Keynote Speakers​

April Rinne

April Rinne speaks about
  • Change
  • Company Culture
  • Creativity & Innovation
  • Flux
  • Future & Society
  • Futurist
  • Growth
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Inspiration & Motivation
  • Leadership
  • Leadersship
  • Resilience

April Rinne is one of the world’s most respected voices on how humans navigate change and uncertainty. A globally recognized futurist, change navigator, and bestselling author of Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change, she helps leaders, teams, and organizations reimagine their relationship with uncertainty and develop the capacity to thrive in an ever-shifting world. Ranked by Forbes as one of the “50 Leading Female Futurists” and named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, April is known for her ability to make complex transitions not only clear and actionable but genuinely energizing.

For more than 25 years, April has worked at the intersection of global change, leadership, and human adaptability. Her career spans microfinance and global development, the digital and sharing economies, impact investing, and the future of work. She has advised hundreds of organizations across more than 100 countries, from Airbnb, Adobe, Allstate, Amway, AT&T, and American Express to the World Bank, Business Finland, Airbus, and the United Nations Foundation. Whether she’s speaking to C-suite executives in a corporate ballroom or microfinance borrowers in an urban slum, April’s focus remains the same: helping people find certainty in uncertainty and opportunity in change. Clients often put it simply: “Drop the April bomb… and good things happen.”

April’s personal journey shapes her work just as much as her global expertise. At age 20, she lost both of her parents in a car accident, a life-altering trauma that plunged her into radical flux and deepened her lifelong commitment to mental health, resilience, and meaning. Her insights draw equally from academic rigor (Harvard Law School, Fulbright Scholar, the Fletcher School) and lived experience: solo travel across 100+ countries, cross-cultural immersion, navigating risk and adversity, and learning to see the world from upside down through her joyful handstands.

A natural bridge-builder, April is known for connecting perspectives that rarely meet: startups and governments, financial and social returns, developed and developing economies, leaders excited about change and those overwhelmed by it. She has a unique ability to translate global signals into practical tools and to do so with authenticity, generosity, and humor. Her keynotes explore themes such as future-readiness, leadership in uncertainty, change fatigue, transformation, innovation, culture, women’s leadership, career portfolios, and what the world can learn about happiness from Finnish culture.

At Nordic Business Forum 2025 and on stages around the world, April helps audiences open a Flux Mindset, a way of seeing and responding to constant change with clarity, curiosity, and confidence. Her work teaches people how to cultivate the “Flux Superpowers,” the essential human skills for a world defined by instability, and how to build organizations that don’t merely survive disruption but flourish through it.

A global citizen, advisor, author, and adventurer, April is ultimately a champion of humanity and possibility. She invites audiences to see differently, lead boldly, and embrace the unknown with purpose and joy, because in a world in flux, the future belongs to those who can learn to love uncertainty.

April Rinne’s most sought-after keynotes:

Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change

Being adaptable and flexible have always been hallmarks of effective leadership and a fulfilling life. But in a world of ever-more change, an ever-faster pace of change, and relentless uncertainty, flexibility and resilience can be stretched to their breaking points. The quest becomes how to find calm and lasting meaning in the midst of enduring chaos.

A world in flux calls for a new mindset, one that treats constant change and uncertainty as a feature, not a bug. In this talk, April Rinne helps you open this mindset — a Flux Mindset — and develop eight “flux superpowers” that flip conventional ideas about leadership, success, and well-being on their heads. You’ll learn to see change in new ways, craft new responses, and ultimately reshape your relationship to uncertainty from the inside out.

Whether you’re leading a team, strengthening your culture, inspiring engagement, sizing up your own career, reassessing your priorities, or simply want to show up more fully in the world, opening a flux mindset and activating your flux superpowers will keep you grounded even when everything around you is shifting. You’ll learn to see that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel… and it’s not an oncoming train.

Beyond the Ladder: The Future of Talent & Careers

The 20th century “career ladder” isn’t just creaky. It’s obsolete. Talented people want something different and a chance to thrive on their own terms. CEOs and HR leaders realize that talent is in flux and power dynamics between companies and workers are evolving. Moreover, everyone is exhausted, which stifles creativity and the zest to find new solutions. We know that “what got us here won’t get us there” — but what will?

Amid so much uncertainty and “change fatigue,” it can be difficult to know what to do — or even where to look. But there is a simple, powerful shift underway that will transform how we see, design, develop, and fulfill our careers. It goes beyond a job, a resume, or a title. It’s a tool that individuals and organizations alike can leverage today. It stands to unleash our best selves and ultimately transform HR.

Fold and stow your career ladders. The era of career portfolios has arrived. Curating your portfolio is how to future-proof your career, engage your team, and shape the future of work. Unlike a job that can be lost through no fault of your own, your portfolio is yours forever. Individually, your portfolio draws on your whole person and expands your universe of opportunity and impact. Organizationally, portfolios help unlock hidden skills, boost engagement, and open new avenues for leadership and internal mobility. In this talk, April guides you through what a portfolio is, how to craft one (which she’s been doing for 25+ years), and what career portfolios mean for the future of hiring, leadership, and talent development. An inspiring, inclusive, thriving future of talent awaits!

Finding Certainty in an Uncertain World

Just because the future looks really chaotic doesn’t mean your approach to it has to be. Success hinges not only on understanding the macro forces that will affect your business and team, but even more so on how you see these forces: Your mindset towards change and uncertainty and your tolerance of the unknown. Imagine how much time, effort, or resources you could’ve saved if you’d seen the full implications of smartphones back in 2006, Airbnb and Uber in 2010, remote work in 2014, or the covid pandemic in 2019? Today, you can develop this vision — these superpowers and savviness — moving forward. Not only can you: Given the relentless pace of change, it’s safe to say you ought to!

April Rinne’s gift is to see key shifts early amid chaos and disruption, and to translate this vision in ways that help people and businesses find peace, catalyze growth, and flourish. As the world’s leading Humanist Futurist, April speaks with both head and heart. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience in 100+ countries as well as insights from her bestselling book Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change, she’s your #1 guide to today’s uncertain world. She helps you see what you’ve been missing, overcome your stumbling blocks, and boost your flux capacity (aka your “fluxiness”) to harness uncertainty to your advantage. She’ll show you how to transform not-knowing into wisdom and tools for a brighter tomorrow. As an individual, team, or organization, you’ll learn how to stop fighting uncertainty and rather be the Flux — ready and excited for whatever changes are ahead.

What the World Can Learn about Happiness from the World’s Happiest Country

How might we learn from Finland about happiness, a skill they seem to possess in abundance? April’s Finnish roots put her in a unique position to share wisdom from the land of sisu — inner strength — and satisfaction.

For the past six years running, Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world. In this talk, April guides you through Finland’s culture and pillars of happiness, drawing on her personal Finnish heritage, global perspective, and unique experiences as a Finnish happiness coach and advising the Finnish government. Prepare to be surprised, refreshed, inspired to visit Finland — and grow happier!

Testimonials:

“April’s talk was absolutely fabulous. Many of our attendees said it was the best keynote that IFT has ever had.”
Institute for Food Technologists

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with April. She brought energy, enthusiasm, a wealth of insight and experience, and professionalism. She was a perfect fit and we look forward to working with April again.”
EY

“The most successful management session we’ve ever had!”
Acuity Insurance

“April is absolutely incredible. Meaningful, authentic and builds relationships with every word.”
Allen & Overy

“We have had the pleasure of working with April on more than one occasion, and to say that she delivers every time is an understatement. Her wealth of knowledge is unmatched, her delivery is friendly and engaging, and she takes the time to fully understand who she’s talking to and what the end message needs to be. On top of all of that, she is an absolute joy to work with. Can’t recommend her enough!”
HUB International

“We absolutely loved your session!!!!”
Fox Entertainment

“April Rinne is a refreshing and inspiring expert. She’s affirming, positive and encouraging!”
Schwab

“April really was the perfect choice for our first leadership series speaker. She was amazing and all the leaders had nothing but great things to say. April went above and beyond to ensure her presence provided substantial value for our company. We can only hope the rest of our speakers can present as impactful and relevant messages as April!”
Toyota

“April brilliantly balances the personal and the professional, heart and head, to bring original insights to individuals and organizations about how to not just survive but thrive in change. In a word: wow!”
United Nations Foundation

April Rinne’s

Themes:

  • Overcoming “change fatigue” and “change overwhelm”
  • Future-readiness
  • Change-readiness
  • Organizational culture
  • Transformation M&A (as a major source of change)
  • Innovation
  • Leadership changes
  • Career development Al (as a major source of uncertainty)
  • Reorganizations
  • Women’s leadership
  • “Meeting the moment”

Key sectors:

  • Healthcare
  • Financial services
  • Technology
  • Industry Associations
  • Insurance
  • Travel, Tourism, & Aviation
  • Energy
  • Legal services
  • Women’s Leadership
  • Startups
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Advertising & Marketing

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