Opening Keynote: How Data and Technology Shape the Future of Meaningful Human Experiences

Kate O’Neill is helping humanity prepare for an increasingly tech-driven future by guiding business and civic leaders to be both successful and respectful with human-centric data and technology, and by helping people better understand the human impact of emerging technologies. Kate’s expertise in data-based business models, integrated experience strategy, and humancentric digital transformation comes from more than 20 years of experience and entrepreneurship leading innovations across technology, marketing, and operations in category-defining companies. She was one of the first 100 employees at Netflix, where she created the first content management role and helped implement innovative dynamic e-commerce practices that became industry standard; was founder & CEO of [meta]marketer, a first-of-its-kind analytics and digital strategy agency; led cutting-edge experience optimization work at Magazines.com; developed Toshiba America‘s first intranet; and has held leadership and advisory positions in a variety of digital content and technology start-ups.

Kate is now founder and CEO of KO Insights, a strategic consultancy committed to improving human experience at scale. A thought-provoking and dynamic speaker, Kate appears frequently at industry conferences and private events around the world, providing galvanizing keynotes, moderating and participating in lively panel discussions, and facilitating transformative executive workshops and retreats. Clients have included Google, Cisco, Etsy, Coca Cola, McDonald’s, Kelly Services, as well as educational institutions including the University of Cambridge and Yale University, professional associations like YPO and SHRM, industry conferences like INBOUND and UX Australia, cities such as Amsterdam, cultural institutions, and a wide variety of NGOs and IGOs including the United Nations.

Whether in convention centers to audiences of thousands or in an executive board room, Kate advocates for the future of humanity in an increasingly tech-driven world. Her insights help corporate and cultural leaders re-think how to succeed long-term by taking a human-centric approach to digital transformation and readiness for the future. Author of 4 books including her latest, Tech Humanist (which was featured at CES 2019), Kate’s insights and expertise have been featured in outlets such as WIRED, CMO.com, and USA Today, and she has appeared as an expert commentator on BBC, NPR, Marketplace, NBC, and a wide variety of other national and international news media. Named to the 2020 Thinkers50 Radar, a global ranking of management thinkers, Kate has also received numerous other awards and recognitions throughout her career such as being named “Technology Entrepreneur of the Year,” a “Power Leader in Technology,” and more.

Kate has also been a longstanding vocal and visible advocate for women and underrepresented people in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. She was featured by Google in the launch of their global campaign for women in entrepreneurship. Born in the Chicago area and having enjoyed years of living in Silicon Valley, Portland (Oregon), Düsseldorf, and Nashville, Kate is delighted to now call New York City home.