Henry Timms

We all sense that power is shifting in the world. Upstart businesses are upending traditional industries; unexpected leaders are rising to the top; catalytic ideas coupled with savvy digital marketing tactics are delivering surges of action from the public. But how do you navigate these seismic shifts? What determines the success or failure of organizations in the 21st century? According to Henry Timms, the answer lies in harnessing what he has described as “new power,” unlocking the creativity, passion and agency of your employees, customers and wider communities. Henry is a leading global expert in building digital movements and transforming organizations. His interactive speeches decipher the nuances of the new economy, demonstrate how to transition from the “old power” world, and explain how to channel the strength of crowds in an ultra-competitive marketplace. Often described as “wonderfully entertaining” and “an ideal keynote speaker,” his compelling perspective – and actionable insights – on power and influence have recently garnered critical acclaim and intense interest in the worlds of business and academia as well. With Jeremy Heimans, he co-authored the international best-selling book “New Power: How Anyone Can Persuade, Mobilize and Succeed in our Chaotic, Connected Age”, The book was described by David Brooks in The New York Times as “the best window I’ve seen into this new world” and named a finalist for the 2018 FT & McKinsey Business Book of the Year. The book was also named as one of the best business books of 2018 by Fortune, Bloomberg, Financial Times, and CNBC. Timms unpacks the biggest stories of our time – the extraordinary rise of businesses like Facebook, Airbnb and Uber; the out-of-nowhere victories of Obama and Trump; the unexpected emergence of movements like #MeToo. He offers a fresh lens and effective strategies for organizations of all types on how to spread ideas, build movements, transform workplaces and drive revenue. Changing the world is not a task for Timms; it’s a way of life. He understands first-hand what new power means to established organizations – and how they can be transformed. The former President and CEO of the 92nd Street Y, he revolutionized the 144-year-old institution, leading to it being named to Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies” list, and being shortlisted three times for the prestigious Drucker Prize honoring organizations that deliver “a new dimension of performance”. Currently, Timms is the President and CEO of New York City’s iconic Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. As a “new power” practitioner, Henry Timms truly knows how to build dynamic movements. He is the co-founder of #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to philanthropy and community that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Mobilizing tens of millions of people and raising hundreds of millions of dollars in over 60 countries, it has become the world’s first global day of giving. The campaign has won a wide range of honors, including a Cannes Lion at the International Festival of Creativity. Timms is a highly sought-after and trusted personal advisor to senior leaders across sectors, including the C-suite of the world’s largest companies, university presidents, government ministers and philanthropic visionaries. He serves as a Hauser Visiting Leader at Harvard Kennedy School, Visiting Fellow at Stanford University and has served as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Network of Global Agenda Councils. Teemat: Innovation | Leadership | Future of Work | Digital Transformation | Unlocking Consumer Engagement in a New Power World: How the Combination of Purpose and Participation is Supercharging Brands and Transforming Marketing | The Future of Online Engagement: Building the “Full Stack Society” | The Future of Work in a New Power World | Leadership in the Age of Mass Participation | How to Navigate and Harness New Power