April Rinne

Futurist & Change Navigator

April Rinne

Futurist & Change Navigator

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Biography

April Rinne has been weaving a story about how to navigate change, personally and professionally, for as long as she can remember. Flux: Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change is the container to express this story and cast a broader vision for humanity as a whole.

A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and ranked one of the “50 Leading Female Futurists” in the world by Forbes, April Rinne (pronounced Rih-Nee) is a change navigator: she helps individuals and organizations rethink and reshape their relationship with change, uncertainty, and a world in flux. She is a trusted advisor to well-known startups and companies, financial institutions, nonprofits, and think tanks worldwide, including Airbnb, Nike, Intuit, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, NESTA, Trōv, AnyRoad, and Unsettled, as well as governments ranging from Singapore to South Africa, Canada to Colombia, Italy to India. Her work has been featured in major publications worldwide, including Harvard Business Review, Wired, Fast Company and CNBC. April is the author of Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change.

A graduate of Harvard Law School and member of the Silicon Guild, April has been weaving a story about how to thrive amid flux for as long as she can remember, drawing on her history as a futurist, advisor, global development executive, microfinance lawyer, investor, mental health advocate, certified yoga teacher, globetrotter (100+ countries), and insatiable handstander. April also harnesses her very personal experiences with flux, including the death of both of her parents in a car accident when she was 20. Through her travels and tragedy, vision and values, global perspective and grounded sense of purpose, April helps others better understand how we see, think about, struggle with, and ultimately forge positive relationships with change.

April’s perspective on change, uncertainty, and a world in flux is best understood through three lenses: as a futurist and trusted advisor; as a global citizen, adventurer and cultural connector; and as an orphan and lifelong student of anxiety.

Speech Topics

Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change

Being adaptable and flexible have always been hallmarks of effective leadership and a fulfilling life. But in a world of ever-more change, an ever-faster pace of change, and relentless uncertainty, flexibility and resilience can be stretched to their breaking points. The quest becomes how to find calm and lasting meaning in the midst of enduring chaos.

A world in flux calls for a new mindset, one that treats constant change and uncertainty as a feature, not a bug. In this talk, April Rinne helps you open this mindset — a Flux Mindset — and develop eight “flux superpowers” that flip conventional ideas about leadership, success, and well-being on their heads. You’ll learn to see change in new ways, craft new responses, and ultimately reshape your relationship to uncertainty from the inside out.

Whether you’re leading a team, strengthening your culture, inspiring engagement, sizing up your own career, reassessing your priorities, or simply want to show up more fully in the world, opening a flux mindset and activating your flux superpowers will keep you grounded even when everything around you is shifting. You’ll learn to see that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel… and it’s not an oncoming train.

Beyond the Ladder: The Future of Talent & Careers

The 20th century “career ladder” isn’t just creaky. It’s obsolete. Talented people want something different and a chance to thrive on their own terms. CEOs and HR leaders realize that talent is in flux and power dynamics between companies and workers are evolving. Moreover, everyone is exhausted, which stifles creativity and the zest to find new solutions. We know that “what got us here won’t get us there” — but what will?

Amid so much uncertainty and “change fatigue,” it can be difficult to know what to do — or even where to look. But there is a simple, powerful shift underway that will transform how we see, design, develop, and fulfill our careers. It goes beyond a job, a resume, or a title. It’s a tool that individuals and organizations alike can leverage today. It stands to unleash our best selves and ultimately transform HR.

Fold and stow your career ladders. The era of career portfolios has arrived. Curating your portfolio is how to future-proof your career, engage your team, and shape the future of work. Unlike a job that can be lost through no fault of your own, your portfolio is yours forever. Individually, your portfolio draws on your whole person and expands your universe of opportunity and impact. Organizationally, portfolios help unlock hidden skills, boost engagement, and open new avenues for leadership and internal mobility. In this talk, April guides you through what a portfolio is, how to craft one (which she’s been doing for 25+ years), and what career portfolios mean for the future of hiring, leadership, and talent development. An inspiring, inclusive, thriving future of talent awaits!

Finding Certainty in an Uncertain World

Just because the future looks really chaotic doesn’t mean your approach to it has to be. Success hinges not only on understanding the macro forces that will affect your business and team, but even more so on how you see these forces: Your mindset towards change and uncertainty and your tolerance of the unknown. Imagine how much time, effort, or resources you could’ve saved if you’d seen the full implications of smartphones back in 2006, Airbnb and Uber in 2010, remote work in 2014, or the covid pandemic in 2019? Today, you can develop this vision — these superpowers and savviness — moving forward. Not only can you: Given the relentless pace of change, it’s safe to say you ought to!

April Rinne’s gift is to see key shifts early amid chaos and disruption, and to translate this vision in ways that help people and businesses find peace, catalyze growth, and flourish. As the world’s leading Humanist Futurist, April speaks with both head and heart. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience in 100+ countries as well as insights from her bestselling book Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change, she’s your #1 guide to today’s uncertain world. She helps you see what you’ve been missing, overcome your stumbling blocks, and boost your flux capacity (aka your “fluxiness”) to harness uncertainty to your advantage. She’ll show you how to transform not-knowing into wisdom and tools for a brighter tomorrow. As an individual, team, or organization, you’ll learn how to stop fighting uncertainty and rather be the Flux — ready and excited for whatever changes are ahead.

What the World Can Learn about Happiness from the World's Happiest Country

How might we learn from Finland about happiness, a skill they seem to possess in abundance? April’s Finnish roots put her in a unique position to share wisdom from the land of sisu — inner strength — and satisfaction.

For the past six years running, Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world. In this talk, April guides you through Finland’s culture and pillars of happiness, drawing on her personal Finnish heritage, global perspective, and unique experiences as a Finnish happiness coach and advising the Finnish government. Prepare to be surprised, refreshed, inspired to visit Finland — and grow happier!