by the wars in Lebanon, experiences that shaped her perception of the world and her vision for the future of finance.

She tells us: “We appreciate the tiny things about life - unlike, unfortunately, many of our kids now, they take a lot of things for granted.” These experiences imparted a powerful lesson. She reflects: “You can lose a job, lose money, and assets, but you can’t lose your honesty, trust, integrity, belief in yourself. All the human sides of things. So long as we stay true to our values and principles and grounded to our human connection, that’s what matters at the end.”

Mirna is the visionary Founder and CEO of Fintech Galaxy, a pioneering open finance and innovation platform in the MENA region. With over 15 years of rich experience, her expertise spans innovation programs, government affairs, investor relations, journalism, strategic digital communications, and global partnerships. She plays a crucial advisory role to governments and financial institutions on their digital transformation journeys.

Fintech Galaxy stands at the forefront of democratizing financial services. It offers a robust and secure API infrastructure that fosters connectivity among industry stakeholders and empowers end-users with unprecedented control over their financial data. Through its flagship product, FINX, Fintech Galaxy introduces a dual approach: Comply, a Compliance-as-a-Service, and Connect, an Open Finance API aggregation platform. Connect seamlessly integrates various bank APIs into a single gateway, facilitating secure and consent-driven access to enrich customer account information and enabling efficient payment initiation, thereby streamlining costs and enhancing payment security.

“Moving the needle on financial inclusion is not just a mission; it’s a lived experience,” she remarks of her mission. She insists: “Every person has the right to be part of the financial system, has the right to be bankable, and the right to access financial services.”

She critiques traditional banking and calls for urgent digital transformation, emphasizing the necessity of adaptability in today’s financial landscape. “So, when you meet as two brains and somebody teaches you how to think like a banker, and you teach the bankers how to think like innovators, that’s where innovation comes. We’ve done so many innovative ideas where we managed to bring something new to an application that enables bankable adults to get access to bank accounts.” Mirna stresses the need for regulatory evolution and the creation of collaborative ecosystems that bridge the gap between banks, fintechs, and regulators.

Her vision of banking is simple yet radical, urging banks to move towards a model that caters to the customer’s behavior and preferences. “When we

talk about the future of banking, we’re breaking it down to its simplest components: stored value, transactions, and lending and credit. That’s it. You put a box around it, put it in the cloud, and you’ve got yourself a bank,” Mirna states, echoing the sentiments of many forward-thinking financial experts. This perspective is shaking up the industry, nudging it towards a future where the customer’s needs and experiences are at the forefront.

The future of banking isn’t just about evolving business models and embracing technology but also about rethinking who is best equipped to lead these transformations. According to Mirna: “You need data scientists, anthropologists, people looking at both the behavioral side and the technological side and the human side to provide that service and utility for the future.”

The transition to a future where bankers might be the minority in a bank’s workforce speaks to the broader digital transformation happening across industries. It’s a future where success will be defined not just by who can manage risk and complexity but also by who can understand and cater to customers’ nuanced behaviors and expectations.

Today, the new buzzword isn’t merely ‘innovation’ but ‘transformation,’ a supercharged form of innovation that’s become the focus of forwardthinking businesses. Transformation, in its essence, pushes the boundaries of an organization’s core business, encourages the exploration of new ideas, and stimulates completely novel thinking. This concept of transformation provides a helpful framework to approach innovation and change without jeopardizing the existing infrastructure. It creates a safety net for experimentation, offering an opportunity to test new initiatives on a smaller scale before full implementation.

This journey towards a trust-centered future isn’t one business can walk alone. Mirna sheds light on regulators’ crucial role in this scenario, emphasizing that building trust with regulators is fundamental to the future of financial services: “Regulators act very much like humans. Some are open and eager to learn, develop, and innovate. Others take their time and approach innovation systematically because they have other significant challenges to handle. Then some believe they are sufficient on their own.”

Navigating these varied personalities can be challenging. She empathizes with regulators, acknowledging that their primary function has traditionally been to design fiscal and monetary policies, and the advent

of new digital currencies and technologies is new terrain for them.

She looks on to the future, and muses: “Banking will change. Fewer branches, more digital, more innovation. But nobody will come and do the banking job. Banks are needed and will always be with us, and they are a major component of the ecosystem.” In this insightful remark, Mirna paves the way for a future where banks and fintechs exist symbiotically within a hybrid ecosystem. A world where banks continue to be vital players, with fintechs complementing them by offering a distinct customer experience. It’s not about replacing banks but improving services, increasing efficiency, and providing better customer experience through innovative approaches.

“The future is not technology; the future is humanity. Humanity is how we deal with each other and treat people fairly, including diversity and integrity. This is what matters, and this is what we should respect.”

Her voice carries a message of hope and optimism, not just for the future of financial technology but also for a future rooted in human values and connections. A future that is, indeed, in our hands today.

& PAYMENTS

SHAPING AN EMPATHETIC FUTURE FINANCE, BANKING

PANAGIOTIS KRIARIS

Panagiotis Kriaris is a visionary in the realms of finance and fintech, playing a crucial role in shaping the world’s future. He serves as the Commercial Director and Head of Business Development at Unzer and is an influential thought leader, mentor, and renowned industry disruptor. He is a thoughtful leader who believes in converging technology and finance to deliver unique value propositions.

His journey to the helm of Unzer is not merely a career trajectory but an ongoing exploration, an education in the changing financial landscape where technology has emerged as a key protagonist. Through his unique insights and deep understanding of the economic environment, his voice is truly an inspirational guide for the future.

Unzer plays a crucial role in a company dedicated to finding the perfect point-of-sale (POS) system tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses. The organization takes pride in its diverse workforce, comprised of employees from 60 different nations, all united by a common objective: providing integrated payment solutions to companies of all sizes and actively contributing to the digital transformation of society.

Hailing from Greece and now residing in Vienna, Austria, he navigates the vast world of financial services. Panagiotis has been fortunate to witness both sides of the fence – traditional banking and fintech. With this unique perspective, he understands how the landscape is shifting, how the industry has evolved, and where it is poised to go. “Nowadays, you cannot do business if you’re not into transformation,” he states.

Reflecting on his academic journey in economics and business administration, complemented by an MBA, Panagiotis admits: “Twenty years ago, I couldn’t have pinpointed exactly what I’d be doing, but finance and economics were always the central themes.” This confession mirrors a common narrative among many young individuals, who often find their true calling in fields they had not initially considered. His early career, although fueled by a passion for economics and finance, didn’t dictate a straight path to the world of fintech. Instead, it was a passion-driven journey that led him to the niche intersection of finance and technology.

Panagiotis passionately believes in the power of technology to revolutionize traditional systems. He eloquently explains: “I call it a hybrid ecosystem: in the future, we’ll have banks and fintechs, but also unicorns, big ‘super apps’ and corporations, plus small companies.”

His transition from traditional banking to fintech was a natural evolution, influenced by a desire to understand and capitalize on the transforming landscape of financial services. A keen observer, Panagiotis noticed the gradual impact of technology on the financial services industry and chose to be a part of this metamorphosis rather than

“Trust is redefining business relationships in a much more powerful way, especially in financing, in fintech than it used to a decade ago.”

THE BEST WAY TO BUILD TRUST IS TO BE VERY OPEN IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU EXPECT.

a bystander. He acknowledged the reshaping of the financial services value chain and endeavored to understand the implications on customer needs, the potential for partnerships, and the overall impact on the industry. “My entire career has been dedicated to financial services, with a keen focus on the product and technical sides,” Panagiotis shares.

Our conversation seamlessly transitions into the burgeoning domain of digital environments and blockchain. Panagiotis was cautious yet optimistic, stating, “Technology can quickly adapt us to new environments, but the transition for consumers and businesses is more complex and layered.” His insights into the crypto world were particularly striking. “We’ve seen what’s being termed a ‘crypto winter,’ but such corrections may well be healthy for long-term growth and stability in the sector,” he observes thoughtfully.

He highlights a crucial element for success in the financial industry and its future: trust. His perspective offers a refreshing viewpoint in an era defined by technological advancements. While the buzzwords might revolve around AI and other tech advancements, he brings the focus back to trust, ethics, and values: “Trust is redefining business relationships in a much more powerful way, especially in financing, in fintech than it used to a decade ago.”

The trust deficit paves the way for fintech and blockchain’s transparent environments. Panagiotis agrees: “This is definitely one of the big catalysts to change.” He highlights that fintech companies often struggle to gain consumer trust due to their small size and relative obscurity, leading them to partner with established institutions. Here, mutual benefit drives progress, creating a powerful bond between tradition and innovation. Panagiotis also identifies trust as a vital component in the growing world of super apps — digital

platforms offering a wide range of services. “Why will I use a ‘super app’ for many aspects of my life? The answer is simple. Because I trust it.” This results in the rise of the ecosystem – or platform economy - as one of the significant trends shaping our future. This approach allows cross-selling and upselling of products to a broad audience.

He also mentions crypto as one of the major trends despite its recent significant correction and trust issues. According to Panagiotis, this “crypto winter” could be beneficial in the long term, helping address weaknesses like volatility and compliance issues. He sees potential not just in crypto but in blockchain and AI as well. “In many cases, you can combine things, so I think this will define the next step of the evolution,” he asserts.

On meta trends for the future, Panagiotis shares: “Embedded finance is a game changer - it seamlessly integrates financial services within non-financial environments. Imagine this: you use an app to order a taxi. When you make that order, a payment is processed in the background. You arrive, step out of the taxi, and there’s no need to reach for your wallet; everything is already settled. This seamless integration simplifies transactions and fundamentally transforms how businesses operate, suggesting a short lifespan for less integrated systems. It’s a powerful example of how embedded finance revolutionizes everyday interactions.”

The shifting landscape of fintech, according to Panagiotis, has brought customer relationships to the fore. The previously dominant role of infrastructure has diminished, replaced by a stronger emphasis on the relationship with the customer. This transition has forced traditional banks and finance companies to evolve or risk becoming irrelevant.

Perhaps the most poignant part of our discussion comes when I ask Panagiotis to project into the future. “You cannot predict the future accurately,” he responds. “But the ability to adapt, as Darwin suggested, is critical. It’s not the strongest but the most adaptable who survive and thrive.” He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and trust, which are vital as we increasingly coexist with AI and other technological advancements.

My thesis is that in an era increasingly dominated by technology, this is a paradoxical call to our essential humanity. As technology and artificial intelligence become more prevalent, so must our focus on empathy, compassion, judgment, connection, and the human experience.

Panagiotis’ vision for the future emphasizes: “The best way to build trust is to be very open in terms of what you expect.” This openness and empathy are where the future will find its strength. Here, we see a synthesis of Panagiotis’ thought that recognizes the growing dominance of technology while emphasizing the enduring, irreplaceable power of the human touch.

In a message to the future, if he were to place one in a bottle for generations to find in ten years, Panagiotis’s words would stress readiness for change and the cultivation of adaptability and empathy - qualities that distinguish humans from AI. “These are investments worth making, especially for the young,” he advises.

As the conversation draws to a close, I’m left with a reinforced belief in the transformative power of technology balanced with human insight. Panagiotis illuminates the present complexities of fintech and charts a visionary course for its future - a narrative imbued with caution and optimism.

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT NEZHA

Sitting across from Nezha Alaoui, her energy is intense - a force of nature dedicated to shaping the future through empowering women and advocating for social change.

She is the Founder and CEO of The Mayshad Group, a business development firm that serves the interests of clients who want to reach new markets and align their vision to ESG values and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, she is recognized as an author, speaker, and influential figure in driving social impact. Women CHOICE is a global organization that leads initiatives and strategies to advance women’s empowerment, gender equity, and social sustainability in the workplace. Here, Nezha pioneers initiatives and campaigns focused on diversity and inclusion, connecting with a global community of women via an online magazine and social media platforms with a community of 2.8 million.

She also created the Mayshad Foundation to support and uplift marginalized communities, especially in Africa, through micro-entrepreneurship programs.

“For over 15 years, I’ve poured my heart into empowering women,” Nezha begins our intimate conversation. “It was a calling that resonated with my core long before movements like MeToo and Black Lives Matter brought these conversations to the forefront.” Her passion, conviction, and determination can – and most certainly will – shape the society of the future.

“Feminine leadership is a leadership that our mothers and grandmothers have: they give back, help others, and lead and grow communities.”

She was born and raised in Rabat, Morocco, where she still lives. Nezha studied at a hotel management school and then earned a Bachelor’s Degree in business. She started her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 24, launching 12 stores across Morocco that distributed luxury American lifestyle brands. Later, she created Mead Hospitality, which leads the industry in Morocco and hopes to expand internationally.

The World Bank’s ‘Women, Business and the Law 2022’ report highlights that nearly 2.4 billion working-age women lack equal economic opportunities, with 178 countries having legal barriers against their full economic participation. Additionally, women are restricted from certain jobs in 86 countries, and 95 countries do not ensure equal pay for equal work. It’s not a world Nezha wants for her children and future grandchildren. Her mission is simple: “I’m working on my dream project: to generate 1 million jobs for women in the Arab world.”

Our dialogue ventures into the realms of social media and advocacy. “For me, social media isn’t about entertainment; it’s a platform for advocacy,” Nezha explains. She shares her strategy for impactful online presence, which resonates with me: “Authenticity and storytelling are key. It’s about blending visuals and narratives in a way that speaks to people, making Instagram a powerful tool for change.”

“I’m working on my dream project: to generate 1 million jobs for women in the Arab world.”

Nezha stands out as a beacon for young girls and women globally, admired for her role in mentoring future leaders. Her work, focused on fostering forward-thinking leaders and amplifying their voices, is truly commendable. She responds: “I love helping people project into their own future. It’s about showing them a future free of limitations. To be a leader and develop a strong culture of leadership in a company and community, a person mustn’t be shy about creating a voice and brand for themselves. They must not be afraid to use their voice and be a leader.”

I ask Nezha what advice she would give to her 15-year-old self today. She is vulnerable, honest, and authentic: “Having money doesn’t necessarily mean happiness; having purpose does. You need to build a strong inner self. If I’m going to do something, it is with purpose; then I’m going to do it well.”

She recounts her early – and highly successful career - as an entrepreneur. Her success came at a cost that she was only to learn three years after launching the Mayshad Group. “While driving in my SUV in Morocco, I looked at myself in the mirror, looked at the watch I was wearing, my handbag, and I was going from one store to another… And I questioned myself. ‘What is it that I’m doing that people should be proud of?’ Yes, I comply with society’s demands, but what about my dreams? They used to be about changing the world, working for the United Nations, and

doing humanitarian work. I was futuristic enough at 27 to make a change that women make at 50.” That change took her to some of the world’s most underdeveloped regions, where she formed an exceptional understanding of marginalized communities, especially youth and women in Third World countries.

Nezha dabbled in photography as a student but never had the opportunity to immerse herself fully in the art form. She turned to her camera to unlock the door to her dreams. With the camera, she could reframe the world through a lens of positivity and social impact. The United Nations commissioned Nezha to work with the World Food Programme to report on humanitarian missions in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Haiti.

Through Women CHOICE events, women leaders, policymakers, thought leaders, and impactful women in her extended network build more awareness with a clear strategy and call to action. “We are creating a way to ensure that the future is well-driven with purpose for women, giving women extra training and support they need to reach that equality we’re striving for. It’s about creating women’s financial empowerment so that the relationship between men and women becomes more peaceful.”

Nezha and I operate a future-focused company, Future CHOICE, which is a fusion of Women CHOICE and my future-oriented work. “In this evolving landscape, women play a crucial role, emerging as vital contributors within corporations and society,” she affirms. “Our mission is to ensure

that our collective future is purpose-driven, with women at the forefront. This involves offering women the additional encouragement, training, and support they need to achieve the equality they seek.”

She has advice for the youth – especially females –for shaping future-that-is-female. She says: “Take the time to know who you want to be to build a life that fits your personality with your potential and goals as a woman. Don’t shy away from finding

your own feminine leadership. This leadership doesn’t mean that we must compete with men, look like them, or replace men. Feminine leadership is a leadership that our mothers and grandmothers have: they give back, help others, and lead and grow communities. Take this and translate it into what you can in a work-related environment with men, keep thriving, and continue on your path of leadership.”

She doesn’t believe women should step on the opposite sex to get ahead. “We want to be strong together to create an environment that is more nourishing for the younger generation. We want to create more purpose in the youth – and equality for men and women – for the future.”

As our conversation draws to a close, it is evident that her story is not just her own but a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and empathy in creating a better future. Her journey is a blueprint for future generations, a message that resonates deeply with my heart. Through her words and actions, Nezha embodies the belief that we all have a role to play in shaping a world that values equity, sustainability, and empowerment.

mayshad-group mayshadwoman womenchoice_bymayshad mayshadgroup.com

THE GURU INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT SIDDHARTH RAJSEKAR

“When your thoughts, words, and actions align, you’ll become a magnet for miracles. Live each day as a miracle, just aligned and true to yourself.”

Education transcends the ages. Siddharth Rajeskar is a champion of education with a unique mission. As a learner – and leader –from the future, he wants to rewrite the textbooks on education.

Why is Siddharth so passionate about his vision for the future of education and the world? He’s building that very system of the future for society today. He founded one of the world’s largest communities for coaches, trainers, teachers, and experts with 20,000-plus members, called the Internet Lifestyle Hub. He’s developed the Freedom Business Model that teaches individuals how to take their expertise online and build a super-profitable digital coaching business.

I work on abundance. The world is better than you think, and people are happier. Of course, taken from the perspective of an eagle, you’d see we have glitches here and there, but overall, we’re living in good times. Siddharth agrees; His philosophy is simple yet sophisticated: “When your thoughts, words, and actions align, you’ll become a magnet for miracles. To have more than you’ve got, you’ve got to become more than you are – keep working on yourself.”

His perspective is also one of unwavering optimism and belief in the world’s potential. “When you rewind time and look at life a thousand years ago, the lifestyle, the dangers people faced in those civilizations, is nothing compared to what we are living in today,” he shares. “In 2030, we’re going to be living in a golden era of the world.”

For me, education is the key to empowering people to embrace – and thrive – in the world of tomorrow. He concurs: “Today, I’m running one of the largest communities in the world for experts, coaches, and trainers. The different flavours I bring are helping people build communities – not just the information givers – but the nurturers of tribes and creating digital tribes (and taking it into offline conversations).”

His community boasts 20,000 members, many without prior training, who have successfully transformed their expertise into products and memberships. This platform enables them to establish and grow their own digital academies, nurturing their businesses in a thriving educational environment. He adds: “It’s not a oneto-one model, but a one-to-many framework where the focus is on helping people help each other rather than being the person giving the knowledge. It’s not about knowledge anymore: it’s about creating conversations between people and a structure or environment that can create a transformation.”

I’m passionately MAD – Making A Difference, which is one of my companies. It is my vision – and purpose – to make a difference, no matter how small. I ask him what his purpose is and how he’s influencing a difference in the world. He elucidates: “I want to redefine the education system by creating a new breed of teachers, mentors, and implementors. I’m a college dropout. But I’ve been able to build something because I associated myself with mentors who are implementors who have a purpose. I want to create an army of purposeful mentors who are implementors, and that means that every problem in the world can be solved.”

Why do dropouts do so well? Reflecting on his journey, he says he’s always been the rebel, unwilling to fit into a box. From childhood, he pursued a different path from the crowd. “This approach taught me that loving what you do naturally aligns everything else – it’s about connecting your diverse experiences,” he shares, “and it feels like I was destined for this. Passion evolves; it varies at different life stages. The key is to find a common thread in these passions, like creativity or expression, and chase it.” His framework for decision-making is simple: “Do I love what I do? Is there a demand for it? Can it be monetized? Does the world need it? This helps differentiate a mere hobby from a potentially profitable venture. To turn passion into a successful business, all these elements must align.”

As the world rapidly develops, people are often left behind and miss the economic and social opportunities that come from change. Looking to the future with this mindset, this incredible visionary has outlined six stages of how the world will achieve that golden era through education and entrepreneurism by 2030. He shares that vision: “What I’m looking forward to in 2030 is a world where everybody is learning and growing, and they’re improving every aspect of their lives: health, wealth, relationships, and money. Because those are the big problems that people have. In the era I’m propagating, everyone moves towards building communities.”

According to Siddharth, the world’s experiencing the first stage of this transformation: the rise of influencers. “There’s a very fine line between educators, entertainers, and people growing their brands; this is the phase of the rise of personal brands,” he explains.

During the second stage, he believes that personal brands will realize “they can’t depend on those social media platforms as a single source for community” – one of them may inexplicably shut down tomorrow. What then? He states that this realization will lead personal brands to develop their own ecosystems, just as the personal-branded ecosystems created on his platform, Internet Lifestyle Hub.

In stage three, the world will see more and more of these ‘islands of knowledge,’ communities, and ecosystems rising in popularity and forming incredible collaborations. Siddharth predicts that this “cross-pollination between ecosystems will occur at large scale (between 2 to 5 years from now) and lead to exponential value exchange.”

Siddharth sees the fourth stage when “an alternate education system takes form, where parents are reconsidering putting their children in schools, and instead plug them into one of these ecosystems.”

Stage five occurs when mass adoption of these ecosystems takes place, usurping the traditional education system into the new format and is the ‘only logical outcome.’

The final stage, the golden era, is where “people are living more aligned lives as lifelong learners, learning new skills from other people, mentors, implementors, and philosophers. It creates an environment of transformation through games, interaction, and interactive elements within communities.”

My thesis is that when things are digitized, things happen 10x faster and cheaper. But anything and everything that can’t be digitized:

harmony, compassion, connection, nutrition, creativity, common sense, judgment, spirituality, and empathy will become a million times more valuable. According to him, the cohesion of our communities hinges on empathy, love, trust, and creativity. Our value lies in our imperfections and learning from mistakes, especially when building communities. Being vulnerable and guiding others towards improvement, coupled with the bonding power of love, is what truly enriches our tribes and communities. In an age where AI and digital perfection prevail, these human elements are what make us invaluable.

For Siddharth and his future-forward outlook, he believes that ‘constantly learning, unlearning, and relearning are the keys to thriving in the future. “The most successful people of this century are not the ones who can memorize so many things – it’s about knowing how to navigate through all the information to get what you want. It’s about having an emotional quotient and understanding people and what exactly they’re going through.”

With a worldwide audience, incredible lessons learned, and a unique insight into the future, Siddharth has a loving and memorable message in a bottle for the world today: “When your thoughts, words, and actions align, you’ll become a magnet for miracles. Live each day as a miracle, just aligned and true to yourself.”

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

NARRATIVES AT THE NEXUS DR. ROD BERGER

“The future of storytelling lies in its ability to transcend the noise, to connect us to the core of our humanity, and to illuminate the path forward.”

Dr. Rod Berger is the consummate storyteller. As a narrative mad scientist myself, I am but an amateur in the presence of Dr. Berger’s awe-inspiring talent. His views illuminate the corridors of tomorrow through the prism of today’s stories with foresight and wisdom.

“My passion for storytelling began many years ago,” Dr. Berger reveals, tracing the roots of his fascination to the intricate stories woven by his father’s experiences in World War II Germany. “Storytelling provides a personal connection to story, mythology, not knowing what’s around the corner. That’s my approach to everything in life, being incredibly curious, and honored the stories that reveal themselves as I turn that corner.” His early exposure to the power of narrative shaped his understanding of storytelling not just as an art form but as a vital conduit for truth and perspective.

This deeply resonates with me. He’s a distinguished journalist and storyteller, adept at uncovering the unique essence of individuals and stories worldwide. His career spans over 16 years, featuring guest lectures at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management, appearances on the TEDx stage, and explorations in remote global regions.

His contributions extend to Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and international coverage of significant events, including discussions on the global refugee crisis with the Pope and United Nations officials in Rome. Dr. Berger’s adventures have taken him from the Nile River for rafting expeditions to the heart of Stockholm and behind the scenes of Formula 1 races, demonstrating his relentless pursuit of stories that resonate.

Dr. Berger has cultivated a network of global partnerships, aligning with prestigious groups and organizations. His roles have varied from being a brand ambassador for Soundtrap, a Spotify entity, to current positions such as Strategic Advisor for the Refugee & Migrant Education Network and Advisory Board Member for both JRG Ventures, an international M&A company, and the nonprofit Stand Up & Learn.

What shaped his story for him to become who he is today? Dr. Berger divulges: “The greatest influence

on my perspective of life is that I did have a much older father, and because of that, my need for connection was based on traversing a very long timeline. I enjoyed connecting with adults, always hoping that there was a story they’d share with me. It felt like the light was being shared. That storyteller and journalist was formed early on in my life and gave great meaning to me.”

During college, he focused on broadcasting and journalism, following his passion for public speaking and working with young people. The power of the microphone wasn’t enough: Dr. Berger longed to learn more about human connection – the essence of storytelling – which led him to his doctorate in clinical psychology. “I wanted to understand the human dynamic because I thought I’d then have a much better shot of asking the questions that mattered most and connected deepest,” he says.

Our discourse ventures into the realms of trust, truth, and ethics, which I passionately believe will shape the future – not technology. Dr. Berger emphasizes the dual nature of trust as both a foundation and a revelation: “Personal responsibility is uppermost because trust goes both ways. Sunlight is a great antiseptic; it can disinfect the world around us, but one of the challenges is that it is also revealing. That sunlight will expose how we struggle to understand the reciprocity of communication and relationships. People think

very myopic and insularly, losing an opportunity to understand how others think or understand things. That’s discourse.”

According to Dr. Berger, the most significant relationships we have are born from an initial conflict or initial difference of opinion, which, when we work through, builds an appreciation for the other person because they joined in a journey of discovery. “That’s where trust is built,” he believes. “Trust is one of the fundamental elements to our species in how we engage with each other in an increasingly smaller and smaller world,” he adds.

The discussion naturally shifts to technology’s role in storytelling, emphasizing that technology itself lacks intelligence, bias, and ethics - these are human qualities. I argue that our ethical considerations should guide the development and application of technology, ensuring it serves humanity ethically. Dr. Berger affirms: “We craft the code and design technology to evaluate environments, assigning values such as good, bad, or neutral. Stories and conversations can break through echo chambers, driving societal progress.”

He emphasizes: “Story has always been, and will always be, a currency of human connection. We’re all humans. I may not have money in my pocket, but I have a story that can either inform you, provide a connection, or help you through something. Stories are currency.”

Dr. Berger highlights a transformative shift in the business world, describing it as “taking two points in the universe and folding them together.” This change, driven by remote work and new employee expectations, brings to the forefront a critical insight: “Gen Z look at purpose over profits,” indicating a significant shift towards valuesbased engagement. He emphasizes the need for companies to resonate with employees’ aspirations and integrate storytelling into their mission. He contends that successful companies will adapt their mission to reflect storytelling’s pivotal role,

warning that “businesses will die on the vine if they don’t understand the power of narrative.”

Exploring the role of storytelling in structured environments underscores the importance of sharing narratives to foster growth and continuous intellectual engagement. Dr. Berger shares: “Watching TEDx Talks often leaves me wondering, ‘What’s next?’ This curiosity stems from our privileged access in the West to those we idolize through media, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for storytelling’s evolution.” He envisions a future where storytelling transcends traditional formats, offering multi-dimensional experiences that connect us with diverse voices and perspectives. For him, this approach enriches our learning and challenges us to think beyond the conventional. “The future of storytelling,” he muses, “lies in its ability to transcend the noise, to connect us to the core of our humanity, and to illuminate the path forward.”

Drawing our conversation to a close, Dr. Berger imparted a message of hope and resilience, urging us to wield the power of storytelling as a beacon in the quest for a more empathetic, understanding, and connected world. His words, a clarion call to the storytellers and visionaries of today, resonate as a testament to the transformative power of narrative in shaping the future.

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

DEFYING LIMITS

SUJITH KOSHY VARGHESE

Sujit Koshi has a story of awe-inspiring resilience and unwavering determination. His story is not just about overcoming catastrophic spinal injury but about transcending physical limitations to lead a life filled with purpose, courage, and an undying spirit of hope.

Sujit’s early life, spent largely in the UAE and India, was marked by an adventurous spirit. However, a bike accident in Bangalore in 2013 at the age of 21 dramatically changed his trajectory, leaving him paralyzed below the chest. He recalls: “I spent four days unconscious on a ventilator in the ICU after a 12-hour surgery. The doctors took two weeks before they said I would survive. I spent three months in a rehabilitation center, learning the very basics. I spent three years in and out of hospitals for 16 surgeries, each one like a punch to the face.” This period of intense struggle and pain was the crucible in which Sujit’s indomitable spirit was forged.

His journey to recovery was marked by a relentless pursuit of self-improvement and a refusal to accept the limitations imposed by his condition. Sujit delves into various treatments and therapies, including stem cells, but found no cure. His determination is unyielding, as he says, “I think in the future, everything will be healed and repaired in a fraction of a second.”

His metamorphosis – for it truly is one – has developed Sujit into an altogether different, better person. “Over the last decade, I’ve seen and become a person that I never thought possible, way better than what I could have imagined before my accident,” he shares. “What I realized from this accident in 2013, is that I wish I could have learned this without having had to survive the accident.”

I ask him if he were to live again, if he would want his life to be different. His response is simply incredible: “From my experiences, I saw faith where there was no light; I fought when I thought I’d die; I broke bones in my body while trying to learn to walk again. But, during that process, the understanding I got about life, people, capabilities, and everything else was so much more powerful than just me, an individual. Me, walking, would be my personal happiness, but me without walking and with this knowledge is a far bigger happiness for society.”

“My purpose is to inspire people to break free from the constraints of limited thinking, emphasizing that our greatest limitations are often in our minds.”

In my role as a futurist, I advise companies to embrace transformation, going beyond mere change. This involves progressing through stages, starting with change, followed by selfreinvention, and culminating in metamorphosis, much like a caterpillar evolves into a butterfly. This metamorphosis, which Sujit has achieved, symbolizes growth beyond previous limitations, embodying both personal development and business evolution. I use this analogy to underscore the importance of courage in leadership, emphasizing the need to push boundaries and pursue meaningful goals.

For Sujit, that power comes from within, a sense of self-worth and confidence. In his own presentations and interactions, despite encouraging them to dream big and believe in their own greatness, he’s noticed that some cannot embrace this mindset. “They struggle to process and accept the idea of their own potential, reverting to their original, self-imposed limitations,” he says. “It hinders their ability to progress to greater achievements.”

Our discussion turns towards the topic of failure. My thesis is that we’re raised in a society focused on achievement and success, leaving us unprepared for failure. Only through setbacks do we build resilience. Sujit believes the key problem is that many people lack a strong foundation of confidence, making it difficult for them to recover from setbacks and rejections. For him, that is because the foundation of their confidence is not strong enough, linking back to their self-imposed

limits. His story highlights his relentless pursuit of his passions against all odds. His journey from being bedridden to becoming an independent individual capable of inspiring others is nothing short of miraculous. This is an example of moving beyond those self-imposed limitations.

His life post-accident is a testament to his strength of character. Sujit works in a bank, is part of an

“They struggle to process and accept the idea of their own potential, reverting to their original, selfimposed limitations.”

“It hinders their ability to progress to greater achievements.”

events company, and is a Guinness World Record holder through his dedication for gyming and fitness, has a passion for DJing, and lives entirely independently. But beyond his achievements, it’s his message of hope and resilience that resonates most deeply. He shares: “I’m fully embracing life and striving to make the most of it. I’m aware that many look up to me as a symbol of independence, especially those in similar situations. I’m committed to reaching out and making a difference in their lives. In my talks at schools and companies, my purpose is to inspire people to break free from the constraints of limited thinking, emphasizing that our greatest limitations are often in our minds.”

Sujit’s story is a powerful narrative of resilience, transformation, and hope. His journey from a devastating accident to a life filled with purpose and impact is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity. His voice, echoing the message that challenges can be catalysts for extraordinary growth and change, is a vital one for the future, inspiring us to see beyond our limitations and to strive for a world where every individual can realize their full potential.

“I firmly believe in the potential of new generations; let’s protect their future.”

THE FUTURE OF MEDIA

NATALIA TSARKOVA, FOUNDER

In a digital age of innovation, my dialogue with Natalia Tsarkova - a trailblazer in media, technology, and storytelling - sheds light on a transformative path. Drawing from her pioneering journey, Natalia’s vision serves as a rallying cry for reimagining media as a catalyst for inspiration, purpose, and deep human connection.

A self-professed media evangelist, her journey began in Latvia when she was 12, then part of the USSR, and was sparked by an MTV music videoMichael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean.’ That night, she fell irrevocably in love with the world of screens, which she decided she belonged in: “Up to that moment, my world was black and white: there were no neon signs, no billboards or ads; seeing that music video was like going from black and white to color,” she recalls. “I remember thinking, this is the world I belong in. As a little girl in Latvia, I told myself I would create the most inspiring media platform that any other girl or boy can turn on and get inspired to transform their life.”

This awakening led her to apply to Harvard (becoming the first student from the former USSR to study at an Ivy League School). After a stint working in TV media and realizing that the old system of TV didn’t align with her vision of the future, she joined a graduate program at the MIT Media Lab, delving into the world of ‘Interactive Television’ or video-on-demand. For her, the future of TV media was undeniably digital. Her motivation? “The screen is this magic box, a genie. It inspires you and teaches you things no one in your immediate surroundings can.”

After earning a master’s in Digital Sciences from MIT Media Lab, Natalia landed prestigious consulting roles with Sony Music, Intel, the Beatles estate, and IMG. Her innovative storytelling and visual browsing approaches presented a new vision for these companies, showcasing how consumer engagement could evolve from linear storytelling to on-demand access to vast digital content libraries.

Having returned to Europe in 2003, she co-founded Transmedia Communications, a pioneer in digital rights and video aggregation. Transmedia provided lucrative content packages to telecoms across Europe and built on this thriving base to create the first 360 global live music TV/ Video On Demand (VOD) channel, iConcerts, which became available in over 100 countries worldwide.

After successfully selling iConcerts to a Canadian media group in 2014, Natalia took a short sabbatical to contemplate her next move – and direct an art documentary, ‘Kings of the World.’ It was an intimate portrait of the Gypsy Kings family and their world. This immersion in a ‘collective consciousness’ of the gypsy culture helped define the vision for her next company.

Tribo, leveraging patented technology, stands out as an ideal platform for digital communities driven by shared purposes or interests. Unlike traditional social platforms, where content is ephemeral and instant, Tribo offers private communities the ability to capture its collective story and shape its legacy. Even before its official launch, it gained traction in Switzerland, attracting corporate clients and becoming the official app of notable events like the Verbier Music Festival and the Zurich Film Festival. Tribo has found its niche in the corporate and online learning sectors, with successful collaborations with Google in Indonesia, various clients in the Middle East and Europe, as well as Natalia’s own Harvard class reunion. Tribo is redefining how purpose-driven communities tell and preserve

their stories – because, according to Natalia, “We are the stories we tell ourselves.”

Natalia’s narrative directly confronts the shadow cast by today’s media landscape - a domain where soulless algorithms and insatiable profit motives often drown out the essence of true storytelling. “There’s something fundamentally wrong when techies rule the media space. Storytelling, emotional connections, intuition, and all these nuanced elements that move us to tears; programmers don’t know how to craft such moments,” she laments. It highlights the disconnect between technology and the essence of storytelling that genuinely resonates with human emotions and creativity. Despite this, she remains hopeful for a future where media and technology can coalesce more harmoniously.

Central to her philosophy is the concept of nurturing the “ecology of the mind” - a term she uses to underscore the importance of internal, mental, and spiritual well-being in contrast to external environmental concerns. She advocates for a holistic approach to media, prioritizing cultivating an educated, culturally enriched, and inspired audience. Natalia proposes, “We need a lot more emotion and culture-driven focus within the tech space,” advocating for a reintegration of human creativity and emotional depth into the tech-centric media ecosystem.

Natalia believes real change might come from the private sector rather than government efforts, particularly highlighting the potential of familyrun businesses and those beyond the tech elite. She argues for a cultural shift: “We’ve got to make Kim Kardashian uncool. How do we make Kim Kardashian uncool? Through establishing certain cultural values.” She advocates for a societal realignment towards authentic cultural sustainability, encapsulating her broader vision for media and technology to foster genuine human connections and cultural growth rather than mere entertainment or financial gain.

She is optimistic about Gen Z and Gen Alpha, challenging the negative perceptions surrounding these groups. She commends their inherent creativity and sense of purpose, emphasizing, “They are amazing; they’re natural storytellers; they’re natural creators.” Natalia urges older generations to appreciate and support the unique talents of the youth.

In our engaging conversation, Natalia and I explore overcoming the generational divides evident in business and media. I introduce the “60-40-20 rule,”

addressing the disconnect among generations in roles of leadership, execution, and consumption. Highlighting initiatives like shadow youth boards, we look at ways to close this gap.

In response to concerns about societal polarization and dwindling media trust, Natalia champions a focus on skills, arts, culture, and knowledge as societal pillars. She urges moving away from divisive politics and religion towards a utopian vision that prioritizes inspiring and educating humanity. “I firmly believe in the potential of new generations; let’s protect their future,” Natalia expresses her optimism for future generations as catalysts for positive change.

Natalia’s narrative offers hope and a call to action for the media’s future. Beyond chronicling a trailblazer’s journey, her story is a clarion call for media to inspire, connect, and serve a purpose greater than mere information or entertainment. Her insights challenge us to envision a media landscape that nurtures the human spirit, inviting us to explore media’s vast potential to enrich our collective future.

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

DREAMING BEYOND BORDERS

BEATA MONKA

“Let’s be human beings and good people for everybody, animals, planet, and others.”

Beata Monka is a visionary whose life’s work has been a beacon of creativity, connectivity, and transformative leadership. Our conversation, set against the backdrop of a series celebrating the most influential minds of our time, unfolds as a symphony of ideas, ideals, and insights into a future crafted by trust and human ingenuity.

As a seasoned professional connecting people and businesses, Beata excels in addressing and overcoming complex market challenges with a track record of success across Polish and international settings. Her expertise spans effective management, business transformation, digitalization, mergers and acquisitions, focusing on sectors including TMTE (Telco/Media/Technology/ Entertainment), FMCG, industry and technology, services, and automotive. Holding senior roles in prominent companies like Omnicom Group, Axel Springer Polska, and WPP Holding, she’s led diverse teams and managed large-scale projects in multicultural environments.

She initiated and organized ‘Leader’s Pit-Stop,’ connecting up to 400 C-level executives, and co-founded ‘BrandMeCEO’ with Forbes alongside the ‘Family Business Congress.’ Beata’s founded business networks like Marketing4Business and LiderSHE and is active in multiple business organizations. As a thought leader, she contributes as a lecturer at Kozminski University, holds a certification from the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC), and engages as a trainer and speaker.

With her radiant energy and unwavering belief in human connection, Beata begins our dialogue by sharing: “I am a happy person; this is how I’d summarize myself.”

Growing up in a post-communist country far removed from Hollywood’s glamor, Beata found her calling as a dreamer amidst modest beginnings. “I was always the dreamer,” she reflects, driven by a deep-rooted passion for embracing life’s challenges head-on. Encouraged by her parents to chase her passions with dedication, she valued freedom above all, making independent choices from a young age, like selecting her primary school, in her quest for autonomy and a unique place in society.

Beata emphasizes the critical role of leading by example in pursuing happiness, arguing against the imposition of our definitions of happiness on others. “First and foremost, we must lead by example, as we are living proof of whether

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

THE INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITY

LARA TABET

“Have a passion, dream, vision; do whatever it takes to make it come true. Today is when it all happens – never keep anything on hold.”

In the glittering world of luxury and fashion, Lara Tabet emerges as a pioneering force, seamlessly bridging her Swiss-honed hospitality expertise with the dynamic UAE high-end restaurant industry. Her transformation into a media icon, marked by her roles with ‘Societe’ and ‘City Women,’ has seen her engage with global celebrities at premier events like the Dubai International Film Festival and the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

Reflecting on her media journey, Lara notes: “I conducted over 7,000 interviews with celebrities from Arab cinema to Bollywood and Hollywood,” showcasing her extensive influence in the field.

Beyond media, Lara has made a significant impact as a luxury brand ambassador. “I was approached by amazing luxury brands from Europe seeking a presence and a face in the region,” she states, highlighting her role in elevating European luxury brands in the Middle East.

Lara’s reach extends into the realms of fashion and philanthropy. As the Official Spokesperson for the Arab Fashion Council, she advocates for Arab talent. At the same time, her philanthropic spirit is evident in her collaborations with organizations like UNHCR, Rochet Centre for the Disabled, Emirates Red Crescent in Dubai, and St. Jude’s Cancer Hospital in Lebanon. Lara’s journey is not just a story of personal success; it’s a narrative of meaningful impact and inspiration in luxury, media, and social responsibility.

With an ever-growing digital presence in an era where ‘influencers’ are the new wave, influencers are essential for marketing and reaching new audiences. On the other hand, it’s also somewhat superficial and contrived. As a global influencer, Lara’s stance is firm and distinct. “I prefer to use the phrase ‘influential personality.’ I’d never promote a product I don’t believe in,” she declares.

In her words: “To be an influencer is to be honest and true to yourself, as well as the product and client you’re working with – as well as the audience. Don’t promote a product you don’t believe in just because you’re getting paid; after that transaction, it’s long forgotten, whereas an influencer’s work is continuous and consistent.”

The roots of that are trust, truth, and ethics. And Lara believes the future of influence is not marked by transient engagements but deeply rooted in trust and integrity. The ‘influential personality’ Lara embodies underscores a future where authenticity

and depth triumph over fleeting allure.

Delving into the critical role of authenticity and trust in influencers’ careers highlights the trend of young people aspiring to become influencers, earning $40,000 a month as their online stars do. For me, this raises questions about how these new-age careers allow financial success without traditional experience, challenging conventional understandings of career growth and success. She emphasizes the importance of discovering and pursuing one’s passion in a chosen field and channeling this passion into creating content for social media. This pursuit demands immense dedication and commitment, often equating to a full-time job due to the extensive time required for photo editing and video creation tasks. Lara shares: “Being an influencer is a full-time job – and that comes with responsibilities and duties.” She believes that success as an influencer comes from total immersion in one’s passion: “The ones that eat it, live it, and breathe it are the successful ones.”

Lara is a brand ambassador for several brands. What does that entail? She explains: “I began my journey years ago with the creation of ‘Luxury with Lara,’ a mother company hosting a suite of prestigious

brands. This includes Michael Bruggler Watches from Switzerland, offering bespoke, beautifully crafted watches deliverable worldwide within two weeks. Then Margie’s Monte Carlo, boasting the world’s most luxurious skincare, is nestled opposite Monaco’s Hermitage Hotel. My portfolio also features Valor Absolute, a fragrance line; Esmeralda Luxury Real Estate; Danny by Danielle Kaye Jewelry; Diam’s Jewelry; Ormy Jewelry, and more. ‘Luxury with Lara’ not only encompasses these brands but also led to the inception of ‘Our Fashionpreneur.’ This new platform aids both startups and established businesses in achieving their goals, assisting them in securing desirable locations and fulfilling their set targets.”

In an environment saturated with countless brands, pervasive marketing, and influencers launching their product lines, what qualities are essential for brands to possess to achieve lasting success, endurance, and depth? Her answer is illuminating: “In the future, where trends are fluid and fleeting, individuality and customization will be the anchors of enduring elegance.”

That brings the discussion to a subject close to Lara’s heart: the future of fashion. Fashion, for her, is an entity in “perpetual evolution.” A member of the Arab Fashion Council, she’s heavily involved in the fashion industry and its evolution in the region. “The fashion industry has evolved tremendously in this part of the world,” Lara avows. Dubai is a beacon of luxury, quality, and exclusivity, and she sees it weave through the intricate tapestries of

culture, politics, and society: “I see many fashion brands using different, environmentally friendly fabrics,” she states. “For example, pineapple fabrics imported from the Philippines are sustainable. Fashion designers are using environmentally friendly technologies. In a few years from now, designers will be releasing designs that actually warm you during the winter and cool you down during the summer.”

It is all glitter and glam for Lara, though. She’s highly involved in charities. Organizing events in Dubai and partnering with groups like the UNHCR, she supports refugee camps and aid institutions worldwide, including orphanages across various African and Asian countries. Emphasizing the significance of her efforts, Lara remarks: “It’s imperative to give back, especially since we’re so privileged and lucky to be in Dubai.”

As the conversation draws to a close, I ask Lara what her message in a bottle would be. Her response’s wisdom resonates with me: “Have a passion, dream, vision; do whatever it takes to make it come true. Today is when it all happens – never keep anything on hold.”

The future, for Lara, is not a silent echo of time but a vibrant, living entity meticulously crafted in the relentless pursuit, realization, and celebration of today’s dreams.

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

AUTHENTIC NETWORKING WILL TAKE US BEYOND OUR WORLD

GIL PETERSIL

“As we go forward, live with passion, connect with love, and ask for help from people who are there to help you.”

Gil Petersil is a man who understands science and the essence of human networking as intimately as only a handful of other people in the world do. His mission? It is one grounded in its simplicity: to serve people and add value through authentic human-to-human relationships.

He shares: “I’m really enjoying how life has given me this opportunity to serve people from something so simple by teaching the importance – the authenticity – the honest part of human networking.”

Networking is vital for the future of humanity. “I believe in 50 years we’re not just going to have local, country, and global relationships, but

interplanetary ones too,” he believes. “How are we going to grow a sustainable and connected colony on Mars? Authentic networking is the only way to develop a colony – and establish an interplanetary species.”

Gil is a global leader in networking, business strategy, and mastermind methodology. He’s a visionary, serial entrepreneur, and international speaker passionate about serving others and adding value.

Gil promotes new perspectives on how business connections are made, having developed a unique approach called Authentic Networking from his profound understanding of group mentalities based

on inclusion and culture. He utilised his curiosity around the human connection to evolve and ignite his passion for serving by ‘inspiring others to stand in their light and shine.’

Since the age of 13, Gil’s been an entrepreneur. When he was 10, his family began to move around the world – and he’s been an immigrant ever since. Now, living in Bali and as a successful entrepreneur, Gil can reflect on those lessons learned. “Through those journeys with my family and my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve discovered a lot about myself, such as my challenges and inefficiencies – things that school never taught me,” he shares. “The things that family and society never taught me is the importance of those relationships around me, how to nurture them, build and scale them, and sometimes monetize them if needed. I don’t call myself a networking guru. I see myself as the number one student of human networking in the world, studying the arts – the sciences of it.”

Gil believes networking is vital for building friendships, discovering passions, and fostering community, even extending to interplanetary colonization.

He explains: “What does it mean to build confidence if you’re showing up in a new city, in a new country, you don’t speak the language, you need to get a job to help your family? How can networking help you adjust yourself to adjust your communication skills? If you’re bad at networking, moving countries is a nightmare. If you’re good at networking and developing yourself, you can easily move countries and change industries – and that’s just on a business level.”

As the leader on the power of authentic networking, for Gil, networking is the set of spiritual rituals that are deep habits that people have learned to take on in life. “Before going to sleep, I’m not on my phone doing random things. Instead, I’m thinking about my tomorrow, prioritizing who I want to spend my time with, and thinking through how I will have great meetings, interviews, and coaching sessions with those people. I’m already putting great intentions into those encounters. I manifest the type of people I want to meet at events. I adopt a curious mindset to ask people the right questions to see how I could change their life in business in one minute.”

Gil shares the truth. “Adopt a ‘how can I help you’ mindset when meeting people. A curious mindset gets people talking. Listen – and be in the moment

without any distractions or noises – not to reply but to add value. Building an authentic connection with someone starts with clear intentions.”

Simply put, networking requires that a person thinks outside the box. Do your research in advance, be curious about what the person needs, and find that opportunity to speak to them authentically.

The world is experiencing a trust deficit. Is that due to missing human connections from ineffective networking and relationship building? Gil certainly thinks so. According to him, businesses play a huge part in this. Rethinking this, Gil built a successful programme during the COVID-19 lockdowns called Ethical Deal Maker. Essentially, it teaches people that using networking effectively and authentically to make deals, bring deals, attract deals, and close deals is totally okay.

“Closing deals isn’t my life’s mission – it’s not what I live for because I don’t live for money – but it’s really great if you can build amazing relationships,” he says. “Learning how to become an ethical dealmaker comes from trust,” he says. “Trust is built through building relationships where you can do something for them and knowing they’re expecting something that you will deliver on. Trust is lost in the world because of a lack of transparency; we simply don’t see much of what’s going on.”

Another lesson from Gil: “Find a way to tell the truth even if it hurts. During COVID-19, talking with people worldwide, I quickly understood there’s no such thing as business ethics because we’ve all learned business in different ways, come from different cultures and business sizes, and have different expectations. We need open communication. That’s how we achieve ethics and trust in business – and society. You can achieve honesty and truth: be completely vulnerable at times, confrontational, and have open communication even when it is hard to do that because you’re avoiding the truth; that’s going to lose you trust. That’s when you need to have sharing sessions and put your heart out there.”

What does he foresee AI’s impact on the future? Gil views AI’s rise as nonthreatening, believing it elevates humanity and emphasizes the need for deeper, authentic networking. “If we authentically learn how to network deeper and learn how to use the time to network effectively and

authentically, there’s a potential for humans to surpass AI just because we will be able to network with each other in a way that computers will never,” says Gil. “You can have a soul-to-soul connection after meeting someone for just 5 minutes that AI will never be able to surpass.”

How do we maintain our lead over AI? “By playing a different game,” he shares. “If we play the AI game of speed, repetition, and technology, we will lose. But if we play the game of context, connection, feelings, and emotions, we will win. No matter how sentient it becomes, generative AI will never match human connections; we’re far superior in that.”

If we could put Gil into a time capsule until his 100th birthday, what would we look back on? “I want to know that I’ve managed to influence billions of people in the world to use very simple hacks, methodologies, habits, and rituals to not only empower them to become better and more successful, more happy human beings, but to really build stunning, beautiful relationships around them,” he shares. “To not fear new relationships, but to embrace new relationships. I believe in 50 years it is not going to be local or country relationships, but global ones and even interplanetary relationships.”

What is his message in a bottle? It is truly poignant considering our interplanetary future: “Live with passion, connect with love, and seek help when needed,’ resonates with our interplanetary future.”

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

ECHOES OF INSPIRATION

PEGAH GOL

A serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and an undeniable force of influence, Pegah Gol’s story is one of metamorphosis, of a shy girl who blossomed into a global authority builder. Her words vividly depict a future shaped by purpose, passion, and people. “I’ve always believed that if you follow your passion, purpose will find you,” she shares. Her journey, from a young girl immersed in books to a visionary shaping the future, is nothing short of inspiring.

“I was always a curious child, drawn to books and the transformative power of motivational talks,” she recalls. “Les Brown’s words, in particular, resonated with me. They touched something deep within, and I knew I wanted to replicate that inspiration and motivation to create an impact in whatever I did.”

To all future readers, regardless of when you read this, remember: “Always get back to the basics, have a vision, have a will, and you’ll achieve anything you wish for.” – Timeless wisdom.

This early love for knowledge was the bedrock of her journey, which was as much about personal growth as it was about empowering others.

As she speaks, I am reminded of my own journey, driven by a massive transformative purpose to ‘make a difference.’ Like Pegah, my aim has always been to leave a meaningful legacy, a platform that serves people long-term. “The things I learned from reading those books when I was growing up were much better than anything else I learned in my life,” she shares. “I had this vision that I would write a book – a book

is the only thing that can take you places without moving and wherein you meet people without them even existing.”

When Pegah moved from Iran to Dubai in 2007, it catalyzed the multifaceted gem of resilience, innovation, and inspiration that is Pegah today. It wasn’t all plain sailing for her; she struggled to land a job for eight months. “It was so difficult; I promised myself I would help others in the same situation,” she says. “Somehow, the universe put me in recruitment, and I learned all the ins and outs of it. After eight years in executive search

and recruitment, after helping some 12,000 people find jobs, I thought I should write a book to help change even more people’s lives.”

Her transformative moment came with the conception of her book, ‘The Formula: The Ultimate Guide to Modern Job Finding.’ In it, she shares insights into recruitment with a comprehensive A to Z of the job hunting process. It was published in January 2020, just before the world closed down for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I had organized talks, gigs, public speaking, and campaigns about the book – but one by one, they got canceled,” she recalls. “It wasn’t the worst time in the world for my book. In fact, it was the right time. Why? Because during the pandemic, many people lost their jobs. Overnight, it became a bestseller and has helped many people then and continues to serve its purpose today.”

Our conversation turns to technology, passion, and entrepreneurship, and we delve into how jobs of the future will change. My thesis is that anything that can be digitized will be, and everything that can’t – love, trust, harmony, intuition, ethics – will

become 100 times more valuable. Her foresight is both technological and deeply human. “50 years ago, things changed very slowly; rapid change is everywhere now. Whoever wants to improve their career development or aspirations, or are looking for a new job, must really mix it with technology,” she advises. “Last year, we didn’t even talk about AI and chatGPT. And now, I’m investing in the AI recruitment platform and am an executive board member of this AI platform. I know AI will take over the recruitment industry massively.”

Technology must be embraced, not feared. She agrees: “Technology like AI gives you more time for yourself, to be creative, to be in touch with your soul, and truly understand what you want. From all the technology enhancements, you can do what you like, what you love, and what you enjoy doing. Now, we’ve got entrepreneurs sitting by the beach, working and making money online: why not you? Why are you sticking to that mundane job and want to keep doing it because that’s the only thing you can do?” She envisions a world where the constraints of traditional employment dissolve to unveil a canvas where individuals are artists of their destinies, empowered to carve paths aligned with their deepest passions.

She quickly adds that humanity won’t be blindsided by flashy technology: “It doesn’t matter how advanced technology will become; the human connection will always be crucial.”

Looking back, Pegah’s advice to her younger self is profound yet simple: “Do whatever you can do right now, and don’t worry about anything; remember, you’re doing well.” She credits her supportive, non-judgmental parents for her outlook. “I never had pressure to excel; they taught me that it doesn’t matter what numbers you get in exams because the most important thing is understanding how much you learn,” she

says, appreciating the freedom her upbringing offered her. When I ask how she envisions her 85th birthday, Pegah imagines a life enriched by experiences and connections. “I’ll be very happy living such a long life that touches many people’s hearts and transforms them,” she muses.

On caring for the elderly, Pegah stresses the importance of bringing hope and engagement to their lives through technology. “Education is key: we need to raise awareness amongst children and the elderly that they can leverage technology to bring hope into their lives; they must feel that everything is possible – and it really is,” she asserts.

Her message to the future resonates with authenticity and passion. “It doesn’t matter what you do; what matters is putting 100% of your heart into it; that’s how you grow,” she urges, “Everything is possible; don’t limit yourself!”

I love asking questions about happiness, harmony, and inner peace as we look into the future. What gives Pegah that? Her response was refreshing. Pegah’s philosophy is to live in the present, embracing each moment with the joy and wonder of a child. “True happiness,” she concludes, “is about being fully present and finding peace in the now.”

In Pegah Gol, we don’t just find a voice; we encounter a resonance, heralding a future where every heartbeat, young and old soul, is a radiant note in the unfolding symphony of universal progression. Every word, every insight, is a golden thread weaving through the intricate fabric of tomorrow, echoing the harmonious dance of technology and humanity, ethics and innovation, passion and possibility.

“ Technology like AI gives you more time for yourself, to be creative, to be in touch with your soul, and truly understand what you want.”

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

THE AUTHENTIC FUTURE

SAANA AZZAM

Saana Azzam has a striking aura of confidence and vision. As the founder and CEO of MENA Speakers, it was clear that she is not just an award-winning economist and a dynamic entrepreneur but also a trailblazer shaping the future of public speaking and leadership in the Middle East.

“From my early days, I realized the importance of self-reliance,” Saana begins, reflecting on her childhood as a daughter of Palestinian refugees in Sweden. “I needed to be of service to my family and myself.” This early sense of responsibility, she explains, was the cornerstone of her resilience and situational leadership – qualities that have guided her throughout her career.

An international award-winning economist and Forbes contributor, she is a graduate of the Stockholm School of Economics and was honored as ‘Female Economist of the Year” in 2010. Saana brings her economic expertise to guiding Middle Eastern businesses in selecting suitable speakers. Her additional training in leadership communication at Harvard University and in neurolinguistic programming (NLP) enhances her strategic insights. Her achievements include fellowships and accolades from prestigious organizations, and she has been recognized as a top leader and entrepreneur by various entities.

“Your existing as you are is perfect enough. We are not the sum of our achievements and awards and accolades. We, as humans, are perfect.”

Saana is also a distinguished keynote speaker and MC, impacting audiences for entities like Spotify and The Kellogg Company since 2010. Her recent venture, www.Experts.Market, is a groundbreaking platform that facilitates speaker bookings and serves as an e-commerce hub for speakers. This initiative aligns with her goal to establish MENA Speakers as a global hub for speaker monetization, underlining her commitment to expanding the brand’s international presence and influence.

Her journey wasn’t without its challenges, particularly in her academic pursuits. “I suffered with math and economics in high school,” she admits. Yet, she not only overcame these challenges but excelled. “It’s about enjoying the process and being resilient,” she says, a testament to her belief in the power of perseverance.

Our conversation naturally veers toward her decision to start MENA Speakers. “I was the right person in the wrong space,” she muses, referring to her previous career in banking and trading. Her vision for MENA Speakers was clear: to showcase the intellectual thought leaders from the Middle East and challenge the global perception of public speaking. “Knowledge belongs to all of us,” she asserts, underscoring her commitment to diversity and inclusion.

On the topic of diversity, Saana was emphatic. “Diversity matters,” she declares, discussing how MENA Speakers advocate for varied voices in public speaking. She stresses the importance of authenticity in her speakers, seeking individuals who speak profound truths rather than regurgitating others’ thoughts. “There have been numerous times when we’ve identified a panel as being pale, stale, male, and deliberated with clients whether to diversify it by including women, younger participants, or individuals from various backgrounds. These discussions are crucial for us, as they emphasize our commitment to showcasing a range of perspectives and experiences.”

I advocate for diversity of thought. Age, thought, education, background, culture, and ethnicity need to come into the mix because, particularly with the way the world is evolving and developing, we need multi-level diversity as opposed to just gender or ethnicity. “A great speaker can change your trajectory, your business strategy, your personal growth,” she affirms, highlighting the transformative power of effective public speaking.

Vulnerability, authenticity, and humanity are words very close to my heart. In terms of speakers, what type of impact do you feel would be most relevant in today’s world to build a different vision for the future? She elucidates: “For the future, the focus is on embracing our authentic selves in all aspects of life – at work, home, and within the community. It’s about removing the need to wear different masks or pretend to be someone we’re not. Merging our work and personal identities creates alignment, fostering a sense of well-being. This alignment can help alleviate burdens like depression. Essentially, the future is about carrying our complete, true selves in every space we inhabit.”

When advising boards and C-Suite leaders, my thesis is that the future’s true value lies in everything that cannot be digitized: love, compassion, empathy, kindness, intuition, spirit, heart, soul, creativity, imagination, ethics, values, and trust. How is Saana integrating that into the conversations with large companies and governments? Her insights are particularly poignant. “The future is about heartled, conscious leadership, rebel-spirited leadership, and leadership that’s real and authentic because that’s what we humans crave,” she states. Aligned with my perspective, Saana advocates for leaders who think about the collective good and care for the planet and people. This holistic approach, she believes, is crucial for future leaders.

My job at a board level is to shift mindsets. Like our bodies, boards have immune system responses, blocking anything that comes from the outside. In her words: “The phrase ‘we’ve always done it that way’ is a sure way to drive me away. Even if a method worked yesterday, I believe we should always question its relevance and effectiveness today. It’s essential to understand the rationale behind our actions and constantly evaluate whether they’re still the best approach, especially in a rapidly growing market. True healing and growth come from challenging and reconsidering established methods, not unquestioningly adhering to outdated practices just because they’re familiar. Adapting to the present times and needs is key.”

In my presentations, this is how I address audiences of leaders and CEOs: “You think you’re here today to learn something. Actually, today, you’re here to unlearn a lot of things.” To engage with the future, it is essential to undertake an unlearning process. She concurs: “It’s almost like a spiritual experience. When your ordinary life becomes your path to awakening, that’s what it is.”

As a young mother, Saana expresses hope for the future, especially for her daughter. “My job is to

love her and let her light shine,” she shares and emphasizes the importance of supporting the next generation in finding their own paths.

Looking ahead, Saana envisions a future where authenticity and truth are at the forefront. “The future is defined by trust, truth, and ethics,” she declares, aligning perfectly with my own beliefs as we wrap up our enriching conversation and connection.

Projecting her into the future, to her 100th birthday, I ask what she’s celebrating on that milestone, and her answer is inspiring: “I’m celebrating myself, my life, my own existence. And that’s great enough. Your existing as you are is perfect enough. We are not the sum of our achievements and awards and accolades. We, as humans, are perfect.”

She shares her messages-in-a-bottle: “I aim to offer something soothing and meaningful through my messages. The first message is to my daughter: ‘Let the room be where the light enters you; in any form of pain, there lies growth.’ The second message: ‘Let your ordinary life be your path to awakening.’ The third is a question: ‘Did you offer hope and healing?’”

Saana is a powerful testament to the potential of resilience, vision, and authentic leadership. As the world evolves, her insights offer a blueprint for a future where diversity, authenticity, and conscious leadership pave the way for a more inclusive and impactful society.

NAVIGATING NEW HORIZONS

GAUTAM GANGLANI INFLUENCERS,

“We need to keep prioritizing self-learning because the speed of change has never been faster.”

Sitting down with Gautam Ganglani, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe. This CEO of Right Selection Global Thought Leaders is a man who has actively shaped the evolving landscape of thought leadership and personal development over decades. Our conversation unfolds like a map to the future, punctuated by Gautam’s deep insights and experiences.

Gautam’s title at Right Selection is Chief Energizer Office (CEO), which perfectly sums up his personality. He starts our dialogue by recounting the genesis of Right Selection, a venture that began as a father-son family business. “It’s 30 years since our business started,” he says, proud of what he and his father created. What started with a business bookstore evolved into a platform for sharing the wisdom of the world’s greatest thought leaders. In his own words: “This journey has been an absolute pleasure to connect with quality people and bring some great minds together.” This evolution was not just a business strategy but a commitment to making global wisdom accessible.

His insights into personal development are profound. “Every individual has a unique style of learning. Some prefer reading, others listening or watching. We aim to cater to all these styles, creating a holistic learning environment.” This philosophy underscores his approach: inclusivity in learning and accessibility of knowledge.

He’s too humble in what he and his father created with Right Selection. If this were ancient Greek times, he brought together the modern-day Plato, Aristotle, and Archimedes in Jack Canfield, Marshall Goldsmith, Tony Buzan, and hundreds of others in incredibly creative ways. But this conversation is more than a business chronicle of events and speeches; it’s a testament to the power of ideas and the impact of sharing knowledge. It is about igniting minds and shaping futures.

Inspired by his friends – and learning from osmosis – Gautam became an author during the pandemic. His first book, “Breaking Bread” is the culmination of impactful connections and conversations he’s shared with so many great thinkers, leaders, and speakers over the last 30 years. He tells me about his book: “There’s an energy exchange when you have a meal with another individual, and you’re able to get to know each other personally, professionally, and build trust and rapport,” he explains. “The book’s about how I brought people together – not only over a meal – but going way beyond that because when you connect with the heart, you create meaningful connections through quality conversation.”

Discussing the future, Gautam’s vision is both clear and far-reaching. Now that he’s an author, a master network builder, and a visionary for the world, what is he building for the future? “I ask myself, ‘What new value can I bring that will impact the future?’ I’m working very closely with the 100 Coaches Agency and Thinkers 50 to bring the world’s best speakers, thinkers, and futurists to Gulf and Indian subcontinent regions to share their knowledge and vision to build a shared vision and a future together.” His book provides five actionable strategies to help people build meaningful relationships for lasting success. It teaches that success means more than just making money; it’s about making the right connections and relationships that enrich your life, personally and professionally.

With a lens on the future, our conversation focuses on the youth and innovation. The youth, in their 20s and 30s, can make a significant impact. His response is noteworthy: “That is very important. The Radar 50 is a subset of Thinkers 50, and it looks at those in their 20s to 30s who it sees as speakers and thought leaders of the future. We need those younger minds because the younger minds have zero barriers to possibilities, and we need those fresh ideas,” he emphasizes. Gautam sees the importance of blending youth’s energy and innovation with seasoned leaders’ wisdom. As our conversation drew to a close, I ask him

what message he would leave for the future. His answer is both simple and profound. “Learning is a lifetime journey,” he states. “We need to keep prioritizing self-learning because the speed of change has never been faster. Continuously learn to keep ahead of what’s happening to be a leader who is aware of the latest trends and can be nimble in making changes that are needed in the future. That’s how we stay relevant, that’s how we shape the future.”

Gautam’s words are not just quotes but guiding principles for anyone looking towards the future. His insights on learning, innovation, and the power of connections offer a blueprint for navigating the ever-changing landscape of our world. Gautam’s principles for the future stand as beacons, guiding us toward a world of endless possibilities and profound transformations.

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT

THE MATCHMAKER

CHRISTIANA MAXION

“While everything is becoming digitized, we must remember that in this world of AI and technology, humans need humans.”

My conversation with Christiana Maxion is a deep dive into the heart of love and connection. Affectionately known as the Dubai Matchmaker, our connection is a blend of personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and visionary insights into the essence of human connection and the future of love.

Her story begins by meandering through the realms of her personal history, professional challenges, and the philosophical underpinnings of human relationships. Christiana’s reflections on her journey, from a balanced childhood in New York City marked by academic excellence and a rebellious streak to her evolution into a pioneering matchmaker in Dubai, are not just narratives. They are lessons in resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of happiness.

Voices of the Future aims to demystify failure, a lesson my upbringing, filled with love and protection, missed teaching me. I view failure as a crucial learning opportunity essential for growth. “I always say they’re lessons learned,” Christiana says.

“When you flip that perspective, you can use those learnings to pivot into creating something different. Those are needed to get you onto the right path.”

In the world of love, there are inevitably heartbreaks and failed relationships. Christiana’s skills as a matchmaker extraordinaire are incredible: a 96% success rate, resulting in hundreds of happy and healthy marriages. Her matchmaking journey started from her life experiences, inheriting the knack for connection from her sociable grandfather and father. In New York, she developed a keen ability to read people and predict potential connections intuitively. “I have been a connector my entire life,” she reflects. She started her matchmaking career with a question: what would she seek in a matchmaker?

Her leap into the love industry was met with overwhelming demand, signaling a deep societal yearning for meaningful connections beyond the superficial swipes of dating apps. Her venture, The Maxion, rapidly expanded on a global scale, evolving from the moniker ‘the Dubai Matchmaker’ to ‘the

Billionaire Matchmaker,’ indicative of her clientele’s stature and her agency’s exclusive, high-touch approach.

Christiana expanded her matchmaking expertise from a niche, personalized agency to the global stage with The Maxion app. Designed for ambitious professionals worldwide, the app integrates her tailored approach into a digital format, maintaining exclusivity through a detailed vetting process that includes professional achievements and, in the UAE, Emirates ID verification. The app offers high-quality matches and real-world events, emphasizing human connection despite digital progress. Christiana sees this fusion of technology and personal touch as the future of matchmaking, aligning with her vision of enhancing human connections through digital tools.

What do women want? “I often emphasize that women fall in love through an emotional, intellectual connection; they need to hear it. Men can indeed laugh women into bed, highlighting that for many women, attraction transcends

looks. Unlike men, who are visual, women value the traditional masculine role of protection and provision, encompassing financial, emotional, and more.”

She shares more insights into the dating world regarding love languages and compatibility: “You don’t need to be a carbon copy of one another; instead, it’s crucial to understand how you express love and how you prefer to receive it. The key lies in recognizing and appreciating how your partner shows love and prefers to be loved, and then adapting to those needs, thereby valuing their unique way of expressing affection.”

I wonder what societal pressures add to the mix. In today’s digital landscape, the pursuit of perceived perfection is relentless, amplified by the pervasive influence of social media. Christiana insightfully critiques this phenomenon: “We live in a society now where we see quote-unquote perfectionism everywhere. It’s all social media. It’s shoved down our throats that if your boyfriend doesn’t buy you a hundred roses, he doesn’t love you.”

She further challenges the authenticity of these social media narratives, emphasizing the curated nature behind seemingly perfect moments. Through her critique, Christiana underscores the importance of recognizing the inherent imperfection in people and relationships, urging a shift from the pursuit of an unattainable ideal to embracing the genuine connections that thrive on authenticity and acceptance. This strikes a chord with me, cementing the deep connection we’re cultivating throughout our dialogue.

Christiana’s clients seek more than a lavish lifestyle; they desire meaningful partnerships for building an empire, family, and legacy. She emphasizes, “They’re looking for depth to build an empire with a family, legacy, and generations.” Her matchmaking transcends superficial connections, focusing on genuine intentions, distinguishing between those “seeking to live a lifestyle and who’s seeking to build a life with somebody.” Personal meetings are pivotal in her method, enabling a deeper assessment of compatibility beyond digital interactions. She underlines the importance of shared experiences, both highs and lows, in evaluating a partner’s suitability for a lasting relationship.

What does the future of love look like? What’s the future of your business look like? “While everything is becoming digitized, we must remember that in this world of AI and technology, humans need humans,” she asserts. “There’ll never be a recession

on love because we need human connections. Partnership is necessary to live a long, healthy, and happy life.”

As life expectancy increases, with projections suggesting lifespans reaching up to 125 years due to advancements in technology, healthcare, and genetics, we’re prompted to reconsider traditional milestones, including marriage. This shift challenges our views on lifelong commitments, be it a career or marriage, in a world where a century-long union may become the norm. The evolving dynamics of relationships and our concepts of love and connection must adapt to accommodate lifespans far exceeding what was once considered a full life.

Christiana’s response is illuminating: “In today’s era of social media’s perceived perfectionism, I believe true connection and building a life with a partner lacks resilience and grit. The misleading belief in an endless pool of compatible matches overlooks the reality that these are merely flat profiles, not the true individuals behind them.”

Should we have only one love or one marriage in a world where we can change careers five or more times and reinvent ourselves? Christiana notes: “I suggest couples create a relationship contract that details their goals, strengths, and areas needing work, emphasizing ongoing growth and periodic reassessment, similar to renewing a lease. They periodically review this contract to evaluate their relationship and decide whether to renew their commitment or separate.”

The conversation leads to the impact of authenticity. We need to bring authenticity into our relationships. Christiana affirms: “Be authentically you because the right partner that you’re going to be compatible with, you will attract when you are genuinely yourself.”

What is her message in a bottle for the next generation? “Be nice enough. As women, we’re often expected to be overly sweet, but it’s essential to set limits. Don’t overextend yourself; let others earn your extra effort.”

As our conversation draws to a close, I’m filled with optimism. Christiana’s vision of a world united by love, enhanced by technology, and grounded in authentic human connections inspires a hopeful outlook for what’s possible. Our conversation transcends an interview, serving as a call to action to harness love and connection’s transformative power in a changing world.

“We live in a society now where we see quote-unquote perfectionism everywhere.”

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT NUGGETS OF WISDOM

STEVEN FOSTER

Steven Foster and I vibrate on the same frequency. Intentionality, commitment, love, kindness, and empathy shape our lives, our vision, and our mission. Steven is the founder of One Golden Nugget, and as with Voices of the Future, we share insights on the future and humanity.

He elucidates on One Golden Nugget: “We collect and share wisdom, and our purpose is to raise the consciousness of humanity by sharing incredible stories and experiences that people have been through, and then looking for those nuggets of wisdom that we can then give to the world to improve people’s lives and make it a better place.”

Steven’s early inspiration stemmed from a desire to break free from the restrictions of corporate life. He recalls: “I always had a burning desire to do something with my life, and that started as a teen, trying to make a bit of money. By 19, I was working at Chase Manhattan Bank, and I saw these people who’d been there for 20 years, and they didn’t look happy. They had their cheap mortgages, and loans, and they were constrained by the system.” He escaped that with a loan from the Prince’s Trust and his father to start his first business in the music industry at 19.

Reflecting on his journey, Steven shares: “By the time I was 26, I had a multi-million-pound business, I had a record label and recording studios and clothing company, and I was an events promoter for rave and dance music scene.” But this success story also includes the pain of losing everything. He candidly reveals: “I lost the entire lot on a single event, which sank my business, my home, my Porsche, my marriage. I ended up working as a cleaner in a factory for £5 an hour.”

Our human skills of being kind, generous, empathetic, compassionate, loving, common sense, intuition, ethics, trust, and creativity are becoming more valuable as the world becomes more digital and more rapid-paced. In the tech-driven future, I advocate that we need to integrate humanity into the center of everything. Through the power of our connection, Steven emphasizes the importance of foundational elements like kindness, empathy, and vulnerability in building a great life. He says: “If happiness is your goal in life, kindness is the route to take you there. It’s everything. Life’s tough. Being kind and empathetic is key. I believe that what you put out there does come back to you –call it karma. Life is just energy, and I’m very mindful of that energy I put out. I think for anybody that wants to build a great life, kindness and empathy and being vulnerable is beautiful.”

One Golden Nugget was born out of Steven’s realization during a difficult phase. He explains: “At the start of lockdown, I was living in my office. I had this idea of collecting golden nuggets.” What he found was that asking people about their journeys became an incredible connecting tool. That authenticity and vulnerability resonates with me and Voices of The Future, too.

His exploration into wisdom through One Golden Nugget reveals profound insights from diverse figures. Warwick Davis’s advice, “expect nothing in life,” emphasizes embracing the present amidst struggles. James Somerville from Coca-Cola teaches, focusing on small details for impact. Joe Foster of Reebok advocates resilience with

“just keep going.” These nuggets, alongside others, profoundly influenced Steven, reshaping his perspective on success, kindness, and personal growth. Through engaging with these experiences, he discovered the importance of enduring challenges and the transformative power of learning from various human experiences.

As a transformation expert, I talk about change, failure, and success. Transformation is sometimes too slow. Reinvention is what we see in the world today. From failures and hardships comes a metamorphosis. A butterfly is born after the caterpillar liquidizes itself. That’s reinvention. Steven wholeheartedly agrees: “This is what life does. I believe that it delivers you those moments to bash you around and turn you into somebody new.”

With his learnings and wisdom, how do we navigate the next ten years in this rapidly changing world? It is as if Steven and I share the same heart: “As the world speeds up, humanity must learn to slow down. Our brains aren’t geared for that speed. I see huge potential in the future, but we need to slow down and become more human. This is our opportunity for that because the world’s only going to increase its rate of progress, so we may as well embrace it, dive into our humanity.” His nugget of wisdom for this: “Be the love. Love is the highest form of vibration. Life isn’t about making money; it’s about being in service of other people, doing something that empowers and helps other people. Think big to change the world.”

To young people and parents, Steven’s message is powerful. “Allow your kids to fail; allow them to express themselves. The fear is really the thing you need to overcome,” he advises.

What will define the future, in my view, is trust, truth, and ethics. Especially as we hurtle into an AI-powered world. Empathy, values, and kindness will become premium, from which we must build our lives. Steven concurs: “The world needs truth, trust, confidence, and more love.”

With a message for the future, Steven leaves us with the thought: “Just be the love. In all interactions, if you can impregnate it with love, then you’re onto a good thing.” His journey and insights serve as a beacon for embracing the future with humanity and love at its core.

“I keep failure very close to my heart because it’s a constant reminder of that life learning: don’t be afraid of failure and don’t be afraid of mistakes.”

BLENDING TECHNOLOGY WITH EMPATHY FOR DIGITAL STORYTELLING

SHEHZAD YOUNIS

In an era where the digital canvas of creativity and innovation continues to expand, my connection with Shehzad Younis, a luminary in the realm of advertising and storytelling, unfolds a narrative that’s both compelling and forward-looking. Touted for his visionary approach to blending technology with human emotions, Shehzad’s insights offer a glimpse into the future of communication and interaction.

He’s an award-winning advertising creative director who’s lived and worked in Dubai for the last 30 years, 25 of which were spent working with global networks. He now runs a revolutionary startup called Humanize, and it’s his passion project. “Humanize is going to revolutionize the way we tell stories using technology, using hyper-realistic characters, and photo-realistic immersive environments,” he shares. These are super exciting times.

As a storyteller, Shehzad starts our deep conversation by reflecting on his early childhood and what shaped him into the creative genius he is today. He recounts: “I was always creative as a kid, inspired by my uncles who worked in advertising. I knew I wanted to be an artist and illustrator from a young age, but I never imagined myself as a writer or storyteller. But, I ended up as a copywriter at an advertising agency at 15.”

Starting his career at such a young age was a “fairy tale” for Shehzad. “If necessity is the mother of invention, then adversity is its father,” he asserts. “Some of the best things that have happened to me were because of adversity.”

Legally, he wasn’t allowed to work, but his employers were so taken by his talent that their board of directors offered him a job. Shehzad had to use the back entrance of the advertising agency’s building to avoid being seen as an employee. But this changed when he

was handed his first project. He recalls: “My initial break in advertising was for a prestigious, high-end pastry shop located atop the Revolving Restaurant in Gujarati sought to launch a teaser campaign. Despite my not knowing what a “teaser” actually entailed, I created the campaign, which resulted in a huge success. The client wanted to meet, and the office was nervous. They eventually took me to the client, and they were shocked. I was like a novelty; everyone came to meet me and wanted to know more. And that’s how I got into advertising.”

Having worked on projects with Shehzad, I was always in awe of his work. It looked as forwardthinking as Apple’s design language today, but this was in the 1980s. I’m intrigued by what inspired him. “It came from the way I looked at things,” he explains. “When I got a brief, I’d look at it as a problem that needed a creative solution. My work was always based on consumer insights: this business is about communication. My work was based on heartfelt, deep insights, and I communicated those in the simplest ways that made it as memorable as possible in the minds of consumers. To me, that’s what creativity is all about.”

The conversation’s focus turns to the elephant in the room: a stunning woman in 3D. She is a figment of Shehzad’s imagination brought to life in pixels. The advent of Humanize, his startup, marks a significant pivot towards the future - envisaging a world where digital avatars and humans coexist to create immersive narratives. He shares the journey: “Being naturally curious and a bit of a wanderer at heart, I’ve always been driven to push the envelope, especially when the world of advertising felt too settled. Around 2020, with everything on pause and the industry tightening its belt, I started playing around with the idea of creating hyper-realistic digital humans. Why

bother with the hassle and expense of traditional shoots, I thought, when you could create any scene right from your computer? Despite my enthusiasm, my pitches often hit a wall of skepticism. Yet, with recent tech leaps, like MetaSouls, blurring the lines between digital and real emotions, it’s thrilling to see how my once ‘too-out-there’ ideas are now at the forefront of innovation. It’s been a wild ride from feeling sidelined to seeing the future I imagined start to unfold.”

One of the biggest fears people have of AI and robots is that they’re emotionless, unfeeling, and unhamnlike, according to Shehzad. MetaSouls has approached this problem: it offers 64 trillion different emotions that can be embedded into AI characters and avatars. Says Shehzad: “There will be no difference at all left between a 3D-generated, CGI-generated, digital character, and a human.”

Humanize is a profound game-changer. Shehzad explains its mission to redefine the boundaries of digital storytelling: “Our objective is to bridge the gap between technology and human emotions, creating experiences that are not just engaging but also deeply personal.”

Amidst the technological advancements, Shehzad remains cognizant of the ethical implications. “With great power comes great responsibility. It’s imperative we use technology to enhance - not detract - from the human experience,” he notes, underscoring his commitment to ethical innovation. “Groundbreaking changes and developments in AI happen not in years, but in weeks. That’s scary because there are no guardrails and ethical ways of monitoring AI at the moment. We need legal frameworks in place that monitor the technology. Without it,

AI can create a dangerous place,” he emphasizes. Recalling his encounters with failure and the lessons learned, Shehzad’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. “Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of the journey towards it. Each setback has been a stepping stone, pushing me to explore new horizons,” he candidly shared, offering a perspective that resonates with anyone navigating the tumultuous waters of creativity and innovation. “I keep failure very close to my heart because it’s a constant reminder of that life learning: don’t be afraid of failure and don’t be afraid of mistakes.”

Looking ahead, Shehzad envisions a legacy that transcends professional accolades, focusing instead on the impact and transformation his work could bring to society. “I aspire to leave behind a world where technology serves humanity, where stories are not just told but felt, and where knowledge and wellness are accessible to all through virtual realities,” he expresses. “I want to use my creativity, empathy, and technology to change lives and create something that transforms the world.”

As our dialogue concludes, Shehzad’s message for the future resonates with a sense of urgency and hope. “The future is ours to create. Through storytelling, innovation, and empathy, we have the power to shape a world that reflects our highest aspirations and values. Let’s embrace this opportunity with open hearts and minds,” he urges.

“It’s crucial to believe in your dreams and hold to your values rather than focusing on materialistic symbols of success or worrying about others’ opinions.”

INFLUENCERS, MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT ZARA

A VOICE PAVING THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE

SECRET

From the heart of Frankfurt, Germany, Zara Secret is illuminating the world with her radiant personality and drive for positive impact. “We grew up in very poor conditions,” Zara recalls, reflecting on her large Turkish family. Despite adversity, her parents sowed seeds of love and education, demonstrating their heroism in her eyes. Zara’s upbringing wasn’t affluent but rich in lessons and love, setting her on the path of empowerment and resilience.

Zara is no stranger to the concept of crossing borders, both literal and metaphorical. By the time she completed her international double degree in psychology and management at age 21, she had already set her sights further afield. A job placement in Indonesia became a gateway, not just to a new place, but to a new perspective.

In her words: “In Europe, we are just so stressed and always have this pressure; traveling makes you grow.” Zara took a non-conventional step after her university degrees, becoming a stewardess to satiate her wanderlust and curiosity about the world. Traveling allowed her to shift away from the conventional script, offering a rich tapestry of cultures, insights, and reflections that would later influence her business decisions and personal philosophy.

Her career has been a vivid journey of embracing change, taking risks, and defying societal norms. Zara deftly leverages her background, converting her massive daily social media reach into an entrepreneurial springboard. She has founded multiple companies covering diverse industries, from jewelry and diamonds to supplements and beauty. “This life is not guaranteed. I can die tomorrow. And what do I leave here?” she asks rhetorically. For Zara, leaving a legacy of successful, impactful businesses seems to be part of her answer.

With great power comes great responsibility — a truth Zara fully embraces in her role as an influencer. The term ‘influencer’ might conjure images of shallow glamour for some, but she’s redefining what it means to wield influence in the digital age.

“For me, being an influencer is a big responsibility; so many young people listen to me, and I have an impact,” Zara states emphatically. Through her platforms, she encourages financial literacy, engages in candid discussions about world issues, and, above all, champions the importance of a robust, healthy mindset. Through her lived experience, Zara communicates

a crucial lesson for the future: happiness and fulfillment lie in the journey and the people you help along the way, not just the destination. She elucidates: “I aim to inspire women, showing them that even under challenging circumstances, success is attainable. It’s not just about financial gain; it’s about hard work and making a positive impact. I encourage questioning the need to work unhappily for others when it harms one’s wellbeing. My message on social media is clear: success is possible regardless of appearance or societal judgments. It’s crucial to believe in your dreams and hold to your values rather than focusing on materialistic symbols of success or worrying about others’ opinions. Remember, money is a result of your efforts, not the primary goal.”

As a futurist, I emphasize values like trust, truth, ethics, and empathy at the beginning of all my presentations. These elements are fundamental; without them, we lose our foundation. I want to address the concept of narcissism, particularly its rise with the advent of platforms like Instagram. This trend, characterized by self-promotion and a ‘look at me’ attitude, has significantly impacted the perceptions of young people. They are growing up with a distorted view of the world and beauty standards, often feeling pressured to conform to certain looks. This can lead to various issues.

Given her experience and appearance, what are her observations in such situations? She cherishes her ability to defy expectations consistently, her superpower being that she is often underestimated. “I love that people look at me and think, ‘Oh, she looks like this; she has to be like this, and then...’ No, I’m not,” she asserts. Despite concerns that young girls might feel pressured to emulate her appearance for success, she focuses her message

on more substantive topics. “You can still be busy talking about my appearance, but you will never see me talking about that much,” she emphasizes. For her, it’s about focus and values, not looks.

She acknowledges the significant influence she holds, especially when criticized for being a ‘bad influence’ on young girls. Yet, she maintains her stance: “I can look how I want to look. I’m not responsible for this for someone.” She believes her responsibility would only arise if she actively encouraged others to mimic her appearance to gain success. “That would be a mistake,” she adds. Zara is a voice for breaking the cycle of narcissism that plagues society. For her, there’s a strong undercurrent of self that runs deeper than the veneer she wears.

As an influencer, how does she shape microtargeting to promote more authentic human experiences over societal expectations? She acknowledges the complex relationship with social media, describing it as a double-edged sword. Emphasizing the importance of personal choice, she says, “At the end of the day, you still always have the power to decide what you want and what you just leave.” She highlights the necessity of selfconfidence and self-assurance in this digital age, advocating for listening to oneself and recognizing the negative impacts of social media use.

Describing Instagram as both a job and a necessity to maintain her platform, she admits to the immense pressures accompanying this. “I had to do it every day, and I got addicted,” she states plainly. But her standpoint is clear - we have the power to decide our engagement level with this virtual realm. In her words: “You need self-confidence and self-assurance because you need to listen to yourself.”

The loss of her father, a significant blow in Zara’s life, has become an anchor point from which she draws strength and perspective. “I believe you must endure this pain to grow,” she shares. “I remember the way I overcame my father’s passing was I reframed the question: ‘What are the beautiful times that I had with him and let me celebrate those.’” Instead of sinking into despair, she viewed

this loss differently, turning it into a tribute to their shared love and life.

On Zara’s hypothetical 100th birthday, she envisions celebrating her extraordinary work. She foresees books and a movie that narrates her story, and her entrepreneurial journey is fortified with her social impact initiatives, including building schools. The future she’s building isn’t about her; it’s about what she can give back to the world. As she eloquently puts it: “For what I can do with my power and my time and my energy and my talents, I hopefully will do the best.”

Her core message to the world is as potent as it is simple: “Invest in yourself first.” She urges people to focus on their internal compass rather than being swayed by societal norms or opinions of others. According to Zara, investing in your personal and emotional growth should be the priority. She believes that when you’re healed and whole, you’re empowered to achieve great things and fearlessly shape the world.

An aura of warm humanity threads through Zara’s vision for her future. “It’s about humanity,” she emphasizes. She’s uninterested in shallow tales of success and wealth; her story is one of core values, beliefs, and genuine human connection. Zara is crafting a future where these aspects aren’t mere abstractions but tangible reflections of her journey.

SECRET SOLUTIONS – FZCO

Premises Number 35255 - 001, IFZA Business Park, DDP, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Email: contact@zarasecret.de

ENTREPRENEURSSUCCESS STORIES

BLENDING TECHNOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

RONALDO MOUCHAWAR

Our world is rapidly transforming through technology. Few voices resonate with as much clarity and foresight as that of Ronaldo Mouchawar, the visionary behind Souq.com. My intimate conversation with him offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a leader who has not only shaped the digital landscape of the Middle East but also has profound insights into where we are heading.

“Without experimentation, there is no innovation.”

Ronnie’s journey began in Aleppo, Syria, a city rich in history and trade. He recalls his early introduction to technology at school, which ignited a lifelong passion: “I remember taking my first computer programming classes, where we shared one small Commodore computer. We had to even learn how to type, let alone figure out the programming.”

His move to the United States to pursue computer engineering was a turning point. Here, he witnessed the exponential potential of technology. “Very quickly, I realized how impactful technology is, especially for a region like the Arab world, where we were far behind established countries like the US, in terms of how technology can really change the outlook of the communities we live in,” he reveals.

There, he met the founders of Maktoub.com, who were working on bringing the internet to the Arab world. “It was the early days of the internet, and I realized it had the potential to connect and transform,” Ronnie shares. “The internet could empower our region and our youth and greatly enhance communication and self-expression. I fell in love with it; and it soon became obvious that this is

what I want to do with my life: I want to spread the internet around, make it useful for communication.”

Founding Souq.com was a leap of faith in this vision. Ronnie reflects: “We wanted to connect the Arab world, to bring e-commerce to regions that were largely offline.” His mission was not merely to start a business; It was meant to bridge a cultural and technological gap, foster entrepreneurship, and stimulate technology’s acceleration.

The acquisition of Souq.com by Amazon was a landmark moment, not just for Ronnie but for the entire Middle Eastern tech ecosystem. “Looking back today, the ripple effect of Amazon on other players in the region’s ecosystem has changed the lives of thousands and thousands of people,” he reflects.

We discuss how those changes impact individual lives through leadership, culture, and mindset shifts. Ronnie was an inspirational leader within Souq. “As you go from founding a startup to growing into a global and multinational entity, you learn so much. In that growth, you work with amazing,

smart people, which drives you even more. Armed with those learnings, you and your team are able to create an even greater impact. Amazon allowed us to continue operating with the ‘day one’ mindset of a startup but at scale. The beauty of learning how to operate at scale is something I will always cherish. That made me even more passionate about our region, our people, our voice, and the opportunities we can create.”

With immense success, Ronnie can sit back today. But he doesn’t. What’s that inner fire today?

“Always people; the impact on others. It is seeing people solving problems. Today, our region is creating high-caliber tech people developing worldclass solutions for world leaders like Amazon. It is that combination of innovation, technology, and impact on our region and community that drives me.”

“In my life, I’ve failed many times. I believe it is the source of success. I follow the five F’s of failure in every new idea or project: fail fast, fail frequently, fail frugally, failure is not fatal, and fail and move forward.” Ronnie strongly believes

“I believe firmly in the Wikipedia definition of trust: be reliable, honest, available, transparent in everything you do.”

in the importance of failure in entrepreneurship. “People don’t realize how many failures you actually need to go through to get where you are. I use the word experimentation interchangeably with failure. Experimentation, like failure, has two good outcomes: you learn from it and you continue to iterate. One of my biggest learnings is that without experimentation, there is no innovation. In the space we’re in, if you lose the ability and mindset to innovate, you become a ‘day two’ startup.”

My personal philosophy is that the more technological the world becomes, the more valuable human traits such as love, harmony, compassion, heart, soul, creativity, trust, and ethics become. His response is short yet profound: “We must build trust, show compassion, and lead with integrity.” For him, technology should enhance human interaction, not replace it. “I believe firmly in the Wikipedia definition of trust: be reliable, honest, available, transparent in everything you do,” he urges, which deeply aligns with my values that trust, truth, and ethics are central to today’s world and even more so in the future.

Looking to the future, what does Ronnie predict he’ll be celebrating on his 100th birthday? “I’m a big believer in seizing every day’s opportunities. I’ve seen so much evidence of this mindset’s impact in our region. I will ask myself this simple question: ‘Did we create an even more significant impact? Did we improve the region?’ Two things I will be thinking back on are impact and love.’”

Ronnie’s message-in-a-bottle is: “Lead with compassion. You can never replace perseverance.”

As our conversation nears its end, Ronnie’s optimistic for the future. “We’re just at the beginning of what technology can do to improve lives,” he says. His follow-up messagein-a-bottle is, “The future is about connection, about breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for everyone, everywhere. Don’t be afraid to experiment, fail and move forward.”

As I left the interview, I was struck by his unbridled passion, optimism, and clear vision. His journey is more than a success story; it’s a roadmap for future innovators and leaders. In Ronaldo Mouchawar’s words and work, the future is not just a distant dream but an unfolding reality in which we all play a part.

“

“We must build trust, show compassion, and lead with integrity.”

“I have a sense of pride, not for myself, but when I see others finding their path.”

global reach.

Dr. John’s passion for technology and leadership in the startup ecosystem is not just a career but a calling. “It’s a long story, spanning four decades in the entertainment, technology, and political industries,” he shares, recounting his early fascination with sound and light engineering. Discussing his professional evolution, his story is a vivid tapestry of experiences. His ventures into various industries, from diamond-studded gold jewelry to digital cinema in Bollywood, showcase his diverse entrepreneurial spirit. It’s clear that his path has been anything but conventional.

As he spoke, Dr. John’s eyes lit up, recalling his journey: “I was not a sound engineer, I was not a light engineer, but I knew this technology was evolving,” he reflects. His early days were marked by a deep curiosity and a determination to bring state-of-the-art technology and innovation to India.

ENTREPRENEURS - SUCCESS STORIES

DR. V. FRANCIS JOHN THE STARTUP SUPREMO

From the moment I sat down with Dr. V. Francis John, my neighbor and the luminary behind Ztartup.com and Kube VC, it was clear that I was in the presence of a true visionary. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology and innovation.

Chief Enablement Officer at Ztartup.com and Kube VC, his journey is one of resilience, innovation, and empowerment. Holding a doctorate in business administration from the European International University, Paris, Dr. John’s depth of knowledge is profound. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Dubai’s economic landscape – with

While in high school, he was mesmerized by sound and light engineering at school musicals and plays, which took him on a path of technological exploration. He then transitioned from a DJ to an impresario, which involved a series of strategic moves driven by his ability to foresee merging technology with art – and highlights his business acumen. “I knew I didn’t have that capability to be on stage, but I could facilitate those people on stage,” he explains. This desire to elevate others

became a recurring theme in his career.

His expansive career also led him to dabble in politics and religion, understanding the importance of these sectors in the societal fabric. Dr. John’s philosophy transcends business; it’s about creating a positive impact. “My philosophy is one world, one universe, and one God,” he states, underscoring his holistic approach to life and business.

The Road to Dubai

Dr. John has been pivotal in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in India, harnessing his diverse experiences, spiritual insights, and unyielding enthusiasm to create a platform that significantly shapes the startup landscape.

Initially involved with Dubai Duty Free as one of the four global vendors supplying diamondstudded gold jewelry, Dr. John’s business endeavors took him through various industries. “During those years of my business, there were a lot of areas I wanted to delve into,” he recalls. His pursuit of uncharted territories led him from Delhi to Mumbai, India’s bustling hub for

Bollywood, where he aimed to revolutionize the film industry by introducing digital cinema — a pioneering move at the time. However, his journey wasn’t without its challenges. He faced a lack of support systems in India, such as angel investors or venture capitalists. “Even when I went to the bank, the manager would say the whole project is fantastic, but just get your father to put his signature on it,” he shares.

Upon his transition to Dubai, he sought to continue his innovative pursuits, but with a clear understanding of the financial constraints that often plague creative minds. “People in the creative fields are always out of money; we’re always experimenting, creating, ideating, and spending,” he explains. This insight became the catalyst for his next venture.

Diamond-Studded Dubai

When COVID struck, Dr. John was already working on a virtual platform to support startups. He envisioned a space where startups could be mentored, coached, and scaled. This vision materialized through his collaboration with Shafi, who ran a successful private ambulance service in India and Dubai. Together, they scaled the operation, even partnering with Uber to launch a unique limousine service under the Ziqitza Fleet.

Ztartup.com, under his guidance, has become a melting pot of innovation and creativity. “We are the first private sector incubator accelerator that has been given certification by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, the Crown Prince of Dubai,” Dr. John proudly notes. His model is unique: “There is no top-down structure. That’s the difference, and that’s the secret sauce,” he revealed.

Ztartup.com has become a vibrant hub for diverse and innovative businesses, spanning emergency medical response, airport assistance, fertility medicine, e-commerce, and fintech. Dr. John’s mission is both clear and ambitious: “To leverage artificial intelligence and blockchain to empower startups and investors and to create positive social impact.”

Under his leadership, Ztartup has taken an unorthodox path, focusing not just on conventional business domains but also on art, music, sports, and films. “We are the only incubator who is incubating sports. No other incubator here in this region is touching these subjects,” he proudly states. This diversification has allowed artists and creators to transition into domains like NFT, with Ztartup playing a pivotal role in their journey.

Dr. John’s approach to incubation defies traditional models: His disruptive and inclusive model has not gone unnoticed. Dr. John mentions: “We are pitching it to Harvard and MIT as a case study,” indicating the global recognition of Ztartup’s innovative approach.

With Kube VC, he skilfully navigates investments in seed-stage, early-stage, and later-stage companies across various sectors, including B2B, commercial products, services, media, and technology.

When absorbing his personal and professional accolades, it is clear that his sense of fulfillment stems from witnessing others find their paths. He reflects: “I cannot be a singer, I cannot be an artist on stage, I cannot be a director, but I can bring that networking skills. I have a sense of pride, not for myself, but when I see others finding their path.”

Dr. V. Francis John is more than a leader; he’s a mentor, an enabler, and a visionary. His journey is not just about technological innovation but about inspiring and guiding others. Sitting across from him, I can’t help but feel inspired by his story –a tale of resilience, continuous learning, and an unrelenting quest to facilitate change and progress. His story is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on the lives of many, driven by a passion for technology, a commitment to innovation, and a deep desire to empower others.

“Perfection isn’t natural - no two trees are alike. What matters is giving our best effort, and that’s my guiding principle.”

ENTREPRENEURS - SUCCESS STORIES

EMPOWERMENT AND INNOVATION

NICOLE RODRIGUES

Nicole Rodrigues is a testament to the audacity and vision shaping the future. As the founder and CEO of the Diva Group of Companies since 2003, she has become a beacon of innovation, dedication, and resilience. Her ventures span Diva Modeling and Events, Diva Ladies Salon Dubai, and Diva Holdings Real Estate, marking her as a pivotal figure in her industry.

The cornerstone of Nicole’s character was laid early on by her father, a man of immense intellect and education, and by the steadfast support of her parents. They instilled in her a blend of business acumen, interpersonal savvy, and a relentless work ethic, learned through her mother’s realism and her father’s scholarly influence. These experiences molded Nicole into the resilient and principled leader she is today.

Our conversation meanders through the realms of personal growth, the pivotal role of education, and the indomitable influence of family values. Nicole’s narrative, punctuated by her profound respect for the lessons imbibed from her parents, echoed a truth universally acknowledged yet seldom practiced: the foundational importance of education and values in charting a successful path forward. “My father’s biggest responsibility was that he educated my brother and me,” she reflects, underscoring the unwavering commitment to nurturing intellect and character over material wealth.

Her transition from Bombay to Dubai marked a significant chapter in her life. Despite her parents’ initial reservations about modeling due to societal stigmas, Nicole ventured into the modeling world. This bold move defied expectations and laid the groundwork for Diva Models, her venture that sought to provide a secure and empowering platform for aspiring models in the region.

I resonate deeply with her philosophy: “I’m a doer, focused on results without getting bogged down by the pursuit of perfection. Mistakes are part of the process, and I address them as they arise. Perfection isn’t natural - no two trees are alike. What matters is giving our best effort, and that’s my guiding principle.”

She recounts a story that showcases her proactive approach. Since she was 10, her father educated her on the financial world, including banking, stocks, and real estate. Upon moving to Dubai, she chose to buy a house over renting. This decision empowered her and deepened her involvement in the real estate sector, leading to the foundation of Diva Holdings Real Estate. Nicole delves into her profound reflections on life, work, and the essence

of progress, embodying a narrative of resilience and wisdom. She articulates a philosophy where work transcends its conventional boundaries to become a form of prayer, an act of service to humanity and community, emphasizing, “My work is my prayer.” This perspective reshapes the concept of labor, imbuing it with a spiritual significance that champions dedication over ritualistic practices. It resonates deeply with me.

Her journey also underscores the criticality of self-reliance and establishing a safety net, a lesson crystallized during her early days of motherhood and job hunting in a new environment. She highlights the importance of prioritizing personal growth and development over societal indulgences like partying: “I’d rather use that time learning something new or developing myself.”

Her reflections further extend to the concept of non-attachment, advocating for a clear-headed approach to decision-making free from the bonds of anxiety and attachment. According to her, this mindset fosters resilience, allowing one to navigate challenges with grace and perseverance. She says: “Embrace detachment; trust in the process because it will lead to greatness. And from that trust, greatness emerges.”

Surrounded by so much glamour, how does she stay humble? How does she maintain her authenticity and the essence that makes her the person I deeply respect and cherish? Nicole articulates: “I celebrate the glamour but know I don’t need to wear it to feel part of the scene. I believe in the power of people and recognizing everyone’s unique beauty, strengths, and

potential. We’re all born with greatness; it’s about learning to let it shine in our unique ways. The trouble starts when we wish to be someone else or have them be like us, wanting life on our terms. I’ve learned that desiring things without being ready for the responsibility leads nowhere. True growth comes from understanding that everything - money, possessions, achievements - is just energy. Managing it well, with integrity and responsibility, is key to truly thriving.”

Surrounded by technology, I’ve come to believe that as our world becomes more digitized, everything that can be digitized will be, making processes exponentially faster and cheaper. However, this digital transformation elevates the value of what can’t be digitized - our humanity. Qualities like love, compassion, creativity, and intuition become infinitely more valuable amidst the digital. I see technology as a tool to serve us, but humanity must lead. Engaging with the younger generation on this, balancing

on my experiences, I’ve encountered failures that initially seemed catastrophic and served as pivotal learning moments. Handling failure involves embracing it as an integral part of growth, analyzing what went wrong, and applying those lessons to future endeavors. This mindset shifts the perception of failure from a setback to a valuable step towards success. She shares: “Failure isn’t a negative but a valuable insight. It signals a missed step, inviting us to identify and correct it. Viewing failure as a game changes our approach: we detach from outcome obsession, embrace exploration, and learn through iteration. This mindset fosters curiosity, builds resilience, turns challenges into growth opportunities, and champions innovation, transforming how we perceive and engage with setbacks.”

We are traveling to your 100th birthday. Now, both of us are sitting at your 100th birthday party: what are we celebrating? “We celebrate the youth, baby. That’s what we celebrate. We

“The next generation, often misunderstood, is, in fact, more aware and conscious, thanks to better access to information, health systems, and even spirituality through technology”.

tech savvy with deep human values, is crucial for shaping a future where technology serves, enhancing rather than replacing, the essence of our humanity.

Nicole agrees wholeheartedly: “The human element is vital in a world where technology is everywhere, enhancing our creativity and simplifying our lives. Nobody today would step out without a phone. We need to balance technological advancements with the human aspect. The next generation, often misunderstood, is, in fact, more aware and conscious, thanks to better access to information, health systems, and even spirituality through technology. This access fosters a deeper understanding of values and well-being from a younger age.”

The conversation turns to discussing failure. As an entrepreneur deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, I’ve witnessed and experienced the stark reality of failure, a daunting yet transformative aspect of this journey. Reflecting

celebrate the next generation and the generation after. That’s what we celebrate. One of the most important reasons we’re here is to serve, procreate, and ensure we leave a better specimen than we were given. Empowering and supporting the next generation, focusing on what we can contribute rather than gain, is paramount. In giving selflessly, we find that receiving comes naturally.”

Nicole’s succinct yet powerful advice to the younger generation – “‘Stop talking, start doing”encapsulates a call to action that resonates deeply. Our discussion reveals the future’s voices are not mere echoes but powerful forces that each of us has the power to shape and define.

“The success and strength of Petrochem has always been its people.”

ENTREPRENEURS - SUCCESS STORIES

SHAPING A LEGACY IN THE CHEMICAL WORLD

YOGESH MEHTA

As I walked into Petrochem’s stunning offices in Dubai for our interview, the sense of purpose and drive was palpable. It’s this energy that has propelled Yogesh Mehta, the visionary founder and CEO, to the forefront of the Petrochemical industry. My conversation with him wasn’t just a business discussion; it was a journey into the heart of a relentless entrepreneur.

His story starts with familial roots. “I was very young when I started working with my father,” he recalls. His father, a Ph.D. polymer chemist, provided the initial impetus, but it was Yogesh’s vision that carved a distinct path for his own

chemical venture. He speaks candidly about the early setbacks: “I lost all my money. I was foolish and young; a fool and his money are soon parted. I had no money but a lovely wife and a lot of will to survive, create, come back, and succeed. The odds were against me. I failed and failed.” Yet, in these failures lay the seeds of his future success.

In 1990, he turned his gaze from India towards Dubai, a decision that marked the beginning of a remarkable story. Dubai, then more a fishing village city, presented a canvas ripe for innovation and growth. “I arrived on a hope and a prayer, and found my fortune a few years later,” he says, reflecting on that pivotal moment.

Facing financial obligations back in India and eager for a fresh start, he immersed himself in extensive research at the Dubai Municipal Library. Mehta dedicated his days to understanding the regional chemical market, its key players, and consumption patterns. His diligence resulted in a comprehensive business plan for a chemical trading venture. Despite initial skepticism from many, his persistence paid off when he found a financial partner who shared his vision. This partnership, formed on June 6, 1990, marked the beginning of his unwavering journey in the chemical business, a path from which he never looked back.

The concept of ‘luck’ in business is something Yogesh elucidates with clarity. “My definition of luck is preparation and opportunity,” he explains. It’s a philosophy that underpins his approach – a blend of readiness and seizing the moment.

I quiz him: he burnt his bridges in India and set up in Dubai; why not find a regular job like most people would? Yogesh’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through: “I come from an entrepreneurial family,” he shares, underlining his mindset of independence and ambition. This drive is evident in his business plan, crafted with a clear focus on niche markets and innovation. “I focused on identifying and supplying a few high-demand specialty chemicals in the Middle East. This approach, coupled with our commitment to quality service, credit availability, and innovation, quickly built our reputation. As our clients’ trust grew, so did our product range. We were fortunate to be in the rapidly growing UAE and Middle East markets, which provided ample opportunities to expand our business significantly. We wanted to do a business that was at the right time at the right place,” he shares.

Building Petrochem was about more than business acumen; it was about people. “The success and strength of Petrochem has always been its people,” he asserts. He emphasizes the importance of hiring for attitude and aptitude rather than solely on qualifications.

The journey wasn’t just about building a business but nurturing a culture. “This company has three fundamental aspects: love, respect, and integrity,” he notes, highlighting the foundational values of Petrochem, which resonates deeply with my values. As the conversation shifts to scaling his business, I

posit that emotional intelligence is key to success in business. It involves understanding and meeting people’s needs to enhance their performance, aligning with your entrepreneurial goals. Scaling a company from 0 to 10, 100, or even a billion can be challenging. Yogesh acknowledges the role of external factors like the internet boom. Yet, he credits consistent ethics, good service, and winning the confidence of people as the constant drivers of growth. He affirms: “This journey wasn’t a solo effort but a collective achievement of the Petrochem team.”

What drives him? His commitment is unwavering. In his own words: “My drive to work stems from the pursuit of success, a deep connection with my Petrochem family, and a commitment to excellence. At Petrochem, I find joy in generating new ideas, making deals, and interacting with my team. I value the time spent with them, from casual chats at their desks to providing guidance. Their dedication to the company, often extending to long hours, is deeply appreciated. I strive to make Petrochem a second home for them, where I act not just as a leader but as a guiding figure in their professional lives.”

What guidance do you offer regarding their work focus and contributions? I seek your recommendations in two aspects: advice for them and young professionals in other companies. His response is illuminating: “Today’s generation often lacks patience, expecting immediate results, akin to instant coffee. True success, however, is gradual, rooted in a solid business plan, ethical ideas, and correct steps. It requires good mental space and avoiding shortcuts, as shortcuts often lead to failure.”

As a founder, thinker, and creator, what is he looking at to take Petrochem to the next level? “The landscape today has changed completely; lower margins and increased costs characterize the current business environment,” he shares. “We’re facing challenges like reduced profits, oversupply, intense and sometimes unfair competition. This presents a stark contrast to the previously comfortable business landscape. However, adapting

to these new challenges is a natural part of life and business.”

Technology has driven rapid change. 20-somethings have vast knowledge and ambition. What advice would you give these tech-savvy, ambitious young people? His insights are invaluable and align with my perspectives: “The young generation benefits from abundant information but faces the challenge of its overload. This excess can hinder peace and quiet. The usefulness of all this information is uncertain. The new generation is smart and will encounter new opportunities, but they must work harder and smarter. Our era was somewhat easier, highlighting the need for intelligent, efficient work, not just hard work.”

How can a company like Petrochem successfully undergo a complete transformation? What are your insights on such a radical reinvention as it steers the entire company toward a new future? Yogesh’s vision of the future is both realistic and optimistic. He explains: “Petrochem must reinvent itself in response to the new business environment, necessitating re-strategizing and innovating. The methods used in the past decade are no longer relevant. The company faces unknown competitors who may challenge us in various ways and at different speeds. This continuous innovation is essential, allowing Petrochem to adapt and find new success in changing times. Optimism remains key in this process of adaptation.”

As our conversation winds down, Yogesh’s reflections turn introspective. He talks about giving back to society, enjoying family time, and living life on his terms. His journey, punctuated by successes and setbacks, encapsulates a powerful message for the future – one of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to values.

Yogesh Mehta’s story is more than just a chronicle of business success; it’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to dream, endure, and ultimately triumph. As I left his office, I couldn’t help but feel inspired, carrying with me not just an interview transcript but lessons for a lifetime.

“I focused on identifying and supplying a few high-demand specialty chemicals in the Middle East.”

THE DIGITAL PATH TO FINANCIAL INCLUSION

MICHAEL MADDEN

The payments industry might seem, at first, to be a dull subject. However, the pioneers in this sector are ushering in hundreds and hundreds of millions of people previously excluded from the financial system due to lack of access, revolutionizing many parts of the world. Michael Madden has navigated the turbulent waters of this industry for decades, especially in emerging markets, and is now at the forefront of financial innovation. Our conversation delves into the vast expanse of the future and is a testament to the power of curiosity, courage, and continual learning.

Michael is the Managing Partner at Ronoc, a global payments firm specializing in emerging markets, with a focus on retail financial services and fintech, emphasizing impact investing. He founded Ongo, a mobile money service in Myanmar that offers digital payments to businesses and consumers, easing cash transactions for various industries. Additionally, Michael serves on the boards of XacBank and TenGer Financial Group in Mongolia, held senior roles at American Express and leadership positions at Teneo, and was a founding CEO of a Moscow-based bank in Russia with Renaissance Capital ss strategic investors.

Our discourse starts with Michael’s early life in Portroe, Ireland. “I grew up in a village in rural Ireland. Portroe didn’t shape me: it formed me,” he reflects.

“Leading by example and upholding strong values are essential.”

“As we didn’t have a lot while I was growing up, my biggest influence was my parents: they taught me to dream, aspire, and be curious.”

Michael’s career path was marked by a bold decision to move to Russia in 1992 when most young go-getters were looking westwards. “It was an adventure, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because it took me into the unknown,” he recounts. “The unknown wasn’t the business I was in; it was the environment. It was challenging but fascinating both professionally and culturally.”

Michael’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as he speaks of his transition from his corporate roles at American Express to embarking on his own ventures, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact. He started his own business, Bank Renaissance Credit, in Moscow and hasn’t looked back since.

During his own transformation, the payments industry also underwent a revolution, especially in emerging markets. Michael paints a vivid picture of a future where traditional banking systems are leapfrogged by mobile and digital payment solutions, emphasizing the role of innovation and financial inclusion in shaping economies.

In the early 1990s, China rapidly adopted mobile technology, leading to the emergence of giants like Alibaba and Tencent’s WeChat and revolutionizing its financial sector. Today, 98% of transactions in China are made through mobile, amounting to $7 trillion, significantly surpassing traditional payment methods globally. This shift highlights China’s advanced position in mobile payments, posing questions about global adaptation and the future transformation of financial transactions.

His response is enlightening: “My early career showed me how certain nations, like Russia and China, rapidly advanced in the payments sector, leapfrogging traditional banking stages. Visa and MasterCard, contrary to popular belief, act only as intermediaries, not direct financial providers, much like a railway for transactions. The real innovation comes from banks, especially evident in Southeast Asia, where countries like Myanmar are moving towards mobile banking. This shift not only challenges traditional banking models but also

significantly contributes to financial inclusivity and economic growth, making physical branches and plastic cards increasingly obsolete.”

In Africa, financial inclusion is crucial due to limited access to the digital economy. Telecommunications giants like MTN and Etisalat are evolving into fintech entities, leveraging their networks to bring financial services to the underserved. This transformation is critical to bridging the financial inclusion gap, offering vital services to consumers, and fostering economic inclusion for the unbanked. He responds: “Telcos have revolutionized financial inclusion in Southeast Asia by developing their own financial services, like prepaid cards, enabling simple mobile payments. The affordability of smartphones has made financial services accessible to a broader audience, significantly advancing financial inclusion.”

According to Michael, since the 2008 financial crisis, the financial services landscape has transformed, with significant bank withdrawals and the rise of new entities, especially in Southeast Asia and Mongolia. He asserts that today’s market is dominated not by traditional banks but by fintech companies and ambitious insurance firms expanding their roles. These insurers have become vital players, gathering assets and offering financial solutions that complement banking services, such as local currency lending. This shift marks a new era in financial services, promising innovation and untapped opportunities.

In the fintech and payments sector, we’re at a crucial growth juncture. Banks, with their innovation, regulatory support, and brand recognition, could outperform fintech challengers 80% of the time. However, once fintechs expand their market reach, their ability to scale rapidly through digital means

poses a significant threat to traditional banking. I posit that there’s a trend toward digitalization and the potential for traditional banking methods to become obsolete.

He views disintermediation as a strategic focus within the payments sector, challenging for banks covering multiple areas. Michael predicts banks will shift towards a wholesaling role, supporting successful platforms like Caspi with funding and liquidity, suggesting a complementary relationship. He affirms, “I think the role of a bank will change,” emphasizing a future where banks support but don’t lead innovation. He critiques banks’ marketing prowess, contrasting it with FMCG companies that tailor products to consumer desires, highlighting a future dictated by user choice in a borderless world.

What are some of the things that he can visualize moving forward where this convergence and then the divergence of technologies are going to give us opportunities? “In today’s Southeast Asia, blockchain technology is making significant strides, poised to revolutionize payment systems by moving from traditional infrastructure to new, more efficient rails,” he states. “This shift is necessary to update our outdated systems and embrace a borderless world, enhancing global transactions. However, maintaining balance is crucial to safeguard against malicious actors who could disrupt the system for the majority of legitimate users. As we transition to a world without physical currency or potentially even smartphones, the pace of change is rapid, promising a future where secure, token-based transactions are the norm.” We are totally in alignment on this.

My keynote presentations begin with trust, truth, and ethics to highlight the risks of AI, such as machine learning and drones, lacking ethical oversight. The absence of moral frameworks presents significant dangers. Establishing ethical boundaries and unethically influencing those profiting from AI remain critical challenges. He shares: “Trust is essential. We need to ask simple questions: trust what? Trust who? The big issue today is, trust what information? Everyone’s a publisher. We’re short of editors. Trust is going to become a significant issue.”

Michael advocates for enhanced knowledge, policies, and regulations that foster business growth rather than hinder it, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. He points out the lack of talent in the political sphere capable of proactively supporting business expansion and

innovation. Highlighting China’s strategy, he notes their success in allowing businesses to thrive first before introducing regulations, suggesting this as a model for enabling progress and innovation.

Our discussion emphasizes the value of non-digital traits like trust, ethics, and creativity, which will become increasingly valuable in a world where anything digitizable becomes faster and cheaper. These irreplaceable qualities should be the focus of education and engagement, as technology will merely serve as an enabler in a future built around these essential human values. “Leading by example and upholding strong values are essential,” Michael affirms. “A robust value system supports societal functionality and individuality, rooted in my upbringing in Portroe. It’s crucial to recognize, live by, and articulate these values, defining legacy and impact.”

You’re a proud father; what advice do you give to parents? He elucidates: “Parenting is an enriching journey without a guidebook, focusing on moments that inspire curiosity and provide safe exploration, rather than on achievements. It’s about fostering happiness, self-acceptance, and motivation in children. Striving to create memorable experiences, I often find these moments as learning opportunities for myself as much as for my children.”

Happiness becomes the core of where we are at this moment in time. “Being fulfilled, being happy no matter what you do. It doesn’t matter what you do or what career you pick; enjoy it, love it,” he smiles. “Wake up with a passion every morning and enjoy it. Life is not straightforward, and it’s how you take the corners because it’s not a straight road.”

Michael leaves us with a simple yet profound message-in-a-bottle. “Be curious, be kind, be tenacious, and be happy.”

ENTREPRENEURS - SUCCESS STORIES

THE POWER OF THE HAPPINESS MINDSET

“Happiness can create growth.”

ROHIT DEV

Rohit Dev’s entrepreneurial journey is as intriguing as it is inspiring. I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement during our connection. Here is a person who not only thrives in the challenging world of business but also passionately advocates for happiness in organizations – and our future.

As the Founding Partner of Ideas91, Rohit specializes in bridging the gap between manufacturers and retailers in the consumer goods sector, aiding in product development and sales strategies across India, the Middle East, and Africa. His leadership extends to roles in YPO Dubai Downtown Chapter, HBS Club of the Middle East, and past involvement with TiE Dubai. Currently, he’s developing the ‘Happiness Playbook,’ based on his belief in happy companies’ success. Previously, he contributed

significantly to Elekta’s growth and now invests in and mentors various companies. He enjoys reading, gourmet food, and advocating for the “Good Life.’

Rohit opens our conversation by reminiscing about his childhood in Delhi, India. “I had a great and very happy childhood,” he shares, reflecting on the entrepreneurial influence of his family. This early exposure to business, coupled with a nurturing environment, laid the foundation for his future endeavors.

The conversation naturally veers towards the concept of happiness, a topic close to Rohit’s heart. “A huge amount of happiness was there since my childhood,” he shares. This happiness, he believes, is something he wants to pass forward, especially in the business world.

Rohit’s journey wasn’t devoid of challenges, just as with mine. My failures – such as failing my chartered accountancy exam – taught me that our perceptions of failure must be rewritten. Many view failure as a burden and that fear of failure

becomes a motivator in life. I posit that we should do things through love, happiness, and passion –not fear. Fear of failure shouldn’t be a driver in life and business.

Rohit shares candidly about a significant setback at the age of 35, a period he describes as ‘the most distressing time’ for him. “I came to Dubai when I was 25 and set up a very flourishing business in partnership with my uncle,” he says, “But in 2008, at 35 years of age, we had a separation in the business, which was very challenging. It was a failure. It was like we were creating a huge ship, and then suddenly, I had no ship to captain. That was a big challenge.”

However, it was the unwavering support from his family, especially his wife and parents, that helped him bounce back within six months and reestablish himself in the business world. “My wife has been a pillar,” he emphasizes, shedding light on the crucial role of family support in overcoming adversities. “That family support brought me back

very fast. I’m very grateful to them today.”

Happiness and purpose are two concepts fundamental to Rohit’s life and business outlook. “Defining one’s purpose at any life stage is crucial, and it’s perfectly acceptable for this purpose to change, even within a year,” he states. “Our focus should be on encouraging young people to identify their purpose early on. Education, while important, should be complemented by cultivating interests beyond academics, such as sports or community service. These activities not only build empathy but also contribute to overall happiness by allowing children to pursue a purpose beyond just their studies.”

I challenge him on that description of purpose. I believe that if you define purpose properly, purpose doesn’t change; the activities within that purpose can change. He elucidates: “I believe it’s valid for purposes to change. Having a more immediate, smaller-scale purpose is perfectly acceptable. Initially, my goal was to build a large procurement organization to support numerous families across the region. However, the loss of two close friends during COVID-19 and my reflections after 25 years as an entrepreneur led me to a new purpose: creating happy organizations. Given that we spend more time at work than at home, I realized the importance of a positive workplace. This shift shows how purposes can evolve over time.”

Entrepreneurs often begin from humble origins and achieve great success. I ask Rohit what the common entrepreneurial values are that he observes and how we can assist them in achieving their goals. He expresses concern over the current entrepreneurial landscape, which often prioritizes valuation and exit strategies over real purpose and value creation. “I want founders to rethink more than valuation,” he urges. “The success of an organization often hinges on its foundational purpose. Successful organizations typically start with a clear purpose or reason, which then leads to the creation of value. This purpose-driven approach is key to their success.”

In Rohit’s 25-year entrepreneurial journey, he has realized the importance of holistic happiness in organizations. He challenges the narrow focus on

employee happiness, stating: “As a founder and an entrepreneur, I say that’s just not possible.” He emphasizes the need for happiness across the entire ecosystem, including employees, leadership, customers, and the community.

He identifies four pillars of organizational happiness, which make up his Happiness Playbook: aligned top leadership, purpose-driven teams, customer satisfaction, and community involvement, in which “the whole ecosystem needs to be happy.” He adds: “Most organizations do not focus on customer happiness,” underscoring a common oversight, which I agree with. Furthermore, he highlights the impact of work on employees’ families, suggesting: “Ask your employees’ families what they feel about your business.” This comprehensive approach, he believes, is essential for true organizational success.

The outside world is fuelled by hyper-capitalism. In a scenario where growth, valuation, and money are the sole metrics, with employees viewed as assets rather than humans, the future of capitalism faces a critical crossroads. What is the future of capitalism for our world? “Capitalism has significantly changed over the past 20 years,” Rohit answers. “This shift has led to wealth creation based on future prospects, similar to how we’ve often overlooked long-term issues like climate change. This has contributed to a rise in global depression. For me, it’s crucial to balance the drive for hypercapitalism with logical business growth

that prioritizes sustainable and realistic objectives.”

This underscores his philosophy of business and entrepreneurship. “I’m very much pro-growth, but not in the form most people consider,” he says. “We can create growth by uplifting people, not by producing new iterations of the same products every few months, but instead uplifting people who don’t have the product to buy those products.”

What can shift that mindset? He explains: “Happiness can create growth. The growth mindset creates huge positivity because you’re creating value.”

I ask Rohit to share his insights on achieving greater happiness for a more meaningful future. He says happiness is influenced by several factors. “The shift from joint families to smaller units or pets, which impacts our interaction with young children and oxytocin release; faith or belief in something greater than oneself; purpose and meaning in one’s actions; and relationships with ‘useless friends’— those with whom there are no transactions, often from school or college. Arthur Brooks’ research suggests these elements greatly contribute to happiness. Implementing a ‘Happiness Playbook’ in companies can significantly boost organizational growth and individual happiness.”

Rohit’s message for the future is clear and powerful: Create happy organizations

GENERATIONS OF GROWTH FINANCE, BANKING & PAYMENTS

SHAUKAT MURAD AND ZIA MURAD

In the heart of Dubai, I have the privilege of sitting down with Shaukat Murad and his son, Zia. Our conversation is more than an interview; it is a gateway into the minds of two visionaries at the helm of Alpha Management Limited, navigating the tides of change and legacy in the corporate world through an intriguing intergenerational dynamic.

Shaukat’s journey to founding Alpha Management Limited in 2008 at the Dubai International Financial Centre is a story of resilience and ambition. Starting as a chartered accountant in London in 1978, his career spanned auditing and consultancy at Price Waterhouse, a significant tenure in offshore banking across global financial hubs, and the development of a specialized offshore department for Johnsons Chartered Accountants. His strategic move to Dubai in 2007 aimed to leverage his extensive experience, positioning Alpha Management to serve its key clients and expand in the MENASA region.

I direct the conversartion to Zia’s path to Deputy Managing Director at Alpha Management Limited. His father interrupts: “Zia joined us as a tea boy and worked his way up; he’s had a hand in everything that goes into running a company like ours.”

Zia philosophizes: “I’ve been very aware that I’ve always had a safety net in terms of my parents and this business, unlike him and you, who had none. In comparison, our work ethic has changed massively. I get my work ethic from seeing what Dad has done and wanting to emulate that. It’s been a much easier ride for me. So, it’s difficult to get to the same levels and the same motivations that you and he must have had when you were coming up through the ranks.” Zia learned work ethic and, more importantly, learned humility and respect, which are genuinely critical attributes to have in the future.

Alpha Management Limited offers specialized corporate services, including local and global

structuring, company administration, and business consultancy; it provides cost-effective solutions that offer tax efficiency, asset protection, and personal wealth management. Additionally, it supports clients in launching new businesses both locally and internationally, ensuring high-quality service. I posit that accountancy is a disappearing profession.

“Humanity won’t die because of technology. Technology is a tool.”

Anything repetitive by definition will fade - which is about 80% of the work. Accountants, lawyers, and service providers will go away. What will be left is the human connection, the advisory, and trust. Shaukat agrees: “What I love most about the function I perform is meeting new clients and existing clients and having human connections.”

In today’s rapidly evolving world, many people are uncertain about where we’ll be in the next three to five years. Consequently, the importance of advisory roles, particularly in guiding strategic decisions, has never been more critical. I’m interested in hearing Shaukat and Zia’s perspectives.

Shaukat enlightens me: “We are starting to have that conversation now. In this region, it is estimated that by the end of this decade, there will be two trillion dollars in wealth transfer in such a way that the next generation will not only inherit wealth but also understand and value other aspects of life. Numerous patriarchs and foreigners who came here 40 years ago built phenomenally successful businesses. The clients we see, by and large, are those who taught their children the ethics of hard work and prudent spending, with the aim of not just maintaining but also enhancing their wealth to leave a more substantial legacy.”

Our discussion meanders through the realms of automation, the future of jobs, and the irreplaceable value of human connection in a digital age. I ask them how they foresee their careers in the future. Shaukat replies: “Much more automated. We must find ways to adapt to technology and use it for our benefit. My generation still likes the old way of doing things, but the next generations might not want to meet us face-to-face; they’ll probably be in a foreign country, on a beach. The challenge will be in actually having a human connection with them. I see the next generation wanting less and less human contact.”

Zia shares his perspective: “It’s not necessarily less contact; it’s just a different way of living, of contact, of human touch. Who’s to say what is a human touch?”

This brings us to the crux of this conversation: is technology the most important thing going into the future? In Zia’s words: “Yes. We’re at this point

in time where there’s a convergence of so many exciting technologies. We need to adapt to the new technologies and use them as enabling tools.”

My thesis is that because of the 30 simultaneous Gutenberg moments today, just learning technology isn’t enough because it’s moving too fast. Anything that can be digitized will because it will be a million times faster and cheaper. But, everything that cannot be digitized, such as human touch, heart, soul, spirit, love, compassion, kindness, critical thinking, ethics, truth, and trust, will become a million times more valuable. The future is human, not technological.

Zia says: “Technology is a servant. Humanity won’t die because of technology. Technology is a tool; enabling, learning, education, playtime, stimulating your mind, and connecting people with other people; it’s just another tool we use. Humans aren’t being replaced. Technology is a driver to take us to the next stage of humanity.”

I challenge Shaukat and Zia. Industries like oil, gas, and pharmaceuticals, thriving on trillions in revenue, lack any real incentive to pivot toward sustainability. Despite the growing call for sustainability, unless it becomes more profitable than current practices, significant change remains unlikely. This status quo is increasingly unacceptable, especially to younger generations who, facing the prospect of living a century or more, demand a future that aligns with sustainable principles. Imagining the world a century from now requires a broader vision than our current mental horizon, which often doesn’t extend beyond a few decades.

Zia answers: “You say, imagine what the world looks like in a hundred years. This is where we have to be responsible now. More and more, people are becoming more concerned about what the future will look like. Climate change isn’t new; we’re at a point where we have to do something about it for the future.”

I ask Zia, from his side as a younger person with very young children, what he is telling his kids on a day-to-day basis in terms of what they should be looking towards in the future. He says: “I now feel a heightened sense of duty to advocate

“Climate change isn’t new; we’re at a point where we have to do something about it for the future.”

for sustainability, preserve genuine human connections, and ensure a safe, healthy, and joyful world for future generations - a topic not often discussed in my youth. This awareness is becoming more widespread, promising a growing momentum. I’m particularly excited about leveraging technology and AI as powerful tools in combating climate change. With focused efforts, I believe we can achieve significant progress within the next decade. The potential for positive change is immense, and I look forward to witnessing our collective journey forward.”

As our dialogue draws to a close, the overarching message is clear: the future, with all its uncertainties and possibilities, demands a blend of wisdom from the past and innovation for the days ahead. Shaukat and Zia Murad, through their journey, embody this balance - a beacon for aspiring leaders and a testament to the enduring power of a vision that bridges generations.

ENTREPRENEURS - SUCCESS STORIES

PROFIT FOR PURPOSE

TIM VANG

“Profound innovations often stem from failure. Each ‘setback’ helps us refine our approach to better meet market needs, emphasizing the importance of small experiments before large investments.”

Tim Vang is an entrepreneurs’ entrepreneur. His career is a testament to what it truly means to shape the future. In our conversation, we explore not just his insights but his vision of innovating the future.

His career spans over 30 years of enriching experience in the startup domain and in fostering innovation within major global corporations. As a Founder of pree.to, Tim champions entrepreneurial action within organizations. He is also the author of ‘From Holy Grail to structured fail,’ reflecting his deep-seated expertise in pretotyping.

“My mission is to empower companies to eliminate brain drain, time theft, and resource depletion. We can do better than just tackling food waste and plastic islands; let’s build a world with zero waste across the board,” he says, opening the conversation on a thought-provoking point.

I’m curious about his early life and what sparked his inspiration and shaped his purpose. “I’ve always been an explorer and adventurer,” he recounts. Growing up, he was encouraged to explore and take risks, such as climbing trees, without being held back by fear of reprimand. He believes this upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of self-trust and the freedom to pursue his passions, valuing happiness and personal fulfillment over traditional success metrics.

In discussing educational systems, Tim’s reflections struck a chord deep within me. Schools –and society – teach us to be successful but not how to cope with failure. For me, this is an essential skill for coping with today’s world. He articulates: “I became more humble, vulnerable, open, accessible, and my humility and growth happened more in the one year around my failure space than all of my success spaces.”

Tim’s most significant learning moment came in 2012 when he was personally invited to

Google. “They called it pretotyping. I’d never heard of it, but its impact changed the course of my career,” he reflects. He studied the concept of pretotyping from its inventor, Alberto Savoia, who was then Google’s Engineering Director and Innovation Agitator, and later became Tim’s mentor.

His journey into the world of pretotyping opened a new door, a method to “test before you invest,” ensuring ideas meet real-world needs before scaling. Pretotyping is a system designed to help organizations validate any idea for a new product “quickly, objectively, and accurately.” Alberto defines it as “helping you make sure that you are building the right ‘it’ before you build ‘it’ right.”

Tim’s book, ‘From Holy Grail to structured fail,’ delves deeper into the concept of “pretend-Otyping,” illustrating its effectiveness in simulating a product’s core experience to gauge genuine market reactions without the market knowing the product doesn’t yet exist. This method, he explains, bypasses the speculative feedback typical of focus groups, providing a more accurate measure of a product’s viability. He critically views market rationality, suggesting that markets often behave irrationally, making traditional product testing methods inadequate. He advocates for pretotyping as a tool not just for idea validation but as an iterative process essential for refining a product to meet market demands. This approach has evolved from merely teaching companies to pretotype to actively

conducting these market tests for them, thereby guiding investment decisions from the destined-tofail 80% to the 20% of projects with real potential for success.

I posit that beyond consumer irrationality, there’s often a lack of awareness about what they want, reminiscent of Steve Jobs’ insight that people don’t know their needs until they’re met. Marketing’s brilliance lies in creating a need for something consumers never realized they lacked. Tim concurs and shares an anecdote. His team implemented a parametric insurance system for farmers, initially targeting both crop and household protection. Despite a social media campaign, initial responses were low until unexpected interest emerged from urban areas. “Analysis revealed the true market was not the farmers themselves, but their children who would inherit these farms, facing risks from weather conditions like thunderstorms and droughts,” he explains. This insight shifted their marketing approach, tailoring the product more closely to the needs and feedback of this new target audience, enhancing its relevance and appeal.

The pace of the world has surpassed mere change; I believe transformation, a slightly quicker process, is now outdated. We’re in an era of reinvention, progressing towards metamorphosis, akin to evolving from a caterpillar into a butterfly. In this rapid evolution, I question how certain developments fit into this trajectory – are they accelerating our progress or holding us back? Tim believes it “helps us go faster.” He explains: “I see it as helping the world in creating more ‘right’ products, products for purpose. Success isn’t just about speed or being first; it’s rooted in purpose, creating essential, sustainable products for a world valuing transparency and ethical practices.”

How could Tim’s knowledge and methodologies guide us through this uncertain future? “Gone are the days of predicting the future five years out,” Tim responds.

So, how do we bring innovative products to market? For Tim, the answer lies in pretotyping, not just product development. He shares: “Through this approach, companies can gauge market reactions to hypothetical products without significant resource commitment. This enables organizations to identify crucial value gaps years ahead, propelling them beyond their customers.”

Tim urges all kinds of companies to take inspiration from companies like Amazon and Uber, who run thousands of experiments, knowing that most will

fail. He stresses: “The logic is simple: from ten ideas, two might succeed. But what if you have 100 or even 1,000 ideas? The odds of discovering groundbreaking solutions skyrocket. It’s not about lengthy, in-depth processes. It’s about rapid learning. Ultimately, listening to the market is paramount. Coupled with innovative design and iterative experimentation, that can unlock a trove of opportunities.”

By 2030, the majority of current jobs will drastically change, presenting HR with the challenge of preparing for roles that don’t yet exist. The solution lies in valuing core human qualities over fleeting skills, emphasizing adaptability, continuous learning, and critical thinking. “You cannot sit and wait for it,” he asserts. “My advice: just do it. Embrace a dynamic approach to change by engaging in dialogue through three critical questions: what aspects of change do you welcome, which do you feel lack purpose, and what unseen opportunities have you observed?”

For him, this process-oriented mindset encourages experimentation and learning. “Organizations can navigate change more effectively, fostering innovation and adaptability as key drivers for future success,” he adds.

I ask Tim what are the most important things that define the future. He answers: “Purpose: no business will survive in the future if it doesn’t have a real purpose. Business must be for profit, yet profit must be for purpose.”

As the interview draws to a close, I ask Tim what he’d be celebrating on his 100th birthday. His response is illuminating: “We’re celebrating that every morning I’m alive. What can you do when you’re happy? You can walk on water. I know what will be on my tombstone one day. Just four words: ‘While alive, he lived.’”

As we stand on the precipice of tomorrow, looking out at the vast expanse of potential, Tim Vang’s reflections offer both a map and a compass. The future, as he sees it, is ripe with opportunity, a horizon that beckons with the promise of innovation, purpose, and a shared commitment to a better world. It’s a future that we can shape, guided by the voices of those like Tim, who dare to imagine, challenge, and create.

Pree.to

Ragnagade 7, 2100

Copenhagen, Denmark

Email: time@pree.to

A LEGACY OF CHANGE RAJESH SAJNANI

“When I chose happiness, everything started to fall into place. The only person you can change is you.”

Where the clamor of ambition often drowns out the quieter notes of humanity and ethics, Rajesh Sajnani stands as a testament to the power of trust, truth, and innovation in shaping businesses and futures. As the founder and CEO of the RVS Group of Companies, his journey from a young entrepreneur in Dubai to a visionary leader speaks volumes about transforming challenges into opportunities, guided by unwavering values and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Rajesh founded RVS in 1989 in Dubai and has led this fashion industry titan’s growth into diverse sectors. The group includes Rajesh Trading Co. LLC, which revolutionized the wholesale textile market with high-end fabrics, Si Fashion Galerie and The Showroom by Si Fashion for haute couture and fast fashion distribution, and Cloudhost Technology, lauded for innovative cloud services in 2017

and 2018. An alumnus of Harvard Business School, his success stems from creativity, resilience, and a people-first approach, valuing trust and relationships above all.

My conversation with Rajesh reveals a narrative rich in wisdom, humility, and foresight. Raised by a mother whose kindness and trust in humanity deeply influenced him, his ethos revolves around making a positive social impact. “My mom made me who I am,” he reflects on the foundational principles that have guided his business philosophy and personal growth.

Rajesh’s father deeply emphasized the value of education to him and his siblings. Despite living apart, with Rajesh and his siblings in India and his father working in Dubai, this principle remained a cornerstone of their upbringing. Rajesh’s decision to start a business at 19 was

fueled by a profound sense of duty and a wish to support his family. He recounts, “My father was about 60 at the time, and I wondered who would look after him in Dubai,” explaining his move to Dubai with a clear purpose: “My goal as a son should be to help him retire. The only way for that was for me to move to Dubai and start my own business. Within four years, I retired my dad from working.”

The fashion industry is renowned for its intensity, where even the most talented individuals face significant challenges. I’m curious about what motivated Rajesh to venture into such a demanding field. “My father was involved in the textiles sector; I had no clue about it. I told him we would open our own textile shop and asked him to help. That’s how we started. I began to love the fabrics and designs, and I even started creating my own designs, not from a creative standpoint but to differentiate our business from others. From our little shop, we grew to be the biggest retailer in terms of volume within four years. I earned my first AED 1 million in my second business year. I did the biggest business in the market with the smallest shop.”

For him, innovation is crucial across all industries. He elucidates: “It’s about solving customer problems innovatively and adding value to make your business stand out. Success isn’t determined by the industry but by how you differentiate and execute your strategy. I’ve been doing that for 35 years, and we’ve not had a bad year because I continuously decide to be that differentiating factor. I will not sell a product; I will sell my value-add. That’s what changes the equation in my business.”

Reinvention is a process of unlearning and relearning; many people can’t do that. I posit that Rajesh has reinvented himself and his business several times since he launched RVS. What were the catalysts for that reinvention for Rajesh? “Life’s about grabbing happiness and shaking things up, from your personal life to your business,” he asserts. “It’s all connected. When I chose happiness, everything started to fall into place. The only person you can change is you. To be happier, I needed to be healthier. Getting fit wasn’t just about losing weight but about feeling

good. When you’re on that journey, you look at your work and see that it isn’t as fit as you are trying to be, and then you start looking into how you can make your teams, processes, and business models fitter, too. That creates a cycle of continuous improvement and success.”

How does a successful businessperson like Rajesh inspire and motivate his children to learn to grow and follow their ambitions? His answer is profound: “I made sure that I provided them with the education and infrastructure so that nothing can come between them and their dreams except their own mindsets.”

He adds: “Growing up, they saw me work hard. They witnessed the entire journey and realized if I could do it, so could they. At 45, I got into Harvard. This was my way of setting an example. Each person is unique and will find their own path.”

In my presentations, I emphasize that when people ask about the future’s key aspects, they expect me to mention technology or AI. But for me, it’s all about trust, truth, and ethics. Establishing a foundation of trust, ensuring truthfulness, and adopting ethical practices across all areas, including AI and business, are crucial. This ethical foundation is what will secure our future. Without it, we face challenges. What is Rajesh’s stance on trust and ethics in the business world? “That’s the cornerstone of my business,” he shares. “Trust isn’t only about employees; your team is part of building trust and ethics. A company is responsible for its suppliers, customers, bankers, community, and even the wider ecosystem because everybody you deal with helps you create that social infrastructure. Trust and ethics are reflected in your products and services and how customers perceive you. For me, it is the ultimate barometer of business success.”

I propose to Rajesh hopping into a time capsule, zooming forward to celebrate his 100th birthday. What’s surrounding him? What brings him the most joy? Rajesh shares his vision: “In the

future, basic innovations like flying cars will blend with enduring natural beauty - greenery, lakes, and sunlight, ensuring a balance between technology and nature. Even at 100, the desire for a simple, beautiful home with a garden remains strong, surrounded by modern conveniences. Business legacies have evolved, shifting from personal to communal benefits, ensuring sustainability and growth for future generations. This transformation, cemented through legal and structural changes, ensures that businesses continue to support communities, embodying a legacy of opportunity and social change beyond individual lifetimes.”

One of the most poignant moments in our conversation comes when Rajesh ponders the message he would leave for the future. “This message was sent to you by a loving and kind man who wanted to change the world for the better,” he urges. This simple yet powerful statement encapsulates his life’s mission: to inspire positive change through kindness, innovation, and a deep respect for the values that connect us as humans.

Rajesh’s story is more than just a chronicle of

REVOLUTIONIZING PATIENT EMPOWERMENT

GEORGINA KYRIAKOUDES

Georgina Kyriakoudes, operating at the intersection of technology and human ingenuity, leads the charge in revolutionizing healthcare. As the CoFounder and CEO of Aria Health, she spearheads the utilization of blockchain technology to securely and transparently transact health data, empowering patients and fostering collaboration within the industry.

Our conversation delves into Georgina’s background, shaped by a childhood marked by constant relocations due to her father’s military service. Embracing change and innovation, she shares her passion for exploring new horizons, setting the foundation for her journey of relentless pursuit of innovation mirrored in Aria Health’s ethos.

“Don’t forget people; remember we’re here, and connection and community is ultimately the base for everything we have.”

Georgina’s resilience in the face of failure becomes evident as she discusses her journey, emphasizing the transformative power of setbacks as stepping stones for growth. From non-traditional career paths to academic pursuits in blockchain, her experiences laid the groundwork for Aria Health’s inception.

The catalyst for Aria Health’s vision arose from a personal experience highlighting the fragmented nature of healthcare systems. Witnessing a friend’s struggle to access critical health data in an emergency underscored the urgent need for a solution, culminating in Aria Health’s mission to democratize health data through blockchain technology.

Georgina elaborates on blockchain’s potential to address data integration challenges and privacy concerns in healthcare, emphasizing the importance of transparency and patient empowerment. Aria Health’s platform ensures patient control over data sharing, fostering trust and participation in healthcare decision-making.

In advocating for patient engagement, Georgina proposes incentivizing preventive care and enhancing participation through rewards, aligning incentives with value-based care principles. She

underscores the pivotal role of blockchain in realigning healthcare incentives and improving patient outcomes.

As we navigate through Georgina’s insights, it becomes evident that her vision extends beyond technological advancements to embrace the fundamental importance of human connection and community in shaping the future of healthcare. Georgina’s message resonates with a call to reimagine healthcare at the intersection of technology and humanity, challenging us to harness innovation to build a more equitable and sustainable future.

CHAPTER SIX

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

THE POWER OF ENOUGH

MARISA PEER

“In life if one person believes in you it makes a difference - so believe in yourself, and be that one person for somebody else… because you are enough.”

As I sit with Marisa Peer, I feel a sense of awe. Her groundbreaking work in Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) not only transforms lives but also reshapes the narrative around mental health and well-being for the future. My conversation with Marisa is a profound privilege.

An award-winning therapist with a remarkable three-decade career, she has made a significant impact on the lives of many, including international superstars, CEOs, and Olympic athletes, through public speaking, therapy training courses, and best-selling books. She developed RTT, an innovative method that has gained global recognition for its effectiveness in achieving lasting change swiftly and efficiently, often with just one or two sessions.

Initially starting her career in child psychology, she shifted paths to pursue qualifications from the Hypnosis Training Institute of Los Angeles and the Pritikin Longevity Centre. Marisa’s expertise and pioneering approach to therapy have not only made her a national magazine columnist but also a familiar face on major media outlets and television shows, such as GMTV and BBC News in the United Kingdom, and a speaker at prestigious events like TEDx.

Now, her focus is on expanding the reach of her message and RTT method through the Rapid Transformational Therapy school, training individuals to become RTT therapists and thereby extending the benefits of this transformative approach to as many people as possible.

“I created RTT to make therapy accessible and simple for everyone,” she begins. Her mission is clear: to infuse the future with hope, understanding, and the unshakable belief that change is possible, which aligns with my own beliefs.

I’m inquisitive as to what shaped Marisa to become the luminary she is today. “My grandmother was an amazing person and a significant figure in my life,” she reveals. “She taught me that if you have one person who believes in you in life, you’ll always be okay. That’s partly what drove me to become a therapist: I wanted to be that one person for others,” she shares. She’s trained over 17,000 therapists all over the world, and she tells them all to be that one person for others, too. Marisa points out: “In the Quran and Torah, it says that if you change the life of one person, it’s the same as changing the life of the whole world.”

From an external perspective, Marisa’s childhood seemed idyllic, nestled behind a white picket fence in Cambridge, England, embodying the picture of perfection. Her father, a highly respected headteacher, was adored by many for his genuine dedication to education. Conversely, her mother faced a deep sense of unfulfillment, compounded by a troubled marriage due to her father’s frequent absences at home due to work commitments. This

domestic backdrop instilled in her a skepticism towards relationships, contrasting sharply with her admiration for her father’s professional fulfillment and impact. “He always felt he had the best job in the world because he made a difference – and he did make a difference by helping and influencing people,” she recalls.

Observing her father’s profound satisfaction and legacy in his career shaped Marisa’s career aspirations. The desire to emulate his ability to make a difference and find meaning, growth, connection, significance, certainty, purpose, and diversity through work propelled her into therapy.

Her father’s legacy of championing the underprivileged and ensuring every child felt significant inspired the creation of the ‘I Am Enough’ movement,’ aiming to instill a sense of worth and significance into more people’s lives. “We teach children: ‘I’m enough, I matter, I’m significant, I’m worthy,’” she shares, a direct reflection of her father’s ethos.

I’ve witnessed RTT and the ‘I Am Enough’ movement’s impact on effectively making a difference and changing the world. With over 17,000 therapists trained, the butterfly effect is truly massive. She divulges: “I’ve lost count of how many school children our efforts have reached; it’s just the most amazing feeling knowing that I have impacted the lives of children, knowing that when I go to bed at night, someone has a better life because of the skills I possess; it’s the best feeling in the world.”

As we delve deeper into the mechanics of RTT, Marisa illuminates its transformative power. “RTT is therapy, but it’s very different to many traditional approaches as it addresses the past, present, and future simultaneously,” she explains. “It doesn’t ask you to spend the whole session talking about what happened to you - it just looks at what happened, which is the past. Then, it looks at why what happened is still affecting you, which is the present. And then, RTT changes it, which is the future. A lot of therapy looks at what has happened to you and tries to change it, but we do all of it at the same time, which is why it’s rapid and transformational. It’s incredibly powerful.”

Marisa has transformed tens of thousands of lives. What is the message that shifts people’s mindset? Her response is enlightening: “A lot of people have this belief that we humans are very fragile, and we’re very easily broken, and that when we go through trauma, it stays in our body and destroys us. I’ve always thought the opposite. We’re incredibly resilient. We’re amazingly powerful,

“We teach children: ‘I’m enough, I matter, I’m significant, I’m worthy,.”

“We’re incredibly resilient. We’re amazingly powerful, and we have a huge bounce-back factor.”

and we have a huge bounce-back factor. We don’t always know that because it’s never about what happens to you; it’s how you feel about what happened to you. The event affects you, but the meaning you attach to the event affects you so much more - but we have the power to change the meaning at any time.”

She explains that RTT focuses on empowering individuals by reframing past experiences, highlighting that childhood beliefs need not dictate adult life. RTT addresses common misconceptions about loveability, success, and self-worth rooted in one’s upbringing, emphasizing that past challenges do not define a person’s future potential. She uses an analogy of a person carrying old, limiting beliefs like a heavy rucksack; this illustrates the unnecessary burden they pose, encouraging a perspective shift to heal and move forward. “If your life was a massive clock, your childhood is the first six minutes. We give so much attention to the first six minutes, understandably, because it does shape you and influence you. However, we have the rest of our lives to go back and reframe that,” she urges.

According to Marisa, through hypnotherapy, individuals uncover and reinterpret deeply ingrained beliefs linked to past experiences, as seen in cases of compulsive behaviors like shoplifting and smoking. She believes these behaviors often trace back to childhood experiences where actions were tied to receiving love or attention, such as a child praised for stealing by a parent or bonding over cigarettes during traumatic family moments. By revisiting these formative memories under hypnosis, people can understand the origins of their actions, allowing for the opportunity to change their underlying beliefs and meanings, leading to transformative healing.

She explains further: “I often hear people express frustration over behaviors they wish to change, like shouting at their kids, overeating, or drinking, feeling powerless against these habits. This sense of powerlessness is interesting; it suggests our minds believe these behaviors protect us or serve us in some way. For instance, procrastination or selfsabotage can be a defense mechanism to avoid rejection or failure. The mind’s job is to protect you from pain. We do have very powerful patterns of

self-sabotage. We must understand these patterns; I’ve seen how finding, understanding, and then changing these patterns can lead to significant, lasting change. It’s about finding the root cause of our actions and addressing them head-on, a process that requires us to find, understand, and change our patterns simultaneously for effective transformation.”

To me, the future isn’t about technology; the future’s about humanity and our basic attributes such as love, compassion, creativity, and empathy. Marisa wholeheartedly agrees: “On their deathbeds, people never say they wished they’d made more money, eaten fewer chocolates, or should have had more fine wines. They always wish they’d spent more time with their children, partner, and family.”

For Marisa, the future is about one thing: “Life’s all about love. Love is everything. The things that make us happy are our relationships with people. We are hardwired to survive on the planet by finding connection and avoiding rejection.” The power of the mind is boundless. Marisa concurs: “The mind is very simple. Your mind’s job is to

make your thoughts real, and your job is to think better thoughts. We must take responsibility for our thoughts and keep upgrading them all the time.” She emphasizes the ability to shift from negative to positive thinking, like changing “I’ve got a terrible memory” to “I’ve got an amazing memory.” Her narrative drives home the point that our physical and emotional well-being is significantly influenced by our thoughts, advocating for a conscious effort to nurture positive thinking for improved health and happiness.

Our thoughts have the power to shape our reality, including our health, she stresses. Emphasizing positive thinking can transform “disease thinking” into a healthier mindset, as the majority of ailments are not from physical but mental sources. This concept is supported by the observation that emotional states influence our immune system’s strength. Thus, nurturing thoughts of a strong immune system is not just optimistic but practically beneficial, demonstrating the profound connection between our mental state and physical health, Marisa points out.

This thinking extends to success and failure. Marisa’s definition of success strikes a chord with me: “It isn’t that you’ve ever failed; it’s how quickly you bounced back. It’s not that you’ve had a bad day, week, or year. Instead, it’s how quickly you can come back. If you have that bounce-back factor, you’ll do amazingly well because most successful people have had challenging times too.”

I believe setbacks are a stepping stone to success; it is a choice in how we allow them to affect us. She affirms: “Everything’s a choice, and the way you talk about what happened is a choice. Reframing is a choice. We’re not taught how to do it or why we should do it. But it is transformational. We don’t realize that happiness is a choice. We can choose to think happy thoughts or negative thoughts. We can choose to give in, or we can choose to bounce back. We’re not shown the power of choice.”

For her, it comes back to the language we use. She relates a personal story: despite being told by numerous doctors that she’d never conceive or have a healthy baby, she defied the odds to give birth to a perfectly healthy daughter. This personal victory

inspired her to develop a program aiding women facing unexplained infertility, emphasizing the significant mental component in conception. Her book, ‘Trying To Get Pregnant (And Succeeding),’ has empowered countless women to overcome fertility challenges, leading to many healthy babies. Through sharing her journey, she has turned her once-perceived limitation into a source of hope for others.

Pivoting to business environments, how can people’s limiting beliefs be unlocked to transform them and their companies? “From childhood, people are often influenced by limiting beliefs about wealth, success, and abundance, instilled through phrases like ‘rich people sold their soul to make it’ or ‘you can’t have everything.’ These beliefs create deep-seated blocks against achieving financial success, with individuals sabotaging their own success due to fears associated with wealth. The human brain’s preference for the familiar over the unfamiliar contributes to this. We must make good things familiar and negative things unfamiliar. Our thoughts can propel us forward or hold us back.”

The conversation turns to the future. For Marisa’s 100th birthday, what are we celebrating? “I envision looking back, proud of having influenced the integration of RTT into mainstream schools and healthcare. It’s about leaving a legacy. I’ve aimed to make a difference, pioneering a new therapy in a field once dominated by men. Despite setbacks, I believe in bouncing back, fulfilling my destiny, and contributing something meaningful to the world. This journey, filled with both challenges and triumphs, aligns with my belief that we eventually end up where we’re meant to be, content with the impact we’ve made.”

Her message in a bottle is deeply philosophical: “I am enough.” As I reflect on our conversation, I’m reminded that the future is not a destination but a journey - one that we embark on with hope, courage, and the unshakeable belief that we are enough. Marisa’s voice guides us toward a future where humanity flourishes in the fullness of its potential.

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

HEALING FROM WITHIN DR. JAFFER KHAN

“Don’t give advice, don’t use any product, and don’t do any procedure that you’re not prepared to do for a member of your own family.”

In our intimate discussion, Dr. Jaffer Khan, a trailblazer in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, shares his journey towards a “new reawakening” in functional and regenerative medicine, aiming to improve health and vitality from the inside out. This shift reflects a vision that goes beyond mere appearances.

Having known Dr. Khan for 25 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand his significant impact on Dubai’s aesthetic and reconstructive surgery field. His innovative spirit has constantly shaped his career and the medical landscape. The launch of The Aeon Clinic marks a pivotal moment, inviting us to envision the future of holistic health care. His evolution from a pioneering plastic surgeon to a leader in comprehensive wellness underscores both his personal growth and the transformative progress of healthcare in Dubai.

As the Founder and Medical Director of Aesthetics International & The Nova Clinic by Aesthetics, he has an illustrious career rooted in the UK and the Middle East. After completing his initial training in plastic surgery at Cork University Hospital, Dr. Khan honed his skills across the UK, including prestigious stints at St. Bartholomew‘s and the Royal London Hospitals, and furthered his cosmetic surgery expertise in Manhattan and a renowned Harley Street practice in London.

A trailblazer in the field, the young surgeon was the first in the Middle East to pass the Joint Royal Colleges’ specialty fellowship in Plastic Surgery. He’s recognized for his expertise in breast and body contouring, facial, breast, and abdominal aesthetics, as well as reconstructive surgery, and he is a skilled hand, burns, and microvascular surgeon. He introduced the pioneering Facial Resurfacing technique to the Middle East, bringing the first Erbium YAG laser to Riyadh in 1997 and Dubai in 1998. His work extends to academia as a visiting professor at Anglia Ruskin University, where he co-leads the MCH training program in Dubai with Professor Frame.

As a Key Opinion Leader in anti-aging injections and fillers, Dr. Khan consults for major companies like Galderma and Allergan and contributes significantly to medical literature, including a recent book chapter on the topic. His comprehensive approach and international collaborations reflect a commitment to excellence in aesthetic medicine.

Reflecting on his career’s evolution, Dr. Khan highlights the dramatic growth of Dubai’s medical sector, noting, “Dubai was in its infancy of progress when I started here; now, there are probably 350 plastic surgeons.” He desires to create a legacy beyond the superficial, aiming for a holistic approach that blends external beauty with overall wellness, anticipating the future direction of medicine.

well done, doctor,” during a school project involving hormone effects on chicks.

Our conversation leaps into the future. Dr. Khan’s optimism about the advancements in medical science is fascinating. He posits:

Humorously, his early interest in medicine was sparked by a childhood experiment and an encouraging comment from a girl he had a crush on at age 13, “Oh,

“The child who is going to live to 150 is already born.”

I express concern over the societal and ethical issues that could emerge. He speculates on the ramifications of increased lifespans, foreseeing potential reductions in healthcare expenses and a boost to societal productivity. He imagines a future where life concludes swiftly, reshaping concepts of life insurance and family dynamics. “Remember, we’ve evolved through times when people were living to 40, and now they’re living to 80,” he remarks, highlighting the swift evolution of human lifespans and the challenges posed by potential longevity.

I observe the rapid evolution of medical science, with data doubling quickly enough to potentially outpace medical education. This evolution suggests a shift towards a data-centric healthcare era, with companies like Apple and Amazon at the forefront, challenging traditional pharmaceutical approaches. Dr. Khan emphasizes the crucial role of data in driving advancements in AI and regenerative medicine, lamenting the scarcity of centers with the data required for harnessing the

body’s healing capacities. “AI is all going to be data-driven; it’s a constant evolution process,” he states, highlighting his work with genomic data to address biological aging amidst regulatory hurdles.

Collaborating with a US firm, I’ve worked on anonymizing medical data for better treatment distribution, initially focusing on pediatric cancer, and noticed an improved perception of data privacy in healthcare. Dr. Khan discusses the specific challenges of data collection in regenerative medicine, impacted by strict regulations in Europe and America, yet remains optimistic about the future of this field. “It will take time,” he acknowledges.

In my discussions about the future, I emphasize the importance of trust, ethics, and values in contrast to traditional medicine’s profit orientation, a concern amplified by ethical dilemmas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Khan sets high ethical standards, treating patients as he would his own family and only recommending treatments he fully supports. He asserts: “Don’t give advice, don’t use any product, and don’t do any procedure that you’re not prepared to do for a member of your own family.”

Impressed by its straightforwardness, I admire Dr. Khan’s ethical stance. He prioritizes transparency and honesty, especially crucial in regenerative medicine’s complex landscape. “The first thing I would tell them is this is the science; this is where we are,” he says, ensuring patient expectations are grounded in reality.

The discussion on biological versus chronological age intrigued me, particularly the trend of using supplements and lifestyle changes to reverse aging. Dr. Khan highlights a regenerative medicine approach focusing on gut health and lifestyle, acknowledging the vital roles of mindset, exercise, diet, and

social interaction in overall well-being. He points out, “If you’re doing it in conjunction with all of the other epigenetic factors, of course, you’re making a positive contribution,” reflecting on the beneficial impacts of social engagement and a positive outlook through personal and family experiences.

My grandmother’s longevity, defying medical norms through her lifestyle and joy, echoes insights from longevity experts like Dr. Mike Sinel on the profound influence of happiness and social connections on life span. Dr. Khan observes societal challenges and disparities in the US, particularly how cutting-edge longevity technologies may exacerbate social divides by being more accessible to wealthier individuals.

commitment to patient health and well-being. Dr. Khan emphasizes the necessity of preparing the body for regenerative treatments, likening it to soil preparation for seeding: “You cannot plant a seed in infertile soil.” Despite not claiming to be an authority, his passion for regenerative medicine highlights his commitment to advancing patient well-being through innovative therapies.

Dr. Khan predicts that medical innovations will become more accessible over time, similar to the cost reduction seen in the Human Genome Project, stating, “Eventually, it will all filter down.” This reflects his optimism about the democratization of healthcare advancements. He also questions the pursuit of immortality, asking whether eternal life would truly be fulfilling, thereby emphasizing the importance of growth and change in a meaningful existence.

At Dr. Khan’s clinic, patients undergo a comprehensive integrative process, beginning with detailed consultations with various specialists to identify health issues. Dr. Khan underscores this approach: “When you talk functional medicine, you’re talking about integrating all the body systems.” This leads to personalized regenerative treatments based on extensive diagnostics like blood, genetic, and gut biome tests.

The clinic’s treatment strategy includes regenerative methods such as hyperbaric oxygen and ozone therapy, alongside peptides for tissue repair, essential for effective healing. Dr. Khan highlights, “These peptides help you with protein synthesis, which is super important in building muscle mass and so on,” emphasizing a holistic

My engagement with yoga and teachings from Sanjeev Krishnan aligns with Dr. Khan’s holistic approach to health, incorporating daily meditation and exercise. This synergy between traditional wellness practices and regenerative medicine represents, to Dr. Khan, the healthcare future. He notes the effectiveness of integrating yoga and other activities into treatment plans, stating, “That is the future space,” showcasing his clinic’s innovative approach to creating a healing environment that promotes overall health.

Dr. Khan delves into the nuanced discussion of happiness and contentment within wellness, drawing on Joe Dispenza’s concepts of manifestation. He candidly expresses his challenges in achieving contentment, stating, “I find it very difficult to sit in every moment of the day and say that, am I truly happy?” This introspection reveals the complexities of pursuing both success and inner peace.

Dr. Khan highlights patient motivations: “Most people will come in wanting to live longer, better longer,” indicating a universal desire for enhanced life quality. He underscores this by pointing out that affluent individuals and renowned athletes like Rafael Nadal and Federer seek regenerative treatments to maintain peak performance and health, aspiring for “stronger joints for longer.”

Dr. Khan discusses the critical need to preserve human values amid rapid technological advances, expressing disillusionment with the current state of global governance and its impact on societal compassion and justice. His insights urge a recommitment to empathy and human connection within the healthcare sector and broader society.

I liken the influx of innovations like stem cells and AI to numerous Gutenberg moments, emphasizing the essential integration of humanity and core values with technological progress.

Dr. Khan highlights the disconnect between traditional medical education and the future of medicine, confessing, “Even doctors don’t understand future medicine.” He critiques reliance on outdated protocols, advocating for a paradigm shift towards the body’s natural healing abilities: “We have to realize that we have an innate capability of healing that we just have to allow ourselves to activate.” This call to action emphasizes the need for regenerative medicine.

As a futurist, I see generative AI transforming diagnostics while stressing the essential role of human qualities, such as empathy, in healthcare.

Dr. Khan comments on the undervalued aspects of love and connection in society with a pragmatic, “It doesn’t make money.” Yet, he underscores the crucial role of mental health in medicine: “We have to look at mental health as a super important part.”

When asked about his vision for his 100th birthday, Dr. Khan prioritizes the richness of life’s journey, stating, “The opportunity to have had the experience.” He advises, “Don’t work too hard,” reminding us of the fleeting nature of existence: “You’re one heartbeat away from not being here anymore.”

I envision a compassionate future where asking, “How are you feeling?” symbolizes the essence of medical care.

This dialogue affirms my conviction in balancing human values with technological advancements for a meaningful future. Dr. Khan’s perspectives advocate for a healthcare approach that cherishes well-being and prioritizes a life led by values.

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

HEALING WITH HEART

DR. HANAN SELIM

“Exploring the root causes of health issues is vital, which means looking beyond medical history to include lifestyle and mental health assessments.”

Dr. Hanan Selim, a visionary in holistic health, blends her extensive healthcare expertise with a deep understanding of human wellness. An influential international speaker, author, and mentor at UN Women, she’s making a significant impact with her initiative, Tackle & Talk, globally empowering women and Gen Z. Her transition from traditional medicine to holistic health marks a profound shift, challenging conventional healthcare norms and underscoring the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Her rich background in healthcare spans over two decades, notably in New York’s top medical institutions. Dr. Selim’s work on the Pharmaceuticals and Therapeutics Committee and clinical chemotherapy pharmacist at a renowned New York hospital gave her a deep understanding of chronic illnesses and patient care.

Dr. Selim, amidst her tenure at top medical institutions, often grappled with the discrepancy between advanced medical resources and the grim prognoses given to patients, from cancer to diabetes complications. This dilemma troubled her: why weren’t more effective treatments being used with such resources at hand?

Her personal health ordeal with endometriosis led to a hysterectomy, which brought this issue into sharp focus. Faced with her own surgery, she asked, “Why is this happening?” Reflecting on this turning point, she recounts, “I was the drug expert, yet here I was the patient. As I was being wheeled to the operating room, I asked for the paperwork, not to sign my life away, but to sign myself up to life.”

This experience propelled her to delve into epigenetics, uncovering how our DNA is just one part of the health equation, alongside significant physical, mental, and emotional environmental factors.

I, too, advocate for a more holistic approach in medicine, especially now when abundant data could bolster preventative care. The current healthcare model, focusing more on cure than prevention, perpetuates a cycle of unhealthy lifestyles leading to illness, temporary pharmaceutical solutions, and resultant profits for hospitals and insurance companies. This ‘sick care system’ appears deeply flawed. Dr. Selim points out: “The first line of therapy today for diabetes is a drug from World War I. We’ve advanced in technology, yet healthcare is at a standstill.” She attributes this stagnation to the strict adherence to medical guidelines, cautioning that deviating from these norms could lead to legal issues and loss of licensure for healthcare professionals.

While compliance is important, the core issue in healthcare is financial incentives. The profitdriven model diminishes the motivation for change, especially with medications like insulin. Yet, as a futurist, I anticipate a shift driven by a growing focus on data and preventative care, potentially leading pharmaceutical companies to adopt more proactive, health-positive strategies. Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Selim observes: “Patients are increasingly inquisitive and aware, questioning their medications and seeking alternatives like diet, nutrition, herbs, and acupuncture, to avoid dependency on drugs and invasive procedures.”

Reflecting on the evolution of diseases, where once infectious diseases like tuberculosis and polio were common, today, we see a prevalence of cardiometabolic and lifestyle-related diseases like cancer and heart disease.

This shift suggests a need to focus more on lifestyle changes, mental health, and overall well-being. In response, Dr. Selim shares her experience: “This realization led me to move away from just prescribing medications. Though rigorous, medical education sometimes misses crucial aspects of patient care. Exploring the root causes of health issues is vital, which means looking beyond medical history to include lifestyle and mental health assessments.”

In a world rife with dissonance, stress, and noise, our mental health is increasingly impacted. Society’s growing recognition of mental health challenges prompts me to inquire about Dr. Selim’s initiatives in this area. She explains: “Post-COVID, our understanding deepened as we faced our emotions in isolation, highlighting mental

health issues.” Research in regions like the Gulf Cooperation Council shows heightened levels of mental health concerns, surpassing global averages. The UAE, she notes, responded proactively by developing strategies like Wellbeing 2031 to address these challenges.

Contrasting this, I point out the UAE’s wealth juxtaposed with rising obesity, diabetes, and mental health issues, questioning the root of these problems. Dr. Selim, observing Generation Z, initially thought them lazy but recognized their intelligence and the unique challenges they face, such as technological influence and future uncertainties. She acknowledges these modern struggles, including environmental concerns, highlighting the complex interplay between societal progress and health challenges. However, Dr. Selim views stress as a potential catalyst for growth. “Stress can be a fuel to push you forward, to analyze, be agile and adaptive,” she asserts.

Dr. Selim and I discussed the rapidly evolving job market, particularly in the context of AI, robotics, and machine learning advancements. She highlighted a striking prediction from a

Dubai Police conference: “In the near future, there will be jobs that don’t even exist today,” indicating the transformative impact of technology on employment. This was echoed by a Dell Computers study, suggesting that 70% of jobs in 2030 are yet to be created. This shift underscores the need for new training, thinking, and leadership structures within businesses and technology companies. Dr. Selim emphasizes the importance of adapting to these changes, noting that individuals should focus on their own journey, undistracted by the noise of social media and other influences.

Dr. Selim addresses the modern phenomena of burnout, burn-on, and burn-in, particularly in Gen Z, using a poignant metaphor: “When we drive a buggy in the dunes, and the wheels get stuck, we spin the wheels, trying to push out, but fall deeper.” She believes this reflects how people, overwhelmed by social media and

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

A JOURNEY OF HOPE AND INNOVATION DR. WAFAA FAYSAL

In the realms of pediatric medicine and healthcare innovation, few voices resonate as profoundly as that of Dr. Wafaa Faysal. When meeting with her, it became immediately clear that Dr. Faysal is not just a physician; she is a harbinger of change in an ever-evolving landscape of pediatric care. Her role as the Head of the Department of Pediatrics at MedCare Medical Centers in Dubai only scratches the surface of her multifaceted career.

She completed her MBBS with a specialty in Paediatrics from the American University of Beirut and obtained a Paediatric Nutrition Certificate from the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Faysal is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK) and the Lebanese Order of Physicians. She has held many prestigious positions, including the Chair of the Global Paediatric Congress, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Sharjah University School of Medicine, and Assistant

Professor at the Lebanese University and Beirut Arab University. She has been a scientific committee member at many regional and international conferences. Dr. Faysal also hosts a YouTube channel, By Dr. Wafaa Faysal, where she shares her knowledge.

Dr. Faysal’s approach to healthcare is deeply intertwined with the digital age. She firmly believes that a doctor’s role extends beyond the clinic’s confines. Emphasizing the importance of this digital outreach, she says: “You have to go the extra mile; you have to step out of your clinic.” This philosophy underpins her efforts to use social media and other digital platforms as tools for education and empowerment. Her online presence is not about self-promotion but disseminating vital medical knowledge and health tips that have far-reaching impacts. “What if you have something important to say that can improve the lives of others and the health of children?

“Do everything from your heart, be true to yourself, and live your truth. Then, the future will be bright.”

For me, sharing my knowledge - especially medical knowledge - is one of the most sacred things I can do because it can improve the health of many people,” she asserts.

This seamless integration of technology into healthcare is more pronounced in her views. Dr. Faysal’s online engagement focuses on the essence of her message rather than its reach, on the quality of the advice rather than the quantity of the audience. Her virtual interactions have proven invaluable, offering insights and aid to countless individuals, especially parents navigating the complexities of children’s health.

The Middle East –particularly the United Arab Emirates – has a robust healthcare industry and system. I posit that 100 years ago, most of the world’s diseases were infectious diseases – today, most are self-inflicted diseases, such as cardiometabolic and heart diseases, cancers, and diabetes. Dr. Faysal addresses a spectrum of pediatric conditions daily, from acute infections to chronic issues like asthma and obesity. Her work is a testament to the region’s advancement in healthcare: Dubai’s educated populace, ease of access to advanced medical services, and overall financial stability significantly enhance the quality of pediatric care, a fact Dr. Faysal underscores with pride.

Advances in medical technology and medicines mean a greater focus on preventative care in the future. This directs our discussion to the highly criticized financial motivations of the healthcare industry – which I describe hospitals as sick care business, not health care business.

“Any institution has to be financially stable to pay salaries, and provide services and technologies. Medicine requires many technologies and deep research to provide the best service to patients,” she elucidates.

“We put service above everything else,” Dr. Faysal asserts. She believes that prioritizing quality medical care naturally leads to financial viability. This philosophy is central to her practice, where she ensures that patient care supersedes monetary gain. Such an approach has earned her the trust and respect of her patients and reinforced the notion that financial rewards follow exceptional service.

In all of my presentations as a keynote speaker about the future, I say that trust and truth will define the future. I ask Dr. Faysal how she builds trust with her patients and community.

In Dr. Faysal’s view, trust is the bedrock of effective medical practice. She is unequivocal: “By being a trustworthy person yourself. When you are trustworthy, you say what you think is right, speak your truth and knowledge, and respect your limitations.” Her guiding principle is simple yet profound: treat every child as if they were her own.

As the conversation ventures into the ethical frontiers of modern medicine, such as designer babies and CRISPR technology, Dr. Faysal’s perspective is one of cautious optimism. “Some societies used to think IVF was not acceptable. And now it’s happening, and has helped countless families experience the best gift from life: a child,” she says, “So, I cannot comment on this yet, but I

am open-minded and waiting to see what will develop in this field of medicine.” She believes that if “anything negatively affects humanity, we will get rid of it.”

Looking towards the future, Dr. Faysal’s message is one of authenticity and passion. When I ask her what her message in a bottle for a future ten years from today would read, her response resonates deeply with me: “In this life, your career is an extension of your personality – do everything from your heart, be true to yourself, and live your truth. Then, the future will be bright.” This philosophy not only guides her professional life but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations.

Dr. Faysal offers a message of hope and optimism in a world marred by conflicts and uncertainties: “Trust that the universe always leans towards the greater good.” Her belief that happiness is a form of prayer is a powerful reminder to cherish the here and now, despite life’s challenges. She encourages people to find joy in the present moment: “Today, the future is not in our hands; we don’t belong in the past either; live in the present moment as best you can.”

A LEGACY OF HEALING

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY DR.

MARIAM MATAR

Connecting with hearts and humanity is the motivation behind ‘Voices of the Future.’ When meeting people as authentic, deep, insightful, and purposeful as Dr. Mariam Matar, our conversation can project her voice into the future – and the hearts of many more people.

While she describes herself as a proud Emirati, mother, physician by practice, scientist, and researcher with a special interest in epigenetics and regenerative medicine, that’s an understatement. Her extensive accolades and leadership roles in the United Arab Emirate’s medical and public health sectors underscore her status as a preeminent figure in preventative medicine.

Her mission is to change the lives of every citizen in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and her ultimate goal is to be a Nobel Laureate. She’s well on her way to achieving those aspirations. As a trailblazer in the field of genetic disorder studies, she plays an instrumental role in initiatives such as pre-marital screening and preventive genetic testing. She has been pivotal in creating and implementing several key health legislations in the UAE government.

As extraordinary as her achievements are, so is her story. Dr. Matar describes her life as ‘lucky.’ She explains: “I’m one of nine children, born fifth, the middle – and the lucky one. I believe I’m lucky in everything in my life, and I’m fortunate to be in the golden era of the UAE, and to innovate and pioneer initiatives that impact many lives. Through the challenges, I found great opportunities through which I acquired skills that I could only dream of having.”

Initially aspiring to be a plastic surgeon, Dr. Matar’s career direction changed dramatically at Latifa Hospital’s Genetics and Thalassemia Centre, where the distress of young patients and their parents sparked a profound shift in her focus. She vividly recalls: “I saw the suffering and the guilt in the eyes of those parents. I felt that we, as physicians, need

“In the future, trust wholly depends on what we’ve done yesterday.”

to be the caregivers and angels bringing smiles and happiness to their faces.”

This epiphany propelled her towards a mission to combat thalassemia. Inspired by Cyprus’ success in virtually eliminating the disease, she pursued a strategy that was initially met with sharp skepticism. Undeterred, she led a grassroots initiative that eventually influenced national policy, resulting in the UAE’s mandatory premarital testing law in 2005. Today, a substantial reduction of thalassemia in the UAE’s population has been achieved.

Dr. Matar’s journey further evolved through her participation in the Muhammad Leadership Program, enriching her medical expertise with leadership and strategic skills. “I’m lucky; I am a physician, but I was empowered with the skills of negotiation, leadership, and strategic planning,” she reflects on this transformative experience.

Her impact extended beyond thalassemia, with significant contributions to holistic health and

wellness. Dr. Matar established wellness centers at Dubai Ladies Club and Dubai Women’s College, focusing on comprehensive health education and services. Her advocacy also championed the inclusion of special needs students in higher education, demonstrating her commitment to empowering all segments of society. One such example was the founding of the UAE Down Syndrome Society, which started with a simple act of kindness and grew into a significant organization.

I believe people make their own luck and shape their own lives. When asking her what sacrifices she made in her life, she corrects me: “The word sacrifice is prohibited in my life; I believe in giving. If you sacrifice, it means you wait for somebody to appreciate that and give something in return. I give my life without waiting for somebody to appreciate or give something back; that way, there are no disappointments, expectations, unhappiness, or disrespect, and only that I may have positively contributed to their lives.” This concept is carried throughout her life.

I always say that our only boundaries are in our minds and imaginations. If we believe and manifest something, we can make it happen. You’re focused, planned, disciplined, and ready to accept the 2033 Nobel Award for Health Medicine. She responds: “I can feel the warmth of it in my hand; it’s not an exaggeration – I am allowed to dream.”

She was deeply influenced by her mother’s encouragement and a life-changing moment at a Nobel Laureate television ceremony. She recounts: “My mother, she asked, ‘When you will win it?’” This simple question from her mother ignited a profound ambition in her: “From that moment, my whole life changed.”

Dr. Matar’s journey toward groundbreaking work in genetics and public health began with a determination to achieve what seemed impossible. She understood the magnitude of what it takes to be a Nobel Laureate: “You need to create a very disruptive outcome in terms of a scientific breakthrough.” With this goal in mind, her career took a pivotal turn in 2005 when she was selected to contribute to Dubai’s strategic plan. This role would leverage her expertise in community development, health education, and national identity.

Significant milestones and transformative initiatives mark her career. As Undersecretary for Preventive Medicine, she advocated for expanding the scope to public health, a concept then novel in the UAE. It had a groundbreaking effect in shaping the nation’s health policies.

Under her leadership, significant legislation was enacted, including a ban on smoking in public areas and progressive policies for individuals with HIV and AIDS. She describes this achievement with a sense of pride: “For the first time in the ministry’s

history, we conducted a press release to openly discuss the actual statistics regarding those affected by the disease.”

Dr. Matar’s contributions extended beyond policy-making to tangible, impactful actions. She played a crucial role in the establishment of premarital genetic testing laws and infectious disease screening for workers, reflecting her commitment to preventive health measures.

A defining moment in her journey was the recognition she received from Nobel Laureates, validating her efforts and methodology. “They listened to my talk, and then they are here, not one, five of them,” she recounts with a mix of awe and humility. The Nobel Laureates’ endorsement of her work, particularly her approach to genetic screening and community engagement, stands as a testament to her innovative and altruistic vision.

As the conversation delves deeper into her philosophy, I ask about her perspective on trust and its role in the future. Dr. Matar is building a legacy: “Trust can be as a result of legacy. If you have an accumulative credibility within your community, you will earn trust. In the future, trust wholly depends on what we’ve done yesterday.”

Regarding the evolving landscape of technology, such as ChatGPT, is her view of the future optimistic? “I believe they’re fortunate,” she reflects on access to tools like ChatGPT. She views embracing technological advancements as essential to progress. “If ChatGPT wasn’t here, it means humanity’s not developing,” she asserts.

Dr. Matar emphasizes the importance of considering an audience’s readiness and understanding when sharing innovative ideas. She stresses the importance of regional innovation, particularly in the Middle East, in breaking away from simply following Western medical schools, as relying solely on those medical models can limit progress. “We shouldn’t be followers,” she declares.

Addressing the concept of longevity, she observes that many in the field haven’t adequately considered the importance of ethnicities and gender differences in medical research. She calls for more inclusive and diverse research practices. Her concern extends to the use of supplements and treatments without proper understanding of their effects, especially on women’s health in non-European or American communities. Dr. Matar’s commitment to this cause led her to establish an institute for longevity, focusing

on safe and ethical guidelines for interventions. She emphasizes the need for tailored approaches based on ethnicity and gender, a perspective often overlooked in current research and clinical trials. In 2013, sparked by a fascination with microbiota, Dr. Matar delved into the world of microorganisms and their crucial role in our health. “Microbiota is significant in producing neurotransmitters and influencing the gut-brain axis,” she highlights. “If you talk about longevity without doing a test for my microbiome, there is something wrong.”

Sleep emerges as a critical factor in her discussion: “If you don’t have a good night’s sleep, you’ll not be able to function well.” She describes sleep as a time for the brain to communicate with and regulate the body’s organs. She suggests that ensuring a good night’s sleep is critical to aging gracefully and maintaining good health.

She also advises: “Remember to take deep breaths. Also, cherish love in your life. Don’t let a day pass without spending time with someone you love and who loves you back.”

Dr. Matar firmly believes in the power of selfless giving as a means to create a sustainable legacy, transcending the boundaries of life and death. This belief is rooted in the idea that one’s soul continues to exist, making acts of generosity timeless. She holds that not all deeds require recognition or reward. Sharing achievements is valuable, yet she expresses no regret in allowing others to take credit for their accomplishments. “It’s fine, as long as it is executed — that’s what matters,” she says, emphasizing the importance of genuine intentions behind actions.

She attributes her success to a daily renewal of intention (Niyya) in her actions, viewing each as an act of Sadaqa Jariyya — a concept in her religion signifying ongoing charity. This practice of renewing intentions helps her stay grounded amidst praise and recognition from others.

Dr. Matar is on a mission to enhance and enrich the lives of Emiratis – and beyond. Her vision and passion are beacons for the transformative powers of love, compassion, and community for a world of the future.

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE: A PROACTIVE APPROACH

GRAHAM SIMPSON MD

Throughout medical history, the primary focus has been treating diseases once they occur. However, Dr. Graham Simpson, a distinguished figure in the medical space, is pushing for a shift in focus. Instead of reactive disease medicine, US-based doctor advocates for proactive healthcare – a future that involves preventing diseases before they occur.

Dr. Graham Simpson, a graduate of the University of Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa, holds board certifications in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Anti-Aging Medicine.

“100 will be the new 60.”

Graham Simpson MD – Pioneer in Diabesity Reversal (Obesity and Type II Diabetes), Reversing Insulin Resistance, Anti-Aging Longevity, and Author of 10 Best-Selling Books returns to the USA.

He previously served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Nevada and is a founding member of the American Holistic Medicine Association (AHMA).

Licensed in Homeopathy, Dr. Simpson is dedicated to shifting from reactive disease medicine to proactive health care, particularly in reversing Cardiometabolic Disease, primarily caused by insulin resistance, which is responsible for 80% of deaths. He has authored 10 books, including ‘Wellman,’ ‘Spa Medicine,’ and ‘The Metabolic Miracle.’

In 2002, he founded Eternity Medicine, where he developed the Lifetime Health Assessment and Monitoring Program (LAMP), a pioneering software in anti-aging medicine focusing on a holistic approach to health.

When asked to share his views on democratizing healthcare, Dr. Simpson, with over four decades of medical practice experience, emphasized the significant need for a comprehensive review of our current health systems. As an ardent advocate of proactive healthcare, he believes the essence of democratizing healthcare lies in shifting focus from disease management to disease prevention.

Dr. Simpson says: “I’m very interested in discovering the root causes of what we die of in the 21st century. It turns out that insulin resistance, which makes people fat and diabetic, is a leading cause. 54% of the US population are either diabetic or pre-diabetic, and over 70% are overweight. 88% of Americans are insulin-resistant, which means they’re on that trajectory for chronic disease and early death.”

His extensive research and practice have led him to conclude that today’s chronic diseases are primarily lifestyle-related. He firmly believes that our diets significantly contribute to these health conditions. Dr. Simpson states: “The average American now eats 150 pounds of sugar a year, 200 pounds of grain, and 5,000 teaspoons of adulterated oils. That is driving disease.”

One of the significant points he highlights is the importance of adopting preventative measures. His approach to healthcare democratization revolves around some simple yet highly impactful lifestyle changes. “A well-formulated keto diet, intermittent fasting, which is incredibly important, can prevent a host of chronic diseases,” he advises. This approach rejects the notion that “cholesterol is bad,” a misleading narrative that has been prevalent since the 1970s. According to Dr. Simpson, the overconsumption of sugar is the real villain here.

“It’s not cholesterol; it’s sugar,” he shares. “100% of people having heart attacks is from the sugar, not cholesterol.”

Given our current health crisis, it’s clear that our society needs to embrace a significant mindset shift. The 20th century saw us battling infectious diseases. In the 21st century, we are contending with selfinflicted cardiometabolic diseases. “We’ve done it to ourselves,” he says.

An essential aspect of Dr. Simpson’s philosophy is changing our eating habits. “Whoever is in the kitchen holds the key to the health kingdom,” he believes. “It’s incredibly important for information to get out because I don’t think mothers want to see their kids have diabetes and liver disease when they’re 10.”

While diet forms a considerable part of Dr. Simpson’s healthcare democratization approach, he also strongly emphasizes the importance of sleep. “Sleep is critically important,” he advises, suggesting the book ‘Why We Sleep’ by Matthew Walker for further insights.

As I see it, there are three major challenges for Dr. Simpson’s healthcare democratization plans: Big Pharma, Big Food, and the ‘Hospital Industrial Complex’ with their powerful lobbyists in Congress and Senate.

Addressing the issue of the escalating cost of healthcare, which stands at 18% of the GDP in America, he posits: “At what point does healthcare get so expensive? Many of these companies need to start incentivizing their workers and other strategies like that to change people’s perceptions. It all starts with sharing and learning the right information to make better-informed decisions.”

His advice is not about strict diets or extreme lifestyle changes, but rather, it’s about moderation. He encourages us to focus on meals comprised of 85% from the ‘green sheets,’ his term for healthier foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, salads, and vegetables.

The discussion turns to his work on anti-aging. Dr. Simpson’s mission is to enable people to live

longer, healthier lives and his strategies are as comprehensive as they are fascinating. His primary focus is on reversing the biological age. He contends: “If you can reverse the biological age by just seven years, which isn’t that hard to do, you lower your risk of all chronic disease, hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, and cancer by more than 50%.”

He outlines a series of steps anyone can take to improve their health and longevity. He highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy body fat percentage, getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep, following a well-formulated keto diet, and practicing intermittent fasting. He underscores the necessity of managing stress effectively and having a spiritual focus as a protective shield against life’s tribulations.

Harnessing the power of simple lifestyle changes, he believes, can be life-altering, creating ripple effects into the future of humanity. “100 will be the new 60,” he confidently declares.

Equally crucial, according to Dr. Simpson, is being aware of the toxins we expose ourselves to in our everyday lives. He refers to the book ‘Countdown’ by Shaina Swan, warning about the significant decline in men’s sperm and testosterone counts, which, he worries, could ultimately lead to the extinction of Homo Sapiens. “Be very careful of lotions and potions and all the stuff you spray in your house for the little insects; they kill you faster than they kill the insects,” he advises.

Dr. Simpson shares a shocking statistic: “In the US, a random person meeting a random doctor can actually be made 50% more ill. Doctors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. We definitely need a major revolution in the healthcare industry. If we had half a dozen lessons for better healthcare implemented by parents while their kids are younger, we’d have a much healthier world today.”

What can be done to push this mindset shift? “I find it intriguing how platforms like TikTok can make clips go viral, reaching millions. The

challenge is packaging valuable, credible information in an engaging, light, yet informative way that keeps people’s attention and reminds them regularly,” he shares. “The key is making this content easily accessible, especially through smartphones. The goal is to communicate simple lifestyle changes that not only extend life but improve the quality of health over the years. I believe we’re on the cusp of being able to share this information globally, which is a huge motivator for me. This is what drives me to get out of bed each day.”

His vision of future healthcare goes beyond the physical, embracing a more expansive understanding of health that includes consciousness. “Consciousness is at the heart of things,” he says, hinting at a healthcare model that acknowledges the interplay between mind and body. He suggests that an expanded consciousness could lead us to a healthy life approach.

Dr. Simpson leaves us with a powerful takeaway: “Awareness and urgency around health are crucial to fostering long-lasting change.” This calls for a shift in societal mindset, shifting focus from quick fixes to long-term health. He encourages us to seize the opportunity for change now. His forward-thinking vision offers a tangible road map for a healthier future, leveraging the power of technology, the wisdom of preventative healthcare, and the untapped potential of consciousness to transform our lives and the future of humanity.

Dr. Graham Simpson, MD (USA) 702 882-0278

“By reducing biological age by just 7 years we can reduce chronic disease by 50% with huge savings. We will be able to add an extra 20 years onto our healthspan making 100 the new 60.”

- Graham Simpson MD

grahamdsimpson@gmail.com

drgrahamsimpson

Graham Simpson MD

eternitymedicine.com

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

A VANGUARD OF THE FUTURE IN MEDICINE AND LONGEVITY DR. MICHAEL SINEL

FOUNDER/PHYSICIAN THERAPEUTICS

“The Root of All Suffering is the ILLUSION OF SEPARATION”

- Albert Einstein

Dr. Mike Sinel is a luminary in medicine and health innovation, and his vision of the future embraces the spirit of togetherness and scientific exploration. Our conversation looks at the realities of medicine and longevity.

A seasoned physician, a dedicated professor, a keen biohacker, and a dynamic entrepreneur — these roles barely scratch the surface of who Dr. Mike Sinel is. At the helm of the medical field for over three decades, Dr. Sinel’s journey is a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge, passion for bettering human life, and a spirit of entrepreneurship. His endeavors span from leading departments at esteemed institutions like Cedar Sinai Medical Center and UCLA School of Medicine, to launching successful ventures in the health and wellness industry and advising startups pushing innovation’s boundaries.

However, what truly sets Dr. Sinel apart is his passion to help bring a whole new category of

natural medicines to the world. These encapsulated medical foods are natural molecules that fall between pharmaceuticals and supplements, which he says have “really strong clinical data, safety, and efficacy to combat many of the most common ailments, from chronic pain and inflammation to sleep disorders to cognitive decline and fatigue.”

Dr. Sinel’s at the center of research on longevity. “There’s a complete paradigm shift in what was called aging,” he says, “Aging is now seen as a disease — a condition that can be managed, if not reversed, with the right interventions.”

According to him, lifestyle diseases like heart disease and cancer are prevalent, but it’s increasingly clear that they can be significantly prevented or delayed through lifestyle choices. Key elements include regular exercise, a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, and a positive mindset. Practices like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness, along with fostering love and community, play a crucial role. These accessible

strategies can markedly enhance life expectancy and quality, addressing the growing mental health crisis along the way.

He sees the potential for extending our lifespan beyond what is considered natural today and, with it, our “wellspan.” He declares: “We’ll be hiking and having vibrant lives in our 120s and 130s within our lifetimes.”

What’s the science behind longevity? “Recently, I’ve been researching exosomes, signaling molecules derived from stem cells containing microRNA, RNA, and growth factors, but without a nucleus. I’ve successfully used exosomes for cellular regeneration,” he shares. A notable experimental study in the U.S. is exploring fetal exosomes to reverse aging by injecting them into the hypothalamus with focused ultrasound, showing promising results in animal studies. This research is part of broader advancements in peptides and pharmaceuticals.

I’m skeptical of Big Pharma’s influence, especially with their 1,700 lobbyists in the U.S. Congress and their role in keeping medicine prices high in the U.S., unlike elsewhere. There’s a potential shift from Big Pharma’s focus on profitable curative healthcare to preventive wellness, driven by the prospect of increased profits from longerliving populations. This raises the question of how Big Pharma’s capitalistic motives align with the holistic health approach I advocate for. He agrees: “Pharma’s been a reactive disease model; it’s great business if they keep patients on an antihypertensive treatment for 60 years, etc. If we, as consumers, are focused on prevention and wellness, we should use much less drugs. I think what’s happening is pharma’s going to come into consumer health; they’re going to have to respond to what’s going to be a dramatic shift in the old disease model into the health model as we progress further into the space of biologics and genetic engineering.”

Rather than pharmaceutical companies dictating the future of healthcare, he posits that the baton will be handed over to tech companies and consumer health. He believes that integrating welltech into everyday life will significantly contribute to this shift.

However, shaping the future doesn’t come without its hurdles. I firmly believe that trust

is of utmost importance in today’s world, closely followed by truth and ethics. Dr. Sinel stresses the importance of trust, truth, and ethics, asserting that they are fundamental in reshaping the world and his industry. “Trust is critical; authenticity will lead the future of what people follow,” he asserts.

On authenticity, Dr. Sinel elucidates: “Cultivating loyalty to one’s soul grows over time and becomes our best guide through the energy of our body and breath. When we interact with others, authenticity naturally emerges if we remain honest with ourselves.”

When asked about his advice for the young generation, Dr. Sinel shares: “You become a reflection of the people you surround yourself with. Find what you love to do and stay connected to nature. Be aware of your health and listen to your body.”

In encapsulating his philosophy and vision for the future, he delivers a powerful message: “We are one, and we are here to spread light; trust that that’s the unfolding, and there are lessons in it. All the pain is just opportunities; everything always changes.”

As we stand on the cusp of ground-breaking advancements in health and longevity, Dr. Sinel’s message for the future is clear: adopt a proactive, well-rounded approach to health and wellness. Understand the significance of lifestyle interventions and the potential of scientific advancements in extending our lifespan.

THE DEATH OF DEATH

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY JOSE CORDEIRO

“We are at a pivotal moment in human history, transitioning from the last mortal generation to the first immortal one.”

José Cordeiro passionately advocates for a future where aging is not an inevitability but a curable condition. His journey, marked by a relentless pursuit of scientific understanding and technological innovation, is a beacon of inspiration in an era increasingly focused on health and longevity. Our conversation illuminatingly delves into longevity, health, and the future.

“Imagine a world where aging is optional,” José muses, reflecting on the revolutionary concept introduced in his book, ‘The Death of Death.’ “We are living through a technological revolution that is starting also in biology and medicine, and we are

going to be able to stop aging and reverse aging,” he says. His journey through the realms of science and technology has led him to a profound conclusion: aging, often seen as an inevitable aspect of life, can be approached as a medical condition, one that can be targeted and possibly cured.

José’s insights are grounded in scientist Shinya Yamanaka’s Nobel Prize-winning research that identifies four key genes involved in the aging process. This discovery forms the cornerstone of his thesis, where combating aging is synonymous with combating age-related diseases. He envisions a future where the quality of life is paramount, and staying biologically young is a realistic goal.

As a multifaceted leader and thinker, he holds prominent positions in several organizations dedicated to technological and human advancement. As a vice-chair of HumanityPlus and director of The Millennium Project, he plays a pivotal role in shaping futuristic ideas. His academic endeavors include being a founding faculty member at Singularity University and holding teaching positions in Tokyo and Russia. An MIT-educated engineer, he’s a celebrated author known for his international bestseller ‘The Death of Death,’ José’s expertise in technological change and future trends is globally recognized, evident in his extensive media appearances and numerous accolades, including the Spanish Health Award.

What are the ethical issues in terms of living forever? He elucidates: “I approach this from a medical point of view, which means curing diseases. By curing all diseases, you cure aging because aging is the mother of all other diseases. If we stop aging, if we stay biologically at age 20, we don’t really get heart attacks, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and so on. This is the root of health and longevity.” He emphasizes that his goal isn’t immortality in the literal sense, given the uncertainty of what lies millions or billions of years ahead. Instead, his focus is on halting the aging process and controlling diseases to maintain indefinite youthfulness. He expresses confidence in the imminent scientific and technological advancements that align with his objective of stopping aging and living indefinitely in a youthful state.

The societal implications of such a future in which aging has been hacked are vast. José envisions significant transformations in traditional norms, including marriage, education, and careers. He declares: “Everything is going to change and change radically.” He speaks of a ‘renewable’ marriage contract, evolving educational paradigms, and a future where humanity reaches beyond Earth. His ideas

challenge the status quo, offering a glimpse into a transformative future.

Despite facing resistance, he remains undeterred, advocating for a proactive stance against death, seeing it as a challenge to be overcome with advancements in science and technology. He views the historical inevitability of death as a mindset that needs changing now that we have the potential to escape it. José is on a mission to ‘kill death’ before it claims him, advocating for a future where aging and dying are no longer necessary. He challenges the notion that death adds meaning to life, arguing instead for a future enriched by longevity without the limitations of aging and death. His optimism extends to neurological aspects, where he sees potential cures for age-related brain diseases.

He adds: “While our bodies may not age biologically, our minds will continue to evolve. We’ll keep learning and discovering new emotions and things, so I believe we’ll keep growing mentally and spiritually. This perpetual mental and spiritual growth will likely add more meaning to our lives, as we’ll be healthy, energetic individuals. We won’t just pursue dreams on Earth but also in outer space and virtual realities like Metaverses.

We’re like characters in a story discovering a new

dimension. My vision is not just about extending life but expanding it in a multiverse of possibilities.” His message in a bottle: “We are at a pivotal moment in human history, transitioning from the last mortal generation to the first immortal one.” According to him, the next 20 years will bring more technological advances than the previous two millennia. This unprecedented progress will open a world of new possibilities, making today’s era seem primitive in retrospect. “Looking back, we will marvel at how far we have come,” he says.

And his burning message for a better world?

“Express your growing love by telling your partner that you love them more than yesterday but less than you will tomorrow. So, see you tomorrow.”

José emphasizes the uniqueness of our time, where technological advancements are accelerating at an unprecedented rate. His narrative is not just scientific speculation; it is a clarion call to rethink our approach to life, aging, and society. He emerges as a trailblazer, guiding us towards a future where the limits of human life are redefined, promising not

THE FUTURE IS SOFTER

“If you want the productivity of your employees to be high, and you don’t want to lose money, look at significantly reducing the risk of burnout.”

In the evolving corporate world, Cara de Lange stands out as a change-maker, TEDx speaker, author of ‘Softer Success,’ host of the Work Reset Revolution podcast, and a burnout researcher, advocating a shift from traditional corporate success to prioritizing employee well-being.

As the founder of Softer Success, Cara developed ‘Superpower,’ a tool for assessing and mitigating organizational burnout risks, offering personalized feedback and solutions through various interventions, including consultancy and leadership training.

Softer Success uses a 90-second psychometric test to evaluate burnout risk, considering factors beyond exhaustion and reduced productivity. Cognitive impairment, such as difficulty focusing and emotional fluctuations, are also assessed. The approach isn’t just about identifying exhaustion but also understanding cognitive and emotional changes, ensuring alignment with personal missions and purposes.

Motivated by personal experience and witnessing burnout in colleagues, Cara delved into research with universities.

What exactly is burnout? She declares: “The World Health Organization defines it as chronic work-related stress that hasn’t been properly managed.” She points to recent research with the University of Sheffield and Imperial College London that revealed a shift in burnout characteristics post-pandemic,

highlighting increased fear and uncertainty affecting work patterns. According to her, a key contributing factor to burnout is ‘moral injury’ - witnessing events that clash with personal values. Additionally, concerns about climate change are emerging as stressors. “Physical signs, like persistent back or neck pain, disrupted sleep patterns, and high levels of cortisol (which blocks our prefrontal cortex, the seat of our logical thinking), are crucial indicators of high chronic stress,” she says. “It is a constant feeling of being overwhelmed. Our bodies tell us when we’re reaching a point of high chronic stress, but these signs are mostly ignored.”

Burnout significantly affects health and dramatically impacts performance and productivity, a significant concern for organizations. The key question is: what are the actual statistics regarding productivity loss due to burnout? Cara’s response is enlightening: “It’s not just a loss of productivity, but a knowledge loss as well.” Citing research from Oxford University and the Paris Brain Institute, she highlights that excessive work can cause the death of white brain cells, crucial for cognitive thinking, leading to long-term effects. She points out: “When the burnout risk is high, productivity can be lost by 70%,” demonstrating the swift and significant impact. Organizations face not only productivity loss but also potential sick leave, employee turnover, and replacement costs. Cara stresses the importance of prevention, arguing it’s more cost-effective than dealing with the consequences of burnout.

I ask Cara how an organization should balance that – through a culture and environmental change? “If organizations identify high risk of burnout in their organization, a team, culture or organizational change must happen to remedy that,” she states. “Simply put, productivity decreases, mistakes are made, and profits are reduced.”

Cara advocates for a holistic approach, promoting well-being to counteract external stressors like climate change, conflict, and economic challenges. She suggests that integrating well-being as a business goal can significantly reduce burnout risk, ultimately saving money. In her words: “If you want the productivity of your employees to be high, and you don’t want to lose money, look at significantly reducing the risk of burnout.”

There’s been a shift in corporate perspective since the pandemic, with some organizations pausing to reflect and reconsider their work approaches, including remote work and work-life balance. The question now is, what lessons have been learned during the

pandemic, and how can these insights shape future work practices? She says: “The way we work must change. These organizations and leaders must ask themselves if they’re purely after generating profits or also looking at employees’ wellness. This is a beautiful moment for transformation for working differently in the future.”

Cara’s passionate about creating a cultural revolution in the workplace – she’s created a movement called ‘The Work Reset Revolution.’ She cautions: “If things persist as they do today, we’re going to see a lot more burnout and mental health issues.”

A shift in focus from mere profitability and numerical metrics to wellness and happiness is essential. “I absolutely agree; we need a seismic shift, from a ‘hard success’ into a ‘soft success,’” says Cara. “Hard success is money and power, but we must move into soft success, which is the rehumanization of the workplace to create an equitable, sustainable, cooperative, and ethical way of working for everyone.”

Cara finds excitement in the potential to “recreate and start creating a better future” by tapping into collective imagination and rethinking work-life balance. “In the future, we’ll learn to work more efficiently – and learn to rest more effectively, too,” she says.

There’s no balance sheet measure for employees’ quality of life or a Happiness Index, which is a significant oversight. A revolutionary change is needed: shifting our collective mindset and developing a platform that aligns closely with crucial issues like climate change. I believe we must focus on these vital aspects of our future that are currently being neglected.

Cara emphasizes that identifying high burnout risks requires organizational changes, including culture shifts and redefining success metrics, to prevent productivity loss and enhance employee well-being. According to her, the unspoken financial impact of burnout suggests that it should have “its own expense line on the balance sheet.” She asserts: “If you’ve got a 40% high risk of burnout in your organization, that’s a potential 40% loss of talent.” She urges the incorporation of well-being as a core business goal, integral to contracts and job descriptions.

However, she acknowledges the transformation will be gradual and vary across organizations. The path to this change is essential, especially for those organizations currently successful under traditional models. As we delve deeper into Cara’s transformative approach within organizations, we must recognize that

this need for change isn’t confined to corporate boundaries. It echoes a larger, global necessity. This pivot leads us to a broader discussion on the relevance and effectiveness of major international institutions like the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, and World Health Organization. Established over 80 years ago, these bodies were designed for challenges of a bygone era and have since struggled to keep pace with the rapid transformations of the 21st century. This systemic lag impacts corporate structures and reflects a wider trust deficit in global governance, indicating an urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of how we address and manage global issues.

Cara agrees that a major overhaul of global structures like the United Nations must align with today’s world, and suggests a new global governance model as a potential leading solution. She is optimistic amidst uncertainty, encouraging viewing these challenges as precursors to significant, positive change and a better future: “This is a potential for amazing change and creating a better future.”

For Cara, personal health and happiness are paramount. “If I am not physically and mentally well, and I’m not living my life with joy and purpose, for me, there’s no point,” she asserts. What would she like to be remembered for? “Being the agent of well-being on our planet: not just for empowering others to be healthy, but also a healthy planet.”

This conversation is a call to action for a future where burnout is no longer an inevitable byproduct of progress but a problem we can diagnose, address, and, ultimately, eradicate.

“We must transition to a form of capitalism that is conscious, sustainable, responsible, and trustworthy. The world needs it.”

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

PAUL EPPING THE ETHICAL HORIZON

Paul Epping is a Dutch-born generalist futurist with an intensely insightful mind. In this world of technology, his personal purpose is to ignite critical thinking to adapt and thrive by connecting what matters most. He focuses on how technology connects with human trends. This conversation walks through his learnings to better live in our world and the future.

He elucidates: “I focus on understanding a wide range of technologies rather than specializing in a few. This broad perspective helps me connect diverse ideas, foreseeing technology trends, and their interconnectedness. By untangling these complexities, I aim to understand how technological advancements influence each other and impact our world.”

I believe the world’s not ready for that convergence of technologies, cooking them, followed by a divergence of unintended consequences. My thesis is: the more technological the world becomes, the more human, connected, intuitive, creative, imaginative, loving, and compassionate we need to be. Paul concurs and observes that despite the perceived increase in connectivity, genuine connection has significantly diminished in recent years. In working with younger generations, he finds that while focus is greater, their attention spans are increasingly shorter. This trend appears to be influenced by an emphasis on social media ‘Likes,’ which tends to weaken deeper, meaningful connections. He finds this focus on superficial aspects of interaction ultimately fails to add real value.

The Millennium Project

It echoes my sentiments about social media; they operate as addiction and manipulation engines, treating users as products rather than consumers. This trend is symptomatic of our current capitalistic model: hypercapitalism. It is detrimental to the world. “The current concept of capitalism is on steroids,” Paul notes, “And we must transition to a form of capitalism that is conscious, sustainable, responsible, and trustworthy. The world needs it.”

His critique extends to the obsession with GDP growth: “There’s no religion in the world with more followers than the GDP. Although uncomfortable, we must embrace the idea that ‘less is more.’ The Jevons Paradox illustrates this: increased efficiency in resource usage leads to energy savings, making products cheaper. However, this cost reduction prompts people to consume more, creating an inescapable paradox.”

Paul’s deeply philosophical. What shaped and defined his life to bring him to this wisdom today? His journey is marked by pivotal experiences that shaped his identity and career. He chose to pursue nursing, specifically to work in psychiatry. While working in this field, he encountered the hidden pains of the mind. He recalls: “That’s where I saw people truly suffering because you don’t see what’s going on in the mind; you only can feel that.”

In nursing school, he dove into holism, exploring how it could be seen, felt, and practiced in a fragmented world. That led to him returning to school to study psychology, seeking to connect disparate elements of his knowledge - and the world. This path was further enriched as he delved into philosophy, adding another layer to his understanding and prompting him to challenge conventional views.

His fascination with technology led to another significant turn in his career. In the early 1980s, he collaborated with the University of Leiden to develop electronic patient record systems. Despite his interest, he recognized his knowledge gap in this area and pursued studies in IT. This blend of nursing, psychology, philosophy, and technology has guided his professional and personal development.

With his unique background, Paul reflects on the technological evolution: “The Industrial Revolution began outsourcing our muscles to machines. Now, we’re outsourcing our brains.” He emphasizes the absolute dependence on technology like electricity. He then addresses how trust, truth, and ethics intertwine with technology, shaping our future. Concerning AI, he remarks: “We’ve moved our trust from capitalist principles to legal structures,” highlighting ethical concerns and the overshadowing scale of cybercrime investments. He suggests a collective approach to manage AI’s growth, advocating for a conference akin to COP, focused on AI, for wider engagement and understanding.

With Paul’s heart close to healthtech, I direct the conversation to its future. “We’re advancing towards earlier disease diagnosis, greater personal health control, and treatment of previously incurable diseases.” He emphasizes Openwater and its CEO Mary Lou Jepsen’s work in developing the ‘Silicon Hospital.’ This concept merges semiconductor technology and software to non-invasively diagnose and treat various diseases, potentially revolutionizing healthcare and addressing conditions like mental and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, COVID-19, and stroke.

Longevity is a buzzword. Are there realistic possibilities? “Over the last 10,000 years, our lifespan has extended thanks to medical advancements. However, some of the biggest breakthroughs

are often overlooked,” Paul shares. Hygienethrough simple handwashing - antibiotics, and refrigeration to preserve food has significantly increased life expectancy. For him, immortality is unrealistic. However, he acknowledges the potential to eliminate many diseases and extend life spans through technology but emphasizes our limited understanding of the human body’s complexities.

From philosophy to physiology to practical parenting advice, Paul’s deep insights are treasures. For guiding children in a technology-rich world, Paul proposes co-creation: parents should actively engage with their children, learn from them, and share their own experiences with technology. To highlight this, he shares that he’s writing a book with his grandchild, a project that serves as a learning journey for both. He says: “She’s learning all the time, and I’m learning from her because their world, how they conceive things, is different. They care more about their environment than we do, an important perspective to understand and nurture.”

“Life is like riding the surf, each wave is building on my unique conversation with the prior one”.

As futurists, the other stakeholder groups that Paul and I frequently encounter are the CEOs, chairpersons, and decision-makers in business. Paul observes that shareholder demands often restrict them from carrying out transformations. He believes that integrating self-actualization and holism, rooted in Maslow’s theories, can transform boardrooms, leading to improved communication, collaboration, and decisionmaking within the board and in dealings with shareholders.

Paul’s message in a bottle for future generations: “Avoid being judgmental and always maintain respect. Appreciate beauty in all aspects of life and fully embrace your current situation. Even in a world filled with disconnections, remember that love and respect never wane. With those, together we can eradicate conflicts around the world.”

His philosophy emphasizes adapting to the rapidly changing technological landscape while maintaining core human values of respect, love, and connection. His approach advocates for a more holistic and conscious integration of technology in our lives and society. Together, we can achieve more.

HEALTHCARE, WELLNESS & LONGEVITY

EMBRACING CHANGE FOR A VIBRANT FUTURE

DR. RISA RYGER

In an era where change is our only constant, one woman has taken it upon herself to guide us through the shifting sands of time: Dr. Risa Ryger, a distinguished clinical psychologist, international speaker, and entrepreneur. She has dedicated her life to helping individuals and organizations navigate the often turbulent waters of transformation.

I ask Dr. Ryger to unravel and demystify what a clinical psychologist is. She enlightens: “I trained in the academician-clinician-scientist model, focusing on helping individuals facing life challenges and seeking progress. This approach combines academic scholarship, research innovation, and clinical psychology. As a clinical psychologist, I emphasize understanding and knowledge, but I do not prescribe medication.”

Dr. Ryger advocates for genuine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), emphasizing practical implementation over mere tokenism. It’s no longer enough to simply appoint women and minorities to boards – diversity, equity, and inclusion must be purposefully and meaningfully driven, just as any business strategy is implemented into dayto-day operations.

As Founder of 93% Consulting, Creator of Disruptive Self-OwnershipTM, she was on the Advisory Council of Mindfulness Without Borders. As a consultant and coach, Dr. Ryger teaches individuals and leaders how to authentically deliver powerful communication. She formulates and cultivates company culture and aligns that culture with the everyday realities of the workplace. She helps her clients learn to selfmanage, lead purposefully and intentionally, and optimize their performance.

Dr. Ryger’s journey begins at Columbia University, where she obtained her Master of Science, Master of Philosophy, and Doctorate degrees. From private practice to shaping corporate cultures, part of her professional and academic focus lies in neuroscience, attachment, psychodynamic theory, and many other areas of innovation. Her spectrum of influence extends beyond the conventional reaches of a clinical psychologist. Her brainchild, Disruptive Self-OwnershipTM, is a testament to her approach to positive change. But beyond her accomplishments, what truly distinguishes Dr. Ryger is her unwavering commitment to catalyzing positive change in others.

“My mission is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations towards impactful and meaningful transformation,” she shares.

I’m nearing the point where I wonder if we should transcend gender labels like ‘men’ and ‘women’ and instead view ourselves as professionals, humans, and individuals who connect with each other. Why do we focus so much on being conscious of male and female distinctions? What is the psychological reasoning behind this? “We need to understand that we’re not homogeneous; we don’t take people, put them in a blender, and suddenly everybody’s the same,” asserts Dr. Ryger, discussing the differences in gender, race, culture, and more. “That’s not the purpose, nor what will help us as a society move forward. We need to recognize and identify our differences, respect and acknowledge those differences, and join together to work as a team.”

As technology advances, we must enhance our human skills like empathy, compassion, values, connection, common sense, trust, ethics, and judgment. Women naturally excel in these areas, leading to my belief that we are on the verge of a golden age for women. The question is: how can we disrupt for the better? Change might not occur gradually – do we need a significant jolt to initiate this transformation? She elucidates: “Transformative ‘shocks’ should lead to actionable change and perspective shifts, evolving through continual experiences. In various situations, when presented with the opportunity to respond in one way or another, repeatedly choosing the new path leads to change.”

How do we facilitate that mindset shift? “With mindset shifts, it isn’t just about what we know, but also what we feel,” says Dr. Ryger. “There’s a misunderstanding that the brain is just in the

“My mission is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations towards impactful and meaningful transformation.”

people at a deeper level. As she succinctly puts it: “Integrated communication happens when your verbal and non-verbal communication are in alignment. When you’re not in alignment, people experience a disconnect, it sets off a warning signal. When in alignment, powerful, impactful, and authentic messaging occurs. Integrated communication bridges defense mechanisms and supports in introducing fresh perspectives such as the benefits of diversity, sparking dialogue and cultivating understanding across generations, cultures, races, and more.

head; there are outposts of the brain in our bodies. That’s our nervous system. We need to connect with ourselves about what we think and what we’re experiencing within our bodies. Bringing intentional awareness to our embodied feelings gives us important information and can help us make decisions with clarity. Once a new decision is made, we must repeat it so that our brain develops a new neural pathway. The good news is, because of neuroplasticity, which is the capacity of the brain to change, positive change can happen at any time.”

mind and body is essential, with each supporting the other. Leaders often overlook the integration of emotional intelligence with strategic thinking. “When new initiatives are introduced without considering this balance, they may fail due to a lack of integration between feelings and ideas,” she explains. “True change occurs in this space of integration, where there’s evaluation, consideration, and a willingness to question and adapt. This process is where meaningful change happens.”

The first memory has now been digitally captured and stored in the cloud. This development signifies a move into an era where even the most intimate aspects of our minds and emotions are being accessed and exposed. What concerns does she have regarding this advancement? “The purpose behind this development is crucial,” she says. “Like any innovation, the key question is whether it serves the greater good or if it’s merely intriguing without being truly helpful.”

Dr. Ryger’s insights shine a spotlight on the importance of disruptive change. “Without intentional disruption, our brain will continue to do what it has always done, so we need to teach our brain what it needs to know,” she explains.

The corporate ‘immune system’ blocks new ideas and change from coming in from the outside, much like our body’s immune system protects us from germs. What are the softeners and looseners that we can use to get through that corporate immune system? She elucidates: “Personal growth begins with self-connection and recognizing bodily signals, understanding expressions like ’a sinking stomach’ or ’a heartache’ reflect genuine internal experiences connected to the neural networks around our organs.” According to Dr. Ryger, the body often reacts before the brain, recognizing danger before the mind does. Historically, dangers were immediate physical threats, but now they often manifest as the fear of change, to which the body can react defensively. This is where the concept of internal integration becomes crucial, she believes. The integration of

Beyond the self, this approach plays a potent role in corporate spheres. In a rapidly changing world, leaders face challenges in engaging teams amidst disruptive innovation. Dr. Ryger advises: “Ask: When trying something new, what are your biggest challenges?” This prompts reflective thought and encourages self-awareness to promote innovation.

For this, she juxtaposes reactive and responsive – a spontaneous and uncontrolled response versus a deliberate response based on understanding and mindfulness. This critical distinction empowers us to actively engage with, rather than passively react to, challenges. It is a vital first step in a mindset shift, setting the stage for introspection and growth.

Building on this approach, Dr. Ryger validates using non-verbal information as a tool for effective communication. Non-verbal communication includes eye contact, tone of voice, body language, etc. She points out that by bypassing words and language, we can engage more parts of the brain and elicit emotional reactions, influencing

Dr. Ryger wishes to address two common myths: “The first myth is that feelings are either good or bad, which isn’t true. Emotions are varied and necessary, much like all colors are needed to form a complete rainbow. Dismissing any emotion reduces the richness of our emotional spectrum, crucial for fully experiencing life. The second myth is that we can leave parts of ourselves behind and move on. In reality, experiences and emotions stay with us, and avoiding them can be draining. Embracing every aspect of ourselves is critical to building self-trust and confidence, empowering us to own our strengths. Achieving integrated communication, where words and nonverbal cues align, enables us to convey messages of truth and authenticity. Leaders who embody this integration can have significant impact by authentically connecting with others.”

With this message, Dr. Ryger reminds us that we are active participants and not merely subjects of change. She invites us to join her in this journey of transformation and innovation, guiding us toward a future where we’re better equipped to embrace change, celebrate diversity, and foster growth at every turn.

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE FIRST FRONTIER - AFRICA

“Africa is not just the final frontier; it’s humanity’s original frontier.”

ROYAL MESSAGE OF THE ANCESTORS

QUEEN DIAMBI KABATSUILA

TSHIYOYO MUATA

In an age calling urgently for transformation, Queen Diambi Kabatsuila Tshiyoyo Muata emerges as a resonant voice of ancestral wisdom and advocacy for our collective heritage. She champions the revival of African identity, proposing that Africa’s indigenous wisdom is pivotal for a sustainable and flourishing future worldwide. Her mission transcends continents and eras, positioning Africa at the heart of global progress.

Queen Diambi Kabatsuila Tshiyoyo Muata Mukalenga Mukaji wa Nkashama wa Bakwa Luntu wa Baluba wa Kasaï wa Congo, which translates as ‘Woman King of the Order of the Leopard of the Bakwa Luntu People who are from the Luba group of Kasaï in the Democratic Republic of Congo,’ embodies a transformative vision. “I am Queen Diambi, the bearer of good news. To bring good news to my people, I go into the world, find the news and the people generating that news, and tell those people there is good news coming from Africa, too. I talk about Africa to give our Mother Continent her nobility back. Putting the crown back on our mother will ultimately yield great blessings for humanity,” she asserts.

Her Majesty ascended as the traditional ruler on August 31, 2016. Her influence extends beyond her native Democratic Republic of Congo, reaching the African Diaspora in Brazil, where she was honored as the Queen Mother of the Bantu People and awarded the title of Grande Mãe do Povo Bantu Bazileiro by Brazil’s Parliament on March 3, 2019. With an impressive academic background, including multiple doctorates and

a professorship in International Law, Queen Diambi actively contributes to global dialogues on heritage and identity. She is the founder of the Elikia Hope Foundation in New York City. She is pivotal as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of the African Diaspora, further cementing her commitment to advocating for the African heritage worldwide.

I’m in awe of Queen Diambi’s extensive roles and keen to delve into her unique beginnings. Her intriguing origin story, born of a Belgian mother and a Congolese father, positions her as a unique cultural bridge. She views her mixed heritage as an opportunity to unite contrasting narratives, striving for reconciliation and progress. “Understanding our origins and openly discussing our experiences are crucial,” she states, emphasizing the power of truth and untold stories to rectify historical imbalances – perfectly aligning with my principles.

Her Majesty redefines Africa’s position in the world by declaring, “Africa is not just the final frontier; it’s humanity’s original frontier.” She brings a fresh perspective with her diverse expertise, highlighting Africa’s true value: “The real wealth of Africa isn’t just in its material resources but in its people, who’ve been historically overlooked and undervalued.”

She calls for reassessing Africa’s profound historical role and capacity to shape the future, reminding us, “Humanity has been in Africa for 400,000 years; The great majority of human experience happened here.”

Facing contemporary global challenges, Queen Diambi underscores the urgency of acknowledging Africa’s contributions to avert a looming crisis: “Our ignorance of Africa’s pre-eminent contributions and history undermines our grasp of reality and our capacity to utilize the continent’s historical advancements for future development. We have enormous challenges because the patterns we have taken can continue unless we realize those patterns are not sustainable. If we continue, we will end up in a major global catastrophe.”

Her Majesty highlights Africa’s potential for sustainable growth, noting its vast resources: “Africa confronts the challenge of sitting atop some of the richest resources on earth. We have the resources to support 4 billion people on our continent alone.” She sees Africa ready to use these assets for its development and global competitiveness.

She asserts, “We stand at a crossroads, “ addressing pivotal choices ahead,” pushing for Africa to control its destiny through sustainable resource use. “With

careful planning and respect for Africa’s potential, we can foster a world where the continent’s growth benefits all humanity,” showcasing Africa’s essential role in shaping a shared future.

I posit that we face a modern form of colonialism, termed techno-colonialism, where technology entraps us, fostering new, inescapable habits alongside initiatives like China’s Belt and Road target land and resource acquisition. I ask Her Majesty how we can remain vigilant and ensure fairness and balance in this new era. Her response is illuminating. She diagnoses society’s relentless consumerism and disconnection from nature as a false path to fulfillment, noting, “Our journey has resembled an addiction to consumption, and yet, the joy and essence of our humanity, which truly enriches our human experience, is missing.”

Queen Diambi underscores the dire consequences of this disconnect, particularly among the youth, and champions indigenous wisdom as the antidote to modern malaise. She asserts, “We must end this nonsense, as it’s harming not just the continent but Africans globally,” emphasizing the need to reconnect with the roots and wisdom of indigenous cultures to address global challenges effectively.

Her Majesty highlights Africa’s pivotal yet unrecognized scientific and technological achievements, specifically its early use of mathematics and sustainable urban design. “In Congo, we did mathematics 25,000 years ago. How come children in school don’t know that?” she questions, advocating for a revival of Africa’s legacy to enrich our collective history and guide future sustainability. Her call to “fetch what was good and bring it back to the forefront” seeks to correct historical oversights and promote life in harmony with nature, aiming for a balanced and prosperous future.

The conversation turns to discussing values. Queen Diambi asserts that the currency of the future is care and kindness – which deepens our connection as this aligns with my beliefs. Queen Diambi emphasizes that the future hinges on values like care and compassion, stating, “Many masters from the past have come and gone. It’s the values of mahat, of truth, that brings justice in terms of equilibrium, and then that can yield harmony.” She underlines the critical role of trust, truth, ethics, compassion, kindness, and the courage to explore beyond familiar boundaries. “Failing to incorporate wisdom as a fundamental value...undermines our efforts,” she remarks, challenging the sole reliance on

technology for solutions. She advocates for a holistic approach and highlights indigenous communities’ deep understanding of a reality that surpasses the ordinary, rooted in a consciousness that quantum physics is only beginning to uncover. “Indigenous communities possess a profound understanding of reality, a universal consciousness that connects all life,” she notes, urging the integration of this ancient wisdom for sustainable and comprehensive future developments.

The trend of billionaire philanthropy, often seen as generous, sparks debate over its effectiveness: Is it truly tackling root problems or just providing surface-level aid? This calls for a critical look at philanthropy’s role in driving substantial change. “I love that people are always interested in helping others,” she states, urging philanthropists to go beyond financial contributions and address the core issues. She advocates for “a more engaged philanthropy,” challenging the wealthy to use their influence for sustainable impact, especially in addressing why societal issues like homelessness and hunger persist. Her message is clear: philanthropy should meet immediate needs and aim to overhaul societal structures for a fairer future, blending compassion with actionable insight for lasting solutions.

My thesis is that a profound trust deficit plagues foundational institutions like the UN, IMF, and the WHO, rooted in their inability to adapt from their inception 80 years ago to today’s challenges. The remedy suggested is a wisdom council employing ancestral knowledge to mend this rift, spotlighting the omission of African perspectives

historically. Queen Diambi asserts, “You cannot build an institution with only one voice and then expect the solution to fit all,” advocating for a multi-voiced approach in global solutions. As head of the World Indigenous Forum, she calls for genuine integration of indigenous insights in international policymaking, especially within platforms like the UN’s ECOSOC, to foster global harmony and a deeper recognition of our collective interdependence. This advocacy underlines the urgent need for inclusive and ecologically respectful perspectives in overcoming global challenges.

“You are helping me tremendously by just taking an interest in listening to me.” Identifying as “a regular lady” yet empowered by her heritage, she underscores the power of collective wisdom and collaboration: “The solution doesn’t lie in one mind.”

The Queen’s philanthropic work in the Congo, ranging from supporting orphanages to constructing hospitals, exemplifies her dedication to making a tangible impact. Aiming to elevate indigenous insights, she aspires to foster a global conversation for a more equitable and harmonious future.

“You cannot build an institution with only one voice and then expect the solution to fit all.”

What is Her Majesty’s core message to all of us in the future? Her Royal Highness humbly declines to offer a singular message, fearing it might come across as prescriptive or messianic, and instead positions themselves as learners rather than teachers. She reflects on humanity’s full-circle journey back to Africa’s ancient wisdom for future guidance. She emphasizes Africa’s role in offering a fresh perspective for global coexistence, advocating for a blend of knowledge and ancestral insights to fulfill our humanity. “Integrating knowledge, integrating wisdom that could inform us and add into us so that we can come back to who we fully are,” she states, championing a comprehensive embrace of our existence in alignment with nature’s enduring patterns.

When asked how others can support her mission, Her Royal Highness values organic growth and appreciates the simple act of being heard, stating,

As I end this conversation, I am struck by the depth of her wisdom and the clarity of her vision. Her words serve as a beacon for a future that embraces the richness of our collective past, the urgency of our present challenges, and the boundless potential of our shared future. In her voice, we find the echoes of the ancestors and the call to action for a generation poised at the brink of transformative change. Let us heed that call, drawing upon the wisdom of the past to forge a future that honors the dignity, beauty, and potential of every person and every nation on this planet.

THE FIRST FRONTIER

REDEFINING AFRICA’S FUTURE

MINISTER PAULA FRANCISCO COELHO

“We need to revamp our school curriculums to include foundational topics like biodiversity and water conservation from an early age. It’s about understanding the science and changing the narrative around Africa.”

In the vibrant tapestry of global leadership, few threads shine as brightly as that of Paula Francisco Coelho, the Secretary of State for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals for the Republic of Angola. Her journey, marked by resilience and a relentless pursuit of excellence, is a beacon of inspiration in our era — a time when our planet yearns for conscientious stewardship.

Born into the turbulence of a war-torn Angola, Minister Coelho’s early aspirations to become a doctor were a response to the suffering she witnessed. Her father, a significant influence in her life and a seasoned politician, steered these aspirations towards a broader horizon of public service.

She reflects: “I first became a field ranger, then a project coordinator, which led me to join public service leadership roles as a volunteer. Then, I became a chief of staff in the government and a national director. Then I was selected as Secretary of State for biodiversity, and later became a

minister.” Her path through various roles in government is a testament to her exceptional capabilities and commitment. As the youngest leader in the central government, often by nearly two decades, her youthful energy and fresh perspective are her strengths.

Today, Minister Coelho’s impact at international forums like COP28 underscores her role as a global influencer in climate change advocacy. Her story is not just one of personal triumph but a narrative of hope and action. She serves as a reminder that from adversity can emerge leaders of exceptional caliber capable of guiding us toward a sustainable and equitable future.

Women are becoming increasingly influential, truly embodying power. What advice can we offer to Africa’s young women aspiring to similar heights? She elucidates: “In Africa, women have always been there; it’s just that our voices are now heard more than previously. Women now have the space and courage to speak out.” Her

perspective emphasizes the inherent strength of approach and communication. She advocates for a balance where collaboration with men is essential; through constructive dialogue, she finds that objectives become achievable.

Minister Coelho embodies the spirit of a warrior, and it’s evident in the way she fervently champions biodiversity and climate change, representing her nation in these critical areas. I firmly believe that women play a crucial role in developing, nurturing, and protecting our planet, deserving increased respect, time, and opportunities now more than ever. She responds with a fundamental question: “Who cooks?” This, she explains, is an African perspective about choices like which trees to use for charcoal. She highlights the role of women in imparting environmental education and skills through simple, everyday actions. “It’s women that take care of the child. Through observation, the child sees what the mother is doing,” she notes, underlining the cascading effect of women’s actions on future generations.

“I first became a field ranger, then a project coordinator, which led me to join public service leadership roles as a volunteer. Then, I became a chief of staff in the government and a national director. Then I was selected as Secretary of State for biodiversity, and later became a minister.”

She advocates teaching through love and caring, conveying survival skills in a forest as an example for biodiversity. Addressing climate change, she illustrates how practical changes, like choosing to cook outside to avoid overheating the house, can be significant.

Minister Coehlo stresses the importance of empowering women and building their capacities, as they are often the primary food providers, engaged in tasks like producing maize meal and rice. In contrast, men typically undertake more physically demanding tasks. However, she points out that the roles of men and women are interconnected and shouldn’t always be viewed separately. “This is how I would face the future inclusiveness so that we will have a proper outcome for these principles,” she declares.

Children are the future, and our education syllabus needs to be upgraded for them to understand the climate challenges better. She agrees: “We need to revamp our school curriculums to include foundational topics like biodiversity and water conservation from an early age. It’s about understanding the science and changing the narrative around Africa. This education should start way before grade 12. We, as professionals, have a role in creating engaging educational content, perhaps through cartoons or TV stories for children, making complex topics like those at COP28 relatable and preparing our youth for the future. Integrating technology into learning is crucial, but we must remember not everyone has access to digital resources. It’s about making these connections clear and relevant, ensuring that as we teach about the environment, we also address broader issues like food security.”

According to her, our focus should be on what we’re teaching and leaving behind today. It’s not just about future tech but tackling immediate challenges like poverty and climate change. We must prioritize direct aid over loans and act now, not in 30

years. “The future is being shaped by our present actions, and we must balance technological growth with preserving our core human values,” Minister Coelho puts it, “and in defining our goals, we need to act swiftly to ensure a future that maintains this crucial balance.”

She believes that in navigating the future of the planet, we need a unified approach, like the formation of the United Nations 75 years ago, which remains crucial. It’s time to revisit and revise our past principles, considering the increased population, escalated problems, and altered climate patterns.

As we project 30 years ahead, discussing phenomena like acid rain, we must acknowledge existing resolutions to declare climate a human and heritage issue, necessitating a mindset change. She says: “Some are ready for this change, as evidenced in forums like COP28. However, consensus remains

elusive, often due to differing views on progress and betterment.”

We both agree that COVID-19, in a way, has been a lesson for humanity. It forced moderation in our lifestyles and brought a renewed appreciation for traditional plant-based medicines. For her, this pandemic has highlighted the importance of considering nature-based solutions and the interconnectedness of our actions. Declarations from various environmental conventions touch on targeting net zero and adapting protocols to mitigate atmospheric impact. While there’s a balancing act between development and environmental protection, she advocates that nature-based solutions should be at the forefront of our discussions, blending narratives around sports, climate, and the air we breathe. In doing so, we can better protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future.

I ask Minister Coelho her thoughts on the importance of trust in today’s world, and how we can restore psychological safety, trust, and humanity in both our professional and personal lives. “Trust is crucial in our world, and its decline is increasingly evident. This erosion of trust isn’t just about immediate needs or development; it goes deeper,” she states. For her, true trust is akin to a lasting friendship, one that endures even in absence. It’s influenced by societal norms, education, and commitment to our goals.

She goes on: Trust transcends business, tapping into our spirit and connection with the ecosystem. It’s built on familiarity and understanding, much like recognizing forest sounds. We must work towards redefining and restoring trust, not only in our immediate interactions but also in reshaping society at large.”

“Trust is crucial in our world, and its decline is increasingly evident. This erosion of trust isn’t just about immediate needs or development; it goes deeper.”

THE FIRST FRONTIER – AFRICA

A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE AND IMPACT

“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down, imagine what a collective of women can do.”

Neo Mooki, a Botswana-born, Oxford-educated actuary and Managing Director at Generali Asset Management, transcends her prestigious titles. Our discussion explores her profound impact on women, startups, ESG, and investors. An expert in managing complex pension schemes and insurance clients, Neo oversees assets exceeding £80bn.

She opens the conversation by sharing her motto, which is simple yet deeply reflective of her own experiences: “We will leave this world better than we found it.”

She’s living the dream: “From a child in rural Botswana, carrying water from the village standpipe, to a businesswoman in the world’s financial capitals, my life is a manifestation of my childhood dreams.”

That little girl couldn’t be further from the person sitting across from me now. What drove her relentless ambition? She shares: “It’s my education in the village; I used to play with a calculator – my toy from three years old – and read books in the humble local library.”

Neo’s inspiration stems from her grandfather, Topo Motsakhole, who, despite being denied education, valued it as a key to overcoming poverty. Despite being born with partial sight, hearing loss in one ear, and a speech impediment, she was a diligent student, reading classics like Charles Dickens from a young age. That prepared her for the world she lives in today: calculating and synthesizing highly complex information and transforming it into something digestible for investors.

“From a child in rural Botswana, carrying water from the village standpipe, to a businesswoman in the world’s financial capitals, my life is a manifestation of my childhood dreams.”

As a child, she thought her inspiration was to work as a housemaid for the king’s wife. Still, she later understood that her true motivation was a desire for abundance, symbolized by her longing for ketchup. This realization underscored her determination to become educated, leave her village, and lift her family from poverty.

I ask Neo to describe the pivotal moment in her life that propelled her from being that young girl in the village to pursuing actuarial science in the UK and furthering her education at Oxford. She responds with passion and conviction: “I’ve been very fortunate. At school, my teacher told me I’d been granted a scholarship to study at Botswana’s most prestigious school, the Marua Pula. That was the real turning point for me. After completing my A-levels, I was awarded a British Council Scholarship to study in the UK, where I’ve spent most of my adult life.”

Although life-altering, this transformation saw Neo remain extremely grounded, authentic, genuine, human, connected, compassionate, and empathetic. She elucidates: “I remain joined to the hip to my country and roots. It’s not just Botswana; it’s Africa. Coming from where I did, where I suffered from malnutrition, where many of the people that I grew up with and played with have died, I was lucky to be the one to come out.”

Having trained as an actuary in London, Neo overcame significant challenges as a woman of color, driven to uplift her family from poverty.

Beyond personal achievements, her work has a broader impact, aligning with global trends in climate change, social justice, equity, and ESG. She emphasizes her commitment to supporting these themes in asset allocation without compromising investment outcomes for clients: “Our approach is

not about charity, but strategic capital allocation to positively impact climate change and support global communities,” she asserts.

My keynotes on sustainability and impact investment emphasize the need for sustainable practices to be more profitable than traditional businesses. My goal is to demonstrate that investing in sustainability is not only environmentally responsible but also financially viable. According to Neo’s deep experience, the capital markets are changing. In her words: “The world’s capital markets are forcing companies and investors to think and to act differently.” For Neo, this change is driven mainly by the evolving profiles of investors, moving away from baby boomers to millennials and Generation X, who will continue to influence capital flows. She points out: “Younger investors prioritize empathy and the impact of their investments, focusing not just on avoiding harm but actively doing good, incorporating the ethical implications of investments.”

ESG sustainability isn’t a passing trend or fashion. Like me, Neo believes it is a crucial aspect of long-term investment. For her, when investing in projects with a 15 to 50-year horizon, it’s essential to ensure those investments remain sustainable and profitable over time. This mindset shift influences the direction of capital flows in the markets. “If investors, increasingly concerned about ethical implications, redirect capital away from certain investments, those investments could become less profitable or even lose value,” she explains.

I challenge her: with the oil industry and its $5 trillion assets, they won’t back down from that fight. “They’re being forced by the power of capital markets to pivot,” she asserts. “Capital markets are compelling companies to adopt decarbonization strategies and invest in clean energy technologies. Many asset owners, like large insurance companies, pension funds, and family offices, are significant institutional investors with

substantial resources. Committed to net zero goals, they have the means to fulfill these commitments through aligned investments. While we won’t abandon oil immediately, the influence of capital markets is gradually pushing fossil fuel companies towards cleaner operations and supporting the climate transition.”

Neo discusses the evolving investment landscape, emphasizing the role of capital allocators in driving corporate behavior toward sustainability. She notes

the global reach of key investors like Aceronas and the shift in the investment world’s attitude towards ESG standards. Previously, high ESG standards deterred investments; now, non-compliance raises concerns. In asset management, Neo finds great value in using financial leverage to foster positive change. She also points out the trend towards democratizing investment access, accommodating the growing number of young, mobile-platform investors, and making investment opportunities more widely accessible. She affirms: “These new investors may not have large individual investments, but collectively, they’re impactful.”

As we delve deeper into Neo’s story, it is enlightening that she also champions a shift towards more human-centric, empathetic approaches in the industry, questioning traditional success metrics like GDP and ROI. She advocates for authentic leadership and believes in the power of personal experiences to inspire change. “We need to be authentic to who we are,” she states, emphasizing the impact of genuine commitment and advocacy in communities. Leading a diverse team, she incorporates these values into her team’s operations, focusing on behaviors beyond profit, and suggests evolving bonus criteria to reflect qualitative achievements.

My presentations contrast the prevailing focus on growth and profit with a broader vision encompassing people, planet, profit, prosperity, purpose, and peace, driven by love. This expanded approach aims to reshape the world for future generations. Neo adds: “If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down, imagine what a collective of women can do. We could turn the world back right up again.” She feels privileged to influence behavior and unlock value through capital markets, contributing to climate transition and empowering the less privileged.

A global role model, Neo breaks boardroom diversity barriers, aiding startups in Africa and the UK, and chairs the Botswana Stock Exchange, one of the youngest globally to do so. Beyond board roles, she mentors with the Princess Trust and engages with women through social media and public speaking. Her story inspires, showcasing that success is attainable for all. She emphasizes: “I strongly advocate for diversity and inclusion policies,” ensuring these are investment prerequisites at Generali.

When discussing DEI and the paradoxes of quotas and affirmative action, Neo, experienced in increasing female board presence, highlights

the need for broader recognition of women’s capabilities. “My success stems from hard work and mentorship from both men and women, mainly men, due to their prevalence in my field in London. Despite its challenges, affirmative action is necessary due to inherent biases in hiring; it’s a tool to promote diversity. In today’s world of rapid technological change, while gender diversity is essential, it’s just one aspect of the broader diversity needed.”

She elucidates her vision for modern boards: “Diversity of thought is crucial, and it stems from having people of different genders, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities, and ages. It’s not just about including young people; it’s also about valuing the wisdom and experience of older individuals who have lived through various financial cycles and market changes. Such a mix in a team ensures a wide range of perspectives, preventing a narrow, homogeneous approach.”

Another aspect in which Neo is outspoken aligns with my values: trust, truth, and ethics. These will define our future. Neo shares her learnings: “I always emphasize to my mentees and teams that those around you must trust you. You can’t succeed alone; trust starts at a personal level. Being trustworthy in your personal life is as important as in business. If your core values aren’t ethical, it undermines your trustworthiness as a leader. Integrity in handling personal and professional life is fundamental because trust, built over a lifetime, can be lost overnight.”

Neo advises parents to embrace technology as a positive force for their children’s development, highlighting its crucial role during the pandemic. While aware of the negative aspects of social media and consumerism, she advises parents to act as mentors, guiding their children to use technology positively. “The trains are already at full speed - it’s about being able to jump on and steer it appropriately, in a positive way,” she asserts.

When I spoke with Queen Diambi from the Democratic Republic of Congo, I said the world is looking at Africa’s future and the future and that Africa is the last frontier. She said, ‘Africa is the first frontier.’ Neo agrees: “The pandemic had a silver lining in that it awakened the world to several important issues. It increased awareness of sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and the potential of emerging markets, including Africa. Now, venture capital firms increasingly invest in Africa, recognizing it as the future.”

Her message is empowering: “You actively cocreate your life with the universe; you are not a passive participant.” She emphasizes people’s power to shape their destiny, regardless of circumstances. Drawing from her own experience as a child in a rural Botswana village, she encourages everyone to harness their potential and positively impact the world.

Neo Mooki is a trailblazer in all senses of the phrase. Remarkable and lovely.

The world undoubtedly needs more people like her.

THE FIRST FRONTIER - AFRICA

SERIGNE DIOUM INNOVATING DIGNITY

GROUP CEO MTN FINTECH GROUP

“I define dignity as achieving financial independence”.

The battle for financial inclusivity and empowerment is one dear to my purpose. Much remains to be done for the billions of unbanked and underserved worldwide. Serigne Dioum understands this better than 99% of the world. My conversation with him unravels the story of an extraordinary individual and a potent message for tomorrow.

Serigne, the Group CEO for MTN Group FinTech, aims to elevate hundreds of millions of lives by driving financial inclusion. “I’m passionate about driving financial inclusion in Africa, giving dignity to people by helping them become financially independent,” he shares.

Our dialogue traverses from the roots of his humble beginnings in Medina, near Dakar, Senegal, to the pinnacle of his career, offering a rare glimpse into the makings of a leader. Serigne’s childhood, rooted in a large family of 33 siblings, was a crucible of values, ethics, and a strong sense of community. Under the dual tutelage of formal education and Quranic teachings in these early years, the foundation for his future endeavors was laid. “Family is paramount to me, shaping how I lead. I view my team as an extension of that family, providing them with the support and guidance needed to thrive professionally and personally,” he reflects.

His academic path led him to France, specializing in telecommunications engineering, driven by a

deep passion for technology’s transformative impact. Inspired by Senegal’s telco luminary, Shaktigan Baye, he ventured into the telco field, rapidly emerging as a standout engineer and visionary, ready to revolutionize the industry.

Serigne reflects on the era when the telco industry saw explosive 30% growth rates, leading to a sense of comfort and perhaps complacency among telcos, content with the revenue from expanding infrastructure. However, this period also marked the rise of over-the-top (OTT) services, which used telco networks without sharing infrastructure costs, a shift Serigne highlights with keen industry insight.

Distinctively, he never confined himself to the traditional roles within the telco sector. Throughout his tenure with giants like Orange, Sonatel Multimedia, and MTN, he consistently sought out roles that straddled the boundaries of conventional telco operations, which highlights his unique career path, which led him from working on multimedia initiatives in Senegal to pioneering value-added services in Mali, and eventually to spearheading mobile payment solutions.

His career embodies the belief that innovation thrives at the nexus of technology and human values, highlighting the telco sector’s evolution into tech and financial giants. He boldly states: “Integrating FinTech within telcos is the future, I firmly believe.”

He further explains: “My goal is to establish the preeminent FinTech platform in Africa, crafted by Africans for Africa. This objective is crucial; I define dignity as achieving financial independence. Our aim is to empower every African to save, invest, start businesses, and support their families, enhancing wealth and business expansion. It is what motivates me daily.” His ultimate ambition? “To maintain and significantly expand our position as the leading FinTech entity in Africa, making it unparalleled in scope and impact.”

Yet, the essence of Serigne’s story stretches far beyond the confines of boardrooms and business strategies, delving into the core human values of love, family, and a sense of belonging. He talks of his wife, Maggie, not just as a partner but as the transformative force behind his very being - a love story so profound that it nurtures his soul and casts a glow on his professional path. “Meeting Maggie in 2005 was a pivotal chapter in my life. She was the one who always nudged me not just to dream, but dream big, to peer towards the far horizon. Her influence reshaped my outlook on life and the world around us. Since we married in 2006, she has been the muse behind our beautiful life, gracing me with the joy of four wonderful children. If it weren’t for Maggie, the essence of who I am today would remain undiscovered.”

Women are a formidable force, and Serigne has championed their empowerment in honor of Maggie and the countless women underpinning our families and societies. He aims to connect 500 million African women, equipping them for dignified lives. His initiatives have transformative impacts, exemplified by an anecdote of his

interactions with a Kigali woman who used mobile money loans to sustain her family and secure a future without further loans. Serigne shares: “We can impact her life, but also the life of her family.” This story underlines his dedication to fostering independence and prosperity among African women and families, aiming to empower them to build and sustain their success.

For me, trust, truth, integrity, and ethics are pivotal for our future’s foundation, as nothing can flourish without them. I admire the empathy and human values you embody, prompting a vital question: How can we instill these values and empathy in our youth to develop tomorrow’s leaders? Highlighting the importance of principles, Serigne emphasizes, “Foundation in life is also believing in principles, and applying them,” urging a reconnection with one’s roots and heritage. He stresses the significance of self-awareness and principles. His success is fueled by a passion for making a tangible difference, especially in financial inclusion. “Driving financial inclusion is something unique, and I have an opportunity to drive it,” he affirms.

The partnership with Mastercard marks a significant step towards his financial inclusion goals in Africa. “The collaboration between Mastercard and MTN Group Fintech is fundamentally a union of two entities sharing identical values and visions for Africa,” he notes. This collaboration facilitates local and international transactions for their customers and broadens their merchants’ capabilities to accept diverse payment methods, enriching their offerings. Importantly, it addresses the challenges of international remittance for the African diaspora, aiming to make these transactions more accessible and cost-effective.

Telcos have evolved from vertical structures to horizontal ecosystems, now integrating sectors like health and automotive with existing ones like finance. Looking ahead to a post-2025 future, there’s potential for further expansion into diverse areas. As MTN Group Fintech Group CEO, Serigne highlights

the shift towards comprehensive services, including Africa’s largest Infratech project with Sunlamp and the pivotal role of payment platforms in offering universal access. He emphasizes, “When you are a payment platform, you can allow people to get access to everything,” showcasing the platform’s broad reach. This vision will largely unfold through strategic partnerships, marrying innovation with collaboration.

Envisioning his 100th birthday, he anticipates celebrating his family’s enduring legacy and the impact of his philanthropic efforts. “At 100, I will be able to build a family and still be with my wife and get my children who have children and who build families,” he projects. Reflecting on aiding those in need, he states: “I was able to help a lot of people to move from where they were to a more wealthy situation.” His tenure at MTN FinTech, marking a professional milestone as Africa’s leading FinTech platform, demonstrates his industry influence, noting: “I was able to build an organization where it was much more successful because I left the people behind that were able to take over.”

This conversation with Serigne is more than just an interview; it’s a clarion call to envision a future where technology serves humanity, financial barriers are dismantled, and the values of community, family, and love are the cornerstones of innovation. His insights serve as a guidepost, urging us to steer the ship of progress with the compass of technological advancement and the anchor of human values. His voice, a confluence of professionalism, humanity, and love, resonates with the message that the future, while digital, is decidedly human.

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

“People, Purpose, and Culture is THE conversation of the next decade. Without it, we will not thrive.”

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

FABIOLA EYHOLZER HUMANIZING WORK

In my conversation with Fabiola Eyholzer, co-founder and CEO of Just Leading Solutions, I was struck by her remarkable insights and profound understanding of human resources in today’s fastevolving corporate landscape.

Fabiola, who hails from a picturesque Swiss mountain town, brings a unique blend of analytical acumen and deep empathy to her role, shaped by her family’s influence. Her father’s logical approach to life, combined with her mother’s empathetic nature and her grandfather’s wisdom to appreciate life and people, have been instrumental in her development as a leader. This

unique combination of reason and heart has transformed her into a pivotal figure in the realm of human-centric organizations.

Empathy and analytics are two words close to my heart. I would call analytics the left side of the brain, and the right side is empathy and emotion. I asked Fabiola what she learned from both sides and how she applies that to her work. Her response is illuminating: “I always look for connections with people – and I look for the positive things we have in common to build those connections,” she asserts.

Fabiola recounts her ‘aha’ moment of her transformational shift in mindset: “When I first held leadership responsibility, I didn’t pay enough attention to empathy; it was a time

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“Building human-centric businesses takes leadership and commitment.”

when the corporate world put all its focus on profits and KPIs. I was a very good leader for self-driven, determined, and independent people. But, I wasn’t a good leader for those needing more support and guidance. That’s when I learned about the agile ways of doing things, of connecting deeper with people. It was an eye-opener. It became a way for me to get more in touch with the empathetic side, getting to know people, meeting them where they are, and helping them along their journey made me a better leader.”

Today’s leadership roles are even more complex: leaders need to be not only empathetic and analytical leaders but also technologists, futurists, and stewards of the planet, to name but a few. The world is shifting to resilience and adaptability, and agility is what moves the needle. Fabiola strongly believes in the adaptability of organizations, asserting: “Survival means adaptability - that’s where resilience and strength come from. We sometimes think that strength comes from the stability of hierarchical organizational structures, which was true when organizations were run as machines. But today, organizations need to be adaptive ecosystems to continue to thrive and survive in that fast-paced environment.”

How does an organization achieve that? J.R. Commons first used the term ‘human resources’ in 1893 – Fabiola believes the underlying theories of HR are still stuck in that era. She emphasizes the need for HR to evolve from its traditional role: “It’s all about humanizing work; competence in technical skills is becoming a commodity. What is left is truly the question of what humans bring to the table. That’s our passion, imagination, and potential for social and emotional intelligence.” She believes that the future of successful organizations transcends their structural robustness or technological advancements; it’s rooted in their adaptability, learning capacity, and agility — attributes that are quintessentially human. Her vision of HR, or as she prefers to call it, ‘People and Culture,’ is revolutionary. She advocates for a

future where HR’s role evolves from managing people – a 20th-century mindset – to creating environments where individuals can be their best selves. This shift from a resource-focused approach to a human-centric model is at the heart of her philosophy. It’s about recognizing people as essential components of an organization’s ecosystem, not just as cogs in a machine.

Trust, truth, and ethics will define our future; today, a massive trust deficit exists. How do we bring trust back into organizations, institutions, and people? Fabiola is adamant: “It is all about culture.” Part of that culture is trust. “How do we build trust? By truly caring about people,” she elucidates, “The word culture comes from the Latin word ‘cultus,’ meaning care: we need to start connecting with people.” That means redefining the ways we view organizations, how we work, and connect with people. “That’s where the new thinking around HR comes in, which builds trust, cares for people, and creates a new human-centric way of working,” she proclaims.

Fabiola’s perspective about AI tools revolutionizing every industry and the challenges they pose for humanity is refreshing. She declares: “There will be businesses run by technology, and others will be people-driven. Organizations in the future won’t have a stable hierarchical structure; they’ll be living, breathing organisms. We’ll have a very different definition of what work is and and how people contribute and create value.”

How does an agile HR approach face these future challenges? “The answer is three words: learning, learning, learning,” she affirms. “Survival is adaptability, which means learning: we’ll need

to learn and unlearn things quickly. In the future, an environment conducive to learning will be essential, where change is not a threat but embraced as an opportunity. It starts with learning: If we want different ways of connecting with people, we need to give them the life skills needed to thrive in the future world; the ones needed in the past are no longer what will get us into the future.”

As for the future, Fabiola focuses on inspiring and building human-centric organizations by redesigning the entire HR value chain. Her message is one of authenticity and connection: “Be authentic and connect with others. Show empathy, care for others, and build those strong connections.” This emphasis on genuine human interaction over digital connectivity highlights her belief in the power of human relationships in shaping the future of work. And we need our HR structure and processes to support a human-centric leadership approach.

Fabiola Eyholzer is not just redefining HR; she is redefining the essence of work, culture, and organizational belonging, paving the way for a future where businesses thrive because they truly value people as their greatest asset.

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THE FUTURE OF MINDSET AND SKILLS

MELODY HOSSAINI

“In a fast-paced, reactive and technological world - our greatest asset will be human connectivity, strong mindset and emotional intelligence. Human skills. This is what I’ve dedicated my career to.”

Melody Hossaini’s life is a testament to resilience, a beacon of hope, illuminating a path where human essence, ethical grounding, and emotional intelligence are the cornerstones of a future infused with technology. I resonate deeply with Melody’s purpose, and this intimate conversation draws a spotlight on her vision for tomorrow.

Based in the United Kingdom, Melody designs and delivers unique training to build the mindset and skills to thrive. As the founder and CEO of InspirEngage International, her portfolio spans over 100 countries, reaching over 1 million people.

She’s a professional speaker (on platforms such as TEDx, GES hosted by Barack Obama, and the United Nations), and a Skills Trainer and Life Coach (with clients such as the New York Times, J.P. Morgan, and Women’s Forum). Melody’s also

a member of the CEO Champions’ Group of FTSE 100 companies, awarded ‘New European’s Most Influential Woman’ by the European Parliament and ‘Woman of the Future’ by the UK’s King Charles. Melody is working with leading UK training and educational organisations to expand into the Middle East.

I have such deep respect for her, her authenticity, and the energy that she brings to the world. “We are all products of our experiences,” Melody declares.

Each challenge, from the tumult of war in Iran, her family’s fleeing to Sweden and relocation to the UK after gun violence in Sweden, and painful years of bullying in the UK as a teen, has metamorphosed into stepping stones of profound resilience and unwavering hope. “I decided to invest my energy into something else,” she recalls. At the age of 13, she became involved in community development and changing laws, and so she became the cofounder of the UK Youth Parliament.

Melody’s educational journey is as eclectic as it is enlightening. While accolades and formal education – LLB (Hons.) Law Degree from Oxford

Brookes University and a specialised study at Stanford University and a specialized study at Stanford on the neurology, neuroscience, and psychology of happiness and well-being – adorn her resumé, life’s unscripted moments echo the loudest. “My greatest teachers have been my experiences,” she professes.

That’s the perfect segue into mindset coaching. When coaching executives, my only function is to shift mindsets. Corporations have an immune system akin to our bodies, protecting anything coming from outside. CEOs usually serve up lists of excuses to stop change: it’s too expensive, we’re not ready, it’s too difficult, etc. Melody shares her tricks to address this resistance: “The way to open that window of disruption is by speaking to clients with a fresh perspective: ‘Everything starts with you.’” She emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s identity, values, and aspirations as a foundation for personal and professional growth. Another trick Melody uses is a directional exercise: “I encourage people to imagine a magic fairy granting any wish within 30 seconds, urging them to detail their deepest desires quickly. This thought exercise, though seemingly absurd, helps tap into the subconscious, revealing hidden

aspirations. It’s not about creating a practical plan but about breaking free from limitations to find new directions and perspectives for their lives and companies.”

We need more than gradual change; we need a metamorphosis, similar to how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. This isn’t about becoming a better version of ourselves but undergoing a fundamental, internal revolution. In my TEDx talk, ‘Only the Mad Will Thrive,’ I emphasize the importance of this drastic change. From her profound personal and professional experiences, I ask Melody how people can achieve this level of deep personal transformation. She elucidates: “Everyone’s different; the power lies in those differences. We need to approach each person individually, whether it’s reinvention, selfinvestment, or finding a starting point for their transformation.”

A recent Dell study found that 70% of the jobs in 2030 don’t exist today. In other words, 70% of us will have new jobs with new descriptions, new tools, and be wholly different from today’s roles. Technologies like AI will elevate human potential: operational efficiency isn’t an essential trait for business; our creativity, imagination, mental agility, resilience, and adaptability become critical for the future. What will the future require from humans to thrive? “We need to invest in human potential,” Melody agrees. “The skills needed for the future of humanity won’t be technology-related. We need emotional intelligence, negotiation, and complex problem-solving.”

Both Melody and I believe that the traditional education system is outdated in preparing the youth for the future. “Young people should recognize that there are multiple paths, not just one,” she states. “We must be resilient enough to pivot when plans fail or when faced with constant change.”

As with this conversation where Melody and I have beautifully connected, she believes that establishing genuine human connections is a fundamental building block in crafting a responsive, empathetic, and innovative future. Melody’s work underscores a universal truth – our differences, the friction, and the diverse perspectives are not just inevitable but necessary. “Don’t lose the ability to see people; never be too wrapped up in your view of the world,” she advises.

Training children and young people is incredibly important to teach them mindset, resilience, and confidence-building in this world of uncertainty. Melody’s Coaching for Kids program aims to develop these skills in 4-16 year olds. She reveals: “Children’s minds are incredibly receptive to learning, and if you plant the right seeds, they can grow positively from their experiences”.

To engage with children effectively, we focus on exciting them about the world’s possibilities and positive outcomes. They develop a growth mindset, a strong sense of self and learn to regulate feelings, through varied interactive exercises and dialogue.’

Instead of dwelling on problems, I focus on fostering a positive mindset, encouraging them to envision and aspire to their ideal life. This positive

approach ignites motivation and possibility. I then support them with customized tools, training, and accountability to facilitate change.”

My thesis is that trust, truth, and ethics are more important as we hurtle into a digitally- and technology-infused era. Her vision’s aligned with mine: “A staggering amount of people are on autopilot. Our mistrust doesn’t stop us from actively seeking or molding the very things we distrust. To do so, however, requires us to break free from autopilot and challenge the status quo,” she says. “Not trusting isn’t the problem, but not caring enough is.”

What of happiness and the future of happiness?

Melody champions a “happiness bank account,” where you bank happy moments and become wealthy in happiness, in positive human emotion, where joy and fulfillment are assets to be acknowledged and banked. “Simply say one sentence: ‘I feel really happy right now,’” she advises. “Happiness is an act – and you need to exercise it daily.”

Her reflections as a mother are steeped in profound simplicity, encapsulated in her message-in-a-bottle: “Never lose the ability to see, build connections, be enriched by people’s stories, share your story, be true to who you are, and never stop learning.”

As seen through her eyes, the future is not a distant, abstract concept; it’s a living, breathing entity woven through the threads of our individual and collective narratives, converging to script a world of hope, change, and transformation.

Melody Hossaini, CEO of InspirEngage International Email: info@inspirengage.com

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

A JOURNEY BEYOND THE CLASSROOM RUSSELL CAILEY

Growing up in Manchester, UK, Russell Cailey’s story isn’t one of privilege or prestigious backgrounds. It’s a tale of a young boy from a working-class background who loved school, not just for its academic merits, but for the friendships and sports. His words encapsulate his early years: “School was fun more than anything else for me; it wasn’t a place where academic achievement was top of mind.” Yet, he is the Managing Director and visionary behind THINK Learning Studio (TLS) and is revolutionizing the education industry as we know it.

Russell has been honored as a ‘Top 100 Global Visionary in Education’ by GFEL in 2021; he’s dedicated to positioning TLS as a beacon of innovation and inspiration for educators worldwide, challenging traditional norms.

His expertise lies in professional development and foresight, strategic planning, and creating cutting-edge educational products. He is a renowned thought leader, frequently sharing his insights at the ReWired Festival, Dubai Future Forum, DEi Brisbane and Mumbai, and GESS Oman and Turkey.

“Degrees are more around signaling than the actual knowledge they convey.

Whatever you learn in any institution will be completely different in five to 10 years.”

He also collaborates with government projects, like Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Authority. Russell is also co-founder of the Hakuba Forum, ForesightLab.org, and EduVue.ai. Additionally, TLS empowers young startups in the education sector through the TLS Incubator, including its first project, Ur-ed.com.

THINK Learning Studio (TLS) originates from THINK Global School (TGS), the world’s first traveling high school. Beyond the travel, TGS offers students a unique environment to guide their learning through the project-based Changemaker Curriculum.

TLS aims to partner with teachers, school leaders, schools, educational foundations, networks, and other future-of-learning collaborators to foster genuine, real-world learning for all learners in all learning environments. It also designs platforms driven by artificial intelligence for better learning environments.

I believe that while education matters, the future depends more on learning and the ability to learn. As a young teacher, was he driven more by the process of learning or just getting students through school for grades and university admissions? For Russell, the world of education stands at a crossroads. As he puts it, we can either remain entrenched in the old ways or embrace the winds of change, ushering in a new era of learning. “The education industry has packaged learning in a really poor way. We must redefine education, prioritize genuine learning, and recognize the invaluable contributions of educators,” he asserts.

Instead of seeing learning as a chore, he champions a paradigm shift: recognizing the thrill of reinvention, the exhilaration of acquiring new skills, and the limitless horizons that come with it. In his vision, we no longer learn because we have to but because it’s an adventure.

I want to discuss what I term the ‘Education Industrial Complex.’ Educational institutions have increasingly become profit-driven, a worrying trend. For instance, the large endowments at universities like Princeton and Harvard could fund their entire operations with surplus, yet they continue to charge high fees. This raises questions about the reasons and implications of such practices. Russell believes hope is on the horizon. Innovative institutions, like the London Interdisciplinary School and THINK Global School, are breaking the mold. Students, as Russell notes, are becoming “smart, savvy consumers,” challenging the status quo and demanding more from their education.

Are today’s schools and universities preparing our kids for tomorrow? His answer is emphatic: “No.” He explains: “There’s a whole number of reasons why that isn’t happening. Education isn’t skills-based, nor tied to what’s actually happening in the world.”

So, what concrete actions can the business, foresight, and education sectors take to prepare young people for the future? “The future is diverse, not singular,” he declares. “While we see trends like AI, we need more focused discussions on how to reshape education. We must acknowledge that there isn’t just one future but many, and educational institutions will vary in their approaches. This calls for a more nuanced understanding rather than a one-size-fits-all view of the future.”

My worry centers around regulators who often lack the responsiveness, adaptability, and speed to keep up with the world’s exponential changes. Russell agrees. “We need more dynamism and innovation in education,” he shares. “Departments and ministries should promote support, not just strict oversight.”

I’m concerned that schools, primarily focused on profit, may be overly focused on just satisfying parents without genuinely concentrating on practical education. His response is illuminating: “The disruptive forces in education are significant, but even innovative leaders of small schools worldwide acknowledge they are barely making an impact. Our efforts pale in comparison to the larger, well-established school groups that function like well-oiled machines. These large institutions see little need for innovation; they have steady incomes, successful exam results, and good university placement records. This raises the question: should the appeal for change be based on moral and ethical grounds, focusing on the future, mental health, or the inadequacy of judging students by a three-hour exam? Currently, these arguments are not as persuasive as they need to be, which is a matter of concern.”

Degrees have long been seen as the ticket to a better future. But their worth is a hot topic of debate today. Russell opines: “Degrees are more around signaling than the actual knowledge they convey. Whatever you learn in any institution will be completely different in five to 10 years.”

The explosion of generative AI in the education sector took many by surprise. But the real question remains: how will this tool reshape the future of learning? According to Russell, there’s excitement over the potential of AI mentors, digital twins, and revolutionary learning experiences. On the other hand, there’s uncertainty. A significant concern is how it may influence critical thinking and creativity. One needs to tread cautiously, separating information from insight. Simply having information isn’t enough; interpretation is crucial. Russell believes that is what will differentiate the thinkers of tomorrow.

While AI presents vast knowledge, he underscores the danger of bypassing the creative struggle. “There’s a whole process we used to go through in the creative process that’s missed.” He wonders whether this will exact a toll in the future or merely a shift in the creative paradigm.

With ChatGPT nearing the ability to comprehend almost 95% of all written material, AIs like ChatGPT eliminate the need for traditional search systems. Such a transformative phase raises pressing concerns

for educators and parents alike. “Are the youth equipped to navigate this world?” Russell voices his concerns. The future demands not just acceptance of AI but a holistic understanding and the skills to integrate it seamlessly into various facets of life. Russell’s vision is clear: embrace AI’s advantages but never compromise on the unique human skills of creativity, questioning, and critical reflection. The challenge is not just to co-exist with AI but to harness, direct, and, most importantly, question it. Only then can we ensure a future where technology amplifies human potential rather than overshadowing it.

If we were to encapsulate Russell’s message in a bottle for the future, it would brim with hope, encouragement, and a clarion call to prioritize emotional intelligence, lifelong learning, and mutual support. His dream of a multigenerational, flexible, and emotionally aware future is not just a pipe dream — it’s a tangible goal we can achieve if we, as a collective, pivot towards it. Together, we face the challenges of the future and shape them into opportunities, painting a brighter tomorrow for all.

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

A JOURNEY OF INSPIRATION, CHALLENGES AND SUCCESS BEYOND MONETARY GAINS SONJA PIONTEK

Sonja Piontek’s life story is a compelling testament to the power of vision, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams. It’s a narrative that doesn’t just inspire; it propels us towards a future filled with endless possibilities. It is invigorating.

Sonja, a global citizen with a life rich in diversity and experience, has an infectious zest for life. She’s lived in six countries, embracing each culture’s uniqueness. This exposure has deeply influenced her worldview, making her a true ambassador for global thinking and inclusivity. She shares: “Living in different countries opens your eyes. You become more tolerant, more understanding, and significantly, more curious about the world.

“True success is measured not just by what you achieve but by the difference you make in other people’s lives.”

Every country I lived in taught me something invaluable, something that textbooks or secondhand experiences could never have imparted.”

The German BUNTE magazine describes her as a “powerhouse of inspiration.” She is a Spiegel bestselling author, an international top 100 keynote speaker, and an esteemed executive coach, successfully working with top level clients from around the world.

Despite the incredible success, Sonja has overcome considerable challenges and losses. Thanks to her Phoenix-like nature, she always managed to spread her wings again, even in the most difficult situations. Her philosophy: “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. It’s not about what happens to you, but how you respond to it.”

Her decision to leave a high-flying corporate career as Marketing Director for BMW Asia to chart her own path in 2017 is a remarkable leap of faith. It’s a move that speaks to the power of self-belief and courage. “In order to fully excel, you must step out of your comfort zone and discover your true potential. The most significant risks often lead to the most rewarding results,” she asserts.

Sonja’s resilience and thrive to create unforgettable and transformative experiences shone through in our dialogue. In 2023, she successfully led the first all-female expedition through the Namib desert: 17 women from 12 nationalities, 144 kilometres on foot over five days. This endeavor was a challenge and transformative journey in many ways. They conquered the desert, overcame physical and emotional challenges and raised 70.000 USD for women in war zones.

Her adventure resonates with a profound message for the future: “True success is about becoming a living legacy and finding purpose far beyond the realms of profit, performance, titles or monetary gains.”

Sonja is a true leader, demonstrating this with her vulnerability. “It’s in our moments of trial that our strength is forged. There’s incredible power in vulnerability and embracing change,” she declares. When discussing leadership, I focus on authenticity, vulnerability, and my failures. Once you’ve seen the lows, you’re no longer scared of those. I use the Five Fs of failure: fail fast, fail frequently, fail frugally, failure is not fatal, and fail forward. She adds: “That’s life. Pick yourself up and shine again.”

Today, Sonja is an award winning executive coach helping high performers from around the globe become a ‘living legacy’ as she calls it. Part of the success of her coaching programs is her extreme clarity, her passionate focus on results as well as the fact that she takes people well outside their everyday environments, into settings that best support the transformative process: “You want real results? Let me take you to the desert, the Himalayas, my mountain chalet in the Alps or to Mongolia”. Clients of Sonja include top level athletes, highly successful business people as well as world-class musicians.

During the toughest time of her life, Sonja developed the ‘Phoenix Mindset,’ a philosophy symbolizing rebirth from personal challenges. This mindset, as she passionately advocates, empowers us to transform our trials into triumphs, harnessing both positive and negative experiences for growth. In her words: “We all have the power to turn our trials into triumphs. We are all capable of extraordinary transformations. It’s about how we harness our experiences, both good and bad, to propel us forward.”

Her bestselling workbook on mindfulness, ‘ICHMein Workbook für mehr Achtsamkeit’ extends this philosophy. It’s a reflective guide on selfawareness and the journey towards a fulfilling life. As Sonja puts it: “Practical mindfulness is about understanding who you are and having the responsibility to turn your life into something meaningful as well as beautiful. As an end result, mindfulness also means success – monetary as well as emotionally.

Success gives us the freedom to help others. True success is measured not just by what you achieve but by the difference you make in other people’s lives.”

The conversation turned to shifting mindsets. Sonja innovated the ‘chocolate rule’ in Singapore to shift her team’s mindset. Faced with a consistent “Oh, I cannot” response to new ideas, she introduced a simple yet effective rule: anyone dismissing an idea had to buy chocolate for the team. This playful strategy led to a delightful influx of chocolate and, more importantly, a shift in team dynamics. Gradually, team members began to understand that is is much more powerful to ask, “Who can we ask for help?” instead of shutting down ideas, fostering a culture where exploration and possibility were welcomed.

Sonja aptly summarizes the essence of this kind of approach: “The power lies in keeping the space open for ‘yes.’” It’s not about blindly pursuing every idea but about allowing space for exploration and giving ideas a chance. This mindset, both Sonja and I agree, fosters innovation, creativity, and a tolerance for failure, all vital for organizational growth and transformation.

As our conversation delves into the realms of trust, ethics, and technology, Sonja’s perspective is enlightening. She believes in the power of trust and authentic relationships in business and life. In an era where technology rapidly transforms our world, she advocates for maintaining our human essence, balancing technological advancements with compassion, empathy, and ethical responsibility. “We must balance our technological progress with our moral compass. The future should be shaped by our humanity, not just our innovations. We

must not lose sight of our ethical responsibilities. Technology should enhance our humanity, not diminish it,” she expresses thoughtfully.

The essence of trust and authenticity in relationships is another area where Sonja’s thoughts were deeply profound. “Trust is the cornerstone of all meaningful relationships. It’s about being genuine, being yourself, and valuing others for who they are. Authenticity isn’t just about being true to oneself; it’s about recognizing and appreciating the true essence of others. It’s the foundation of trust and meaningful connections,” she notes.

As our conversation draws to a close, Sonja’s parting thoughts are a powerful message for the future. She urges us to embrace life’s uncertainties and to see them as opportunities for growth and transformation. “The future is a canvas of possibilities, and we hold the brush. It’s up to us to paint a picture that’s not just successful but also vibrant with experiences, learning, and positive contributions. It’s up to us to become a living legacy” she proclaims.

As I ponder our conversation, I’m reminded that the future is not just a distant concept — it’s an ever-evolving present that we shape with our actions and beliefs.

LEADERSHIP REIMAGINED LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

SCOTT OSMAN AND JACQUELYN LANE

“There is something that technology still can’t do, and that’s the work of the heart.”

In the fast-evolving landscape of leadership and innovation, few voices resonate as profoundly as those of Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane. My enlightening conversation with these leadership thinkers and executive coaches provided a treasure trove of insights into the kind of leadership that will shape our world in the years to come.

Scott embodies the essence of transformative growth with his multifaceted journey from fashion photography to brand strategy to executive coaching. His collaboration with Marshall Goldsmith in cofounding the 100 Coaches community was based on a desire to pay it forward, a principle deeply rooted in his philosophy. Scott’s approach to leadership is marked by a deep appreciation for the human element.

“The words we use to describe things really matter,” he emphasizes, discussing how viewing employees as assets rather than expenses revolutionizes organizational dynamics. This human-centric approach is crucial for nurturing leadership styles that are empathetic, compassionate, and effective.

Jacquelyn, with an engineering background, articulates a profound shift in her perspective, moving from solving mechanical to human challenges. “I realized that human challenges are some of the most complex and often the most overlooked,” Jacquelyn recounts, highlighting the intricate nature of human-centric problems. This pivot in her career led her to the world of executive coaching and eventually to co-founding the 100 Coaches Agency with Scott and Marshall. Her insights on sustainability underscore its human core, reinforcing the idea that addressing global challenges is not just an environmental endeavor but a profoundly human one.

My thesis is that anything that can be digitized will, and those things that can’t be digitized – such as love, compassion, heart, soul, spirit, common sense, imagination, creativity, and intuition – will become much more valuable. Scott and Jacquelyn agree, and emphasize the importance of seeing people as more than just a workforce. Jacquelyn points out: “There is something that technology still can’t do, and that’s the work of the heart,” highlighting the irreplaceable value of human connection and empathy in a techdominated world. Scott adds depth to this perspective, suggesting that interpersonal relationships could be viewed as a complex technology, essential for the future of leadership and organizational growth.

Their insights into the evolving role of technology in the workplace are particularly enlightening and resonate with me. This shift towards valuing the ‘work of the heart’ aligns perfectly with the future’s demands.

For Scott and Jacquelyn, people are assets worthy of investment – that’s what coaching is. “It’s taking your asset – usually the top value creators in a company – and helping them through coaching to create even more value. The results aren’t just tangible; they’re quantifiable and exponential,” Scott remarks.

Jacquelyn boils it down to its essence: “We help leaders shift their thinking from ‘I own it, I need to do it all, it’s on me,’ to one of, ‘I want to unlock the potential that exists in between all these people and the collaboration that can happen together.’”

The world we live in today vastly differs from a decade ago. It is more socially conscious, environmentally conscious, and humanity conscious. In a hyper-capitalist system – as we currently have - value systems are undermined and degraded. How do we guide the future leaders to do better and be better? For Scott, future leaders can’t be fixated on capital moving their organizations forward faster: “The only way to do that is to attract the best human capital. People are increasingly asking, ‘Does the company care about

the planet? Does the company care about people? Does the company care about sustainability and purpose?’”

Those are the essential defining points of companies now. “There is no separate corporate responsibility strategy; there’s no separate purpose strategy. Purpose is at the center of everything now,” he declares.

As leaders in the executive coaching domain, I wonder what it takes to shift mindsets for leaders to take action. Jacquelyn shares: “What makes a successful coaching engagement is ‘coachable leaders.’ Successful coaching hinges on the leader’s openness to change, feedback, action, and accountability.”

Scott adds: “The real benefit of a coach is that sometimes someone else can see things in us that we can’t see in ourselves. A great coach is someone who helps to bring that out in us. There is nothing about change that doesn’t already exist between your ears: nobody externally is preventing you from changing but yourself. I believe most people are coachable and that the right coach with the right message can unlock almost anybody.”

The conversation then turns towards the future and the role of Gen Z in the workplace. Scott acknowledges the significant role that Gen Z will play, emphasizing the need for adaptability and understanding in this demographic shift. Jacquelyn emphasizes the value of learning across generations, noting the potential for mutual learning and exchange between an intergenerational workforce. This perspective is vital for understanding and leveraging each generation’s unique strengths and insights.

Further elaborating on the concept of intergenerational collaboration, Jacquelyn offers: “An older generation can teach a younger generation about interpersonal relationships and connection, dealing with certain seasons of uncertainty as they’ve been through some of those. The younger generation is technology-savvy; they understand some of the future and where things are headed. They have high ambitions and can share that with an older generation. That can be a powerful force in the workplace.” This approach not only fosters a more inclusive and dynamic workplace but also ensures that organizations remain adaptable and forwardthinking in an ever-evolving business landscape.

“A rising tide lifts all boats. A single candle can light many other candles without diminishing its own light.”

Jacquelyn’s message for the future is: “A rising tide lifts all boats. A single candle can light many other candles without diminishing its own light.”

Scott’s is similar: “Leadership work is love made simple. The leaders of the future, the ones that create real flourishing, understand and embrace that love. Leading with love is really caring about the people you lead and your customers, truly putting them first. My message is one of hope that future leaders embrace and recognize that true growth, the limitless power and energy of everything can be created from loving one another instead of trying only to extract things from people. With that, we can do almost anything.”

Scott and Jacquelyn reveal a vision of the future that is both technologically advanced and deeply human-centric. Their insights provide invaluable guidance for future leaders, illuminating a path toward a more empathetic, inclusive, and sustainable world. Their wisdom is valuable and essential for anyone aspiring to make a meaningful impact in our ever-evolving world.

Jacquelyn Lane

Scott Osman

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

COACHING SUCCESS DR. CORRIE BLOCK

Acknowledging love could streamline trust, respect, and error management, enhancing organizational culture and profitability.”

In a world yearning for guidance, Dr. Corrie Block emerges as a lighthouse of hope and transformation. Our conversation, steeped in the urgency of our era, unveiled not only a brilliant mind but also a visionary heart. As we delve into his insights, it becomes clear that Dr. Block doesn’t just see the future; he’s shaping it, one meaningful interaction at a time. His words offer a glimpse into what could be and a roadmap for those daring enough to follow.

With over 25 years of experience as a business strategist, leadership expert, and executive coach, Dr. Block has been recognized as the ‘UAE’s Top Business Coach’ by prestigious outlets and holds a prominent position on the global leadership stage. His consultancy spans over 150 companies across more than 30 countries, including work for notable clients such as Microsoft and the UN. A prolific academic and author, Dr. Block has earned four post-graduate degrees and contributes to leading publications, sharing his expertise on topics like employee engagement, innovation, and the future of organizations.

Before Dr. Block became an inspiring leadership coach, I ask him what shaped his life to become who he is today.

“I’m the product of my community. I am the eldest son of the eldest son of one of Canada’s largest clans: I’m one of 100 first cousins in my family.”

In his early 20s, he moved to Estonia in 1998 to start his first companies there. It was then that he sought mentoring from people who were successful in the ways that he wanted to be successful.

Did a turning point occur before you transitioned to coaching, where you realized this was your ideal path to making a difference? His journey into leadership and coaching stemmed from a deep fascination with the essence of leadership itself. He believed leadership was not a choice but a result of living a life others deemed worthy of following. This philosophy was put to the test when a chairman from a multinational company sought his guidance, not for strategic advice, but to learn how to communicate with empathy and effectiveness.

Dr. Block’s transition from focusing on entrepreneurship and strategy to coaching underscores his belief in the transformative power of leadership. He posits: “If the leaders can think differently and behave differently, then the entire direction of an organization can change.” This conviction led him to focus on coaching as a primary

service, aiming to instigate significant shifts in organizational culture and direction through leadership.

My upbringing, blessed with unwavering love and support, unfortunately, lacked one crucial lesson: the art of navigating failure. Victories in sports and academics reinforced a narrative of perpetual triumph, leaving me ill-equipped to grapple with defeat. This early blind spot, I believe, resonates with many top executives, where the fear of losing often eclipses the allure of success. Coach, I seek your guidance on how we can demystify failure. His response is profoundly enlightening: “Reflecting on failure, I’ve come to see it as a learned behavior, not inherent to us at birth. Observing my five children learn to walk illuminated this belief for me. They didn’t start off walking perfectly; they stumbled, yet never considered themselves failures for it. This resilience is natural, demonstrating that we’re designed to either win or learn. However, around the age when language and understanding mature, we’re sometimes taught by loved ones that it’s okay to stop trying, and it’s okay to give up, introducing us to the concept of failure as a choice rather than a step in the learning process.”

As a leading executive coach, how does he shape the future? He has identified vital traits distinguishing high-performing executives from their peers: fitness, confidence, discipline, connection, rest, and a unique perspective on competition. Dr. Block asserts: “We only become as strong as we can when faced with a competitor that pushes us to beat our own limits.” This approach to competition, aimed at self-development rather than merely winning, along with other qualities, drives significant change within individuals and, by extension, their organizations.

Discussing one of his books, ‘Love @ Work,’ I ask him what it means to him. He elucidates: “Work is not just a job; it’s a significant part of our lives. The perspective that work is separate from life, a notion that gained traction in the 1980s, undermines the value we derive from our professional endeavors. Recognizing that work constitutes a major portion of our existence is crucial. It shapes how society perceives us and plays a central role in our identity. Emphasizing the importance of the ‘who’ over the ‘what’ or ‘why,’ we understand that our connections and the reasons behind our actions imbue our work with meaning, not merely the tasks we perform. This mindset encourages a deeper appreciation of our contributions and the relationships we build in our professional lives.”

The conversation naturally veers to discussing the future. I believe we’re living in an era of abundance. One of the factors for this is peace and love. Dr. Block shares his profound perspective: “We are a product of thousands of generations of survival and adaptation, embodying their legacy of discerning connections and affections. Yet, in our professional worlds, we’ve distanced ourselves from the language of love, focusing instead on professionalism that omits the deepest forms of empathy, servitude, and psychological safety. It baffles me that we exclude the most profound human connection from our work, where we spend most of our time. Acknowledging love could streamline trust, respect, and error management, enhancing organizational culture and profitability.”

“I encourage children to understand that their potential is limitless, not confined to a single profession but open to a multitude of paths.”

Discussing his mastery as an executive coach, Dr. Block emphasizes the universal need for coaching to achieve peak performance, stating: “There’s no such thing as an Olympic athlete without an Olympic coach,” a principle applicable across all high-level endeavors. This necessity for guidance underpins success in every field, highlighting that continuous learning and improvement are crucial at all stages of one’s career.

His message in a bottle is a clarion call for the future: “Pay attention to evolutionary psychology and neuroscience because that’s actually going to be the predictor of how we work. Our interactions with AI, with each other, are all going to be governed by a million-year-old design, and we’re just the latest iteration of it.”

A question I’m often faced with is, how can highpotential leaders grow into global players? “I’ve come to realize that embracing diversity isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a profitable strategy,” he shares. “Understanding that diversification in investment is akin to a ‘free lunch’ helped me see the value in seeking diverse inputs for better decision-making. Surrounding myself with people of different backgrounds, be they educational, religious, or especially gender-balanced in leadership, has proven to enhance not only decision quality but also execution. It’s clear to me that prioritizing diversity is not just ethical but smart business — if you’re not doing it, you’re missing out on tangible benefits.” Whatsapp:

What is his advice for parents of children in this rapidly transforming world? Dr. Block advises:

My conversation with Dr. Corrie Block has been deeply meaningful, a connection of like-minded people in which humanity and technology, family and friends, and the business world can be better as we go into the future.

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

A VISION FOR TOMORROW’S EDUCATION

“It all started with an idea. The School of Humanity was founded from a place of inspiration of what education could be.”

RAYA BIDSHAHRI

The world is rapidly unfurling into the future. My conversation with Raya Bidshahri, the visionary founder and CEO of the School of Humanity, unveils insights that echo the vibrancy and urgency of shaping tomorrow. Through her voice, this story is a beacon for the curious minds and restless spirits seeking to carve out pathways of innovation and human progress.

My dialogue begins with Raya reminiscing about her childhood curiosity. This is the genesis of a lifelong pursuit to understand and influence the vast expanses beyond our immediate grasp.

“I was very curious, I loved learning, I loved reading,” Raya muses. However, her early schooling experiences, marked a profound love for learning, were, paradoxically, marred by the conventional schooling system’s inability to quench her thirst for knowledge. She shares: “The experience of being someone who loved learning and not doing well in school was quite confusing because it goes against the perceptions and stereotypes of the kind of human that does well in school. That contradiction in my identity was a very difficult experience for me.” This experience shaped her future in untold ways.

At Boston University, she saw first-hand the limitations of a one-size-fits-all educational model. Her vision for the School of Humanity emerged from frustration with the status quo and a fervent belief in the transformative power of interdisciplinary learning, projectbased assessments, and a focus on human flourishing. She recounts: “The shift from neuroscience to education entrepreneurship stemmed from my struggles, which intensified in university. The lack of intentionally designed experiences to foster human flourishing, purpose, and well-being fueled my drive to create an alternative. After my last year of studies, I pivoted into the education space.”

The School of Humanity is an American online high school serving learners from over 20 countries across five continents in two cohorts. She recalls: “It all started with an idea. The School of Humanity was founded from a place of inspiration of what education could be.”

The school’s vision is to create an alternative education system that actually addresses the needs of today’s world. “What sets us apart is our departure from traditional subjects in favor of interdisciplinary learning journeys focused on global challenges like future food, energy, and water security,” Raya declares. “We eschew traditional exams for project-based assessments, emphasizing real-world application and understanding through a fluid and masterybased education model centered around global challenges and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Central to our curriculum is the emphasis on human flourishing, incorporating workshops and personalized journeys to develop emotional, existential, and somatic intelligence. Our innovative approach has earned us accolades, doubling our cohorts annually and marking us as an award-winning high school.”

I see it as a matter of education versus learning. Education is characterized by its formal, structured approach, encompassing specific methodologies. In contrast, I wonder what the informal, pedagogical strategies Raya and her school employ that seamlessly integrate into and support this framework. She points out that the school’s concept isn’t the absence of structure but rather

its reinvention. “It’s not that there isn’t a structure; it’s a different structure,” she asserts.

Raya acknowledges that young minds need structure, accountability, and discipline, reassuring them that essentials like deadlines and assignments still play a crucial role. However, through the lens of mastery-based pedagogy, the approach diverges from traditional education; it personalizes learning, enabling students to progress at their own pace based on mastery of content rather than a one-sizefits-all timeline. According to her, this fluid, learnercentered model is contrasted with the traditional, educator-led course structure. It also changes how an educator organizes a classroom: “Educators set up mastery groups where people are at different levels, where they might move from one group to the next, very fluidly. The role of an educator is to move around, check on progress, clarify doubts that learners may have, and offer instruction.”

Challenge-based learning further exemplifies Raya’s innovative teaching structure, where learning is centered around solving real-world problems. She shares an example: “In our pedagogy, we pivot the curriculum around dynamic challenges. Rather than crafting a traditional course, I propose challenges to my learners, like designing space habitats. This process begins with collectively identifying the necessary knowledge, skills, and mindsets - this is our engagement phase. We then explore these challenges, asking questions like how to create oxygen on Mars or ensure astronaut well-being, moving towards crafting solutions.

This approach introduces a distinctive structure, complete with milestones and deadlines, offering a novel solution to traditional systems.” This approach undoubtedly fosters a deeper engagement and understanding, moving through phases of engagement, investigation, and application to solve challenges.

What of learners who aren’t self-motivated, have ADHD, or are intellectually lazy? Raya’s response is illuminating: “Motivation in young minds hinges less on laziness and more on diverse executive functioning and environmental impacts. We stoke intrinsic motivation by linking learning to personal interests and passions, enhancing engagement. Challenge-based learning further motivates by showing the real-world relevance of their studies. Recognizing the role of extrinsic motivation, we introduced structured deadlines after noting its absence affected progress. This balance supports diverse learning needs effectively.”

In an evolving education landscape, students are caught between traditional, exam-driven systems and progressive, project-based learning. This duality, especially for young teens, challenges navigating mixed educational messages. Both educators and learners must adapt, harmonizing these contrasting approaches to foster a supportive and coherent learning environment. In her words: “My strategy is to return to first principles thinking: analyzing the core problem and reimagining solutions without bias.” Her response to the skepticism and inertia that often accompany systemic change is rooted

in a principle-driven approach to problem-solving and an unshakeable faith in the power of education to address the multifaceted challenges facing humanity.

I’m curious to know if Raya thinks our schools are preparing our youth for the future that’s in front of us. She articulates: “I don’t believe today’s schools adequately prepare learners for the future. By saying that, I don’t believe they’re preparing them for the needs of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”

This raises a crucial question: Can teenagers responsibly handle independence, or does equipping them with extensive educational tools risk leading them astray? She asserts: “It depends on the individual. Some are naturally more adept at learning independently, a trait observable even in the workforce, where self-management varies. Consequently, every learner deserves a tailored educational path that aligns with their unique needs for guidance or autonomy.”

Given the wealth of knowledge now accessible, especially with tools like ChatGPT, why would someone seek an advanced education when they feel they already possess all the necessary knowledge? Raya responds: “The challenge isn’t to motivate individuals but to inspire universities to revamp their curriculums and programs to align with the contemporary world. This shift will attract the next generation.”

She emphasizes: “No matter what the challenge in the world is, chances are the solution is somewhere in our education or human development systems.”

Her message in a bottle resonates deeply with me: “It is the last lines of a Jalaluddin Rumi poem: ‘You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop.’”

As I look back on our conversation, Raya’s vision for a future where education serves as the cornerstone of human progress and societal transformation remains a beacon of hope. Her story is not merely a narrative of personal achievement but a testament to the power of innovative thinking and the relentless pursuit of a better tomorrow.

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

RESILIENT SPIRITS: A TALE OF TRUST, TALENT, AND TRANSFORMATION

AYŞE ÖZTUNA BOZOKLAR

Amidst the vibrant thrum of Turkey’s cultural and economic heartbeat, Ayşe Öztuna Bozoklar’s name is synonymous with transformative leadership and a visionary in the realm of executive search and talent management. As the founding partner of Odgers Berndtson Turkey, Ayşe has been an instrumental figure in shaping not just careers but lives, with an approach deeply rooted in humanity and ethics.

Our conversation began with laughter – the kind that resonates from the soul. Ayşe reminisced about a moment of pure joy, sparked by the memory of her favorite childhood book, ‘The Three Musketeers’. This laughter, she shares, a reminder of the light that can shine even in dark times. “It was my favorite book but it was for more the boys. For me, it was that love story, passion, and comradery,” she reflects. Her laughter, amidst life’s complexities, was a testament to her philosophy: in every darkness, there’s a light waiting to be found.

Our dialogue ventured into the depths of her childhood, a mosaic of playfulness and profound thought. Ayşe speaks of being a ‘little consultant’ to her parents, balancing her playful spirit with a sense of responsibility far beyond her years. “I was so playful at one level and so sad and so thoughtful and so philosophical,” she recalls. The experiences she shares, steeped in both British sarcasm and Turkish resilience, carved out a unique perspective on life, teaching her the art of finding balance and light in the darkest of moments.

As we delve deeper, Ayşe’s narrative unfolds like a tapestry, each thread representing a pivotal moment in her life. From witnessing her mother’s spiritual healing philosophies to her father’s resilience in the face of adversity, each story was a building block in her journey.

Ayşe’s father, struck by polio at the height of his career and confined to a wheelchair, remained a symbol of hope and unwavering determination. Despite facing discrimination due to his disability, his expertise, honed over a decade of running his own firm, shone through in the

“You are your primary talent; embracing this responsibility means navigating through the darkest moments with the assurance that there is always light ahead.”

Disabled Neighborhood Project by the Queen Elizabeth Foundation. His contributions led to the project’s success, propelling him into the spotlight with a BBC interview and earning him the highest national honor from then-President Cevdet Suner. Ayşe reflects proudly on her father’s inspiring journey, showcasing resilience and triumph over adversity.

Her academic journey in psychology and sociology was not just a pursuit of knowledge but a quest to understand and solve the complexities of human behavior. This quest led her to entrepreneurship at the young age of 21, driven by a desire to bring transformative solutions to the fore. “Driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a deep belief in my ability to add value, I inherited my father’s DNA for problem-solving. I felt a weight of expectation beyond the ordinary. I couldn’t simply settle for the normal; I was compelled to dive in with boundless energy, fuelled by a burning desire to serve and a conviction that any problem could be tackled,” she articulates her ethos.

Her journey was not just about founding a successful firm but about being a catalyst for change in Turkey’s corporate landscape. Ayşe was instrumental in the birth of major corporations like Turkcell, employing her unique talent identification and leadership assessment skills. “It takes a talent to recruit a talent, to identify a talent, and then help that talent to grow,” she muses, highlighting the introspective nature of her work.

As we discuss the future, Ayşe’s vision is clear and aligns with mine – a world where trust, integrity, and self-awareness are paramount. She emphasizes the importance of self-work and the

responsibility of each individual in shaping a better world. “We can’t build anything without trust. Do we truly trust? Do we have faith in ourselves and in what we are doing?” she states, underscoring the often-underestimated importance of trust and the necessity for individual introspection in our modern world.

She elucidates: “Unfortunately, many people struggle with mental challenges and difficulties in adapting. They mistakenly seek solutions externally, not realizing that the answers lie within themselves. If you don’t go within, you go without.”

For her, reinvention hinges on our ability to approach situations with honesty and trust. This mindset enables us to confront and accept the end of certain aspects of our lives, which is often necessary for true change. This process, deeply connected to the concept of letting go, requires a radical acceptance of reality as it is. Such a transformation can only be achieved through a combination of trust, faith, and honesty. It’s about embracing radical acceptance as a tool for personal and professional growth.

Trust is pivotal as we navigate the future of work and talent, especially with new technologies. The critical question is: What attributes should young talent cultivate, and what must the older generation be willing to accept or pursue? She declares: “Awareness, consciousness, and responsibility are key for any talent, whether young or at the age of 60. It’s crucial not to give up, as surrender often leads to poor decisions and a sense of unfair treatment. The reality is that setbacks occur, but the power to rectify them lies within us through self-

improvement. This light, emerging after hardship, holds a unique significance, symbolizing hope and resilience.”

Reflecting on her vast experience, Ayşe shares staggering numbers that speak to her impact: over 500,000 professionals assessed. Her partnership with Odgers Berndtson, born out of a necessity for a more integrated approach to executive search, has been a journey of pioneering holistic talent solutions.

Our discussion ventures into Ayşe’s groundbreaking ‘CEO for a Day’ program, bridging generational gaps and fostering a mutual mentoring environment where leaders and youth can learn from each other. “It brings understanding, depth, and experience, and how to give the CEO a chance to see the new generation of talent,” she explains.

As our conversation reaches its zenith, Ayşe shares her wisdom for the future, encapsulated in a simple yet powerful message: “Never give up and keep on sharing the light and the wisdom.” That sentiment resonates deeply with me.

In my years as an interviewer, few have left an imprint as profound as Ayşe Öztuna Bozoklar. Her journey, a symphony of resilience, intellect, and compassion, is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. As the world pivots towards an uncertain future, her insights offer a reminder that the future belongs to those who dare to reinvent, reimagine, and relentlessly pursue their vision.

Young talents seen with Maestro Rob Kapilow in CEOX1DAY

Christian Wulff, former Federal President of Germany (2010-2012) and Ms.Vuslat Doğan Sabancı, Board Member of Dogan Holding-in International Board Dynamics program & Panel organized and chaired by Ayşe Öztuna Bozoklar

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

REDEFINING LEADERSHIP IN THE DIGITAL AGE SHAHID DIN

“Change is not a threat; it’s an opportunity. Embrace change, and you’ll unlock a world of possibilities locked deep within you.”

As I sit across from Shahid Din, the Group CEO of The Learning Initiative in Dubai, I can’t help but be captivated by his energy and vision. Shahid, a dynamic figure in the world of business and education, shares his journey and insights with a passion that is both infectious and enlightening.

“Growing up in the suburbs of Surrey, England, I was always curious, always asking ‘why,’” he begins his story, reflecting on his early years. His journey was not one of blind obedience but of constant

questioning and challenging the status quo. This trait, as he put it, was “what killed the cat, it’s what killed me” on his unconventional path.

Shahid’s decision to forego university education was a defining moment. He recalls a pivotal experience during an A-level mock exam, where he questioned the entire purpose of his education. “I asked the teacher: ‘Sir, what can I be when I’m older if I do this paper?’ The teacher was puzzled; his face went blank, and he said to me, ‘You can be a maths teacher like me when you grow up.’ At that moment, I saw my whole life flash in front of me, and that’s just not the life I wanted. So, I got up to leave, and the teacher’s final words to me were, ‘If you don’t complete this paper, you’re going to fail in life.’” This moment of clarity led

him down an unconventional but remarkably successful path. To me, designing the future lies in our achievements and our ability to integrate and apply them effectively, and not an outdated and archaic education system.

His first job at KPMG was a stepping stone, an initiation into the world of professional growth and learning. Significantly, without a formal education, he out-earned even his family with his first salary, confirming his decision and direction. “That was a proud moment,” he remarks.

Shahid’s journey through various roles and industries was a testament to his adaptability and thirst for knowledge. He ended up in technology: “I had to figure things out,” he notes, underscoring the

self-driven nature of his career progression. After a while in IT, he got bored of project management and pivoted to recruitment. This sent him and his family to the opposite end of the planet, Australia, working for prestigious investment banks as a high-level recruiter, where he built his skill set by ‘constantly stepping out of my comfort zone.’

With his insatiable appetite for knowledge – and his desire to continually accelerate his learning for ever-increasing roles and emerging technologies – he realized that high performers are reluctant to attend classrooms to ‘be taken through 200 PowerPoint slides.’ That was the seed for his next career pivot.

Shahid’s entrepreneurial venture began with the purchase of a struggling project management firm while on holiday in Dubai. He vividly recalls the decision, saying: “I sold one of my houses, put my life savings down, over AED 1,200,000,” a bold move that paid off immensely. Once again, he relocated his family, but says, “We took that decision together, and having that support function around me really helped its success.” His success at revitalizing the company in a short period demonstrated his innate ability to drive transformation and growth.

At The Learning Initiative, Shahid’s focus is on holistic organizational change, emphasizing people transformation over the mere adoption of new tools or processes. “It’s not about just learning new things; it’s really about unlearning,” he explains, highlighting the need to challenge and reprogram outdated beliefs and practices. “People see us as a training company, but we’re not that; we’re an ecosystem of organization design experts, and our core focus is facilitating transformation. We retrain people, unconsciously and subconsciously, to transform from within their belief systems.”

What methodologies and tools does he use at The Learning Initiative to get people to transform? He elucidates: “Effective leadership begins with self-awareness and self-leadership. While leading organizations and teams is crucial, the essence of leadership in the fourth industrial revolution starts with oneself. It involves introspective work, analyzing one’s journey, understanding behaviors during ups and downs, and recognizing growth often comes from adversity. This selfunderstanding paves the way to envisage and script a future path.”

A key challenge in leadership is balancing shortterm needs for instant results with the long-term benefits of a fundamental shift in approach. In a dynamic world where jobs constantly evolve, the focus is on motivating management to invest in people, understanding that even if some employees leave, the development benefits the entire organization. The dilemma lies in reconciling the immediate demands with the long-term vision, a typical conversation with many leaders. His response is profound: “The only competitive advantage is your people. It’s not financing; it’s not technology. What you can’t buy is the competitive advantage for any organization: their people.” According to him, the elements required are training and creating an environment for success: “If those are in place, people will naturally do bigger, more important things, and being more purposeful.”

The conversation turns to the future. Shahid’s philosophy extends to his role as a father, where he encourages his children to question, build relationships, and learn from experiences. “I’m encouraging them to try things, to fail, but then to tell me what they’ve learned from that,” he shared, underlining the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity.

His vision for the future is rooted in growth and taking chances. “The only thing you’re going to regret later in life is the shots you didn’t take,” Shahid remarked, encapsulating his approach to life and work. His story is not just a narrative of personal success but a blueprint for future generations to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

Shahid Din’s journey, punctuated by curiosity, courage, and continuous learning, serves as a powerful testament to the limitless potential of the human spirit. His insights offer a roadmap for those looking to forge their path in an everchanging world. His message for the future is clear: embrace change, challenge the status quo, and never stop learning.

Shahid Din’s interview is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of modern life and work. His journey, characterized by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth, offers invaluable lessons. His vision for the future is not just a reflection of his experiences but a guiding light for the next generation. In Shahid’s words and journey, we find a powerful message: embrace change, pursue your passions, and always remain human at the heart of everything you do.

LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & THE FUTURE OF WORK

THE POWER OF BELIEF

DR. LAMYA AL-HAJ

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND YOUNG GLOBAL LEADER AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

Empowering the youth: that’s Dr. Lamya AlHaj’s purpose. She’s motivated, dedicated, and passionate – and is an inspiration to her peers and the younger generations. In her own words: “I am very passionate about driving positive change in my surroundings and making a better future by working with and inspiring the youth.”

Dr. Al-Haj is an associate professor at Sultan Qaboos University with a Ph.D. in Structural and

“As parents, we need to reshape our thinking process to empower children to grow and develop as individuals towards fulfilling a purpose.”

Molecular Biology from University College London (UCL) and an MSc in Environmental Science and Technology from UNSW (Australia) and a BSc in Biotechnology from Sultan Qaboos University (Oman). She is a researcher in biodiesel alternatives to oil, a popular TEDx motivational speaker, and founded the speaker platform ‘Jalasat Mulhimoon’ to showcase Arab role models from the MENA region to inspire younger Arab generations. She also serves as a member of the board of directors of many organisations such as, the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington and Renaissance L.L.C and Wakud LLC in Oman.

Young Global Leader in 2020. The ‘Art of Living’ is a national radio show in Oman she hosts, but it is more than that. She teaches and highlights her philosophy on life.

It was only during difficult times that Dr. Al-Haj found her purpose. “Hardship and failure are very important in making a person stronger, wiser, and mature,” she says. “My biggest accomplishments came after my deepest dives. If you’re in the valley of disappointment, hang on because the shiny days are literally there. It is sometimes so bright, and you wonder how you can’t see it when you’re in the tunnel. The difficult times in my life were exactly what I needed to support my goal of empowering the youth, understand them, and feel them.”

Her passion? She shares: “I focus on how I can make or create chances for the youth and how those can be a source of inspiration and empowerment. I have been invited to deliver several inspirational and motivational talks and mentorships targeted to the youth and women, including Harvard, IMD, and MIT events, a topic and audience that are both very dear to my heart.”

Her life revolves around academia, research, youth development, and community work. Her mission, she says, is how she can “make or create chances for the youth and how it can be a source of inspiration, empowerment and development.”

As one of the leading women in the Gulf region’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) ecosystem, she has delivered numerous addresses and speeches at conferences and associations and annual corporate events, including Harvard and IMD Middle East alum conferences on leadership. She was repeatedly selected as a judge for a Massachusetts Institute of Technology-based competition, ‘Innovators under 35,’ organized by MIT Technology Review. She has also presented her research findings at conferences around the world. Dr. Al-Haj is the founder of Coach4Change, where she works with and supports senior government officials, executives, business leaders, and boards around Oman.

Her research has earned her numerous awards, including the Boban Marcovic Prize in environmental science, the Gulf Intelligence Occidental Oman Award, the National Research Award (twice), the Oman Woman of the Year Award 2019, and the prestigious ‘L’Oréal - UNESCO Award for Women in Science – Middle East Fellowship Award 2018’ to name a few. She is also a fellow of the World Academy of Science and was selected by the World Economic Forum as a

Why should we invest in the youth? Her vision of youth empowerment is powerful. Dr. Al-Haj is unequivocal: “In Oman, over 60% of our population is youth. If we invest in the youth, we are literally creating an army on our side to deliver on the vision and future for our countries; it can be accomplished in the hands of our youth.”

According to her, Gen Z and Gen Alpha can fulfil the promise of the future. The current global systems don’t pay enough attention to the youth”. “I once read an article on how they’re losing trust in higher authorities and politics” She adds. The youth believe that change is in their hands,” Dr. Al-Haj asserts.

To overcome the trust deficit, she believes leaders need to be more transparent. “Governments shouldn’t exaggerate goals and then not deliver; shouldn’t have high ambitions if we’re not going to execute them; these are the things that repeatedly emphasize the lack of trust,” she shares. “We need to live up to our actions. That’s how we’ll get trust back and instil it in the younger generations” something we are blessed to witness more of in Oman.

On digital transformation and relationships, she adds, “I absolutely agree. The more digital we become, the more human we need to be”. “The secret in life is to find balance,” she says, “by prioritizing and focusing on the most important things. I learned at the age of 40 that relationships come above everything else because it lasts; that’s what makes people remember you, pray for you, and love you. It’s not about how smart or beautiful you are or how much money you have; it’s about how you make people feel when you’re around them.”

For the future of today’s youth, she champions the Japanese concept of ‘ikigai,’ of finding a purpose which is beautifully described in Islam as being “servants of this earth”. “As parents, it’s our duty

to empower our children to grow and develop as productive individuals that strive towards fulfilling a greater purpose in life,” she declares.

As a noted academic, asking Dr. Al-Haj if she thinks higher education today is preparing the youth adequately for the future, she answers emphatically: “No.” For her, if we’re going to stick to textbooks, then we will not have time to update these textbooks from one year to the next; we need to revolutionize the way we teach. “Lecturers today are supposed to facilitate the learning process and provide students with the right tools and training to become long life learners “she emphasizes.

A recent McKinsey report stated that in 2030, 70% of today’s jobs won’t exist then. I posit that we’re training people for jobs that don’t yet exist and capabilities that we don’t know how to develop or even what to develop. In addition to the technical skills, we need to teach more life skills such as: empathy, resilance, lean and agile, critical thinking, scientific judgment, ethics, conflict resolustion and compassion. My question to her is, how do we shape careers over the next ten years? She replies with poignant questions: “We need to think of why are we actually sending our kids to school? We should educate children to fill roles that are in

demand in our country. In many occasions, we face a situation where highly educated individuals are seeking employment, yet the job market does not have openings in their fields of expertise.”

I’ve introduced the “Youth Shadow Advisory Boards (YSAB) ” on the boards I’m part of, in an attempt to address the gap where decisions made by those in their 60s and executed by people in their 40s predominantly impact the younger generation. These boards empower young individuals to contribute their insights and have a say in decisions that affect their lives. “I believe it’s innovative and brilliant,” Dr. Al-Haj responds. Introducing these young minds who pose challenging questions disrupts the usual balance and reshapes our thought processes. It’s a form of reverse mentorship: we learn from them as much as they learn from us.

As the conversation reaches its conclusion, I ask Dr. Al-Haj what would be her message in a bottle for the next generation to find. It is profound: “Make sure that you leave people feeling good, making a difference even if it is very small because sometimes people underestimate the power of the little things, and there’s a lot of little gains – and we tend to oversee that sometimes.”

“ The more digital we become, the more human we need to be”

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF “ECO HEROES!”

PAMELA PEETERS

Pamela Peeters is an environmental economist and sustainability strategist whose insights shine a beacon of hope and direction for our collective future. Our dialogue isn’t just an exchange of ideas but a journey through her rich tapestry of experiences, challenges, and visions that underscore the urgent need for sustainable development and environmental stewardship. This is a meeting of kindred spirits.

She recounts a remarkable 25-year career spanning global accomplishments, including her certification as a National Geographic Educator, and significant contributions to UNESCO’s Decade on Education for Sustainable Development. Notably, Pamela emphasizes the importance of instilling sustainable development principles in children through engaging methods alongside her innovative approach to integrating these values within corporate settings.

“My first environmental magazine “Grab the Green” was launched when I was 12!”

Embarking on her environmental mission from a young age in Belgium, Pamela’s journey is marked by her early passion for green initiatives, evidenced by her launch of an environmental magazine at just 12 years old. Her academic achievements include two Master’s degrees, a first in Applied Economic Sciences and a second in Environmental Management, focusing on transitioning towards sustainable consumption and production patterns, and the development of indicators for urban policy development, earning distinctions for her insightful theses. Her professional trajectory is equally impressive, from starting internships at Procter and Gamble at seventeen, to assisting with research on public support of green technology in the automotive sector, to advising a Belgian government agency with their reorganization plan towards the sustainability market and facilitating ecofriendly trade opportunities between Belgium and India. Her diverse experiences underscore a lifelong commitment to advancing sustainable development and environmental stewardship on a global scale.

Delving into Pamela’s past, her narrative paints

the picture of a spirited child, always pointing at the sun and smiling. “My mother always told me I noticed the little things that others never saw. I’m an observer, and I observe with a kind heart; I see beauty.” This early outlook shaped her approach to life and environmental advocacy. “Sustainability is about life, celebrating life, and preserving life.” This enlightening perspective frames sustainability not as a dry academic pursuit but as a vibrant, life-affirming mission and mindset.

After completing two Master degrees in Brussels, she moved to New York to develop the first pioneering sustainable lifestyle TV show called ‘Our Planet’ while attending Columbia University in New York as a Research Fellow.  She continued to produce this program for six years  She started writing her first thesis back in 1994 about evolving towards a sustainable planet and how to change consumption and production patterns and she never stopped to inspire the world to listen to another language than the one of the dominant economic paradigm, willing to step into the unknown.

And the unknown, she embraced, when she was

retained by a jury of top experts and dignitaries out of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Trade to a life changing adventure that brought her to India to help prepare the State visit of the current King Philip of Belgium. With her unique blend of economics and environmental management expertise, she found herself amidst India’s spiritual and cultural richness, an experience she describes as “both intense and beautifully spiritual.”

This awakening experience in India became an important life preserver when facing a significant life challenge with her mother’s passing upon her return to Belgium. Pamela decided to create a fresh start for herself and moved to America. Driven by a love for media and a desire to escape painful memories, she ambitiously dreamt about developing the first TV show on sustainable lifestyles, despite having no camera training. Her persistence led to a breakthrough and within two years of auditing journalism classes at Columbia University and further honing her media skills, the first episode of the ‘Our Planet’ TV show on sustainability started airing in September of 2001, showcasing her innovative approach and determination to make a difference.

Our discussion inevitably touches upon the complexities of sustainability and the environment. Pamela simplifies the conversation: “Climate change is a symptom, not a cause. It results from an imbalance, which is a human habit of disrespecting and undervaluing Mother

Earth’s natural capital.” The essence of Pamela’s message calls for mankind to rethink our approach to living, to move away from the linear progression of production and consumption patterns that has been the norm since the Industrial Revolution. Highlighting a much needed shift in consciousness, she urges us to learn from Mother Earth and to listen to her signals.

Pamela stresses the importance of individual action, advocating for a shift in mindsets towards more sustainable living practices. “The problem with environmental pollution is that it is so vast that people don’t know where to start,” she notes. “The solution is to start with yourself,” she urges. “It will spread automatically in your circle, within your community. That’s the power of initiating

change at the local level that can eventually spread throughout the global environment.”

Acknowledging the valid points raised, our discussion challenges the current state of hypercapitalism, which is identified as a critical factor in environmental issues. I highlight the massive oil and gas extraction investments as a barrier to change. Despite individual efforts to promote sustainability, the influence of large corporations and financial interests at events like COP28 raises my skepticism about the potential for significant environmental progress without systemic change. “Everybody wants to maintain their comfort and convenience levels, but change is the only constant in life, and we should not forget the need for a different mindset about what is meaningful in life” she states. “Together, we can change this.”

Our conversation naturally veers to the role of media in this transition. She elucidates: “The truth isn’t being written; this is the era of truth, and companies need to be called out on greenwashing. Greenwashing needs to end. By being truthful and honest, we can collectively move forward.”

From the 1960s to the 1980s, oil companies were aware of climate change and carbon issues, yet this knowledge was ignored for profit. I challenge this historical negligence and the lack of a fundamental shift towards sustainable capitalism, even after COVID-19 showed temporary environmental improvements. Given the entrenched interests in hypercapitalism, I advocate for a significant

“I understand the language of Mother Earth and she connects with us every day! With my educational tools I create a bridge.”

change in reconciling economic growth with environmental sustainability and question where such a shift will originate. Pamela suggests overhauling outdated mechanisms, including the valuation and accounting systems, to account for environmental impact and externalities. She believes this argues for a comprehensive adaptation of current practices, emphasizing the inclusion of human potential and the need for reform in accounting to reflect the true costs and impacts of business operations on the environment.

My thesis is that until green is as profitable as the current system, and unless we integrate sustainability into every aspect of business, the needle won’t move. We can – and must - leverage AI for climate solutions.

She shares an anecdote of Belgium’s pioneering role in sustainability with a Secretary of State for Sustainable Development, who ensured new laws would align with sustainability paradigms. According to her, however, this practice was undermined by intense lobbying. She suggests the need to tackle the influence of lobbying and considers introducing alternative, positive stimuli in the business sector to shift focus from mere profit to sustainability.

Our dialogue turns to more philosophical aspects. What is her view on trust? To me, trust, truth, transparency, and ethics are where the future starts. “Trust is earned; it’s a two-way street,” Pamela shares. “Truth is a whole different factor: you must be truthful. If you say something, do

it; otherwise, you create dissonance within your life. We should all be warriors of truth and light, be all we can be, and live in our truth. People will feel and sense your truth and authenticity. That will, lead to sustainable impact!”

I wonder if Pamela is optimistic about the future regarding the younger generations. I ask her if we are adequately preparing them for the future and handing over a sustainable planet. Her solution is an educational workshop for children she launched thirteen years ago called ‘Become an Eco Hero.’ It is an introduction to sustainability with an exciting journey into the reality of the ecosystems – air, soil, water, and forests. “It is a unique form of storytelling that I blend with my nature photography:  the children love it and are inspired by her message of “love for the planet. They also obtain an inroad into the opportunities of the green and social economy. We can all connect with Mother Earth and embrace our inner child by simply planting a tree, being in nature, and getting our hands dirty with soil.”

In a future where digital technology makes everything a million times faster and cheaper, anything that can’t be digitized, such as love, compassion, intuition, creativity, imagination, heart, soul, and spirit, will become a million times more valuable. I advocate investing in these intrinsic human traits; technology is an enabler that will uplift us. Pamela articulates: “You’re right about the impact of technology distancing people from personal interactions, leading to polarization. My passion lies deeply with Mother Earth and sustainability, driving

me to think about new and innovative ways to unify people. I devised the ‘ECO-genist concept which is designed at bridging divides through a shared commitment to positive societal and planetary contributions. It’s an exercise in selfdiscovery, revealing a person’s multifaceted potential for growth while leaving a positive legacy benefiting our communities and the environment. Understanding our unique and diverse contributions can make our identities richer and our connections stronger.”

Her positivity and optimism are infectious. She shares her vision for her 100th birthday celebration: “I see a cleaner environment. We found many solutions. There is no more waste. We’ve closed the loop. The circular economy is at its peak.” And are we going to be traveling to other galaxies? “Maybe time travel will have happened. There are a lot of possibilities if you put your mind to things. The mind is a super powerful tool; miracles happen when you connect the mind with the heart. So that’s what I wish: a peaceful world, a healthy world, laughing kids, and a unified world.”

What’s her message in a bottle? “Congratulations, dear Pamela, for believing in your dreams and making them happen.”

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHANDRAN NAIR

Chandran Nair has devoted his life to challenging conventional wisdom and advocating for a future that balances economic progress with social and environmental responsibility. As the Founder and CEO of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT), a pan-Asian think tank, he is a guiding light of intellectual honesty and a clarion call for truly sustainable development. My conversation with Chandran offers a glimpse into the mind of a man who dares to envision a different kind of future for us all.

His journey began far from the corridors of global influence, in Malaysia, where he was born to Indian parents. His early life was marked by the discovery that the narratives he had grown up with were far from the complete picture. He studied and worked for a time in London, but his subsequent volunteer work in Africa reshaped his worldview, instilling a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of global issues and the importance of addressing them head-on.

He’s authored three books, ‘Consumptionomics: Asia’s Role in Reshaping Capitalism and Saving the Planet’, ‘The Sustainable State: The Future of Government, Economy, and Society’ and ‘Dismantling Global White Privilege: Equity for a Post-Western World’ He is also the Creator of ‘The Other Hundred’, a non-profit global photo journalism initiative to present a counterpoint to media consensus on some of today’s most important issues.

Previously, he was chairman of Environmental Resources Management (ERM in Asia Pacific until 2004, establishing this company as Asia’s leading environmental consultancy. He’s also served as an Adjunct Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore. He is a member of the Executive Committee of The Club of Rome and a Fellow of the Royal

“Toilets and water supply are the most important technologies for the future. Connecting the world through clean water.”

Society of Arts.

Since 2004, he has been crusading against intellectual dishonesty in the corporate world. Chandran questions why leaders who know better often put business interests ahead of societal welfare. “Why are people in positions of power not speaking the truth? Why are CEOs of large companies selling junk food and telling us they’re going to be sustainable? Why are they hoodwinking everyone?” he asks. “People shouldn’t put their business interests ahead of the interests of society, and the same can be said of people in positions of power. Intellectual dishonesty is pervasive in politics and the media today, too.” His criticism extends to the deceptive practices that mask the actual costs of consumerism and its impact on the planet.

A significant portion of our discussion revolves around the fundamental flaws in our current economic model. He argues that hyper-capitalism and the stark divide between rich and poor create profound global issues. Chandran is at the forefront of building a narrative for a sustainable future. “We shouldn’t start from the point of view that we can create a utopian society; that’s naive and unrealistic. But we can do better than we are,” he advises.

His critique of the current economic model is incisive: “We’ve built an economic structure that essentially encourages all of us to consume relentlessly while underpricing everything.” He points out that the current global economic model essentially urges overconsumption. And that was praised by media outlets and glorified as the ‘American Dream,’ he believes. “But we all know what overconsumption has done to American society: a lot of people are unhealthy and unhappy. Societies need to recalibrate – we cannot overconsume.” He challenges the prevailing consumption-driven economic model and proposes a radical shift towards accurately pricing goods to

reflect their environmental costs.

He advocates for a model that emphasizes equitable resource distribution and the welfare of society at large. How? The call for sustainable development. “Sustainability is improving the quality of life of the bottom 50%. We have an obligation to take them up. We can’t continue to live in a world where these majorities are marginalized,” he asserts.

Chandran believes in building a collective consciousness that understands the intricacies of sustainability beyond just climate change. He envisions a future that will demand a change in how we view our consumption patterns and the impact of technology on our lives.

I ask Chandran to fast-forward to 2050, where there are grand challenges and significant issues, to share his insights on the solutions we can create. “I’m an incorrigible optimist,” he asserts. “True innovation comes when confronting real problems, not another food delivery app. I’m convinced we’ll have solutions for some major problems, but they won’t be perfect solutions. We have to face it: in the future, we will have to adapt to a completely new way of living.” His

vision for the future includes global cooperation for de-urbanization, redesigning food systems, and rethinking energy consumption as key strategies for a sustainable future.

Off-air, we spoke about the importance of future technologies. I touched on AI’s accelerated development and advances in genetics and asked him for his view. But Chandran’s answer shocked me: “Toilets and water supply are the most important technologies for the future. Connect the world through clean water. By WHO standards, 70% of the world doesn’t have potable water, and 70% doesn’t have proper sewage.”

He argues the ‘most important environmental improvement in the world’ is the ability to handle the sanitation of 8 billion people daily. “Hygiene is the most important thing – building that infrastructure creates sustainable development. That will improve the quality of life for 70% of the world – and the environment.”

Drawing our discussion to a close, Chandran delivers his insights on political perspectives. “In the future, we as individuals must understand that on a crowded planet, our individual freedoms are not settled,” he says. “Collective welfare in a crowded world will take precedence over individual rights. Liberal democracy, as fashioned in the West, cannot sit comfortably with the notion of living within limits. It’s an ideological obsession with the individual being king. For the future of the planet, it is about sustainability.”

Chandran’s contrarian views challenge our norms and put forward compelling arguments for a societal reset. Chandran Nair delivers a pathway

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

TRANSFORMING WASTE INTO WEALTH

KHALED AL HURAIMEL

“You have to be patient, you have to play the long game, and you cannot do everything yourself.”

My conversation with Khaled Al Huraimel encapsulates a vision that transcends the present and leaps into a realm of sustainability and innovation. The backdrop is BEEAH Group’s headquarters in Sharjah, UAE, a masterpiece designed by the late Zaha Hadid, embodying the future Khaled envisions where technology, sustainability, and culture intertwine seamlessly.

As the BEEAH Group’s CEO, Khaled has redefined the organization into a leading international holding company, extending its footprint from the UAE to KSA, Egypt, Southeast Asia, and beyond. His innovative blend of sustainability and digitalization has spurred exponential growth, setting regional benchmarks and significantly enhancing life quality. He’s spearheaded the UAE’s first integrated waste management and waste-to-energy projects. His vision materialized BEEAH’s AI-integrated headquarters, setting a precedent for future smart, sustainable cities.

He’s expanded BEEAH into digital realms, establishing ventures like EVOTEQ and a Tier 3 data center in Sharjah, alongside global partnerships. His leadership extends across various sectors as chairman and co-founder of numerous companies, including a web3 and blockchain solutions leader. A UAE Circular Economy Council member and coauthor of a book on AI, ‘Reimagining Business with AI,’ Khaled’s pursuits exemplify his commitment to sustainability, technology, and a future-oriented mindset. He is indeed a voice of the future.

Our conversation begins by delving into Khaled’s journey. His childhood, shaped by his father’s diplomatic career as one of the first ambassadors for the then-nascent UAE, instilled in him a global mindset and the essence of being a global citizen. He reveals:

“Living in various countries from a young age shaped my perspective, especially in the 1980s; I often felt like an ambassador for my homeland, especially when many were unfamiliar with the UAE. This responsibility taught me the duty to act as a role model, representing my country’s values and culture wherever we were.”

As the world undergoes significant changes, there’s a question of whether global diplomatic services truly grasp the technological advancements driving societal and human transformations. This raises concerns about our collective understanding of these shifts and their implications. Khaled responds: “Certainly, there’s a significant transformation globally, and the UAE has made remarkable advancements, pioneering in many aspects. The UAE has consistently demonstrated foresight, fostering partnerships worldwide and prioritizing collective well-being. This approach is mirrored in the nation’s diversity, with individuals from diverse cultures and religions coexisting peacefully. This underscores the UAE’s understanding and respected global leadership, which illustrates a model of harmony and forward-thinking governance.” Indeed, the UAE has managed a delicate balance of art and science exceptionally well, and I’m also proud to call it home.

Our dialogue drifts to Khaled’s education and his path to becoming CEO of the BEEAH Group. He

shares: “I pursued my bachelor’s degree in marketing in Saudi Arabia during my father’s tenure as the UAE ambassador there. Then, I earned my MBA from the University of Bradford, UK. My career began at ENOC (Emirates National Oil Company), where I spearheaded a new international business unit, launching our first operations in Yemen by selling automotive oils. Over seven years, I expanded its reach to 21 countries. Before joining the BEEAH Group, I contributed to Nakhi’s Dubai Waterfront project. My journey has been fueled by a passion for initiating businesses and addressing climate change challenges through innovative public-private partnerships, starting in my hometown, Sharjah. While at Nakhi, I was approached by the chairman of BIA. In Sharjah, like in many places, waste management was primarily a municipal responsibility, facing challenges in service improvement amidst global trends toward privatization. Sharjah chose a public-private partnership model instead of full privatization. Given my enthusiasm for founding new ventures, as demonstrated at ENOC and Nakhi, and recognizing the critical importance of addressing climate change, I seized the opportunity to join BIA and contribute to this vital area, starting from my hometown of Sharjah.”

Khaled’s vision for sustainability has transformed BEEAH Group from a simple waste collection service in Sharjah to a leader in waste management and sustainability in the UAE. Starting in 2009, BEEAH aimed for zero waste

and became the region’s top waste management company, achieving a 90% waste diversion rate and establishing the first waste-to-energy plant. Khaled’s strategy involved expanding geographically into Saudi Arabia and Egypt. These efforts underscored a commitment to leveraging technology to do things faster and better, leading to the formation of three technology ventures, such as EVOTEQ, the sustainable transport company ION, and re.life, an online marketplace for trading recyclable commodities, further evidencing BEEAH Group’s transformative impact on the sector and its visionary approach towards environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it looks to diversify yet more for the future, expanding into healthcare and real estate.

I emphasize two critical shifts in sustainability and climate change discussions, especially in boardrooms. First, we must integrate green considerations into every decision, much like digital transformation transcended IT to become ubiquitous. Sustainability efforts are often sidelined as CSR or net-zero initiatives rather than core to business operations. Second, making sustainable practices more profitable than traditional methods is essential. Despite initial resistance from boards concerned about deviating from the norm and shareholder interests, overcoming this obstacle is crucial for genuine change. How does Khaled navigate such resistance and champion sustainability effectively?

“The problem with environmental pollution is that it is so vast that people don’t know where to start.”

He states:

“In

the UAE, we’re fortunate to have leadership that prioritizes sustainability, not just locally but globally, demonstrated by events like COP28 and the significant shift in both the private and public sectors towards prioritizing sustainability over the past decade. We believe that to achieve our sustainability goals, we must embrace digitalization and other technologies.”

That raises another question: What must we do to change every board’s perception? Khaled’s answer is illuminating: “Waste’s value is increasingly recognized, sparking a booming recycling and resource recovery industry. BEEAH’s success lies in harnessing this shift through strategic waste segregation, recycling collaborations, and launching re.life, turning waste into wealth. People, communities, and organizations realize waste as a resource, making value extraction simpler and more efficient.”

During COP28, Dr. Stier from Amazon made a poignant gesture by giving a globe to a 13-year-old, symbolizing the transfer of Earth’s stewardship to younger generations. This act ignited discussions on our environmental legacy and the urgent need for systemic changes to prevent passing on a “burning planet.” It emphasizes a collective call to action for policy shifts, responsible business practices, and a

mindset geared towards sustainability, aiming to secure a cleaner, healthier world for future adults.

Khaled emphasizes the importance of patience, strategic long-term planning, and the power of collaboration. “You have to be patient, you have to play the long game, and you cannot do everything yourself,” he notes. He advocates for sticking to one’s

“In the UAE, we’re fortunate to have leadership that prioritizes sustainability, not just locally but globally.”

values and being open to partnerships, attributing significant achievements like the first waste-toenergy plant in the Middle East - a joint venture with Masdar - to these principles.

What’s the single most powerful word, concept, or idea you believe will shape the future? According to Khaled, BEEAH has been pioneering the use of AI for over a decade, as highlighted by its proactive integration of AI technologies in various operations, from its groundbreaking building in collaboration with Johnson Controls and Microsoft to advanced waste management practices.

“We’ve been exploring how we can utilize AI for many years,” he notes.

This forward-thinking approach is exemplified by BEEAH’s investment in digital infrastructure, such as a unique data center powered by waste-toenergy, underscoring its leadership in sustainable technological advancements. “AI will change a lot of how we live and work,” Khaled states, emphasizing the exponential rise of AI’s application in the near future.

For me, the future hinges on trust, truth, and ethics. Unchecked AI is likened to a potentially dangerous force, even termed a “weapon of mass destruction” for its self-propagating power. Beyond technological advancement, it’s argued that attributes immune to digitization - love, compassion, creativity, and critical thinking - will exponentially increase in value. The crux of this philosophy is integrating humanity with technology, ensuring that AI serves us, enhancing our work and lives with a focus on human values, and building a future led by heart and spirit.

BEEAH, through Khaled, believes in cultivating strong future leaders to ensure the company’s growth, emphasizing that success isn’t solely about technology but also about fostering sustainable quality of life. “Without people, you cannot get any of this done,” he reflects. For him, preparing leaders goes beyond teaching them about AI; it involves integrating values of sustainability into their development. For instance, BEEAH’s

venture into healthcare aims to transform it for the future, highlighting its commitment to eliminating counterfeit medicine to save lives and investing in a cleaner environment for safer, better living.

The conversation turns to the topic of education. I don’t think education adequately prepares our youth for today’s world, let alone tomorrow. Echoing the sentiment that education truly needs a transformative approach to prepare for the future, Khaled agrees that the UAE is at the forefront of this evolution. With initiatives like the establishment of the Ministry of AI and the Ministry of Youth, the UAE is continuously adapting to meet emerging needs and elevate its educational system to new heights. Confidence is high in the UAE’s leadership to innovate and lead in redefining education, ensuring it aligns with future demands and opportunities.

Khaled articulates: “In the UAE, significant work is being done with schools, notably through the BS School of Environment, established over 12 years ago and has educated over 250,000 students. This education shift is visible when comparing past student generations to the current, where today’s youth in the UAE exhibit remarkable drive and ambition. The optimism for the future stems from witnessing these young, motivated

individuals raised in a country celebrated for its achievements like leading airlines, architectural marvels, and advancements in space exploration. This environment of excellence and national pride is believed to propel the next generation to elevate the UAE further.”

Imagine stepping into a time capsule to your 100th birthday, marking only the halfway point of your life. What would Khaled be celebrating at this centennial celebration? “Envisioning a future where environmental challenges are conquered, we might enjoy coffee on a moon resort, courtesy of technological advancements,” he muses. “This era brings cleaner air and transforms deserts into lush, green landscapes, altering our lifestyle profoundly and marking a significant leap in how we interact with our planet.”

His message in a bottle is simple yet profound: “Be patient and optimistic.” Those are words of true wisdom for the younger generations.

In this dialogue with Khaled, the message for the future is unequivocal: embrace change, champion sustainability, and remember that the collective voice of innovation is not just a whisper but a roar that can shape our destiny.

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

CREATING A GREEN OASIS

NASER AHMED

Naser Ahmed stands as a visionary in the global landscaping industry. From his modest beginnings in a small family owned bicycle shop in India to leading some of the most iconic landscaping developments in the Middle East, his journey is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and foresight. As the Group CEO of Tanseeq Investment LLC, his story intertwines with the evolving landscape of Dubai, reflecting a remarkable blend of engineering brilliance and environmental stewardship. This conversation delves into the life of a man who witnessed and shaped a desert’s metamorphosis into a global symbol of greenery and sustainability.

With over forty years of experience, Naser Ahmed has played a crucial role in shaping the landscaping scene of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Starting in 1985 in Saudi Arabia, he moved to the UAE in 1988 to oversee the construction of major projects like Safa Park in Dubai. In 1996, he led the landscaping development of key projects such as the Jumeirah Beach Resort and hotel, as well as various royal facilities, while working for the private office of HH Shaikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Having co-founded Proscape LLC in 2000,

he currently leads Tanseeq Investment Group with his long-time friend and business partner Ahmad Anoohi, Chairman of the company. Tanseeq Investment Group comprises more than twenty entities based in the UAE, KSA, Oman, and India. Notable projects under his leadership include the landscaping for iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Expo 2020 Dubai. Tanseeq Investment has experienced substantial growth under his leadership and now employs workforce of over 6,500 employees, including 1,000 engineers and administrative staff.

But in 1985, he arrived in a vastly different Saudi Arabia before building his own empire. “When I first arrived here, there wasn’t much development. Over the past three decades, I  witnessed the transformation of both the UAE and Saudi Arabia from a desert into meticulously planned lush green landscapes,” he shares.

“Over the past three decades, I  witnessed the transformation of both the UAE and Saudi Arabia from a desert into meticulously planned lush green landscapes.”

That echoes his upbringing and mindset, which set the tone for his professional career in the Middle East: “When I worked in my familyowned bicycle shop in India, I learned every part of how to assemble a bicycle perfectly. I learned something important for the rest of my life: if I

want to learn something, there’s no better place to start than at the bottom.’”

Aspiring for a career in civil engineering, Naser’s path took an unexpected turn. Initially struggling to find opportunities in his field, he accepted a position as a Junior Engineer in the Irrigation department of a local governmental organization, eventually leading him to an irrigation engineering role in Saudi Arabia. What began as a temporary two-year venture abroad became a significant career shift. In 1990, Naser transitioned to Dubai, becoming a project manager for the biggest landscaping project, Safa Park. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, he shares: “That was a turning point: I realized this is my destiny. Thrice I wanted to return to practice civil engineering, but Allah has directed me to take this path.”

Naser’s dedication to sustainable development, coupled with his astute business acumen, has not only shaped the physical landscape of Dubai but has also established a new standard in the landscaping industry. His journey leaves an enduring imprint on Dubai’s narrative of growth, epitomizing the ethos of innovation and environmental stewardship amidst the challenges of rapid urbanization.

That career deviation led Naser to execute the landscaping for one of the world’s most prestigious projects - the tallest building in the world: the Burj Khalifa, an engineering marvel. He reflects, “Being part of that project was truly incredible, and I doubt I will get an opportunity

to execute another project of that scale anytime soon – if ever.”

Naser approaches challenges with the precision of a civil engineer, employing meticulous planning and a strategic mindset. His philosophy? “Operating with 100% ethics and morals sets Proscape apart, pioneering a new industry standard,” he asserts. This ethos, emphasizing high-quality workmanship and diverse services like soft landscaping, hard landscaping, irrigation systems, and landscape maintenance, catalyzed Proscape’s growth and the formation of multiple subsidiaries. Under his leadership, Tanseeq Investment LLC flourished, now boasting a workforce of 6,500 and a broad project portfolio across the Middle East, illustrating the transformative impact of his visionary leadership.

When building a phenomenal organization, he highlights the importance of specific qualities in potential hires. “We look for integrity, loyalty, and teamwork. Those are the cornerstones of our human capital,” he emphasizes. This statement underscores the value he places on these fundamental attributes, considering them as the foundation of his team’s strength and success.

In fact, since 2019, Naser has delegated the company’s complete operational and executive responsibility to his senior management team. He remarks: “Training is a daily task for me. I actively engage in educating my teams on all facets of the company. The handover of responsibilities spanned a year. I regularly attended weekly meetings on projects with consultants and the clients during this period, observing and guiding my team through tough situations. This practice is key to how the next generation learns from us.”

What do we teach younger generations with different mindsets and value systems? “At our company, we recruit fresh graduate engineers as trainees, bringing in around 40 graduates yearly,” he shares. “However, only about 20 to 25% are retained long-term. Within six months, 20 to 25% leave or are let go due to unsuitability, and another 50 to 60% lack the necessary drive, often moving on when different opportunities arise. Our focus is on the 20% with potential whom we actively

mentor and promote, discussing their career trajectory and using the success stories of senior employees as inspiration. For example, one of our trainees was recently promoted to director after 20 years of service.We aim to instill this vision of growth and success in our promising recruits.”

The conversation shifts to Dubai’s escalating temperatures, emphasizing the urgency of creating greener, more sustainable environments. “When I first arrived in Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road was barren, with just a few trees in the median and along the sides,” he recalls. “Today, we have transformed urban spaces into sustainable, verdant areas, mitigating the heat and fostering a healthier environment crucial for Dubai’s future,” he asserts. One of the group companies maintains 1,600 hectares of landscaped areas across Dubai, while another has played a pivotal role in executing over 50% of the iconic landscaping projects in the city. Additionally, a third company boasts the management of a 70-hectare nursery stocking 100,000 trees. He emphasizes, “This is no longer solely about financial gain; my personal mission is to advance the landscape industry and elevate Dubai’s status as one of the most sustainable cities globally. Though I began as a civil engineer, this is now my true passion.”

Dubai’s future survival hinges on its commitment to going green. What measures have been taken to ensure this sustainable path forward for the city? He explains, “Irrigation practices no longer rely solely on desalinated water; instead, they extensively utilize treated sewage effluent water for irrigating all the streetscape and golf

courses in the city, positioning Dubai as a leader in sustainable urban water management. Additionally, Dubai adopts modern irrigation methods such as automated drip and sprinkler irrigation to conserve water for irrigation purposes. These initiatives are a testament to the Dubai government’s proactive stance on sustainability. Moreover, each independent community within the city operates its own water treatment plant, with recycled water utilized for parks and streetscape maintenance within the community.

However, water from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) remains the primary source for individual and private villas. When it comes to greenery, Dubai surpasses other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) cities by a significant margin, evident in its lush landscapes, showcasing the UAE’s dedication to fostering a greener environment.”

When I asked Naser what his message in a bottle would be, his answer was simple yet profound. “To the younger generations seeking quick success,” he said, “I offer this: success is the result of a compounding effect over a certain period of time; without patience, you’ll spend your life chasing fast success in vain.”

“

To the younger generations seeking quick success, I offer this: success is the result of a compounding effect over a certain period of time; without patience, you’ll spend your life chasing fast success in vain.”

Mr. Ahmad Anoohi and Groupe CEO Mr. Naser Ahmed

IMPACTFUL VISIONARY

ROKSANA CIURYSEK-GEDIR

“I’ve realised that if you want to change the world, you must start with yourself.”

Board Member, CEO Advisor, Financier, Artist, Movie Producer, Speaker, Nuclear advocate and a Executive Producer of Oliver Stones Nuclear Now movie

Roksana Ciurysek-Gedir is an entrepreneur, artist, and financier. However, her impact extends far beyond the boardroom: she’s a leading voice on impact investing. With an unwavering commitment to driving positive change, she has established herself as a formidable force in the business world, spearheading transformative initiatives that bridge the gap between finance, technology, art, culture, and sustainability.

As the Chairwoman of Impact One and of the Impact Advisory Board of White Oak Global Advisors, she is pivotal in shaping these companies’ dedication to impact investing. She brings her extensive experience from a 20-year career in banking, having held senior positions at renowned institutions such as Credit Suisse, Edmond de Rothschild, Merrill Lynch, Bank Pekao, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). In 2014, Roksana’s exceptional accomplishments earned her the distinction of being named a ‘Young Global Leader’ by the World Economic Forum. As a globally renowned speaker, she harnesses the power of creativity, art, and technology to challenge conventional norms and inspire companies to embrace a future-focused mindset.

Born in Poland, she lived most of her formative youth and career in London and recently moved to Dubai. She studied engineering and then a master’s in finance, against her family’s wishes. “When I was younger, I decided to be true to myself,” she recalls, “and I wanted to study engineering and economics. My dad told me I couldn’t be a jack of all trades. Now, many years later, after pursuing my passions, I’m actually connecting all the dots.” That resonates deeply with me.

As an artist, she is inspired by the cosmos. She shares: “As a child, I watched on television the landing on the moon, and the inspiration stayed with me. A lot of my exhibitions in the past were around the cosmos and the universe

and our role within it.”

She once curated an exhibition in London titled ‘Diamonds in the Sky,’ collaborating with astrophotographers. By embedding diamonds onto printed aluminum and scientific imagery, she sought to blend art with science, a recurring theme in her work. Her trademark involves incorporating photography on brushed aluminum, enhanced with diamonds and modern technology. Exploring the intricate relationship between contemporary art and sustainability, she’s crafted thoughtprovoking pieces auctioned at prestigious events, such as Sotheby’s and Philips, to raise funds for philanthropic causes. Her ability to seamlessly blend creativity and purpose is a testament to her multidimensional approach to effecting change. Roksana embodies the essence of a polymath, reminiscent of a modern-day Renaissance woman, sharing a profound connection with me that transcends this interview.

What was her path into impact investing? She elucidates: “My career in finance, spanning over 20 years, unexpectedly began during my master’s studies when a scholarship led me to explore the integration of environmental protection with finance, a concept ahead of its time. I discovered the EBRD, one of the few banks with an environmental mandate. Despite skepticism about my chances, I reached out directly to the bank’s president, detailing my scholarship and ambition to join their environmental unit. Remarkably, they offered me an internship that evolved into a paid opportunity to complete my master’s thesis. I’ve always been drawn to creating meaningful impact, especially concerning climate change. After leaving the banking world, I decided to curate a portfolio around themes that resonate with me deeply. A few years ago, I engaged with Oliver Stone’s project, ‘Nuclear Now,’ which premiered at COP28. Initially, like many, I harbored misconceptions about nuclear power until I read ‘Bright Future’ by Professor Joshua Goldstein and Stefan Christ. This book was a turning point, inspiring me to advocate for nuclear energy’s potential.”

Since working with fourth-generation nuclear firms and investors, her focus has been on directing funds to key nuclear initiatives in partnership with organizations like the World Economic Forum. At COP28, a platform was provided to unite varied viewpoints, featuring Isabel Boemke, recognized as the world’s first nuclear influencer, and Grace Stanke, both Miss America and a nuclear engineer, to underscore the value of youthful contributions to

the discourse. Roksana’s responsibility of organizing and guiding these discussions was embraced, transitioning from misunderstandings to support for nuclear energy. Currently, she’s excited about a follow-up to ‘Nuclear Now,’ which will delve into the latest in nuclear technology advancements.

I am curious to know what the most significant elements of resistance that she faces are. She enlightens: “It’s a process. That’s why the role of the movie has been so important: it explains in a very clear way, speaking to both high school students and industry insiders. There are so many misconceptions. The biggest fear is that nuclear power is associated with nuclear weapons, radiation, and nuclear disasters. But when you actually look behind the numbers, when you look about nuclear waste, which is the most highly regulated, and how the new technologies have evolved, none of these risks are present today. Nuclear power is the only available, scalable green energy, and we know energy transition is the key to our survival. It doesn’t mean that nuclear power is the only answer, but it is a technology that we’ve had for decades.”

My thesis is that sustainability will only surpass traditional business when it’s more profitable. We must focus on the green revolution and sustainability as a smarter, not just ethical, investment. Roksana wholly agrees: “When I was in finance and trying to introduce impact investing, I tried to educate our clients on the fact that impact doesn’t mean philanthropy. Actually, if you have the choice between two investments, equal returns, and one assures the future of our children and has a positive impact while the other one destroys it, it’s a nobrainer.”

While acknowledging the challenges and greenwashing often accompanying impact investing, she remains optimistic about the growing shift. “Unless the incentives are structured in such a way that there’s no other way, it’s not going to change. However, it is changing – and we have to remember that this is a process. Regulation needs to evolve, and accounting rules and measurements such as KPIs must adapt. Previously, we would look at only

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risk-return, and that’s how you were awarded because that’s how bankers were incentivized. Now, it’s a risk-return with impact. Right now, this tide is turning.”

Purpose and passion exude from her through our close connection. “I’ve realized that if you want to change the world, you must start with yourself,” she admits. For her, purpose and authenticity are paramount. “I found my purpose by using my experience in finance, my passions for driving change, and living authentically to solve the issues we are facing – and inject my actions with happiness and playfulness.”

That journey to find passion even shapes her role as mother to her two young sons: “I’m absolutely hopeful, and I wake up every day very much looking forward and excited for the day. What’s been very powerful in my ritual and practice is my daily moment of gratefulness, truly recognizing all the beautiful things and the amazing people around us. To change the world, we need to start with ourselves.”

What is Roksana’s message in a bottle? “Hope you had a great ride,” she says with a joyous smile.

Roksana stands out not just for her achievements across diverse fields but also for her visionary approach to impact investing. Her commitment

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

STEERING THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY

MONIKA MIKAC

As the CEO of NAD Capital and QEV Technologies, a powerhouse mom, and a trailblazer in the electric automotive industry, Monika Mikac shapes the future of mobility with relentless tenacity and an insatiable appetite for innovation. For Monika and her vision of the future, the only way forward is change.

Monika’s foray into the electric vehicle landscape has been as electrifying as the innovations she drives forward. Initially drawn to journalism, her path dramatically shifted after meeting Mate Rimac, founder of Rimac Automobili, in 2010.

“The only way we can go forward is by change.”

This pivotal encounter opened her eyes to the revolutionary world of automotive innovation, sparking a journey from journalistic aspirations to the forefront of electric mobility.

For me, change is like telling a caterpillar that you have to change into a butterfly. A caterpillar doesn’t simply change into a butterfly; it undergoes a process to become a butterfly. Monika exemplifies this metamorphosis.

“I didn’t know anything about the automotive industry,” she confesses. Yet, the allure of intoxicating innovation propelled her into this enigmatic space. “I decided to jump in; they were making this car and needed somebody more organized to run the entire company, from financials to operations to logistics, PR, and marketing. In the end, I was one of the co-

founding team members,” she recounts. “I even sold my house to lend that money to the company. We all believed in the company and gave our hearts to make it work.”

And boy, did it pay off. In 2018, automaker giant Porsche heralded a new dawn for Rimac Automobili, acquiring a significant stake in the company. It was then that Monika took a step away from the company.

She found new rhythms in the realms of electric mobility with QEV Technologies. QEV Technologies is a pioneer in electric vehicle racing; its technologies are included in every electric vehicle racing series worldwide. It isn’t only focused on racing; it also applies its technologies to mass-market products.

Monika Mikac in ArcFox, race track, 2019

“Be open to change, listen to even those who are not dear to you, be self-critical enough to change and always become a better version of yourself, but also gentle enough to know that you are a queen with all your flaws and virtues.”

- Monika Mikac

One of QEV Technologies’ projects weaves through the streets of Manila, The Philipines, where iconic yet heavily polluting Jeepneys meander. Her eyes gleam with enthusiasm as she narrates QEV Technologies’ pioneering efforts in converting these iconic symbols of the Philippines’ cultural heritage into electrically powered, eco-friendly transportation alternatives. “This project hooked me,” she shares. Originating from post-World War II, when the American army left numerous Jeeps in the Philippines, locals transformed these into minibusses known as Jeepneys. These vehicles,

iconic yet notorious for pollution, especially in Manila, led to a governmental challenge. Monika and her team were tasked with creating a conversion kit for the Jeepney in just 60 days.

Impressed by the electric Jeepney, Filipino ministers aimed to electrify the entire fleet. Yet, the initiative evolved. “Inserting hightech powertrains into aging vehicles proved impractical,” she explains. Ultimately, a new, larger, and more advanced fully electric model was developed, with 100 units now operational

across the Philippines, marking a significant scaleup of the project.

At NAD Capital, Monika focuses on strategic investments that promote sustainable and innovative mobility solutions, underscoring her forward-thinking approach. This fund was the first investor in Rimac Automobili, Formula E, and QEV Technologies.

Now, her gaze is firmly set on the horizon where electric and general mobility converge, and

Monika Mikac and Rimac Automobili team at Quail auto-moto gathering, 2017

Monika Mikac at Monterrey Car Week, 2017

“The biggest enemy you have is YOU. Start to make changes and miracles will happen.”

autonomous vehicles usher us into an epoch of unprecedented innovation and connectivity.

I posit that Norway and China represent distinct templates in EV adoption. Monika illuminates China’s strides: “They’re doing unbelievable work.” This revelation is juxtaposed against the bureaucratic labyrinths that often impede swift decision-making in the Western context. She highlights a generational shift in attitude toward car ownership, marking a transitional phase in the mobility ecosystem.

Her in-depth examination of the sluggish progress of major players like Mercedes, BMW, and Ford reveals complex challenges.

She highlights the existing infrastructural shortfalls and ongoing issues, balancing the current practical constraints with the limitless potential of the future.

She offers insight: “Transforming automotive mobility isn’t straightforward, especially with the current infrastructure limitations,” Monika explains.

“The shift to electric needs to happen alongside existing systems. For instance, while homeowners might easily adapt to electric cars, apartment dwellers face challenges in charging.

Monika Mikac and the team at QEV Technologies 2018

Monika Mikac’s daughter Ria in an electric vehicle in QEV Technologies HQ 2021

This gradual transition will disrupt the industry, raising questions about the pace of change and the future of automotive manufacturing, including the role of autonomous vehicles and ships.”

Her vision? To leave a world that’s better for the next generations. She elucidates: “Our primary objective should be to protect the climate, which requires changes across multiple industries, not just in mobility. It’s crucial to reduce our waste production radically. I’m contributing through my professional work in the mobility sector and personal actions like recycling and conserving energy at home. Small steps, collectively, can create a significant impact.”

Monika isn’t just a participant in the electric mobility narrative; she’s a formidable architect of its future. “Pushing through the limits and boundaries and trying to make change” is a professional ethos and a life mantra. “A message for the future: When you hit rock bottom, it doesn’t matter. Just push harder, swim to the surface, and all will be well.”

The wheels of change are in motion, steering us into a future where mobility is not just a physical traverse but an odyssey of innovation, connectivity, and sustainable progress. “The only way we can go forward is by change.” And in these profound words, we find the echoes of a future unfettered, unrestrained, and unimaginably innovative.

NAD Capital

info@nad.com.co

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Monika Mikac in QEV Tachnologies HQ, 2018

Monika Mikac QEV Technologies 2018

REDEFINING SUSTAINABILITY FOR TOMORROW

Sustainability is a loaded – and vague – term nowadays. What is sustainability, and what does its impact mean for the future? Aruna Narayanan breaks down the barriers to understanding and decodes its complexities, while her insights serve as a guiding light of hope. This podcast was not just a mere exchange of words and ideas but a clarion call to action for everyone on this planet.

While her career began in the corporate towers of consulting, it veered unexpectedly toward the uncharted territories of sustainability. Her story isn’t just about a career choice but a calling that beckoned her to make a real impact. Her career trajectory, a blend of strategic thinking and a heartfelt connection to the cause is a testament to the power of conscious choice and purpose-driven leadership.

An alumnus of Harvard Business School and Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, Aruna has mastered the art of weaving sustainability into the fabric of corporate existence with vast expertise in sustainability, ESG, environment solutions, marketing, customer experience, and corporate social responsibility. In a career spanning over two decades, she’s held leadership positions at various organizations, such as Dulsco, Accenture, and the Ocwen Financial Corporation.

She founded Real Impact Solutions, a collaborative platform that enables companies to adopt sustainability and achieve real benefits. Aruna also serves on the advisory boards for various companies, guiding them on embedding sustainability and ESG into their businesses by leveraging the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

I believe ‘green’ is the new digital, and ‘sustainable’ is the new profitable. Aruna concurs – with a caveat: “The definitions of sustainability aren’t cast in stone. I don’t have

ARUNA NARAYANAN

a singular definition of sustainability.” She decodes sustainability: “At a macro level, sustainability is the ability to sustain. This applies to individuals, organizations, and countries. For individuals, sustainability falls under three pillars: health, wealth, and relationships. If any of these goes off balance, life isn’t beautiful anymore. In the short term, companies may make vast amounts of money but destroy the environment; in the long term, those companies will collapse when the natural resources are depleted. Similarly, if an organization has the right people and takes care of them and the environment, but its bank balance is zero, that isn’t a sustainable business either. Sustainability is not CSR.” With passion and conviction, she declares: “Sustainability is enjoying today without comprising tomorrow.”

“Sustainability is enjoying today without compromising tomorrow.”

For Aruna, the three pillars of a sustainable organization are ‘people, planet, and prosperity.’ She explains: “That’s a more holistic approach; it applies to individuals, companies, and countries for the planet to be sustainable for all.”

Despite knowing the consequences, we face significant environmental challenges, notably the excessive use of single-use plastics and the oil industry’s persistent neglect of sustainability. Established global organizations like the UN and WHO, created for past problems, now struggle to address current sustainability issues effectively. This is exacerbated by corporate profit motives and consumer preference for cheap, convenient products. The combination of institutional inertia, corporate greed, and public complacency (all three are human emotions) presents a formidable barrier to environmental progress. Aruna’s response is illuminating: “We, as a generation, are in the transition phase between what the future needs to look like and what’s done in the past. We have the key to changing how the future will look. We must be realistic, focus on the present, and create the future now, and it starts by looking at problems at a micro level.” According to her, this transition isn’t just about technological or economic shifts but also about a fundamental change in mindset and values.

And she lives this belief authentically. Aruna’s connection with her farm is a deeply personal and cherished aspect of her life. The farm, for her, is more than just a piece of land; it represents a sanctuary and a return to basics, a place where she can connect with nature and community. Her journey as a farmer began unexpectedly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It allowed her and her family to live in nature and become part of a local community. This experience was far from a typical vacation; it was an immersive, life-altering experience.

Living in the mountains, Aruna observed and embraced the simple, contented lives of the local people. She noticed their genuine happiness and how they lived with modest means. This experience offered her a unique perspective on life, contrasting sharply with the fast-paced, often materialistic world of corporate sustainability.

It led her to create the EcoFarm: “It started as a collaboration with the local community regarding land stewardship. It enables urban people who want a piece of nature to have a meaningful way to be a part of it while having a very grounded experience through simple farm activities. How many of the young generation have eaten a fruit straight from a tree? They don’t know what a carrot plant looks like, but they eat carrots. So, take people back to the earth and create an experiential movement. Unless you experience it, you won’t be sensitized towards sustainability. There are no lecturing or awareness sessions needed afterward. You know what you need to do; you know where you can contribute; you know where you can create impact.”

The conversation moves to trust, truth, and ethics. We lack trust in our society, we don’t really know what truth is anymore, and there’s a huge question mark over ethics in media, AI, etc. How do we restore trust, truth, and ethics in a sustainable world? Her views are deeply intertwined with her beliefs in transparency, integrity, and ethical leadership. “Transparency is the bedrock of trust,” she asserts. She recognizes that trust and truth are foundational elements for a sustainable society and economy, and their restoration is critical in the current era where skepticism and misinformation are prevalent.

their operations. “Sustainability isn’t an expense; it’s an investment in people, the planet, and our prosperity.” That’s the message that must be amplified around the world.

Dubai hosted the COP28 conference in December 2023. “It’s fantastic to see the public and corporate engagement around COP28, bringing climate change to the mainstream,” she enthuses. “From an event, it grows into a mass movement, spreading climate literacy and climate action worldwide.” By bringing together representatives from various countries, industries, and communities, the COP conferences catalyze change, driving nations and organizations toward more sustainable and environmentally responsible behaviors.

Projecting Aruna into the future, looking to her 85th birthday, her vision is deeply personal and reflective of her life’s work and values. “I hope I can count back on ten things where I’ve created real impact,” she shares. Aruna’s focus on ‘real impact’ rather than on herself as an entity speaks to her humility and commitment to the cause of sustainability.

For leaders and organizations to embrace this mindset shift, they must see that sustainability needs to be very profitable – or it won’t change Real

If Aruna were to leave a message in a bottle to be discovered years later, her message would be succinct yet profoundly meaningful: “Smile and be the light.” It’s a message to embrace optimism and to be a beacon of positive change in the world. She serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and being a force for good in the world.

THE HUMAN ESSENCE IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL ERA BERNARD POULIN

“We’ve got to go back to basics. A human being is a human being; technology must serve the human and not the human serving technology.”

Listening to Bernard Poulin, I’m struck by his narrative that encapsulates not just the essence of innovation and foresight but also a profound connection to the human spirit and our planet. Hailing from Canada, he shares his life’s tapestry woven with experiences from around the globe, embodying a passion for safeguarding our planet for future generations. His words resonate with a deep understanding of the intricate balance between human endeavor and the natural world.

In 1972, he founded the engineering and scientific integration company, the S.M. Group International (SMi), where he oversees a soil-engineering laboratory. As its president and CEO, Bernard has grown the company into a multinational corporation composed of over 1,400 employees in more than 30 countries on five continents. Ranked as a top five engineering firm in Canada, SMi has matured into an asset management, project management, engineering and design, and systems and networks integration firm.

As we navigate the contours of his childhood, Bernard paints a vivid picture of his upbringing, marked by the rugged beauty of Canada’s wilderness and the guiding influence of his father. “My father was my role model for many reasons,” Bernard recalls. Starting work at 12 in a lumber camp and later becoming a barber, his father’s journey from rural Quebec to a respected lawyer showcased resilience and ambition. “He was my role model and mentor,” Bernard reminisces. This upbringing, steeped in wilderness adventures and early exposure to a wide range of influential individuals, including a future Prime Minister, shaped Bernard’s worldview. His father’s example demystified the path to success, teaching young Bernard the value of hard work and the importance of not being intimidated by high achievers.

mathematics, my curiosity and ambition drove me to become an engineer. However, I quickly realized my true calling lay in being a ‘technological manager,’ emphasizing the importance of being a generalist over a specialist.”

I wonder what was the moment that ignited Bernard onto the path he took to become the person he is today. He shares that moment with vivid clarity: “In my father’s office, a chance encounter with an engineer who was repairing a dam sparked my fascination with dams and the power of pursuing passions. This engineer imparted a life-changing piece of advice: success is inevitable when you love what you do. This philosophy became my guiding principle, shaping my career path. Despite my initial disinterest in

Bernard’s reflections on his formative years seamlessly transition into a discourse on the role of generalists in shaping the future. “There’s still a lack of that type of person today,” he muses, advocating for the Renaissance Man’s return in modern times. “One striking initial observation at the beginning of my career that still rings true today was the contrast between the US’s specialization culture and other regions’ need for versatile problem solvers. In places like Africa, the demand isn’t for hyper-specialized expertise but for individuals who can tackle a broad range of issues - linking problems in water, infrastructure, and more to find integrated solutions. Canada, with its smaller population compared to the US, naturally fosters

a workforce skilled in multiple trades, enhancing its adaptability.” His perspective aligns perfectly with mine – and a recurring theme in this book: the necessity of multidisciplinary knowledge and the ability to connect dots in forging innovative pathways for the future.

Our dialogue naturally ventures into the realms of innovation and sustainability. For Bernard, technology is an enabler and a facilitator. My concern is that incentive structures in hypercapitalism are restructuring and reforming the world to suit their agendas. While technology is an enabler and accelerating exponentially, why would companies in, for example, oil and gas with $5 trillion investments move towards renewable structures? Only when doing business for good is as profitable as ‘dirty business’ will we see solutions to issues like climate change being universally accepted.

Bernard’s response is poignant: “The younger generations are better educated than the older generations running those companies and industries. However, they’ve bought this vision and challenge to save the planet. The technology exists today for people to save the planet and continue to live comfortably. It is about adopting a certain framework of management to supersede the distribution of technology in all aspects.”

I posit that the creation of global institutions, like the United Nations and the World Health Organization, was designed to address issues of that time. These institutions are ill-equipped for modern challenges such as climate change and technological evolution. This scenario calls for

courageous, innovative action to adapt and address these pressing issues. “In some nations, the current political landscape doesn’t reflect the diverse leadership spectrum society needs,” Bernard states. “There’s a notable absence of professionals like engineers and scientists within the political framework. For instance, in Canada, there’s a trend where many retirees from public service transition into politics, primarily as a means to earn a second income. This situation suggests a need for a paradigm shift, where innovative thinkers like Elon Musk, dedicating even a fraction of their time to politics, could drive significant change. It underscores the urgency for integrating diverse professional expertise into the political system to address complex contemporary challenges effectively. It needs a better human response.”

That human response is the crux of my thesis. As technology advances, the essence of humanity becomes more crucial. This perspective emphasizes the need for increased love, compassion, kindness, generosity, ethics, trust, values, imagination, and creativity. These human qualities are what set us apart from technology. The question then arises: should we focus more on nurturing these softer, more human skills in a world that frequently prioritizes technological advancement? Bernard agrees: “We’ve got to go back to basics. A human being is a human being; technology must serve the human and not the human serving technology.

In order for that to happen, we must better understand the needs of humanity. How do we do that? We need to improve our education and

“The younger generations are better educated than the older generations running those companies and industries.”

better educate people on how to use technology to be more human-centric.”

In the future, trust will be paramount, alongside truth and ethics, with trust being the most critical. It’s become more valuable than ever across all sectors, where trust and ethics are foundational. The question is whether this emphasis on trust is correctly approached and fundamentally agreed upon. “I always use this phrase: people do what you inspect, not what you expect,” muses Bernard. “Technology will become that validator and implementor of trust; blockchain is an enabler of trust. My belief is this: don’t forget humans are humans; trust is paramount; at the same time if there’s a shortcut possible, some humans will take it.”

I ask Bernard what message in a bottle he would leave for his children and grandchildren to discover in the future. His response is simple and profound: “Never give up, always keep learning, and live a wonderful life.”

Through this dialogue, Bernard’s vision for a future where technology, environmental stewardship, and human values converge to create a sustainable and thriving planet is vividly articulated. His narrative is a testament to the power of curiosity, the importance of multidisciplinary thinking, and the indomitable human spirit, guiding us toward a future where innovation and compassion go hand in hand.

EVERGREEN CLASSICS

MAPPING THE MIND PROFESSOR

TONY BUZAN

Professor Tony Buzan’s name has been mentioned on most of the pages of this book. However, the most significant mark he left was on my soul. I am deeply honored to have been a student of this great man who advised, mentored, and shaped the course of my life with his profound wisdom.

He passed away at the age of 76 in 2019, after leading one of the most extraordinary lives. His life reached over 2 billion people through media, he advised governments and titans of business, was

“Invest in intelligence. Intelligence is the ultimate currency.”

twice nominated for a Nobel Prize for Education, and is most famously known as the father of mind mapping.

This interview, captured in January, 2017, is forever etched in my memory, and I’m tremendously privileged to share those learnings on these pages. Professor Buzan’s insights, deeply rooted in the empowerment of the human mind, offer a beacon of hope and direction, especially to the youth, in navigating the complexities of our future world.

The dialogue begins with my asking Professor Buzan what advice and foresight he would offer to the millions of young souls seeking employment in an increasingly desperate world. His response resonates with sincere simplicity, “Please don’t be desperate; you have the most powerful machine on the planet: the brain. You can build, create, and do anything. Quite simply, never get worried about it; focus on improving this piece of super equipment.”

Delving deeper into the power of the brain, the dialogue turns to education versus learning. Professor Buzan is unwavering: “Education is the art of bringing out the splendor inherent in the mind. It’s about nurturing the brain’s innate potential, allowing it to flourish. Learning, on the other hand, is the active engagement of the mind in its quest for knowledge, exploring, and formulating ideas. For young individuals seeking employment, the key lies in clarity and strategic planning. Determine your aspirations, create a comprehensive mind map of your desired career paths, and pursue them with conviction. You will undoubtedly find your path. Employers, at the forefront of shaping human capital, must prioritize the development of their employees’ cognitive abilities. The brain possesses boundless potential. The focus should be on cultivating skills in learning, thinking, and creativity, harnessing the power of this incredible biocomputer. This approach not only enhances individual capabilities but also elevates the collective intellectual prowess of the team, driving innovation and success.”

Exploring his childhood inspirations, Professor Buzan shares: “Nature inspires me. I love how animals are incredible thinking little machines. Beatles are not robotic. They think; they figure things out.” It was this fascination with nature’s intellect that fueled his disdain for the rigid educational system that failed to teach him how to think, a realization that became a cornerstone of his philosophy. “At school, I began to realize that the reason why I didn’t like school was that I was

not being taught how to think. I began to realize that that was not the way the world was. People mistakenly say they’re problem-solvers. Actually, the brain is a solution-finder.”

I query if he was rebellious in his youth. He replies with a chuckle: “When I had to take note after note after note in the classrooms, I found it really boring. I began to think, ‘Hold on a minute, why am I stuck in this classroom having to use one color of ink, and if I didn’t, I got punished?” This questioning marked the genesis of his lifelong endeavor to unlock the brain’s potential in every individual.

Stuck in the bubble of fancy schools, we hatch these tiny blueprints for what our jobs should be, and they turn into invisible handcuffs. “It’s not one of the things; it’s the thing that holds us back,” asserts Profesor Buzan. “Forget “I don’t have the qualifications.” Those are just excuses. Look around! Everyone needs help. Even the tough kids, deep down, care. They care about people who are sick, injured, or confined to wheelchairs. Airport wheelchair assistance? Low-level job? Try running 13 miles a day, meeting amazing people, and making a real difference. A job is anything that uses your energy, body, and brain. So, use them! Find any job, do it well, and it opens doors. Wheelchairing? You could wait tables, become a nurse, a driver, or a factory worker. Interesting? Absolutely.”

Our discourse shifts to the concepts of jobs versus entrepreneurship, Professor Buzan points out the misplaced sense of entitlement stemming from

formal education, emphasizing the need to think beyond degrees and certificates. “If you only learn short-term thinking, focusing on logic and money, neglecting imagination, human and social intelligence, you’re ill-prepared for the real world. In today’s digital age, a degree without critical thinking won’t land you a job. It’s when you’re jobless and forced to think creatively that you truly innovate. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the brain, always a problem solver, finds a way out. Relying solely on a degree, especially one lacking in creativity and humanity, isn’t enough. Who wants a rigid, unsmiling employee stuck to the computer, ignoring the potential of their own brain?”

I ask his advice for employers and government boards. His counsel is unwavering. According to him, every company must embrace creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking, as business inherently involves competition. “It’s important to recognize that we are transitioning from the information age to the intelligence age,” he explains. “This new era prioritizes learning to think and developing multiple intelligences. Individuals can achieve this growth independently, as the world itself is a vast university offering endless learning opportunities.”

This leads to another critical question about parenting and the current educational system. How can we effectively prepare an eight-year-old for a career that is 15 to 20 years in the future, especially when the existing education system may not align with the jobs that will exist then? My concern is that

“How can we effectively prepare an eight-year-old for a career that is 15 to 20 years in the future, especially when the existing education system may not align with the jobs that will exist then?”

these children might be at a disadvantage, being trained for roles that may no longer be relevant or even exist in the future. For Professor Buzan, we’re facing a significant challenge in education. Students are taught to overcome immediate obstacles, but the future demands more. “You have to learn how to learn,” he emphasizes, stressing the need to develop multiple intelligences, thinking skills, memory, communication, and integrate brain and body functions. Success is tied to having a vision or dream. “If you’re a daydreamer, so much the better, because it’s about envisioning and working towards making that dream a reality. Parents and schools must teach children to use their brains effectively. “It’s the most powerful machine on the planet, and maybe even in the universe,” he elucidates.

Companies face a stark intergenerational gap: CEOs in their 60s, managers in their 40s, and consumers in their 20s. This disconnect strains decisionmaking. How can boards and chairs adapt their resource allocation and team motivation strategies to bridge this gap and thrive in the evolving business landscape? Professor Buzan is unwavering. Great leaders in various fields maintain a childlike curiosity throughout their lives. According to him, age isn’t a barrier to innovation; even those over 60 can be dynamic if they avoid rigidity. The great leaders are cross-generational, interacting and learning from all ages. He says that dividing by generations isn’t essential. It’s about continuous learning and creativity, regardless of age. Older individuals, rich in knowledge and experience, are resilient and adaptable. As we enter the intelligence age, those who embrace lifelong learning and adaptability will thrive, making the world a better place.

The idea is that combining the wisdom of older individuals with the knowledge-seeking spirit of the young can lead to mutual empowerment and shared wisdom. I posit that this concept could form a new social contract where retired seniors feel more valued and young people gain deeper insights, bridging generational gaps and fostering intergenerational collaboration. The professor agrees and emphasizes that embracing wisdom is critical for societal progress. He believes society needs to evolve, teaching children to maintain their child-like imagination, creativity, and analytical skills. “By doing so, they will grow into imaginative adults, unlike the rigid, linear mindset of the past, he says. This approach ensures a promising future for individuals who cultivate these traits from a young age.

As technology automates the majority of mechanical brain work, it’s crucial to focus more on human elements like imagination, intuition, love, and emotions, which technology can’t replicate. In this emerging world where art and culture gain prominence, people should nurture these uniquely human traits over the next 25 years to remain relevant and fulfilled. His advice is simple yet profound: “Simple advice: Explore it, enjoy it.”

Professor Buzan sees the world entering a new renaissance, marked by a rebirth of intelligence, creativity, love, and multiple intelligences, rooted in art, poetry, and philosophy. For the first time, all cultures are connecting globally, realizing shared human principles like imagination and communication. Amidst the challenges of information overload, there’s a focus on intelligent thinking across various domains. According to him,

this era represents an exciting evolution of human society, encouraging people to embrace and enjoy this transformative period.

As our time drew to a close, Profesor Buzan’s parting words were a clarion call to the leaders and strategists of the world: “Invest in intelligence. Intelligence is the ultimate currency.”

In this captivating dialogue with Professor Tony Buzan, it is evident that his message for the future is one of unyielding optimism and faith in the limitless potential of the human mind. His words are a beacon not just for the youth but also for every individual aspiring to make a difference in this rapidly evolving world. As we stand on the cusp of a new era, Professor Buzan’s insights serve as a potent reminder that our greatest asset in navigating the future lies within the expansiveness of our own minds.

EVERGREEN CLASSICS

“Pessimists do not win wars. Pessimists do not make history. Only the optimists win wars. Only the optimists make history. We are the makers of history.”

A GUIDING STAR

PROFESSOR MICHIO KAKU

AMERICAN PHYSICIST

Standing on the precipice of monumental shifts and uncharted horizons, the human endeavor is continually rewoven by the threads of discoveries. As the age of relentless technological evolution unfolds, few embody its promise like Dr. Michio Kaku. Esteemed theoretical physicist, co-founder of string field theory, and a pioneer in exploring the universe, Dr. Kaku’s journey through the cosmos of knowledge illuminates the path for humanity’s quest toward the future.

His journey through academia and media has established him as a pivotal figure in making complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging to the public. His foundational work in String Field Theory advances our understanding of the universe and continues Einstein’s quest to unify nature’s forces into a cohesive framework. Beyond theoretical physics, Dr. Kaku has emerged as a charismatic science communicator, featuring across a broad spectrum of media platforms. From leading science programs on networks like Discovery and BBC to insightful appearances on popular talk shows, his ability to demystify science resonates with a global audience. His writing, too, spans best-selling books and contributions to premier science publications, enriching public discourse on future scientific possibilities. Dr. Kaku’s role as a bridge between the scientific community and the wider public is underscored by his involvement in documentaries and news segments, bringing the wonders of science to living rooms around the world.

Dr. Michio Kaku’s early fascination with the universe was ignited by ‘Flash Gordon’ and Einstein’s unfinished work, leading him at just eight to pursue the mysteries of the cosmos. His remarkable journey from constructing a particle accelerator in his garage, with his mother’s

memorable support - “Sure, why not? And don’t forget to take out the garbage” - to meeting Edward Teller, highlights his early dedication and curiosity. This pivotal moment, facilitated by the “father of the hydrogen bomb,” not only thrust Dr. Kaku into the scientific limelight but also laid the groundwork for his future contributions to theoretical physics. Remarkably, from these humble beginnings as a gardener’s son, Teller’s mentorship would open the doors to Harvard, setting Dr. Kaku on a path of discovery and innovation.

“My role model was Albert Einstein,” he shares, “his quest for a ‘theory of everything’ to read the ‘mind of God’ ignited my curiosity.” More alluring than any adventure, this pursuit set him on a path to become one of the principal architects behind string field theory, the fabric that might weave together the universe’s most profound mysteries.

He learned from studying Einstein that there were no roadblocks, and the playing field was level: “There’s no need for massive government grants or colossal machines. It’s about pure mathematics. There are no roadblocks. The playing field is level. It’s just you and that sheet of paper. Your mind is your laboratory. Your pen is your laboratory. You can go as fast and as far as you want. The only limitation is the power of your mind.”

Dr. Kaku speaks of four distinct stages that describe a civilization’s scientific and technological advancement. Physicists have propelled societies forward, according to him. “The first stage began when physicists unraveled Newtonian mechanics, leading to the creation of the heat engine with thermodynamics and sparking the Industrial Revolution,” he says. “We went from an agrarian/ peasant society to a modern-day machine-age society. The second revolution arose when we decoded the laws of electricity and magnetism, leading to the invention of motors, generators, TVs, radios, and microwaves,” Dr. Kaku adds. “The third great revolution was when we physicists worked out the quantum theory of transistors and the quantum theory of lasers. And that gave us the high-tech world of today. And now, we physicists are working on the fourth wave of wealth generation: artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. These will be the drivers of wealth generation into the future.”

How does he envision the future of physics?

Dr. Kaku sees physics as a key to unlocking the universe’s deepest secrets, from the fundamental forces to the essence of life itself. He recounts how

early 20th-century quantum physicists, spurred by the ideas in Erwin Schrödinger’s “What is Life?” led to the discovery of DNA by Francis Crick, thus igniting the biotech revolution. “Physics is more than just atoms; it’s looking at the fundamentals that drive the universe,” he asserts.

And what is his view on humanity and its trajectory? Dr. Kaku is unabashedly optimistic, countering the narrative of decline with a reminder of our scientific milestones, such as the dramatic increase in life expectancy over centuries. “Woe is me; the world is going to hell. I don’t look at it that way at all,” he states, highlighting the power of scientific progress to reshape human destiny.

Reflecting on the economic implications of these advancements, he predicts a shift from commoditybased economies to those driven by intellectual capital. He affirms: “Those countries which only

invest in agriculture and commodities will be poor in the future. Countries that understand the transition to intellectual capital will be rich.” This transition is illustrated by the UK’s success with cultural exports like rock music, which generate more revenue than traditional industries such as coal mining.

The conversation turns to the concept of immortality. In his work, Dr. Kaku explores the frontier of immortality, presenting two paths: biological and digital. He captivates with the concept of digital immortality, where our essence is preserved and interactive: “In the future, instead of taking a book out about Winston Churchill, you’ll talk to Winston Churchill.” This vision extends to our own digital perpetuation, hinting at a future where “One day, you and me, we may be digitized, too, because we’re immortal, we’re digitized.”

“We can recreate an image of a person’s thoughts using specialized software that interprets these blood flow dots.”

“How do we instill ethics and values?

Is it a school’s role? Society’s?”

In neuroscience, Dr. Kaku highlights innovations like recording hippocampus memories, offering hope for Alzheimer’s patients to regain lost memories with a simple push of a button. He envisions a transformed learning experience, “pushing a button and learning calculus,” and anticipates the internet’s evolution into a “brain net” for sharing deeper human experiences. His exploration into biological immortality, leveraging CRISPR to potentially reverse aging, is inspired by nature’s exemplars like the Greenland shark.

His insights merge the realms of theoretical physics and neuroscience, painting a future where human capacity and longevity breach current bounds, powered by the relentless advance of science.

This leads to a critical discussion on ethics, values, trust, and empathy - foundations for our future amidst scientific advancements. Highlighting CRISPR’s potential for remarkable healing and ethical dilemmas, he reflects, “With great power comes huge responsibility,” questioning how society will navigate these moral complexities. Contrary to the view that science is morally neutral, Dr. Kaku argues it has a definitive moral trajectory, citing, “Most scientists would say that science is neutral. One side of the sword can cut against innocent people. The other side of the sword can liberate innocent people.” He champions technology’s role in spreading knowledge and democracy, asserting, “With the spreading of knowledge spreads democracy and democracies do not war with other democracies.”

Furthermore, he addresses the misconceptions around AI and robotics, challenging the Hollywood narrative of a dystopian future dominated by machines. He offers a reality check, comparing the most advanced robots to “a lobotomized, retarded cockroach,” underscoring the current limitations of AI. Yet, he acknowledges the potential for future advancements and the ethical considerations they entail, suggesting preemptive measures for when robots achieve self-awareness.

I believe education is paramount in shaping our future, necessitating a shift from traditional methods to fostering a broad, curiosity-driven approach. Dr. Kaku agrees, “We’re born wondering why the sun shines. We want to know where we came from,” he says, suggesting that fostering a natural inquisitiveness and a passion for discovery from a young age can lead to profound advancements in science and technology. He highlights the stifling effect of conventional education on potential scientists, particularly during junior high, where

“The greatest killer of scientists known to science” begins with a focus on rote learning rather than fostering understanding and innovation. “Science is life; it’s about everything around us,” he stresses.

I posit that the future job market will be dominated by roles that robots are incapable of performing. Dr. Kaku’s perspective underscores the need for a paradigm shift in preparing for tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities. He believes: “The jobs of the future will be those that robots cannot do.” These include sophisticated pattern recognition, emotional intelligence, and creative innovation — areas where human ingenuity remains unparalleled.

Transitioning beyond academia, Dr. Kaku shares how physicists’ analytical skills are sought after in finance, where “Unemployed physicists” find lucrative careers on Wall Street. This demonstrates that the power of education lies not in the degree but in the way of thinking it cultivates, proving that that can open doors to unforeseen opportunities, challenging traditional career paths and underscoring the evolving landscape of job relevance and the importance of adaptable, lifelong learning.

The conversation discusses the two most significant challenges in science today and how we can envision solving them. For him, those are deciphering the universe’s origins and the human brain’s complexity. He dedicates his work to these challenges, primarily through string theory, aiming to unravel the cosmos’s secrets. “That’s what I work on; that’s what I do for a living, working on string theory,” he reveals his commitment to these profound mysteries.

As he describes it as “the most complex object in the known universe,” the human brain presents an equally daunting challenge with its vast network of neurons. Yet, his work, particularly his theory of consciousness explored in ‘The Future of the Mind,’ seeks to make sense of this complexity, suggesting even animals have consciousness. This research represents a leap toward cracking the codes of cognition and consciousness.

The journey to Mars, once a distant dream, is now within reach, heralded by renewed lunar missions privately funded by Silicon Valley visionaries, a stark shift from traditional government-backed

space exploration. “Who would have thought? A private individual building a moon rocket, right?” Dr. Kaku muses, encapsulating the awe surrounding this new era of space travel. With ambitions stretching to Mars by the 2030s, humanity stands on the cusp of an expansive future in space.

Looking beyond, he envisions a “brain net” - a collective human consciousness, potentially extendable across the cosmos through “laser porting.” This revolutionary idea would allow for instantaneous travel of consciousness to the moon or Mars, bypassing the physical limitations of traditional space travel. “It’s just pure energy in the form of consciousness,” he explains. Dr. Kaku even speculates that extraterrestrial beings might utilize this technology, suggesting a vast, unseen network of cosmic consciousness.

Despite his expansive and speculative theories, Dr. Kaku remains an unwavering optimist, echoing General Eisenhower’s sentiment: “Pessimists do not win wars. Pessimists do not make history. Only the optimists win wars. Only the optimists win history. We are the makers of history.” This optimism underpins his belief in humanity’s potential to harness science for monumental achievements, including mastering the cosmos.

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP EVERGREEN CLASSICS

FADI GHANDOUR

“Businesses thrive in thriving societies, and successful societies breed successful businesses.”

Fadi Ghandour is the visionary entrepreneur behind Aramex and Wamda Ventures. We connect deeply as he shares his thoughts and insights to paint a vivid picture of the future, offering a message that resonates profoundly with the aspirations and challenges of our times.

Fadi Ghandour, the Executive Chairman of Wamda Group, plays a crucial role in shaping entrepreneurship across the Middle East and North Africa. He is also the founder of Aramex, a global logistics leader, where he served as CEO for 30 years, driving its expansion and leading it to public listings on the Nasdaq and the Dubai Financial Market.

A serial entrepreneur, Fadi has been instrumental in founding and investing in a variety of businesses and non-profits, particularly in digital tech, hospitality, and wellness sectors. He is deeply committed to social entrepreneurship, demonstrated through founding Ruwwad for Development, a platform aiding marginalized communities in the MENA region, and supporting Al-Riyadi, a prominent Jordanian non-profit sports club. Fadi’s extensive experience is further reflected in his roles on various boards of companies, educational institutions, and non-profits globally and regionally.

With his revolutionary spirit, Fadi opens our dialogue by emphasizing his constant quest to question, explore, and challenge authority. He describes himself as an evolutionary person rather than a revolutionary, saying, “I questioned a lot of things; I refused authority consistently. I like to explore, and I thought things could be done better, too. I ended up being an evolutionary person. I didn’t revolutionize anything. I just had fun doing whatever I was doing.” His approach to life and business is not just about change for its own sake but about enjoying the process of making a difference.

From humble beginnings to a multi-billion dollar business, what is the essence of Fadi’s story? Aramex grew from humble beginnings, from a small venture into a global entity with multiple public listings. This journey was marked by a reverse merger on NASDAQ and a significant private equity deal with Abraj, a testament to his innovative and forward-thinking approach.

In discussing the two public listings of Aramex (on the NASDAQ and in Dubai), he elucidates on the seismic shift it made on him and his business approaches. He says: “Going public was what made this company what it is today. That transparency, adhering to SEC standards, made the company. The discipline, the reporting, the disclosure, the governance were a massive lesson for us.”

A key part of Fadi’s narrative is his current passion, Wamda Ventures. His belief in the digital revolution drives his investment in early-stage companies in the tech space. Fadi’s early investments, like Maktoub.com, laid the groundwork for the digital landscape in the Arab world. He expresses: “I have more than 95 companies that I’ve invested in over the years, many of them failed. We actually created the industry in the digital space because we invested in it very early on. So we invested in it, we actually built it, and then Yahoo came and acquired it, and then suddenly everyone, again, when the guy from Silicon Valley comes, they believe it.”

Angel investments are essential in both Silicon Valley and the Arab world. I delved into Fadi’s views on their critical role in the industry, particularly in the Middle East. He shares: “In angel investing, the key is to diversify and invest in many startups, much like the natural process of raising children to adulthood - no shortcuts, just a natural progression. Just as we need to nurture children from birth to maturity, we need to invest in numerous nascent startups to find successes like Souq.com or Amazon. Out of the hundreds we review, only a few are chosen for investment, but each one, success or failure, is an opportunity for learning. The Silicon Valley model exemplifies this, thriving on past failures that have equipped entrepreneurs with invaluable experience. Hence, investing in an entrepreneur’s second venture is often more promising, as they’ve gained essential insights from their initial endeavors.”

However, Fadi’s vision extends beyond business achievements. He’s a firm advocate for learning

from failure and risk-taking. He succinctly argues: “Think of failing as a journey of learning.”

Fadi underscores the need for an education system that encourages critical thinking and real-world experiences, aligning with my view that current educational models are outdated. His critique of the current education model underscores his belief in a more dynamic and engaging learning process, one that prepares students for the realities of the modern world. He muses: “If our universities aren’t going to be in tune with the skills and needs of the individual, whatever it is, then we’re in trouble. A four-year degree program should be focused on one year of study and three years of tinkering, playing, learning, and experimenting.”

The digital revolution has irrevocably altered our landscape, prompting crucial questions about digital ethics. As Big Data explodes in volume and artificial intelligence encroaches ever deeper into our everyday lives, the need for robust ethical frameworks becomes increasingly pressing. He posits: “As we peer into the future of work, a central question emerges: what jobs will shape our professional landscape? While automation through artificial intelligence and robotics undeniably poses challenges to existing professions, it also promises a fertile ground for new opportunities. While some businesses will navigate a period of significant disruption, others stand poised to embrace the innovation and birth entirely new career paths.”

Given Fadi’s extensive engagement in supporting startups and innovation, I ask what key factors most heavily influence his choice. The sheer volume of innovation can overwhelm; how does he navigate

it to identify the truly promising ventures? “I look at the team; I don’t look for single founders. Teams must have traction, and I want to see their passion clearly. If they start talking about exits, I don’t invest in them because I have zero interest in anyone thinking of an exit. I like entrepreneurs who are building businesses; I’m in the exit business because I’m an investor. I also look at character and grit.”

Fadi is also a social entrepreneur, significantly impacting societal issues. What must his fellow CEOs and leaders do? His response is profound: “Businesses thrive in thriving societies, and successful societies breed successful businesses. Celebrating business success in a struggling society is shortsighted and unsustainable. Redefining corporate social responsibility (CSR) is crucial; it’s not just a PR tool but a commitment to positively impact society and prioritize employee well-being. Being ethical in business means being an activist for societal good, understanding that a company’s success is intertwined with the health of its community. True CSR calls for sensitivity towards societal needs and sometimes prioritizing them over profits.”

“I have more than 95 companies that I’ve invested in over the years.”

Fadi Ghandour’s message for the future is clear: embrace change, invest in people and ideas, learn from failures, and above all, be responsible and proactive members of society. His journey and insights offer invaluable lessons for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in an ever-evolving world.

EVERGREEN CLASSICS

NAVIGATING THE WHEEL OF CHANGE

DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH

“Our mission in life is to make a positive difference, not to prove how smart we are, not to prove how right we are.”

Professor Marshall Goldsmith stands as a paragon of leadership and executive coaching, his name synonymous with transformative change in business and personal development. As a two-time winner of the Thinkers 50 award for the #1 Leadership Thinker in the World and the world’s #1 Executive Coach, his influence stretches across the globe, impacting countless leaders and organizations.

Our conversation – like his own journey – is marked by a consistent theme: the power of effective leadership and the necessity of continual growth and adaptation. His bestselling books, including ‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There’ and ‘Triggers,’ not only resonate with millions worldwide but also encapsulate his profound understanding

of the complexities of human behavior in professional settings.

Professor Goldsmith’s message emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning. This is not only my thesis that as the world becomes more wobbly with all the various black swan events, young people need to look to lifelong learning as the antidote to this noisy world. He believes that the rapidly changing business landscape demands an ongoing commitment to learning and adaptation. This perspective is crucial for leaders who must navigate an environment where past successes are no guarantee of future results. In his own words: “What got you here won’t get you there. It’s not just for the young; it’s for all of us. People must ask questions, listen, learn, and focus on continuous growth in the midst of doing the hard job that they already have to do. It’s a challenge; it’s an opportunity.”

His philosophy extends beyond conventional wisdom. He focuses on the practical application of leadership principles, urging leaders to engage in daily practices that reinforce their goals and

“In life, we all have this wheel of information. It’s constantly spinning. Very important: whatever you want to do in life, you have to think constantly, ‘I’ve got to keep it on the wheel.”

objectives. His unique coaching approach, centered on behavioral change and selfimprovement, has reshaped the way executives approach their personal and professional growth. He elucidates: “Our mission in life is to make a positive difference, not to prove how smart we are, not to prove how right we are. We must focus on making the investment required to make a positive difference. Once we realize the decision maker is a customer, we need to learn to influence people, learn to sell what we can, and make peace with what we can’t sell. We must go through life looking for opportunities and ways to make a positive difference.”

The pace of change in the world is accelerating significantly, far exceeding the rate experienced in the past. This rapid transformation, driven by advancements like Moore’s Law, creates a growing gap in technological and operational understanding. The challenge for both senior and junior employees is to find effective ways to bridge this gap, ensuring that all team members can adapt to and thrive in this fast-evolving environment.

Professor Goldsmith eloquently captures the essence of adapting to the rapid pace of the digital age through his wheel analogy. He explains: “In life, we all have this wheel of information. It’s constantly spinning. Very important: whatever you want to do in life, you have to think constantly, ‘I’ve got to keep it on the wheel.’” This metaphor underscores the importance of staying relevant and visible in an ever-changing world. He further emphasizes the need for persistence and active engagement in personal growth: “I pay a woman to call me every day, to keep me on the wheel. Day after day after day.” His approach reflects a deep understanding of the challenges posed by the fast-paced digital landscape and the importance of continuous effort to maintain progress and visibility.

His teachings about letting go are particularly impactful. In his own words: “Ask this question: am I willing at this time to make the investment required to make a positive difference on this topic? If the answer is yes, do it. If the answer is no, take a deep breath and let it go.” The professor advises leaders to focus on what they can change and influence, encouraging them to let go of areas beyond their control. This approach not only enhances effectiveness but also fosters a healthier, more balanced approach to leadership.

I’m MAD, as in Making A Difference, doing crazy things to help people to change the world. What is your definition and advice for MAD people? “My advice focuses on the distinction between merely understanding theories, which is often seen as

education, and actually altering behavior, which is true learning,” Professor Goldsmith says. “There’s a significant difference between these two concepts. Merely reading a book or attending a lecture doesn’t necessarily change the world around us. It’s the consistent, day-to-day application and reinforcement of what we’ve learned that matters. This process is a journey, not a destination. We must view it as an ongoing evolution rather than a one-time event, especially as the world around us continually changes.”

Goldsmith’s insights are peppered with personal anecdotes and experiences, adding depth and relatability to his teachings. He shares his own challenges and failures, highlighting the importance of resilience and the willingness to

“My advice focuses on the distinction between merely understanding theories, which is often seen as education, and actually altering behavior, which is true learning.”

“Learn from everyone around you.”

learn from mistakes. His advice is profound: “If it doesn’t kill you, it’ll probably make you stronger. We all fail. I fail pretty much every day. We’re all humans. Admit to your own humanity and admit you probably need help to get better.” His message is clear: failure is not a setback but a step towards greater understanding and success.

For young professionals and entrepreneurs, Professor Goldsmith’s advice is invaluable: “Learn from everyone around you.” According to him, it’s a lifelong process where one identifies key stakeholders and consistently asks them for feedback on improvement. This involves listening attentively, expressing gratitude, and not being judgmental about their responses. It’s essential not to commit to doing everything suggested but to listen, learn, and implement what is feasible. This process of continuous learning and adaptation should be repeated throughout life. He adds: “Realize it’s a lifelong process of learning; it’s not an event, it doesn’t stop, and it’s something you should do the rest of your life.”

In my life, my goal is to focus on one thing and excel at it to the best of my ability, allowing everything else to become secondary. He concurs: “I don’t try to be everything to everyone. I’m certainly not an expert on all topics. I find I don’t have less credibility; I have more credibility when I say I really don’t know anything about that topic.” For him, acknowledging one’s lack of knowledge in specific areas makes one’s opinions more credible when one does share them.

In essence, Professor Goldsmith’s story is a compelling narrative of a man who has not only achieved personal success but has also dedicated his life to helping others achieve theirs. His teachings, rooted in practical wisdom and a deep understanding of human behavior, offer a roadmap for anyone seeking to improve their leadership skills and make a positive impact in their professional and personal lives.

MEET MR. BODY LANGUAGE ALLAN PEASE EVERGREEN CLASSICS

Hon. Professor Allan Pease, acclaimed as ‘Mr. Body Language,’ is an international best-selling author and body language expert. His expertise, spanning advising executives to authoring bestsellers, provides valuable insights into human interactions.

He is a distinguished speaker, coach, entrepreneur, and one of the world’s leading authors with 18 Top 10 bestsellers, including 11 number ones co-authored with his wife Barbara. His books have sold over 30 million copies in 55 languages across 100 countries, and he has been featured on covers from Forbes to Cosmopolitan. His monthly column reached 20 million readers, and his #1 European box office hit and TV series ‘Why Men Don’t Listen & Women Can’t Park Cars’ was viewed by over 100 million. Allan’s stage plays have been showcased in major European cities, and as a top conference speaker, he has delivered seminars and speeches in 70 countries.

Allan’s journey, starting in 1950s Australia under his father’s guidance, saw him intuitively learn to read body language,

“Body language accounts for 60-80% of all interactions between two people, with only 7-10% from words.”

a skill his father mastered over the years in insurance. Growing up, Allan believed that everyone had this ability to discern true intentions.

As an 11-year-old, he got a job selling rubber sponges, and by the end of high school, he was the number one pots and pans salesperson across Australia. He then joined the life insurance business at 19, and broke all the industry’s records. He shares: “My success stemmed from 15 years of gauging people’s behavior and intentions through their facial expressions, often knowing the outcome of a sale before a word was even spoken.”

His fundamental knowledge comes from work experience in his youth. Apprenticeships are a dying practice. What did he learn? His answer

is enlightening: “In my day, we were thrown into the water and expected to swim; you either swam or sunk. Today, we’re preventing kids from finding out the realities of life.” He asserts: “Previously, hard work led to rewards, and failure was a clear signal to re-evaluate and replan for future success. Unlike today’s youth, who are often cushioned by safety nets, we learned valuable lessons from our failures.”

I share the same perspective: in this world, failure is viewed negatively, overlooking its value as a learning experience. Allan adds: “Success is deeply linked with failure; 80% of what you do in business leads to nothing. As a salesperson, this meant 8 out of 10 door knocks resulted in no sale. But the two successful ones were profitable for me. My approach was to focus on the 10 knocks rather than just the

successful two. Most people look for the quick wins and ignore the rest, which is a mistake. You have to go through the 80% of failures to find the 20% of successes. There are no shortcuts in life.”

In his book ‘The Answer,’ he relates that clear decision-making stimulates the brain’s reticular activating system (RAS), focusing attention and shaping perceptions. Hindered by cultural norms, many people, particularly the youth, lack direction. Setting specific goals activates the RAS, leading to more purposeful living. This is akin to noticing a specific car model more once interested in buying it, exemplifying how the RAS prioritizes based on our interests. His book also discusses overcoming negativity and the importance of focusing on the ‘what’ of goals rather than the ‘how’ of achieving them.

The conversation turns to Allan’s magic powers: body language and its impact on business. I ask Allan what advice he would give to a young person on how important body language is in the business realm. “Body language accounts for 60-80% of all interactions between two people, with only 7-10% from words,” he declares. For him, what is crucial is the way you look, appear, and behave because those signal your emotions and feelings. He argues that making a positive impression through body language is crucial to business success, as it influences people’s willingness to engage with you and your ideas. “Business today isn’t about business first; it’s about people,” he asserts.

What basic techniques can transform that experience? “It starts with the handshake,” says Allan. Key elements like handshakes, eye contact, and posture quickly establish first impressions, influencing how others perceive and respond to us. He describes: “This happens in less than 10 seconds. New people form up to 90% of their impressions of you in the first four minutes. Regardless of whether

their first impression is accurate, they’ll respond and treat you based on that perception.”

The impact of body language is mostly intuitive and instinctive, he believes. Many are unaware of their nonverbal cues until they see themselves on camera. Allan explains successful communicators, like politicians, excel in body language. Effective first impressions, often seen as ‘faking it,’ can become natural with practice, changing perceptions significantly. He shares an example: changing a simple gesture like the positioning of hands can dramatically alter others’ perceptions of confidence and emotional control.

What everyone can also master is the ‘rule of three.’ “The brain only fully comprehends something when it is presented three times; four times is excessive, and twice is insufficient,” he explains that this appeals to the brain’s natural pattern recognition.

Technologies like AI and robotics will take over 90% of technical tasks. The 10% remaining will be about humanity, love, connection, touch, and feel, which will become incredibly valuable as we go forward. In that regard, body language - nonverbal communication - is decisive. For him, with the advent of Skype and similar video conferencing platforms, the importance of body language has surged again. He says: “Unlike in-person interactions where the brain processes the entire environment, video calls focus attention intensely on facial details, making it crucial to be adept at reading facial expressions. A concerning study revealed that Generation Y have about 10% fewer brain connections related to recognizing emotions in faces compared to older generations.” This is attributed to their increased screen time and reduced face-to-face interactions. He cautions that younger people may be less capable of detecting emotional cues, potentially leading to a broader insensitivity to others’ needs as technology advances.

Over 65% of the population in Dubai is below the age of 30, a significant issue for the future. Today, there’s a tension between jobs and entrepreneurship. From his experience, what do young people need to do? “A job will give you basic coalface experience, which you can relate to other people. An entrepreneur is a person who not only decides exactly what they want but also creates things that don’t exist,” he shares. “The minute you decide what it is you want to be, become it. The secret is to decide clearly, but don’t think about how you’re going to achieve it. To be a successful entrepreneur is thinking about what you do want as opposed to what you don’t want.”

I am interested in Allan’s perspective on today’s leadership. “Well, leadership has changed,” he posits. “Historically, leadership has been high testosterone leaders, almost always male. That’s all changed now.” According to him, leaders of the new generation are coaches. He shares: “The coach runs behind the team and encourages them to make group decisions, which is a female-type approach.”

His message to the world for the future is profound: “Success is about deciding to become whatever you want - whether it’s more successful, wealthier, or better in any aspect. Most people fail to make this decision. They stick to what’s comfortable and keep repeating the same patterns. This often leads to dissatisfaction in their careers. My advice is to step out of a job you don’t love. It’s better for you and fairer to your employer to stop wasting time in a position that doesn’t fulfill you.”

INNOVATING RETAIL, INSPIRING LIVES NILESH VED

In a room filled with the tangible buzz of innovation, progress, success, and determination, I find myself across Nilesh Ved, a man who embodies the very spirit of the future. As the chairman of Apparel Group, he has not just built a retail empire but has also crafted a narrative of innovation, resilience, and relentless ambition.

The multi-billion dollar group, with over 1,500 stores and more than 75 international brands, traces its origins to a single brand in 1999. As I sit there, absorbing the energy of these headquarters, Nilesh’s words resonate with the essence of the future. “The difference between our company and a lot of other companies is how much energy we have, how much passion we have, and that’s what you can feel here.”

His journey is a testament to the power of inspiration, vision, and relentless drive. He shares: “I lived in a small city called Dubai,” he smiles. “I went to university in Boston, Boston University, and then came in 1992, I went to the family business of Gold Bullion.” His journey back home marked a significant turning point. A friend’s query, “What do you like to be, a big boy in a small city or a small boy in a big city?” shifted his perspective.

Nilesh always knew he would end up in the family business, but the exact path was undefined. “I like building,” he reflects on his passion for creating something significant. The genesis of Apparel Group, started by his wife Seema, was likened to water spilling on the floor: “So, businesses are like, when you spill water on the floor. It’s going to find ways to get somewhere. You don’t know where you’re going, but you have a destination, and you’re going to find ways to get there.”

Nilesh’s narrative is punctuated by moments of introspection and daring decisions. He reflects on a turning point: “When I was asked to leave the

family business, I was upset. But that changed me. I took that as a challenge.” This moment was the genesis of a future-focused mindset that has since defined his journey.

The story of the Apparel Group’s expansion to 1,500 stores is a lesson in strategic agility and understanding the pulse of the market. “The mindset is very clear. We want to invest a little. We want the upside big, but the downside has to be small,” Nilesh elucidates. This philosophy of calculated risk and maximized reward has

been central to

his success, he affirms.

His journey isn’t just about building a business empire; it’s about nurturing relationships, understanding cultures, and maintaining a balance between ambition and humility. His approach to brand selection and scaling reflects a keen understanding of market dynamics. “It’s about vision. If you have vision, capital will follow you. But if you don’t have vision, capital doesn’t follow you,” he declares.

He adds: “Today, in business, a lot of time is devoted to relationship management and relationship capital. It doesn’t show on your balance sheet,

“My deepest satisfaction comes from empowering people and witnessing their unleashed potential.”

but it’s a significant factor. You need to have a mindset of finding a way to compromise, a win-win. Otherwise, they’re going to cut you. You might win one deal, but you’re not going to sign a lot more deals with them.”

His business is very much a people’s business. How did he cultivate that culture and environment to build his business with people? “We believe in transforming ordinary individuals into heroes, and the biggest thing in our business is no egos,” he sums it up in one succinct sentence.

Retail is a harsh industry – long hours, fiercely competitive. I ask Nilesh what he tells his staff every day – and himself - to strive for a better tomorrow. “The essence of retail revolves around setting clear goals and having a strong vision. A striking example is a friend from Sketchers, who showed me a card detailing their ambitious target: to open a store every 36 hours until a set deadline. This kind of goal-setting aligns the team, sharpens focus, and creates healthy pressure. This approach is crucial for keeping everyone on the same page and ensuring seamless communication.”

His insights extend beyond business strategies to the realm of innovation and staying ahead of the curve. Discussing the Club Apparel loyalty program, he remarks: “Change, or you will be changed. We have 1.8 million members, and the program’s focus is already set for the next ten years. If you shop with me once, I can tell you your shoe size, where you live, how many times you go to malls, and more. That’s the key to our success on our loyalty program.”

Nilesh’s journey is peppered with instances of learning from failures and celebrating successes. He candidly shared his experiences with failed ventures and the wisdom gleaned from them. “Don’t be shy of failure,” he advises. “Admitting failure not only allows us to move forward but also teaches us valuable lessons. In fact, failure is an integral part of success. Any businessman who claims never to have failed either isn’t being truthful or hasn’t pushed themselves enough. Failure is a rule of the game.”

Looking towards the future, Nilesh’s advice to young professionals is invaluable. “One, you have to be curious. Two, you must have the energy. Three, relationships are essential for success,” he counsels. “Lastly, I advise seeking wisdom from experienced individuals; regularly have lunch with someone older who can offer guidance. It’s vital to value their insights, as they can provide perspectives we might never consider. With evolving technology and improved healthcare, there’s a growing connection between the young and the elderly. The older generation, healthier and stronger, will play a significant role in our future, and we should embrace their involvement in our world.”

His success is incredible. What keeps him focused and motivated? “My deepest satisfaction comes from empowering people and witnessing their unleashed potential. I measure my success by the upward trajectory of others, like a better school for my team and kids and a better lifestyle for them.

When they become inspirations to themselves, their families, and the world - that’s when we’ve truly achieved something special.”

He’s also an impactful social entrepreneur. I ask him what shapes his outlook on making a difference in people’s lives. He shares: “Education is crucial. Many issues in countries today are attributed to politics, but I believe the core problem is the education system. Good education fosters better behavior. Our success hinges on providing superior training for our team, including programs at Harvard Business School and guidance from Harvard professors. Instead of constructing more places of worship, we should focus on building more schools to drive meaningful change.”

In a world where the future is often discussed with uncertainty and apprehension, Nilesh stands as a beacon of optimism and an exemplar of how vision, when coupled with action, can create a legacy that transcends time and geography. As Apparel Group continues to expand and evolve, it’s clear that its journey is not just about building a business empire but about crafting a narrative of inspiration and foresight for generations to come.

OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS

OUR FUTURE GENERATION

A YOUNG VISIONARY’S MESSAGE FOR TOMORROW

KIARA KAUR

As I engage in conversation with Kiara Kaur, the air fills with an electrifying sense of the future. At just seven years old, Kiara, a prodigious talent and a beacon of hope, articulates her vision with the clarity and passion of a seasoned leader. Her achievements are staggering: the world’s youngest non-stop book reader at four, the youngest TEDx speaker at five, the youngest keynote speaker at World Expo 2020 Dubai at six, and an author at seven.

Kiara’s opening words set the tone for our conversation: “I started reading at the age of two and speaking at the age of three. I learned about the climate crisis, gender inequality, and other things, and I thought like, ‘we have to do something about it right now.’ The best time is right now. We have to start.”

“We should follow our passion and be happy about it.”

Her insight into complex issues like climate change and gender equality, usually reserved for those much older, left me in awe. At an age where most children are learning to navigate their immediate world, Kiara was already pondering over global issues. “My parents used to help me and tell me about the climate crisis. It is really important to me, so I learn more about it myself now,” she says, illustrating the blend of self-driven learning and guided understanding that forms her worldview.

When I ask her about inheriting our planet from the ‘oldies’ that have destroyed it, her response is a blend of disappointment and hope. “It feels destructive, like with deforestation. We’re destroying nature’s home, and we’re destroying the skin of planet Earth.”

Kiara’s thoughts on climate change are a wakeup call. “We, the youth, should be involved in climate change. In fact, everybody should be involved in climate change because it is a really important issue. Future generations won’t be able to enjoy the same things we do if it continues,” she emphasizes, showcasing a remarkable grasp of the urgency and inclusivity needed in addressing our pressing environmental issues. Her advice? “We need to follow the ‘Three Rs’ more: reduce, reuse, and recycle.”

Her approach to gender equality is equally impressive. “Gender inequality basically means that men and women don’t get equal. A man

can be a CEO, and a woman can also be a CEO; they can get equal jobs. It’s not physical power; it’s the intellectual power,” she says, challenging the stereotypes and barriers with the wisdom of someone far beyond her years.

Discussing her dreams, Kiara’s ambitions are as boundless as her spirit. “When I grow up, I want to be a leader of a country,” she declares, her eyes alight with the possibility of making a real difference in the world.

But it isn’t just her dreams that strike me; it is her understanding of the importance of role models and support. “My grandmom and my granddad energize and support me to do more in my life,” she shares, underscoring the vital role of family in nurturing young minds.

As our conversation draws to a close, Kiara’s message is clear and powerful: “We should follow our passion and be happy about it.” Her words, simple yet profound, are a reminder of the potential each one of us holds to effect change. A beautiful soul with a potent voice for change!

OUR FUTURE GENERATION

TASTE OF THE FUTURE

ABDULRAHMAN AND MAITHA AL HASHMI

“We are trying to use our local Emirati flavors and take them to the international level, just like other cuisines around the world.”

Where the language of innovation and technology crafts the narrative of progress, I have the privilege of conversing with two of the most forwardthinking minds of our era - Abdulrahman and Maitha Al Hashmi. This dialog not only provides a glimpse into the visionary outlook of these individuals but also serves as a testament to the boundless potential that lies within the realm of human ingenuity and determination. Our conversation, deeply rooted in the essence of future aspirations and the indomitable spirit of youth, paints a vivid picture of a world teetering on the brink of transformative change.

Abdulrahman and Maitha are the first – and only – twin chefs in the United Arab Emirates. Certified and qualified as chefs, these 15-year-olds

have been cooking since the age of three. With training from Michelin-rated chefs and restaurants, these youngsters are taking the Emirates to new audiences in a unique fashion and with mouthwatering flavors.

My journey into the minds of twins Abdulrahman and Maitha begins with a simple yet profound question about what inspired their passion for cooking. Abdulrahman’s response is inspiring: “It was seeing my parents cooking breakfasts in the mornings and us wanting to be part of that time.” Maitha’s answer is equally reflective: “Our grandmother is a very talented home chef, and her love of food made us eager to pursue this passion.” Maitha and Abdulrahman began cooking with their parents and, by age six, were making omelets

and other such dishes; by age eight, they were cooking by themselves, and by age 13 (during the pandemic), the twins had transformed their hobby into a profession. They joined the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) in the Emirates after earning diplomas in the culinary arts at age 13.

For them, it isn’t only about cooking. “We are trying to use our local Emirati flavors and take them to the international level, just like other cuisines around the world,” shares Abdulrahman. “We’re doing a lot of fusion dishes, combining flavors with other cuisines to create all-new dishes.”

When I ask the twin chefs what their goals for the future are, Maitha responds, “We aim to open a Michelin Guide chain of restaurants and a culinary institute that encourages and inspires the youth to enter this profession. It’s not just about food and cooking; it is about contributing to sustainability, food safety, food security, farming, nutrition, and much more.” Wise beyond their years!

Fast food, and the nutritional value of those, are eroding the health of the population. Abdulrahman articulates: “We don’t use any processed foods in our cooking; we do everything from scratch. We don’t use any artificial ingredients; everything is natural and organic.”

For me, cooking and mealtimes are very important for families: cooking and eating together fosters deep bonds. Maitha agrees: “I’m passionate about cooking for my family because I feel there’s a sense of love that you pass through your food.” Her brother adds: “When there is love in food, it is always much nicer and tastier.”

I ask them what they will be celebrating on their 50th birthdays. Abdulrahman speaks of 3D-printed food, while Maitha is more philosophical: “When we reach 50, I want us to be a source of inspiration for kids, teens, and even elders. I want them to look back to our story and want to make a difference in the world, too.” They’re already inspirations, humble, and extraordinary souls.

Our conversation turns to the future of the food and beverage industry. Abdulrahman notes: “In the UAE, the future is all about sustainability. Before, we were using plastics, but now, for events we cater to, we use degradable plates; everything is recyclable and sustainable. Even today, we use only locally sourced ingredients, so nothing is coming from planes and fuels. If we don’t start being sustainable today, there might be no future.”

Abdulrahman’s message in a bottle for the future is profound: “Anything you want to do, do it with passion; with hard work, anything is achievable; and never stop learning, never stop exploring.”

Maitha’s message is likewise deep: “Never give up on your dreams because no matter the duration or timelines, being consistent, determined, and dedicated will always lead to success.”

Their words, a mosaic of hope, challenge, and aspiration, painted a picture of a future where the youth, empowered by education and opportunity, play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of progress.

As I reflect on this enlightening dialogue, I am filled with a sense of optimism and responsibility. The voices of Abdulrahman and Maitha, resonating with the spirit of innovation and the promise of a sustainable future, serve as a beacon for all of us. They remind us that the future is not a distant reality waiting to unfold but a canvas on which we all have the power to paint our aspirations and dreams.