As founder of Next Generation Consulting, Rebecca Ryan captains this ship. Trained as an futurist and an economist, Rebecca helps clients figure out "what's next" through speaking from the stage, leading foresight processes for organizations and communities, and teaching others the science (and art) of strategic foresight. She is also literally a baller, having played pro-basketball in eastern Europe throughout her twenties.

Rebecca Ryan is a human sparkplug. Part futurist, part economist, and always engaging, Rebecca is one of America's most influential thought leaders, helping cities and companies think around the corner to what's next. She combines her passion for cities with her Zen training in leading up the Institute for Zen Leadership's (IZL's) Citizen program. She also teaches in other Zen Leadership programs and serves as the Chair of the Board of IZL.

Rebecca is the author of ReGENERATION: A Manifesto for America's Future Leaders (2013) and Live First, Work Second: Getting Inside the Head of the Next Generation (2007). As founder of Next Generation Consulting, Ryan leads the team that best-selling author Richard Florida calls, "One of the most reliable sources for leaders who want to attract and retain the next generation of creative workers. Ryan is the Resident Futurist at the Alliance for Innovation and a Senior Fellow at CEOs for Cities. She serves on the board of the World Academy for Entrepreneurship & Enterprise (WAE2) and has also been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People by Accounting Today, Communicator of the Year (Women in Communication) and Entrepreneur of the Year (U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship).