Go back to previous page

Rebeca Hwang: AI Expert

Global entrepreneurship keynote speaker and venture capital leader Rebeca Hwang helps organizations build innovation ecosystems, unlock inclusive growth, and scale entrepreneurship across emerging and global markets.

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
- Professor of Practice at Thunderbird School of Global Management
- Managing Partner at Kalei Ventures, investing in Latin American startups
- Former entrepreneurship lecturer at Stanford University and Tecnologico de Monterrey
- Co-founder of Cleantech Open, Startup Malaysia, and Startup Nations Summit
Formats: Keynote Speaker on Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Audiences: Entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, educators, corporate innovators, and organizations building startup ecosystems and inclusive growth strategies.
Outcomes:
1. Learn how to build and scale innovation ecosystems globally
2. Understand access to capital and inclusive entrepreneurship strategies
3. Gain practical insight into supporting founders and emerging markets

Reading time: 2 min

Book Rebeca Hwang

Reviews: (0 reviews)

Travels from: San Francisco, CA
**Fee range: On Request

Talent Services

Keynote Topics:

Leadership in the AI Era

In this keynote, Rebeca outlines the many paradigms that are challenged by implementation of AI – from the definition of productivity to team culture, collaboration and belonging to performance evaluation of AI-enhanced roles vs. conventional roles. She outlines the “10 Commandments of the Android Organization” – part human and part machine – and how to lead in this new context: how to upskill employees for “improvisational resilience”, provide clarity of values to decrease anxiety, to prioritize human connections, privacy and safety.

There is a lot of literature on leadership during change, on leadership under uncertainty or imperfect information, on leading with empathy and purpose. But in the AI era, there are additional layers of leading humans experiencing major identity transitions and the disruptive implications on mental health, motivation and performance – all while leading AI machines as well. The profiles of the employees we hire will be different, our level of anxiety and ability to achieve flow and deal with flux will be redefined, and we will need to learn how to build “improvisational resilience” as leaders and among our teams.

The Future of Education in the AI era

How will the structure of education shift in the AI era? Will universities still exist?
What are the student (and teacher) profiles which will stand out in the AI era?
How do we prepare the next generation for adaptability, resilience and higher tolerance to risk and change?
What are the skills and attributes that we will need to teach our kids as they navigate education and life in this new context?

Human Connections in the AI era

Importance of human connections for mental health, team performance, as a differentiator from AI
Anxiety and its link to the lack of human connections
How this new paradigm affects everything in our work lives and personal lives – from team culture, to our HR decisions, to our personal relationships and parenting.
Practical ways to promote human connections for problem solving, innovation, entrepreneurship

AI Ethics and Values

The future of data in the AI era
Guardrails for employees’ safety and privacy – data can be your best friend and your worst enemy.
Public (government) and Private Sector efforts towards privacy and safety in the AI era.
How do we protect our kids when government regulation lags well behind advancing technologies?

Talent Short Bio

Rebeca Hwang is a globally recognized venture capital investor, educator, and ecosystem builder specializing in entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive economic growth. She is a Professor of Practice at Thunderbird School of Global Management and Senior Director of Thunderbird’s Center for Global Entrepreneurship and Family Business. In parallel, she serves as Managing Partner at Kalei Ventures, investing in early-stage technology startups across Latin America.

Over her career, Rebeca has worked as an inventor, founder, social entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. She previously co-founded Rivet Ventures, focused on women-led markets, and the San Francisco-based startup YouNoodle, which enables governments and companies to engage entrepreneurial communities for open innovation. She is also a co-founder of global initiatives including Cleantech Open, Startup Malaysia, and Startup Nations Summit.

Born in Seoul, raised in Argentina, and educated at MIT and Stanford University, Rebeca brings a deeply global perspective to her work. She has advised and collaborated with national startup programs across Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and has served on boards and councils connected to Kauffman’s GEN, Imagine H2O, and the World Economic Forum. A prolific inventor, she holds 12 patents with additional filings pending.

Read Full Bio

Rebeca Hwang is a Professor of Practice at Thunderbird and the Senior Director for Thunderbird’s new Center for Global Entrepreneurship and Family Business. Ms. Hwang is also a Managing Partner at Kalei Ventures.

Rebeca is a venture capital investor who has collected experiences as innovator and inventor, founder and entrepreneur, social entrepreneur, educator and ecosystem builder. Most recently, Rebeca co-founded Kalei Ventures, which invests in early stage technology startups from Latin America. Prior to Kalei, Rebeca was co-founded and Managing Director at Rivet Ventures, which focuses on companies targeting women-led markets where female usage, decision-making, and purchasing are crucial to company growth. Rebeca is also co-founder of the San Francisco-based startup YouNoodle, which helps companies and governments engage with communities of entrepreneurs for open innovation and co-creation of products and services.

Rebeca Hwanghas been very active in creating and scaling ecosystems for innovators and entrepreneurs in several countries. Rebeca co-founded Cleantech Open, Startup Malaysia and Startup Nations Summit. She also serves on the Global Board of Kauffman’s GEN, Imagine H2O, TEDx Rio de la Plata Accelerator (the largest TEDx event in the world), and was a member of the WEF’s Global Council on the Future of Migrations, as well as co-lead the Access to Capital committee of the Mexico-U.S. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council. Rebeca has worked closely with several national startup programs, including initiatives in Malaysia, South Korea, Spain, Iceland, Chile, Peru and Mexico.

Rebeca Hwang was born in Seoul, raised in Argentina and educated at MIT and Stanford, and has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and as one of the top 35 under 35 Global Innovators by MIT Tech Review and was a TED speaker in Vancouver, in TED en Espanol in in NYC, as well as TEDx Cordoba in 2018.

Rebeca’s career has been intimately linked to education. She has taught Technology Entrepreneurship at Stanford University for a decade and has been a member of the faculty at Tecnologico de Monterrey for half a decade, and serves on the Board of the preschool Little School. Rebeca Hwang is an inventor holding 12 patents, with 9 more pending.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on LinkedIn

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

First Name

Last Name

Email

Contact Number

Date of your event

Venue Address

Name of Venue

Venue Address

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Type of Speaker

Type of Event Host

Type of Entertainer

Budget Available

Your Enquiry Details

Click here to Login

No reviews available for this post.

Was this profile helpful?

Talent FAQ's

Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?

Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.

What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?

Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.

Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?

The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.

Travel expenses and other costs

Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.

Deposits and securing a booking

Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.

Additional tips and takeaways

Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.

Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!

You may be interested in...

(14)

(3)

Dominic Thurbon

Dominic Thurbon has cracked the code for making change happen, with the ultimate formula to drive innovation, future-proof your workforce and design brands that really matter. Dom is an internationally engaged speaker and facilitator who helps individuals and organisations drive behaviour change in the face of external disruption. He is a Partner in the Climate […]

Travels from: Sydney, NSW

Artificial Intelligence

(48)

(2)

Daniel Burrus

Daniel Burrus is heralded as one of the globe’s preeminent futurist speakers on global trends and disruptive innovation. With an extraordinary ability to translate complex technological trends into actionable business insights, Burrus has become a pivotal figure in strategic consulting. His keen insights and articulate delivery have earned him accolades from prestigious publications like The […]

Travels from: San Diego, CA

Futurists Speakers

Marc Porat

Marc Porat is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience driving innovation in the tech industry. He is best known for developing the concept of “The Information Economy” and cofounding General Magic, the iconic Apple spin-off that pioneered the first smartphones and intelligent agents. In his presentations, Marc shares his AI strategic vision […]

Travels from: San Francisco, CA

Futurists Speakers

(19)

Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh travels over 300 days a year worldwide: researching trends, collecting case studies and presenting on the future of business and leadership. Mike is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing companies for the 21st century. A global nomad, futurist and author of the bestselling book, The Algorithmic Leader, he advises some […]

Travels from: Sydney, NSW

Artificial Intelligence

(19)

Linda Bernardi

Linda Bernardi is a trailblazer in the world of innovation, renowned for her unique vision and unwavering commitment to disrupting the status quo. As an “innovation provocateur,” Linda helps organizations break free from their comfort zones, challenge conventional wisdom, and shatter outdated paradigms. Her mission is to drive the creation of market-changing products, services, and […]

Travels from: Seattle, WA

Artificial Intelligence

(22)

Elatia Abate

Elatia Abate is an entrepreneur with a mission to revolutionize leadership to empower humanity in the Age of AI. Named a Forbes leading female futurist, she is a globally recognized expert on the futures of work and strategy and currently serves as Futurist in Residence for Paylocity. Her Future-Led Leadership learning and development content has […]

Travels from: Atlanta, GA

Futurists Speakers

(25)

Karen Hao

Karen Hao is a globally recognized voice at the forefront of AI reporting, named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in AI and heralded as “one of the foremost tech journalists covering AI” by Dr. Joy Buolamwini. A former Silicon Valley engineer turned investigative journalist, Karen is the author of the New York Times bestselling book Empire […]

Travels from: Hong Kong

Artificial Intelligence

(29)

Dr Mark van Rijmenam

Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is a globally recognized strategic futurist, keynote speaker, and thought leader on artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the future of work. As an in-demand speaker, he equips organizations with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate digital disruption, drive innovation, and prepare for the rapidly changing technological landscape. His ability to translate […]

Travels from: Sydney, NSW

Futurists Speakers

Disclaimer

The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee Range Information

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Subscribe to receive email notifications about our speakers, events, and latest news.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

Enter your FIRSTNAME

Customize this optional help text before publishing your form.

Enter your LASTNAME

Customize this optional help text before publishing your form.

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g abc@xyz.com

I agree to receive your newsletters and accept the data privacy statement.

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

Back to top

© All rights reserved 2026. Designed using Voxel

AI Assistant