Future Crunch

Future Crunch specialise in the creation and delivery of mind-blowing, visually spectacular learning experiences, both in-person and virtually. These include traditional keynotes and workshops, as well as professionally produced, interactive digital presentations and online streaming experiences. If you’re looking for a product that delivers engaging, relevant content backed by world-class research, they can help.

Future Crunch pride ourselves on ensuring that our knowledge is cutting edge, that our stories are tailored to a specific audience or industry, and deliver more value than they capture.

Future Crunch keep the facts sacred, and storytelling is at the heart of everything they do. Their team of un-like minds combine insights from different fields to create unexpected perspectives about the future. The idea is to say something new about the world.

They love science and technology, they think collaboration always trumps genius, and believe that if we want to change the story of the human race, we have to change the stories we tell ourselves.

About the Speakers

TANÉ HUNTER – CO-FOUNDER, CANCER RESEARCHER
Tané is a cancer researcher, bioinformatician, data scientist and science communicator. He is the CEO and co-founder of Future Crunch. He has a Masters in Bioinformatics from the University of Melbourne, and has worked for the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital diagnosing rare genetic diseases. As a data scientist and cancer researcher at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, he used artificial intelligence and non-invasive molecular biomarkers in DNA to improve treatments for people suffering from cancer. He’s also a former United States mountain biking champion and an avid sailor.

DARA SIMKIN – PLAY AT WORK EXPERT
Dara is an expert facilitator, learning designer and Australia’s leading play at work specialist. She’s worked with The LEGO Foundation and McKinsey & Co., as well as world-renowned play researcher Dr Stuart Brown and Silicon Valley’s IDEO Play Lab, and is certified in the Danish learning methodology, KAOSPILOT, known for its innovative and dynamic approach to education and training. Dara landed in Australia from the US in 2009 after winning a video competition that had her travelling around Tasmania in a campervan for 6 weeks – and she never went home. She believes that if you want to change the world, you have to throw a better party than the people destroying it.

MELISSA NEIGHBOUR – URBAN PLANNER
Melissa is an environmental town planner, community builder and sustainability specialist. She is the Owner of Sky Town Planning, a purpose-driven town planning consultancy based in Sydney. She has developed and implemented award-winning sustainable development projects across Australia, and is on a mission to activate sustainable forms of living in urban spaces of the future. She is a founding member of the World Economic Forum Sydney Shaper Hub, and was the National Convener for the United National Association of Australia Young Professionals Network.

DR SHASTA HENRY – CEO/ECOLOGIST
Shasta is a scientist, adventurer, and educator with over a decade of experience in science communication. An expert in entomology and invertebrate ecology, she has worked with the Young Tassie Scientists program, the University of Tasmania, and the Department of Education Victoria. Shasta earned her PhD studying Australian insects to better understand vital ecosystems and climate change. She has named beetles from the Amazon at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and has a species named after her. She has also spoken on the TEDx stage about the intersection of science and Indigenous cultures.

REBECCA MAKLAD – INFLUENCE STRATEGIST
Rebecca is an advisor on purpose and a business influence strategist. As an authority in the professional speaking industry, she spent 15 years launching and advising the careers of the world’s most respected CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders. Since 2014, alongside the co-founders, Rebecca has built Future Crunch into a global thought leadership brand. She is the creator of Ignite, a consulting business that supports leaders to stand out and transform their expertise into real influence and the host of the DNA Of Purpose Podcast.

RHEA MERCADO – HEALTHCARE HUMANIST
Rhea is a Healthcare Humanist blending her passion for medicine with curiosity for the intricate web of human interactions and embraces collective knowledge to improve healthcare systems for all. As an exercise physiologist, injury management advisor, and business owner, she navigates the delicate balance between the mission of healthcare and the margin of business. Author of “Compo: A Rehabilitation Consultant’s Journey,” Rhea founded The Intelligent Rebellion and Threesticks Training and Development, offering safe spaces for creativity and impactful conversations.

DR EHSSAN SAKHAEE – ENGINEER & CARTOONIST
Ehssan is a cartoonist, leadership educator, engineer, writer, philosopher and mindfulness practitioner. He has been lecturing at University of Sydney, UCLA Extension and Osaka University in the area of leadership, innovation and sustainability for close to a decade. He has founded a tech startup for measuring soft skill development (PaLDIP) as well as an edutainment company (Wacky Wisdom) and Inspirational Management Australia using evidence-based personal and leadership development training.

WILL TAIT – MC & MUSICAL PHILOSOPHER
Will Tait is a songsmith, MC and presenter with a passion for inspiring wonder and revealing the hidden potential in situations and gatherings. He is an educational presenter, founder of Our Planet Enterprises, and the lead singer for 8Foot Felix, a theatrical multi-genre festival band touring in Australia and overseas. He is motivated by the idea that our modern global culture is reaching out for a new story about the workings of the world, a story in which we see ourselves as integrally connected to each other and our universe.

SARAH ROWAN – SPEED PAINTER
Rowan is Australia’s top speed painter (according to ChatGTP) and has been speed painting for over 20 years, bringing a vibrant and fun vibe to everything she does. To date, Rowan has painted at over 500 events, raising over $350,000 for charity. Her keynotes on creativity and mental health whilst speed painting are a big hit with all her clients. As part of the Future Crunch team, she helps create extraordinary experiences, allowing audiences to learn with both the heart and the head. She graduated from Converse College in 2003 with a BFA in Studio Art, and moved to Sydney in 2005 to expand her art horizons.

DR ANGUS HERVEY – CO-FOUNDER, POLITICAL ECONOMIST
Angus is a political economist and a journalist specialising in the impact of disruptive technologies on society. He was the founding community manager of Random Hacks of Kindness, a global initiative from Google, IBM, Microsoft, NASA and the World Bank to create open-source technology solutions to social challenges. He was also the first editorial manager for Global Policy, one of the world’s leading international policy journals. He holds a PhD in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics, where he was the Ralph Miliband Scholar.

Speaking Topics:

THE ADAPTABILITY QUOTIENT

THE NEW COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

The present moment used to be our unimaginable future. Technology has woven itself into the fabric of every industry, redefining how we work, communicate, and lead. The office is no longer just a physical space, and work has evolved beyond traditional roles. Employees and leaders alike are seeking purpose, flexibility, and growth opportunities that go far beyond a paycheck.

Today’s leaders are faced with a pivotal choice: cling to outdated models or embrace the opportunity to build something new and resilient. The organisations and individuals that succeed will be those who harness their Adaptability Quotient (AQ) the ability to not just navigate change, but to thrive in it. The next decade belongs to those who can reinvent themselves and their organisations, adopting new ways of thinking to stay ahead of the curve.

In this dynamic and engaging keynote, we’ll explore why AQ has become the most crucial predictor of success in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. From groundbreaking research in science and technology, to inspiring real-world examples, we’ll dive deep into what it takes to foster AQ, how to identify it in others, and how it can be a superpower for anyone looking to maintain a competitive advantage, no matter what comes next.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding AQ: Learn what Adaptability Quotient is, why it matters, and how it can be a superpower in times of uncertainty.
• Fostering Your AQ: Discover practical strategies to develop your own adaptability, from cultivating a mindset of curiosity, to practising flexibility in both thought and action.
• Identifying AQ in Others: Uncover the traits that signal high AQ in your team members and how to build a culture that encourages experimentation and continuous learning.
• The Competitive Edge: Understand how embracing change and fostering adaptability is the key to maintaining a decisive edge in a world that won’t wait for you to catch up.

This is more than just a keynote; it’s a call to action for anyone looking to lead and innovate in a world that refuses to stay the same. The Adaptability Quotient is the foundation of future success – are you ready to unlock yours?

FULL STACK HUMAN

HOW TO FUTURE PROOF YOURSELF

In an era where Artificial Intelligence and advanced technologies are rapidly transforming every industry, and everyone has access to the same cutting-edge technology, what truly sets an organisation apart? Enter the Full Stack Human, a new breed of professional that blends technical expertise with emotional intelligence, creativity, and adaptability. These individuals are not just tech-savvy; they are the Swiss Army knives of the corporate world, bridging the gap between code and culture to create transformative solutions.

Inspired by the versatility of programmers, Full Stack Humans have a deep understanding of the “back-end” – the data, algorithms, and knowledge that shape our worldview, and the “front-end,” which represents how we show up, communicate, and lead with empathy. They see how systems interact and innovate by combining technical know-how with the human elements of curiosity, diversity, and ethical foresight.

Through engaging stories, dynamic insights from neuroscience, leadership, technology, and a healthy dose of humour, we’ll reveal why Full Stack Humans are equipped with the tools to leverage collaboration and future proof themselves and organisations. The future doesn’t just belong to those with the best tools, but to those who can rise above the noise and turn technology into true innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Multidisciplinary Mindset: Embrace diverse skills to tackle complex challenges creatively. Learn to collaborate, draw knowledge from various fields, and enhance your problem-solving capabilities to navigate today’s dynamic environment.
• Art of Integration: Curate and synthesise the information you encounter daily. Develop critical thinking skills, integrate diverse perspectives and transform raw data into meaningful insights to create innovative solutions that resonate across teams and disciplines.
• Cultivate Curiosity: View change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. Foster a growth mindset that encourages continuous learning and adaptation. Discover how curiosity can inspire resilience and drive innovation in your organisation.

Join us as we unlock the future, one Full Stack Human at a time. The future of success isn’t about having the shiniest AI, it’s about empowering the people who can harness it for transformative, meaningful innovation. Get ready to be inspired and equipped to lead in a world where Full Stack Humans are rewriting the rules of business and technology.

THE ADAPTABILITY EXPERIENCE

NAVIGATING COMPLEXITY WITH CONFIDENCE

Unlock the potential of your team with The Adaptability Experience, an immersive workshop that brings the Adaptability Quotient and Full Stack Human keynotes to life. We’ve teamed up with learning experience design specialists at Culture Hero to create a dynamic workshop that explores adaptability skills, to help participants identify their barriers to change, develop collaborative strategies, and cultivate essential mindsets for navigating complexity with confidence. The Adaptability Experience facilitates in-depth discussions and combines interactive exercises with hands-on activities to create a highly engaging learning experience.

Choose your experience. Whether you opt for a half-day, full-day, or multi-day session, the Adaptability Experience can be done virtually or in-person and tailored to meet your team’s needs. Participants will harness and practice adaptive, exploratory, and generative capacities to empower themselves for change. Fundamentally, this workshop will enhance your adaptability and resilience, foster teamwork and innovation, and build confidence when dealing with change.

Key takeaways:

• Storytelling: Dive into a simple narrative framework that transforms any idea into a compelling story. You’ll learn how to share creative tales of adaptability that resonate with your team and inspire action.
• Collaboration: Learn collaborative techniques that enhance teamwork and build a supportive culture, enabling everyone to contribute to problem-solving and innovation.
• Identify Barriers to Change: Set individual adaptability goals to boost your resilience, participants will delve into personal and organisational obstacles that hinder adaptability, fostering an environment of openness and growth.
• Cultivate Essential Mindsets: Develop the adaptive and playful mindsets necessary for thriving in complexity. Shift from fear of change to excitement about new opportunities!

This transformational experience is designed to equip your team to lead, innovate, and thrive in an ever-changing world. Enhance your ability to turn challenges into opportunities and drive meaningful innovation and empower your team to embrace the future with confidence and clarity, ready to face whatever comes next.