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Flux: Thriving in Constant Change and Uncertainty
Flux Mindset is a concept April developed for the '“how to” thrive in a world of constant change. In this talk, she guides audiences on a journey through what a flux mindset is, why it matters, and how to open one. She draws on her personal and professional experiences with flux: from losing both of her parents in a car accident when she was 20, to crafting an ever-evolving “portfolio career,” to advising organizations address their own tsunamis of change and futures full of uncertainty. Whether you’re managing a company or team, assessing your career, triaging new workplace realities, yearning for more meaning, or simply not sure what to do next, you’ll learn unconventional and often counter-intuitive strategies for how to think, learn, work, live, and lead better — not by running faster or “keeping up,” but by slowing down enough to get clear on what really matters, seeing what’s invisible, getting lost, starting with trust, reframing your relationship to control, and letting your humanity shine through.'
Leadership, Culture, and the Future of Work in a World in Flux
The past three years have seen the world flip upside-down in myriad ways. Individually, organizationally, and societally, we have faced countless changes, unknowns, and "certain uncertainty" -- perhaps nowhere more so than in the workplace. Pre-pandemic, remote work was a novelty; now it's mainstream. The Great Resignation has sent shockwaves through organizations and entire sectors alike. Workers are rethinking their careers, priorities, and professional identities. Hybrid work has more questions than answers. And yet, in many ways we're just getting started: The future portends more uncertainty, more unknowns, and more change. What does this mean for talent, leadership, organizational culture, and what really matters, period?
In this talk, April Rinne will shine light on the forces that are shaping this future of work in flux and how leaders and organizations alike can best prepare for what's ahead. Drawing on more than 25 years' experience as a futurist, globetrotter, and "change navigator," April will weave insights and wisdom from her new book FLUX: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change that will reframe how you think about uncertainty, help you get comfortable with ambiguity, reassess your (and your team's) needs and strategies, and lead responsibly in this ever-changing world.
Future-Forward: New Ways of Learning, Working, Living and Leading in Flux
April has been at the forefront of the future of work, education, technology, innovation, and global development her entire career. She has a black belt in seeing beyond borders (in 100+ countries), crafting future-forward (and flux-forward!) inroads and helping others do the same. This talk distills the best of April’s wisdom and personality. She connects easily with Gen Z and Baby Boomers alike. Listen to her explain why the future career looks more like a portfolio than a corporate ladder, or how having a midlife crisis at age 20 was a blessing in disguise. You’ll never look at today, your family, your career, your dreams, or the future the same.
The New Economy in Flux
As a renowned expert on emerging digital technologies and the new economy in all its forms (think sharing economy, gig economy, collaborative economy, platform economy, access economy, experience economy, and many more), April has an uncanny ability to unpack the headlines and hype: decoding crucial terminology, highlighting new forms of disruptive innovation, and identifying underlying trends to help leaders across industries forge a successful path forward. Touching on major shifts from centralized institutions to decentralized networks, business models based on access rather than ownership, and how to build trust in new ways, April is a hands-on guide to the new economy in a world in flux. Her gift is to help organizations see change consistently as an opportunity, not a threat, and to cast a brighter vision for their future — and humanity’s shared future — as a result.
Career Portfolios: What Talent Wants & A New Opportunity for HR
The talent landscape has shifted dramatically, and not only in the last couple of years. For at least two decades, a series of shifts have taken root that are shaping the workplace and the world in profound yet often “invisible” ways. While hybrid work, the Great Resignation, “quiet quitting,” automation, mental health crises, and the rise of freelancing have made some of these shifts more tangible, they reflect but the tip of the iceberg in terms of what’s to come. How we think about, talk about, design, pursue, and develop our careers is changing dramatically. Rather than a ladder to climb or path to chase, the thriving career of the future is a portfolio to curate, and we’re entering the era of career portfolios. But what is a career portfolio? And what does this mean for individuals, organizations, leadership, and HR? In what audiences call a “mindblowing, empowering and uplifting” style, April takes you on a journey through the career portfolio universe, sharing insights and often counterintuitive tips for how to enable, encourage, and harness the benefits of career portfolios immediately. Your team, your organizational culture, your company's future, and your own future self will thank you.
The Sharing Economy in Flux
Head of the World Economic Forum’s Sharing Economy Working Group, April Rinne is an expert in "access over ownership" business models. With her new book, Flux: 8 Superpowers For Thriving in Constant Change, April rethinks how we work, live, create, collaborate, invest and plan in a world where the sheer pace of change is difficult to keep up with, and offers tangible solutions for how to thrive amid the flux as it relates to the sharing economy. Whether you are intrigued by the success of sharing companies like Uber, Airbnb, Lyft, Turo, TaskRabbit (or the diversity of more than 10,000 others), or you are a diehard believer that the sharing economy is in fact the new normal and wave of the future, April has an innovative and well-rounded perspective about its future:
What the Future of Work Means for the Future of Education
We hear the stories: of a future in which technology has addicted us, we have robot overlords, and we lose the ability to be in relationships. We see the statistics: of automation that will eliminate entire job categories, of rising inequality and safety nets that are fraying. Or will it be a future of unparalleled connectivity, collaboration and opportunity?
While the answers are up for grabs, one thing is clear: the future of work and education are fundamentally intertwined, and whether we get it right depends on understanding these forces at play. The stakes are high for parents, teachers, educational institutions, business, government and society at large… and most of all, future generations.
By and large, we are stuck in an education system that was designed for the First Industrial Revolution, which is a very poor fit for the Fourth Industrial Revolution that we live in the midst of today. Students study for the test and worry about grades, rather than sparking curiosity and innovation. Between 1989 and 2016, the cost of college increased eight times faster than wages did. With automation expected to scale in the coming years, how can our education system possibly keep up -- and what else should we consider?
April Rinne has been at the 50-yard line of these shifts. In this talk, she unpacks key themes -- from artificial intelligence to lifelong learning -- in a practical, approachable way. She helps educational institutions identify and address their blind spots as well as new opportunities, she helps companies rethink their talent strategy, and she helps parents give future-forward advice. She’ll challenge your assumptions, connect new dots, and help you see differently.
Event Moderator, Facilitator, Host, Interviewer, Emcee
In addition to her inspiring and insightful keynotes, April is frequently invited to moderate and interview panels and roundtables, facilitate workshops and lead open space sessions. She is known for catalyzing new conversations, emerging ideas and bringing fresh perspective wherever she goes. From kickoff to closing, April has led a variety of such conferences and convenings as The Collaborative Economy Canada Tour, the Cape Town Sharing Economy Think Tank, Singapore & The Sharing Economy, World Tourism Day Summit - Happiness 360 and Reinvent’s Future of Work series. Several of these engagements were first-time events for their host organizations, industries or locations. Often asked to collaborate on structuring for the day or event, April is happy to assist meeting planners with creating a truly immersive and memorable experience for your next meeting.
Global citizen and change navigator April Rinne receives rave reviews at every kind of event
Whether speaking at industry associations or universities, The World Economic Forum or government roundtables, APRIL RINNE consistently receives stellar feedback for her transformative insights and keen analysis on navigating change and uncertainty, finding clarity in the face of ambiguity, and learning how to see differently. Beyond her thoughtfully tailored remarks, the Flux author engages in generous Q&A sessions and takes extra time to connect with participants following her riveting and uplifting keynotes. An internationally heralded futurist thought leader, Rinne’s work has taken her to over 100 countries, and she provides a global perspective on how to hone a team, culture, and mindset that enables individuals and organizations to thrive – even when they don’t have all the answers.
Rinne is praised by attendees and event-planners alike for her tremendous passion, vast knowledge, and the empowering impact of her keynote addresses. Recent rave reviews include:
Watch April Rinne’s virtual book discussion for Flux >>
April Rinne advises top leaders in a range of sectors: how to translate uncertainty into opportunity
Global citizen APRIL RINNE shares substantive insights on disruptive innovation, shedding light on how businesses can translate uncertainty into opportunity – at every level of the organization – through her uniquely humanist framing. Named to Forbes’ “50 Leading Female Futurists,” Rinne is an in-demand and visionary advisor for companies such as Airbnb, Nike, and Intuit, helping organizations see differently – identifying new insights and sources of value, both today and on the horizon. She also served as Head of the Sharing Economy Working Group for the World Economic Forum, and was recently nominated to the prestigious Silicon Guild, "a community of non-fiction writers and thinkers who support, unlock and amplify humanistic values."
Rinne reimagines how we work, collaborate, and invest in a world where the pace of change is rapidly accelerating in her book Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change. Sought out to speak everywhere from the Institute of Food Technologists to TD Ameritrade to the Aspen Institute, she shares perspective-altering insights on how to hone a workplace culture focused on personal and professional growth, clarity, and comfort with ambiguity. Rinne receives out-of-this-world reviews for her uniquely tailored remarks: “Rinne is a brilliant thought leader operating at the nexus of technological change, new economy, and social impact. She is able to unpack the confusing signals and share perceptive insights that allow us to make practical strategy.” (Social Innovation Generation)
Watch April Rinne’s TEDx Talk “How to navigate our uncertain future” >>
Read April Rinne’s latest piece for Harvard Business Review >>
Rinne received a rave review after her talk at the Private Law Librarians & Information Professionals (PLLIP) Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries
APRIL RINNE recently received a rave review for her talk at The Private Law Librarians & Information Professionals (PLLIP) Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries, where she gave a 60-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A via a live Zoom. The theme was "Hindsight is 2021: Responding to Chaos and Change" and was attended by around 150 librarians. Rinne hit it out of the park, as an expert on change management and responding to change. After the event, they raved, "April was a delight to work with from start to finish. She worked with our committee to carefully plan her keynote and provide our organization with a customized presentation. She wanted to understand our goals and ensure that our event was unique and specifically prepared for our attendees. April was thoughtful, detailed, and engaged throughout the process. Her presentation was excellent and thought provoking. We were thoroughly pleased with the keynote, and I would highly recommend April for a future event."
April Rinne Talk & Book Purchase: Inspire your team with a 'Flux Mindset' to help them adapt to a world that’s constantly changing
APRIL RINNE is an expert on the new digital economy, and therefore, she is an expert on the essential new leadership skill required for success: resilience. Rinne synthesizes her knowledge in her talks and book Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change. Rinne shows you how to open a "flux mindset" and develop your "flux superpowers," enabling leaders and their teams to see change in new ways and develop new responses. These superpowers will keep you and your organization grounded even when the landscape is constantly shifting around you. The book received a lot of buzz, including in Forbes, Fast Company, McKinsey & Company, the Next Big Idea Club's Fall 2021 Best Books list, and Men's Journal's Best New Books of of 2021 list. Rinne has written many articles on the topic of Flux for various outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Next Big Idea Club, Inc., Thrive Global, CXO Magazine, Leadership Excellence, Porchlight Books, and more.
You can find all the press about Flux on Rinne's Flux Press page >>
Programming Idea: What better way to acknowledge the flux in returning to work and activate your team’s resilience than with a talk from April and common read of her book? HWA can facilitate a bulk purchase of Flux to be distributed to your employees not only as a memento of the event, but also as a tool to hone a shared skill across your organization: resilience in a constantly changing world.
Watch April Rinne talk about her book here >>
April Rinne reveals how to harness business for social and environmental good, inclusion and equity
Head of the World Economic Forum's Sharing Economy Working Group, APRIL RINNE is a go-to voice on the new economy and sustainable development. Sought-out to speak at numerous forward-thinking events—including Enova’s Energy & Climate Conference, the Global Sustainable Development Speaker Series at Occidental College, Sustainable Brands, and more, Rinne consistently receives rave reviews thanks to her ability to balance actionable takeaways and eye-opening anecdotes. Advisor of choice for a range of private and public sector organizations, from Airbnb to the World Economic Forum and governments worldwide, Rinne helps audiences see the innovative shifts underway in communities and businesses worldwide, shining light on how we harness business -- and business models -- for broader social and environmental good, inclusion and equity. A Portland-native, Rinne has also advised her home city in its goal of becoming "the B Corp capital of the world."
Not just a thought leader, but a doer, Rinne’s work has taken her to 95 countries (to date), and she provides a truly global perspective on the new economy and how it fosters sustainable development. As Sustainable Brands raved after an engagement: "Thanks so much to April for helping us kick off what most attendees are saying was the most engaging Sustainable Brands Conference yet. We heard again this year a deep appreciation from attendees for bringing a higher level of thinking to the table. You played a significant role in helping to set the tone this year by challenging our group to think from a different lens about the work we do and the rules by which we all operate. I'm confident your presentation had a real impact in upping the level of dialogue that took place throughout the week..."
April Rinne is a sought-out expert on sustainable development
Head of the World Economic Forum’s Sharing Economy Working Group APRIL RINNE is a go-to voice on the new economy and sustainable development. Sought-out to speak at numerous forward-thinking events—including Enova’s Energy & Climate Conference, the Global Sustainable Development Speaker Series at Occidental College, Sustainable Brands, OuiShare Fest where she delivered a keynote on “Sharing Cities: Rethinking Urban Planning & Sustainable Growth,” and more, Rinne consistently receives rave reviews thanks to her ability to balance actionable takeaways and eye-opening anecdotes. An example of her stellar reviews: "Thanks so much to April for helping us kick off what most attendees are saying was the most engaging Sustainable Brands Conference yet. We heard again this year a deep appreciation from attendees for bringing a higher level of thinking to the table. You played a significant role in helping to set the tone this year by challenging our group to think from a different lens about the work we do and the rules by which we all operate. I'm confident your presentation had a real impact in upping the level of dialogue that took place throughout the week..." (Sustainable Brands & Sustainable Life Media); and "April Rinne’s keynote was most inspiring and interesting. She linked the energy sector and the sharing economy in an interesting manner, and highlighted the investment opportunities for the audience. April Rinne is a very professional speaker and we were delighted to have her as our keynote and guest in Norway." (Enova). Advisor of choice for a range of private and public sector organizations, from Airbnb to the World Economic Forum and governments worldwide, Rinne helps audiences see the innovative shifts underway in communities and businesses worldwide, pointing to how good business and sustainable development can go hand-in-hand. Tailoring her remarks to each audience, Rinne is at the 50 yard line of the most cutting-edge workforce and industry innovations, decoding the positive social implications of new technologies and providing a refreshing-- and not often presented—perspective. Not just a thought leader, but a doer, Rinne’s work has taken her to 95 countries (to date), and she provides a truly global perspective on the new economy and how it fosters sustainable development.
April Rinne sought-out to advise forward-thinking, visionary companies across industries
Working at the intersection of the public, private and social sector for almost 20 years, APRIL RINNE has been sought-out for her extensive expertise on the new economy, future of work and inclusive growth by top organizations across industries. Advising a range of leading companies and organizations such as Airbnb, Nike, Intuit, The World Economic Forum, World Bank, The Inter-American Development Bank, and Jobbatical, plus numerous public sector organizations including Amsterdam Sharing City, Sharing City Seoul, Apolitical, Welcoming International, Estonia's e-Residency initiative and China's National Sharing Economy Commission, April has brought invaluable strategies and insights to help organizations prepare for the future and stay ahead of the curve. Whether shedding light on emerging markets and opportunities for international expansion, crafting innovative public policies, or decoding the implications of new technologies and helping organizations prepare for the future of work, April anticipates major global trends before they’ve disrupted entire industries. Her track record speaks for itself: "Drop the April bomb… and good things happen" (Patrick Robinson, Director of Public Policy, Airbnb); “Who’s your April?” (Will Fitzpatrick, General Counsel, Omidyar Network).
Learn more about April’s advisory roles >>
April Rinne decodes the human side of AI and automation, and the implications worldwide
Co-Founder of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Sharing Economy Working Group and serving on a wide range of tech-focused advisory boards, APRIL RINNE is a trusted expert on the new economy and digital disruption, able to shed light on how AI and automation will impact individuals and companies across industries and geographies. Having recently written an informative op-ed on the uneven distribution of AI and automation development around the world, and interviewed by ReInvent on how AI and automation interest and fear is playing out in different countries, April is an authority on how new technologies are being implemented worldwide and how they are (and will) affect business models, the future of work, and more. Heralded by audiences for presenting “new, complex and even sometimes controversial topics substantively and with ease, persuasively informing everyone from students to CEOs..." (Emory University), April brings a human dimension to the conversation around AI and automation, breaking down how society as a whole can best prepare for inevitable disruptions and shifts. Drawing on her experience advising a range of organizations directly involved in the "humans vs. machines" debate, from companies including Airbnb and Intuit, and governments from Estonia to Singapore and China, April provides a playbook to help prepare for an uncertain future and become predictive and proactive rather than reactive in the face of change.
April Rinne sheds light on the future of work and gig economy
The Head of the World Economic Forum’s Sharing Economy Working Group, APRIL RINNE is not only a renowned expert on the gig economy, but a living embodiment of it. A freelancer who’s worked at the intersection of the private, public and social sectors for over 20 years, currently April is also an advisor at Airbnb and a Sharing Economy Advisory Board Member for China’s National Sharing Economy Commission. As Airbnb’s Director of Public Policy Patrick Robinson said: “Drop the April bomb… and good things happen.” Recently sought-out as a keynote to shed light on the future of work and the impact of the gig economy at the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, The Enova Conference, and The World Economic Forum Regional Summit, April is known to tailor her speeches to every audience and consistently receives rave reviews: “April's presentation was fantastic. She delivered a keynote as it should be: showing the big picture, addressing key issues, and doing so in a way that's enlightening and fun.” (ITB Berlin Convention); "April is an engaging communicator who has a special knack with audiences. She can present new, complex and even sometimes controversial topics substantively and with ease, persuasively informing everyone from students to CEOs..." (Emory University); "April is a gifted speaker with in-depth knowledge of her field of expertise. Her talk at our conference was a highlight which has inspired an entire industry to understand that business can be done differently!” (RIAD International Association of Legal Protection). Check out April’s recent interview on the rise of independent workers worldwide, and her podcast on the gig economy trend with Wharton Business’ podcast.
April Rinne's website is the hot spot for timely insights on the new economy and global citizenship
APRIL RINNE's work is focused on 'building better markets that work better for more people.' She is focused on Global Access, Global Perspective and Global Citizenship. She posts thought-pieces on how people, companies and communities can navigate the future of the new economy and global citizenship. She explains how global citizenship is not the same as globalization or being well-traveled, and why she predicts changes to our values, sense of citizenship, and our economic opportunities.
Visit April Rinne's website >>
April Rinne has been weaving her own story about how to thrive amid flux, personally and professionally, for as long as she can remember.
Today April is an acclaimed speaker, thinker, advisor and writer. She is known today for her many keynotes each year to business, industry, investment, policy and educational audiences around the world, and for her role as a bridge: between startups and governments, between developed and developing countries, between those excited about change and those resistant to it. She is also an impact investor, mental health advocate, yoga teacher and insatiable handstander. April's handstands underscore her upside-down perspective on the world: they help her see differently, stay flexible, and bring joy (and occasionally amazement) to others. Earlier in her career served as a global development executive, microfinance lawyer, and hiking and biking guide.
April holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, an M.A. in International Business and Finance from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a B.A. in International Studies and Italian summa cum laude from Emory University. She is a Fulbright Scholar and studied at Oxford (University College; one full academic year), the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and the European University Institute (the EU’s premier graduate institution; one full academic year). In 2011 the World Economic Forum named her a Young Global Leader; she has attended Davos multiple times as well as WEF summits worldwide.
But April’s CV and educational pedigree don’t begin to capture April’s story, her perspective, and her understanding of the world. Both of her parents died in a car accident when she was 20, which threw her into a world of flux. She put the expected path on hold to deal with the aftermath, ultimately letting go of how she thought her own future might unfold. Rather than the Ph.D. her parents expected, or the Wall Street analyst position society expected, she spent several years leading hiking and cycling tours from Puglia to Patagonia, which in turn provided enough income to travel widely (and alone) from the Golden Triangle to the Darien Gap. From there, her unconventional journey took off.
April spent the first half of her career focused on global development and financial inclusion. She was very early to the world of impact investing. She led microfinance teams on four continents, wrote microfinance legislation, was in the vanguard of mobile banking innovation, and created new investment vehicles for the world’s underserved before Muhammad Yunus made microfinance a household term.
When the digital economy and smartphones began to take root, April shifted her focus to how these new platforms could help build more inclusive business and more robust opportunities for income generation. The second half of her career has focused on how this “new” economy and the future of work will play out worldwide, advising numerous startups, established companies, governments, policy makers, financial institutions, educational institutions, think tanks and others along the way.
Taken together, April’s breadth of experience and exposure to other cultures and ways of life provide her with an enormous lens through which to see change. On the one hand, she is as comfortable at Davos as she is talking with microfinance borrowers in an urban slum. On the other hand, she has seen how – regardless of age, income, or background – humans genuinely struggle with navigating the unknown. She is convinced that the disciplines of a Flux Mindset can help.
April brings a practical perspective and a global worldview. She has lived with, advised others on, experimented, researched, prototyped, traveled long and far to experience, speak with and learn from others about how to embrace flux.
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