Heather E. McGowan

Think organizations can't change quickly?

History proves otherwise.

When naysayers said "it can't be done," humans accomplished the impossible—in weeks, not years. Each pivotal moment reminds us of humanity’s most underestimated asset: our ability to adapt in the face of seemingly impossible odds.

In this perspective-shifting keynote, Heather E. McGowan challenges the myth that we resist change using unforgettable stories about a mop, a burrito, and a hermit crab to demonstrate how we can tap into our natural curiosity and hardwired drive to collaborate to see and shape what’s next.

Drawing from her bestselling books "The Adaptation Advantage" and "The Empathy Advantage," Heather reveals how leading organizations thrive when they place adaptability at their core, allowing them to find breakthrough opportunities where others least expect.

The audience will leave with:

• A powerful understanding of how to frame the right question
• Practical approaches to optimize how they adapt to new realities
• Clear frameworks for mapping the past to navigate the future
• An understanding of what it takes to spot unseen opportunities