Wayne Visser
    Speaking & Chairing

    Pracademic · Poet · Possibilist

    Keynote speaking on sustainability and regeneration — Change What You Know. Change How You Feel.

    Merging information and inspiration with presentations that are rich on data, grounded in real cases, uplifted by human stories, and topped with a poem.

    "My favourite speaker. He is interactive, uses different mediums, knows his subject, is current. I left wanting to go and specialise in sustainability."

    Gordon Institute of Business Science, South Africa

    "Everyone talking about how your session was the best of the week! We want more Wayne in person!"

    University of Cambridge, UK

    "Prof. Visser is a natural presenter with great story-telling skills. He is a very efficient and insightful speaker who definitely had a message to deliver to the sector. His speech was thought-provoking and inspiring for all."

    European Petrochemical Association

    Wayne Visser speaking on stage in front of a large image of Earth
    A Voice for Regeneration

    Inspiring Audiences in 60 Countries

    Wayne Visser is one of the world's most sought-after speakers on sustainability, regeneration, and systems change. His keynotes blend deep academic expertise with vivid storytelling, practical frameworks, and a contagious optimism that moves audiences from awareness to action.

    Whether addressing 50 senior leaders or 5,000 conference delegates, Wayne tailors every presentation to challenge assumptions, provoke fresh thinking, and leave a lasting impression. His talks draw on decades of research, consulting, and real-world engagement with organisations ranging from the World Bank to DHL, Cambridge to KPMG.

    Trusted by leading organisations
    3M
    Anglo American
    ArcelorMittal
    AXA
    BASF
    BHP
    Capgemini
    Coca-Cola
    Confederation of Indian Industry
    Dell Technologies
    DHL
    Ernst & Young
    HSBC
    IFC
    Johnson & Johnson
    KPMG
    Lafarge
    Lavazza
    London School of Economics
    Mastercard
    The Ocean Race
    Port of Antwerp-Bruges
    Randstad
    Reuters Events
    UNEP
    University of Cambridge
    The World Bank
    WWF
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    See Wayne on Stage

    A short reel of keynote moments — the ideas, the energy and the storytelling that audiences remember.

    Keynote Themes

    Three Talks That Change Minds

    Wayne Visser delivering a keynote on Impact AI

    Impact AI

    How AI Is Becoming a Force for Good in the World

    Wayne shows how artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from a tool of efficiency to a catalyst for transformation. Using inspiring examples, he shares how AI is being deployed to accelerate decarbonisation, restore ecosystems, improve health outcomes and drive inclusive growth — and what leaders need to understand to harness its power responsibly.

    Key audience takeaways:

    • Insights on the six ways AI is creating breakthrough impact across nature, society and the economy
    • Inspiration on how to lead the transition from disruptive AI to regenerative AI
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    Wayne Visser delivering a keynote on Technologies of Hope

    Technologies of Hope

    How Innovation Is Driving a Much Better Future

    Wayne shows how the world's most urgent crises are catalysing the world's most extraordinary innovations. Using inspiring examples drawn from his forthcoming book Technologies of Hope, he shares how eight transformative technologies — spanning energy, food, materials, health and data — are turning breakdown into breakthrough across nature, society and the economy.

    Key audience takeaways:

    • Insights on the eight technologies most likely to reshape civilisation in the next decade
    • Inspiration on how business leaders can turn technological disruption into regenerative opportunity
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    Wayne Visser delivering a keynote on Thriving

    Thriving

    How We Move from Breakdown to Breakthrough in Business and Society

    Wayne shows why responsibility and sustainability, though necessary, are no longer sufficient responses to our converging global crises — and what it means to go further, towards genuine thriving. Using inspiring examples drawn from his international bestseller Thriving, he shares how individuals, organisations and societies can make the transition from managing decline to catalysing regeneration.

    Key audience takeaways:

    • Insights on the six scientific keys to thriving in complex living systems
    • Inspiration on the six great transitions reshaping nature, society and the economy
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    Chairing & Moderating

    Steering the Conversation

    Wayne brings the same energy to the chair as to the stage — framing debates, drawing out panellists and keeping senior leaders engaged across a full programme. In October 2026 he chaired Reuters Events: Sustainability Europe 2026 in London, steering two days of discussion among more than 300 senior sustainability executives on how to make the business case for sustainability.

    Other chairing roles include

    • Regenerative Economics — Panel Chair, 5th Innovation for Sustainability & Regeneration International Conference, Porto, Portugal (2025)
    • Sustainable Health and Wellbeing — Panel Chair, SDG Summit, CSR Europe (virtual, 2020)
    • The SDGs and Management Education — Panel Chair, event with Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Antwerp Management School, Antwerp (2020)
    • Verifiable Sustainability Goals — Panel Chair, Global Sustainable Technology & Innovation Conference (GSTIC), Brussels (2018)
    Wayne Visser chairing Reuters Events: Sustainability Europe 2026 in London
    Photo: Reuters Events
    Global Reach

    Presentations Delivered Worldwide

    Wayne has delivered talks in 60 countries across continents.

    ArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBelgiumBrazilBulgariaCanadaChinaColombiaCroatiaDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEstoniaFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaHungaryIndiaItalyJordanKenyaKosovoLatviaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBelgiumBrazilBulgariaCanadaChinaColombiaCroatiaDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEstoniaFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaHungaryIndiaItalyJordanKenyaKosovoLatvia
    North MacedoniaMalaysiaMauritiusMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNigeriaPhilippinesPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSaudi ArabiaSingaporeSloveniaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSwedenSwitzerlandTanzaniaThailandTurkeyUAEUKUSAUkraineVietnamZimbabweNorth MacedoniaMalaysiaMauritiusMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNigeriaPhilippinesPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSaudi ArabiaSingaporeSloveniaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSri LankaSwedenSwitzerlandTanzaniaThailandTurkeyUAEUKUSAUkraineVietnamZimbabwe
    Watch

    Keynote Videos

    Why Sustainable Mindsets Matter

    19:31

    Closing the Loop

    20:47

    Keynote and Q&A — Trust, Sustainability & Thriving

    34:04

    See all videos
    Recognition

    Awards & Honours

    Selected honours and rankings.

    • •Top 10 most influential faculty thinkers on responsible business in social media
    • •Top 100 thought-leader in trustworthy business
    • •Global CSR Excellence & Leadership Award
    • •Outstanding Teacher Award — Warwick MBA

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