Claire Nelson, a prominent figure in the realms of futurism and strategic foresight, has distinguished herself as an influential thought leader and keynote speaker. As the Chief Ideation Leader for The Futures Forum, Nelson excels in guiding organisations and individuals towards creating their desired future, a skill honed through her extensive experience and deep understanding of various domains.
Her expertise spans strategic foresight, international development project design, sustainability engineering, and futures exploration design, among other subjects. This multifaceted knowledge base is underpinned by a solid academic foundation in engineering, including a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Buffalo, an MS in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, and a PhD in Engineering Management from The George Washington University. This educational background has been critical in shaping her analytical and strategic thinking skills.
Claire's career trajectory is nothing short of impressive. She has held notable positions such as the Senior Development Equity Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank, Visiting Fellow at the Corporate Sustainability Institute, and Board Member of the Sustainability Division at the Institute of Industrial Engineers. As the Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies since 1993, she demonstrates a steadfast commitment to the welfare of Caribbean Americans.
Her achievements in the field of futurism are widely recognised. Forbes included her in the Top 50 Female Futurists’ list in 2020, affirming her expertise and influence in the field. Additionally, she serves as the Futures Chair of the Science, Engineering, and Technology Board for the Center for Global Governance and Emerging Law, further cementing her role as a leading voice in shaping the future. Claire's work as an author, including “Resetting Our Futures: Smart Futures for a Flourishing World,” showcases her talent as a storyteller. She also contributes significantly to the futurism community as the Editor-at-Large of Human Futures Magazine and a Member of the Association of Professional Futurists.
As a keynote speaker, Claire has an impressive portfolio of speaking engagements. She has shared her insights with audiences at World Steel, the Jamaica Development Bank, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and even at high-profile venues like the UN High Commission on Human Rights and the Salzburg Seminar on Moral, Ethical, and Spiritual Leadership. Her speaking engagements focus on strategic foresight and sustainability engineering, topics on which she is particularly passionate. Claire Nelson is now available to hire for a wide range of events as a speaker, offering her profound expertise to help shape the futures of organisations and societies. Her ability to weave together technical knowledge, strategic foresight, and a deep understanding of global trends makes her an invaluable asset to any event or organisation seeking to navigate the complexities of the future.
