Nat Irvin

Author, innovator, futurist, teacher, commentator and founder of Thrivals at IdeaFestival, Nat Irvin, II, is the assistant dean of thought leadership and civic engagement as well as the Woodrow M. Strickler Executive in Residence, Professor of Management Practice at the University of Louisville College of Business where he has taught change management, leadership, future studies and team dynamics since 2007. Irvin is also chief learning officer and musical consultant for Janelle Monaé and the Wondaland Arts Society. Previously, he created and led Future Focus 2020, an urban futurist think tank at the Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University. Irvin has engaged leadership and management teams of Fortune 100 companies and organizations in strategic conversations on future trends. He has been a commentator for NPR’s “Weekend Edition” and an advisor to the TED Challenge. Irvin founded Thrivals in 2010, the kick-off day of the Idea Festival, which has exposed thousands of high school students to exploring Big Ideas, exploring ways in which we might make new connections among demographic groups towards a more global awareness and understanding of some of the major driving forces that will shape our future.

Irvin serves as futurist for the National Black MBA Association and the Executive Leadership Council. He most recently authored “The Chase for 2042” the concluding chapter for “Celebrating a Legacy, Empowering the Future,” The National Black MBA Association, 2015. He is the recipient of the H. Naylor Fitzhugh Award of Relevance, which recognizes exceptional contributions and a demonstrated involvement in various businesses, educational and professional organizations within the African American community. In 2016, he received the Faculty Service Award, College of Business, University of Louisville.