Hannah Pathak

Hannah Pathak is an internationally renowned keynote speaker and a trailblazer in climate change, sustainability, and systemic transformation. As the CEO of Forum for the Future, she leads a global team working across the US, UK, India, and Southeast Asia, overseeing a wide-ranging portfolio of transformational change projects. With over two decades of experience, Hannah has dedicated her career to driving collaborative, cross-sector action on some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Her greatest achievement lies in her consistent leadership across climate research, humanitarian response, and strategic advisory, helping organisations and societies navigate the complex intersections of climate, nature, and people.

Hannah’s journey into climate and environmental leadership began in 2005 at Earthwatch, where she worked as Expedition Recruitment Manager, quickly rising through the ranks to become Regional Programme Manager for Europe, MENA and India, and later Global Programme Director. These early roles were pivotal in shaping her perspective on global sustainability challenges and the importance of partnerships. Notably, she led the development and delivery of major multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the HSBC Climate Partnership and the HSBC Water Programme, both of which were among the largest and most impactful corporate/NGO collaborations in the environmental sector at the time. These experiences cemented Hannah’s reputation as a leader capable of bridging sectors and scaling environmental impact.

Throughout her career, Hannah has continued to take on senior roles with increasing scope and influence. At Rescue Global, she served as Director of Engagement and was later promoted to Deputy CEO, leading humanitarian disaster response initiatives and working with governments, militaries, and civil society actors. Her work has been characterised by a commitment to systems thinking and strategic foresight, using scenario planning and long-term visioning to anticipate global risks and opportunities. Now, as CEO of Forum for the Future, she is at the forefront of driving systems change across key areas such as food, energy, and business purpose, helping diverse organisations respond proactively to the climate and ecological crises. She has also appeared on BBC News, Sky TV, and delivered guest lectures at the University of Oxford, further demonstrating her credibility as a thought leader and communicator.

Audiences value Hannah not only for her expertise, but for her ability to communicate complex global issues with clarity, urgency, and hope. Her keynote topics include climate adaptation, future trends, sustainability strategy, humanitarian response, and cross-sector collaboration, all underpinned by her core belief that hope is a more galvanising force than despair. She brings a unique lens to climate action—one rooted in possibility, grounded in evidence, and oriented toward solutions. Hannah is an ideal speaker for corporate events, academic conferences, and leadership summits, offering compelling insights into how we can co-create more just, regenerative futures. Whether you're looking to inspire action, shape strategy, or deepen understanding, Hannah Pathak delivers with authenticity, authority, and unwavering purpose.