Meet the Leader

The 'triple strength' leaders must develop to drive a sustainable future: OMV CEO

How can we live more sustainably? OMV's Alfred Stern takes us through the big innovations the Austrian energy and chemicals company has in progress, including a geothermal heating project that will help to decarbonize Vienna by 2040. But he also shares the bigger tactical pieces that must be in place for real change, from updating mundane practices like permitting to continually educating staff (from execs to those in the field) on topics like measuring methane and how to curb its emissions. This former research scientist who got his start in academia also shares what his background taught him about the difference between inventing and innovating, how he weighs evidence and honest feedback and the mindset that leaders will need need to build nimble teams empowered to drive change for the future. 

The ‘inevitable’ caregiving cost nightmare: One young founder's story and solution

Lily Vittayarukskul was a college student at just 14 and on track for a career in aerospace engineering. However, an aunt’s cancer battle upended those plans, wreaking havoc on her family and their finances. The experience inspired her to launch the AI-powered startup Waterlily, helping people better predict expenses for getting older, including eldercare or assisted living, costs most don’t realize aren’t fully covered by either health insurance or Medicare. In this talk, Lily wades through the mounting data showing how ageing societies will struggle to afford long-term care needs She also shares the tough lessons her personal story taught her and what others can do to prepare for living longer.

What you might get wrong about progress - Lessons for leaders: Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker

Renowned Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker studies the big questions facing human nature: Why do we fight? What helps us get along? How do we understand the world around us? His research has uncovered an insight we might not expect – that humanity is doing better than we might think. Despite host of major challenges that still exist, from geopolitical unrest to climate change, data shows that humans today live longer, face fewer wars, and live more comfortable lives than in preceding generations. He explains why a better understanding of progress and its uneven nature can help us better appreciate the unique moment of time in which we live, avoid decision-making blindspots and strengthen leaders’ confidence to solve the big complex problems we still face.

Ballerina Misty Copeland: Unlocking potential and a leader’s most ‘vital’ role

How can we recognize potential and unlock it? Misty Copeland was the first Black woman to be promoted to principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. But as a child she almost quit after her first class – until an early teacher convinced her to return. Misty talks to Meet The Leader about the ways dance changed how she navigated life and how it taught her key skills such as resilience, empathy and curiosity. She shares how she uses her perspective and experience to found the Misty Copeland Foundation and develop a free afterschool program that reinvents how dance is taught to bridge diversity gaps while also teaching key leadership skills. She shares why these skills and approaches are vital to driving future change and what any leader can learn about elevating others.

Understanding spatial technology -- and how leaders can prep for the next tech shift

Spatial technology will extend computing beyond screens. In the process it will change how we communicate with each other and interact with technology as a whole. Future Dynamics founder and spatial computing expert Cathy Hackl will help us understand this emerging field, what could scale it further and what could hold it back. She also also share how it could transform how we work, how we learn, how we preserve memories, and even what can be owned (virtual air rights, for instance, could bring their own mixed bag of business opportunities and regulatory challenges). She explains how companies and leaders should be thinking about now, how they can get ready and share advice she gives CEOs to help them better prepare for Gen Alpha, the next generation of workers.