Speaking
Keynotes and talks about futures and foresight, storytelling and narrative, and hopeful, sustainable futures. Spark fresh thinking, open up meaningful conversations, and encourage action in uncertain times.
Give your audiences more than inspiration: give them a sense of agency, actionable next steps and a dash of hope.
My keynotes and talks all focus on how we can use the power of possible futures to create better a world today, and a brighter future for ourselves and future generations. My message is personal and profound: in spite of today’s many wicked problems, everyone has something to contribute to positive change, and no, it’s not too late.
Sample keynote themes
All of my talks are tailored to your event, your audience, and the change you want to see. Rooted in futures thinking, storytelling, and systems awareness, each keynote offers a powerful blend of imagination and pragmatism — grounded in the idea that hopeful, sustainable futures aren’t just possible… they’re already emerging.
Using the Future
Why foresight is a critical skill for organisations navigating change
What if the future wasn’t something to predict — but something to use?
This keynote introduces audiences to the tools and mindsets of strategic foresight and futures thinking. In an era of complexity and uncertainty, learning how to “use the future” is essential for building resilience, unlocking innovation, and leading with purpose. Designed for organisations, institutions and communities ready to move beyond short-term thinking and engage with what comes next.
Perfect for: Business leaders, educators, policymakers, NGO teams, and anyone navigating complexity.
The Futures We Tell
Storytelling, imagination & the future we choose to create
How can we use narrative to shift thinking, spark action, and co-create better futures?
This talk explores the role of storytelling in foresight, sustainability, and transformation — and how every organisation can harness the power of narrative to shift culture, engage communities, and lead change in complex times.
Perfect for: Communication professionals, change-makers, sustainability leads, creatives, and future-facing teams.
From Insight to Impact
The power of narrative in communicating science, sustainability and climate
Why don’t facts move people? And how can researchers, scientists and change-makers communicate in ways that do?
Drawing on decades of experience in science and sustainability communication, this talk explores how storytelling, emotion, and audience understanding can turn information into impact.
Perfect for: Researchers, scientists, academic institutions, innovation departments, change-makers, sustainability and environmental activists, and public engagement professionals.
Hope Is a Verb
Resilience, agency & futures thinking in uncertain times
In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, hope can seem naïve. But what if it could be used as a tool and a powerful driver of action?
This talk introduces futures literacy and foresight as practical, empowering tools for navigating complexity and creating resilient organisations, communities, and lives.
Perfect for: Broad audiences, educators, youth leaders, sustainability networks, and leadership retreats.
A Talk Tailored to You
Have a theme, challenge or idea in mind? I love crafting talks that are unique to your audience and your event. Let’s shape something together.
Reasons to invite me to deliver a keynote or talk
Tailored to you
No pre-canned talks. I take time to understand your audience, your goals, and the transformation you’re trying to inspire.
Engaging on all levels
Facts inform, but emotions move people. My talks are interactive, relatable, and actionable.
Making messages stick
As facilitator, educator and storyteller, I know how to make messages land — and stick.
Actionable and useful
Every keynote includes practical frameworks, tools, or techniques that can be used individually and collectively to encourage real-world changes.
Hopeful by design
In a world overloaded with doom, hope is a radical and necessary act. My talks are grounded in possibility, not platitudes.
A stress-free experience
No diva requests, no weird demands. Expect clear communication, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit from start to finish.
Not just a speaker
Want something more interactive? I also design and deliver workshops, walkshops, story-based sessions and more. If you want to combine a keynote with deeper engagement, let’s talk.
FAQs
Your questions answered. Have other questions? Get in touch and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Do you customise your keynotes and talks?
Always. I use a tried-and-tested framework that includes pre-event calls, stakeholder interviews, and detailed research. This allows me to handcraft every keynote for every audience. No “canned” talks here!
Are your keynotes and talks available in both in-person and virtual formats?
Yes! In addition to speaking in person, I have extensive experience delivering keynotes and facilitating sessions online. If you need a virtual solution, I’ll make sure your audience stays engaged and involved.
Do you only speak on these four topics?
These are the most requested keynotes — but I also speak on related themes like communicating climate change, circular economy storytelling, participatory futures, and more. If you have a specific angle in mind, get in touch.
Aside from keynotes and talks, what else do you offer?
I have an interdisciplinary background that combines expertise in futures, facilitation, communication, storytelling, innovation, and more. I offer custom-designed workshops in futures, strategy, and innovation; facilitated sessions to spark meaningful conversations; and multi-sensory futures experiences that combine scenarios with art, design, and creativity.
Tell me about your goals and I can give you some ideas of how I can help.
Can you join discovery calls and chemistry sessions before booking?
Yes! I offer a complimentary discovery call to explore fit, discuss your goals, and talk through programming options. Finding the right speaker is key — and sometimes, that means helping you find someone else. You can trust me to be open and honest about whether I’m the right fit for your event.
I've heard horror stories about speakers and their requests. Do you have any?
No! You won’t find any diva behaviour here. I won’t be demanding rare snacks or a dog sitter for my Chihuahua (I don’t have one!). I’m here to make your life easier. Expect clear communication, a professional approach, and a stress-free collaboration. Wherever possible, I’ll stay flexible and adapt as needed.
More questions? Get in touch and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Short Bio (for programmes & introductions):
Suzanne Whitby is a futurer, facilitator, and storyteller who believes in the power of co-creating hopeful, sustainable futures. Drawing on her background in foresight, storytelling, and sustainability, she helps audiences and organisations imagine what’s next — and take action today.
Let’s talk about talks and keynotes
Please tell me about what you are thinking and I’ll be in touch soon. If you prefer, you can also book a call into my diary and we can chat through your ideas.
Looking for speaker?
Suzanne Whitby is a futures keynote speaker in Europe. She speaks about futures & foresight, sustainbility, imagination, storytelling, climate communication, and how to co-create hopeful, sustainable futures.
If you are looking for a speaker who can craft and deliver engaging talks to European audiences about resilience and futures thinking, co-creating sustainable change, storytelling and transformation, narrative as a tool for science and sustainability communication, and the power of participatory foresight, you’re in the right place.