Chris Kutarna

Chris Kutarna is a two-time Governor General’s Medallist from Canada, a Commonwealth Scholar, and a Fellow of the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford. He is also a faculty member for Oxford University’s premier Executive Education programmes.

In 2006, Kutarna moved to Beijing, started a business, sold it, then paid himself for five years to do a doctorate in politics at Oxford and to write "Age of Discovery." Prior to that, he spent time with the Boston Consulting Group in New Zealand and Australia. Kutarna has expanded his influence by founding the Neue Geographical Society, a nonprofit movement aimed at reimagining the future through a shared global context.

Kutarna’s open letters, posted weekly, are deemed required reading by some of the world’s smartest people and shape the debate in media, boardrooms, and classrooms around the world. In his best-selling debut book, "Age of Discovery" (with Ian Goldin), he drew upon Renaissance wisdom to predict both Brexit and Trump. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker at various prestigious platforms, including TED, where he delivers keynotes known for transforming perspectives on change and strategic thinking. His presentations are well-received globally, characterized by their unique, visual, and engaging nature.

Kutarna demystifies the new Age of Discovery which is upon us. All the signs - social media, populism, globalization, the rise of China, AI, genetic modification, and more - herald its arrival. He tears up the outdated mental maps that have served us so poorly in recent years - maps that led us to think that Brexit was impossible, that Trump was unelectable, and that globalization was irreversible. He tears up the unconscious biases that obscure our understanding of present political, economic, technological, and social trends, thus helping audiences from varied sectors embrace and navigate change effectively. Through his work, Kutarna has successfully assisted departments at the UK Ministry of Defence and major corporations like IKEA and Rolls-Royce Plc in understanding and leading through global changes and technological advancements.