Ja-Naé Duane is an award-winning innovator, serial entrepreneur, author, and leading behavioural scientist. As the Co-founder and Managing Partner of The Revolution Factory, she helps organisations design and implement systems of the future using emerging technologies such as AI, VR, and blockchain. With more than two decades of experience guiding corporations, governments, and universities towards innovation, her greatest achievement lies in her global mission to make life better for one billion people through technology, creativity, and human-centred leadership.
Ja-Naé’s journey began in music and opera, where she learned the power of human emotion and storytelling - skills that would later shape her approach to behavioural science and innovation. After earning degrees from Brown University, I.E. Business School, Northeastern University, Carnegie University, Bentley University, and Boston University, she turned her attention to entrepreneurship and education. In 2005, she founded Wild Women Entrepreneurs, a community supporting female founders, and by 2009 she was a professional speaker sharing insights on leadership, resilience, and transformation. Her early teaching roles at Northeastern University, Clark University, Emerson College, and College of the Holy Cross deepened her expertise in human behaviour and the psychology of innovation, laying the foundation for the work that would define her career.
Today, Ja-Naé is a Loomis Council Member at The Stimson Centre, Chairman of the Board at Gaia Venture Studio, and an MIT Academic Research Fellow at the Centre for Information Systems Research. She is also part of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Faculty at Brown University’s School of Engineering and serves as a Virtual Reality Research Collaborator at VCR Lab. Her professional journey includes key roles such as Director of Innovation and Accelerator Programme at Constant Contact and VP of Social Media and Strategy at Overdrive Interactive. She has advised organisations including Hemmings House and Teleportec, and her expertise has guided some of the world’s largest companies - PWC, Saudi Aramco, Yum Brands, Samsonite, Natixis, AIG, and Deloitte. Ja-Naé is also the co-author of the bestselling book ‘The Start-Up Equation’ and author of SuperShifts, a deep exploration of technological evolution and leadership in a changing world. Her contributions have been recognised by The Associated Press, NPR, Fast Company, PYMNTS, and FoundedByWomen.org, and her upcoming appearance at SXSW 2026 further cements her reputation as a forward-thinking voice in innovation.
Audiences book Ja-Naé for her unmatched insight into the future of work, resilience, behavioural science, and emerging technology. She delivers practical, research-based talks that inspire transformation, helping teams and leaders anticipate the next wave of change. Her presentations explore the economics of the Metaverse, the role of AI in business, entrepreneurship, and future forecasting, connecting science with human experience in a way that’s both engaging and actionable. Ja-Naé’s TEDx talk 'Overcoming Powerlessness' captures her belief in human potential and her commitment to shaping a better future. Whether advising global corporations or guiding start-ups, she helps organisations thrive through change, making her one of the most dynamic and visionary keynote speakers on the international stage.
Social Media
Books
SuperShifts: Transforming How We Live, Learn, and Work in the Age of Intelligence
The StartUp Equation: A Visual Guidebook to Building Your StartUp
How To Create a Revolution: A Step-By-Step Guide from History's Social Influencers
How to Start Your Business with $100
Ja-Nae Duane's official speaking topics are listed below:
AI-Driven Strategic Foresight: Navigating the Future of Business
Join Dr Ja-Nae Duane, a leading behavioural scientist, for an insightful keynote on how artificial intelligence will redefine strategic foresight and decision-making by 2035. Explore the latest developments in predictive analytics, AI-powered scenario planning, and autonomous decision-making systems. Learn how these tools will help organisations anticipate market shifts, manage disruption, and secure long-term advantage.
Key Takeaways:
- Master AI-Powered Scenario Planning: Understand how AI enhances scenario planning to prepare for multiple futures.
- Autonomy in Decision-Making: Discover how autonomous systems improve efficiency through rapid, informed decisions.
- Anticipating Market Trends: Learn how AI analyses data to identify emerging trends for first-mover advantage.
- Crisis Management and Adaptation: Use AI for quick, effective responses during disruptions.
- Navigating Market Disruptions: Turn potential threats into opportunities through AI-driven strategies.
- Enhancing Strategic Agility: Increase agility with AI tools that respond to changing market conditions.
- Building Agile Operations: Implement AI systems that adapt swiftly to new demands.
- Long-Term Strategic Resilience: Embed AI into core processes to safeguard against volatility.
- Future-Proofing Your Business: Integrate advanced AI to remain resilient and competitive.
The Race to 2035: Reimagining the Future of Your Business
By 2035, emerging technologies will have transformed industries and rendered many companies obsolete. Dr Ja-Nae Duane examines what went wrong for businesses that failed to adapt and how to avoid their mistakes. With AI, automation, robotics, spatial computing, Web4, and extended reality accelerating change, now is the time to act. This session shows how to overcome legacy systems, rigid processes, and fixed mindsets to ensure innovation and resilience.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn from Past Mistakes: Avoid the pitfalls that led to corporate decline.
- Embrace Emerging Technologies: Use AI and automation to gain an edge.
- Shift Organisational Mindsets: Build a culture open to change and innovation.
- Adapt to Market Changes: Stay proactive in the face of exponential shifts.
- Innovate Business Models: Redefine your operational models for the future.
- Future-Proof Your Organisation: Stay resilient against digital disruption.
- Inspire Leadership: Lead transformation with confidence and vision.
Reimagining Organisational Possibilities: Insights from a Futurist and Behavioural Scientist
In this interactive keynote, Dr Ja-Nae Duane helps participants understand how to shift organisational thinking to thrive in a fast-changing world. Through research, case studies, and exercises, she explores emotional blocks, biases, and assumptions that limit success. Learn to build future-ready teams and create a culture of adaptability and growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Shift perspectives to handle transformation effectively.
- Overcome emotional barriers to collaboration.
- Challenge biases to foster inclusion and innovation.
- Understand the neuroscience behind organisational behaviour.
- Build future-ready, resilient teams.
- Transform behaviour for lasting success.
- Leave inspired to make meaningful change.
The Next Frontier in Customer Experience: The Future of Engagement, Personalisation, and Trust
As expectations rise, businesses must innovate to stay ahead. This keynote explores how AI, data analytics, and immersive technology are redefining customer experience. Learn to use AI for hyper-personalisation, integrate VR and AR for memorable interactions, and build trust through ethical, transparent practices.
Key Takeaways:
- AI-Driven Personalisation: Deliver tailored experiences at scale.
- Data Analytics Integration: Gain deep insights into customer behaviour.
- Immersive Technology: Use VR and AR to elevate engagement.
- Implementation Strategies: Integrate new tech across operations.
- Ethical Practices: Build trust through transparency.
- Case Studies: Learn from successful implementations.
- Future Trends: Stay ahead of evolving expectations.
The Next Generation Leader: Building Anti-Fragile and Adaptive Businesses
As technology accelerates towards 2035, leaders face complex decisions. Dr Ja-Nae Duane, behavioural scientist and entrepreneur, reveals how to build adaptive businesses using AI and extended reality (XR). Learn to treat AI as a team member, use XR for training, and understand the value of digital identity.
Problem: Traditional decision-making struggles to keep up with rapid change and AI complexity.
Solution: Equip leaders to use AI and XR to strengthen resilience and adaptability.
Learning Outcome: Gain practical tools for decision-making, training, and leadership in a digital era.
Key Takeaways:
- AI-Driven Decision Making: Identify and choose strategies with the greatest impact.
- XR for Team Training: Use XR to prepare teams for future challenges.
- Integrating AI: Enhance collaboration and decision-making.
- Digital Identity: Strengthen team cohesion and trust.
- Building Resilience: Thrive through disruption.
- Fostering Innovation: Encourage creativity and flexibility.
- Future-Proofing Leadership: Lead confidently in a shifting landscape.
Future of Humanity: Insights from a Futurist and Behavioural Scientist
Technological and social change is reshaping humanity at speed. Dr Ja-Nae Duane explores how to prepare for uncertainty through creativity and strategic foresight. This keynote examines the influence of AI, automation, and XR on work and society. Learn to overcome barriers, build resilient teams, and create human-centred strategies that embrace innovation.
Key Takeaways:
- Harnessing Technology: Understand the societal impact of AI and robotics.
- Overcoming Barriers: Remove emotional and cultural obstacles to progress.
- Cultivating Creativity: Apply lateral thinking to solve complex problems.
- Building Resilient Teams: Equip teams to adapt and thrive.
- Human-Centred Leadership: Use empathy and intuition in strategy.
- Case Studies: Examine examples of digital transformation.
- Long-Term Vision: Develop sustainable plans for growth and innovation.
SuperShifts: Transforming How We Live, Learn, and Work in the Age of Intelligence
Most organisations are unprepared for the radical shifts underway. In this keynote, Dr Ja-Nae Duane - behavioural scientist, futurist, and co-author of SuperShifts - examines how the Age of Intelligence will redefine work, learning, and leadership. Explore how to move from reactive to proactive thinking, design anti-fragile systems, and coexist with intelligent technologies.
Key Takeaways:
- Anticipate Change: Prepare for exponential transformation.
- Build Resilient Systems: Create organisations that thrive under uncertainty.
- Coexist with AI: Adapt communication and values for collective intelligence.
- Lead Change: Apply practical tools for long-term transformation.
- Unlock Human Potential: Use technology to enhance collaboration and creativity.
- Design Sustainable Systems: Align business with social and environmental progress.
- Shape the Future: Lead with purpose to drive growth and prosperity.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"Ja-Nae said exactly what we needed to hear, at just the right time." - Yum Brands
"This was the best talk of the program." - Singularity University
"Inspiring talk with brilliant insights." - Deloitte
"Ja-Naé stood out above the other speakers with her ‘no excuses’ approach. … Great takeaways … My favourite tip: ‘Break all the rules!’" - Spark and Hustle
"Ja Naé is an intelligent, energetic, and effective speaker and facilitator who generated an engaged and enthusiastic response by all attendees." - Hubspot
"Ja-Nae was great! Her futuristic lens was just what the audience needed!" - Future Talent Council
"Ja-Nae was fabulous! The number of takeaways will keep our team talking for months." - Adobe
"Ja Naé is an absolute superstar. She has the trifecta of skills that make her truly indispensable." - AIG
"We had Ja-Nae talk to us about the Future of Business Models. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and folks were really keen to share what they learnt with their broader teams." - Pizza Hut
"Ja-Naé stepped into a challenging situation at Emerson and handled it with aplomb. She took over our feisty Entrepreneurship group on very short notice, quickly sussed out the situation, steered the ship well, brought gobs of added value to the group and the circumstances, and worked the surrounding networks well. She held something good together, and made it much better. Ja-Naé is a creative thinker, a connected entrepreneur, and is dedicated to helping others find their way in all this. We're privileged she's agreed to continue with us." - Don, Driver of Innovative Marketing
"Ja-Naé was a super down-to-earth professor who gave me a great real-world perspective on launching my business. She was always there to encourage my ideas and creativity, as well as to help me better understand my fears and challenges, and turn them into opportunities. Ja-Naé was great!" - Sam, Founder, EXIT Galleries
- 2025 - 'SuperShifts' published
- 2024 - Chairman of the Board, Gaia Venture Studi
- 2024 - CCP Mentor with the Master of Technology Leadership Programme, Brown University
- 2024 - Faculty and Academic Director of the Master’s Programme in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, Brown University
- 2023 - Advisor, Teleportec
- 2023 - Faculty & Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Innovation Management & Design Engineering Group, Brown University School of Engineering
- 2023 - Academic Research Fellow at MIT’s Centre for Information Systems Research
- 2022 - Loomis Council Member, The Stimson Centre
- 2020 - VR Research Collaborator, Virtual Communications Research Lab
- 2019 - PhD, Computer Information Systems, Bentley University
- 2019 - Lecturer in Information Systems and Member of President’s Blockchain Advisory Council
- 2018 - MBA, IE Business School, joint with Brown University
- 2017 - Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme; Entrepreneur in Residence, College of the Holy Cross
- 2017 - Faculty Member, Singularity University
- 2016 - Co-founder and Managing Partner, The Revolution Factory
- 2016 - Lecturer on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Northeastern University
- 2015 - Director of Innovation and Accelerator Programme, Constant Contact
- 2015 - Company Advisor, Hemmings House
- 2014 - Interim Director of the E3 Entrepreneurship Programme, Emerson College’s Business Faculty
- 2013 - ‘The StartUp Equation’ published
- 2012 - Lead Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Co-founder and Director of the Clark University Incubator, Clark University
- 2012 - 'How to Create a Revolution' published
- 2011 - VP of Social Media and Strategy, Overdrive Interactive
- 2010 - 'How to Start Your Business with $100' published
- 2005 - Founder and President of Wild Women Entrepreneurs
How to hire Ja-Naé Duane
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Ja-Naé Duane for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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