What if the future wasn’t something to fear, but something we could design with intention, confidence, and joy? What if uncertainty wasn’t a warning sign, but an invitation to think more creatively about what’s possible and how we move forward?
Jen Brace, founder of The Happy Futurist, helps audiences navigate uncertainty by blending strategic foresight with the science of well-being. Drawing on more than 20 years of corporate experience across engineering, research, product development, and foresight, Jen brings both technical rigor and a deeply human lens to conversations about what’s next.
Her work is grounded in a simple but powerful idea: the future doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By shifting from fear of the unknown to proactive, positive growth, organizations and individuals can build resilience and momentum even in times of rapid change.
Jen uniquely bridges data-driven foresight with the science of flourishing. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering, an MS in Engineering Management, and an MA in Happiness Studies, equipping her with the rare ability to translate complex signals into practical, actionable insight.
On stage, Jen shares frameworks that help audiences identify emerging trends, make sense of market outliers, and design resilient paths forward. Her talks empower teams to move beyond survival mode and toward shaping a future where progress, resilience, and well-being go hand in hand.
Based in Plymouth, Michigan, Jen is a leading advocate for positive foresight, helping organizations imagine — and build — futures where happiness and resilience are treated as true measures of success.
The future isn’t something that happens to organizations. It’s something they quietly design every day — through the decisions they make, the risks they avoid, and the signals they choose to ignore.
In this keynote, Jen helps leaders and teams learn how to think like futurists, not by predicting what’s next, but by preparing for multiple possible futures with clarity, optimism, and resilience.
Drawing on decades of experience across engineering, product development, strategic foresight, and the science of well-being, Jen introduces a practical framework for navigating uncertainty without fear. She shows organizations how to spot meaningful trends early, recognize disruptive outliers before they become obvious, and build strategies that remain strong even as conditions change.
What sets this talk apart is its human lens. Jen connects future-focused thinking with wellness, organizational design, and culture, arguing that resilience, adaptability, and happiness are not soft concepts — they are strategic advantages. When people feel grounded, prepared, and empowered, they make better decisions about what comes next.
Audiences leave with a clear understanding of how to move beyond reactive planning and toward intentional future-building, where uncertainty becomes a source of possibility rather than paralysis.
Key Themes
– Thinking like a futurist without needing a crystal ball
– Trends vs. outliers and why discomfort is often the first signal
– Preparing for uncertainty instead of fearing it
– Designing organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and human
– Why well-being and optimism are essential future-of-work strategies
Ideal For
– Organizations navigating rapid change or disruption
– Leadership teams thinking about future workforce models
– Strategy, innovation, and transformation audiences
– Companies looking to integrate foresight with culture and well-being