What to expect at Fast Company’s 10th annual Innovation Festival: All things Workplace, Tech, Politics, Wellness

Fast Company’s 10th annual Innovation Festival hits New York City September 16-19. From panels and workshops to Fast Tracks and dinners, it’s going to be a packed week. So we’ve outlined some highlights for you based on what you might be interested in.

If you’re interested in Workplace:

Restating the Case for DEIHosted by General Catalyst/ChiefFast Track

Are meritocracy and DEI really at odds? Is it possible to preserve the core benefits of DEI in a manner that optimizes all talent and maintains a culture in which everyone feels a sense of belonging?

The headwinds against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have been fierce. Much of this opposition has been politically motivated or the result of pressure from anti-DEI activist groups. Yet some would argue that aspects of DEI have caused workplace divisiveness and hindered progress. Research shows the majority of executives plan to continue their DEI initiatives this year and beyond. Why? Is there a more balanced business case for diversity in today’s business and political environment? Is it possible to preserve the core benefits of DEI in a manner that optimizes all talent and maintains a culture in which everyone feels a sense of belonging?

Join business leaders Ken Frazier (former Chairman and CEO, Merck; chairman, Health Assurance Initiatives, General Catalyst) and Carolyn Childers (co-founder and CEO, Chief) for a candid, nonpartisan business discussion on DEI in the workplace in today’s challenging political and social environment.

How Employee Engagement Can Transform Company Culture—and the Bottom LineForum StageQuiet quitting carries a hefty price tag: Gallup estimates that low worker engagement currently costs the global economy $8.8 trillion, a staggering 9% of global GDP. Low engagement is the culprit. In this session, a diverse group of executives will share strategies for inspiring and empowering employees to boost morale along with profits. FEATURING: Bob Stiller, Founder, Keurig Green Mountain; Hanneke Faber, CEO, Logitech; Ken Moore, Chief Innovation Officer, Mastercard

How Businesses Are Fighting the “War on Woke”Forum Stage

Conservative interest groups have been targeting DEI initiatives across education with the Supreme Court ending affirmative action last year. And now these groups have set their sights on the workplace. But with the diversity of American business at stake, entrepreneurs and their legal teams aren’t going down without a fight. Get an inside look at the war on “woke” in the workplace and understand how it may affect your business. FEATURING: Elizabeth Gore, Cofounder and President, Hello Alice; Neal Katyal, Partner, Hogan Lovells US; Russell Jackson, Chef and Owner, Reverence

Top 10 Innovators: Sara NelsonMain Stage

Though Sara Nelson was elected president of the Association of Flight Attendants a decade ago, she ascended into the national spotlight in 2019 after threatening a flight attendants’ strike, which would’ve ground air travel, to help end a protracted government shutdown. In the years since, Nelson has been instrumental in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on airline industry employees and challenging questionable policies fashioned by executives behind closed doors. Hear what’s next in Nelson’s continued fight for worker rights across labor sectors.

If you’re interested in Tech:

Top 10: Satya Nadella: CEO, MicrosoftMain Stage

As one of the first tech execs to go all in on AI, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who has been with the company since 1992, knows how to forecast trends. Rather than relying solely on Microsoft’s own long-standing AI research efforts, he made a prescient investment in OpenAI in 2019, getting first dibs on the same groundbreaking technology that powers ChatGPT. This year, he forged a deal with French startup Mistral AI, a rising competitor to OpenAI and Google known for its large language model. Join this conversation to learn more about what innovation looks like to Nadella—and what it means when he sees it. Nadella will join this session virtually.

Your Company’s Guide to AI Regulation and SafetyForum Stage

As businesses across industries continue to implement AI into their operations, understanding AI governance and threats to cybersecurity has become even more paramount. Join this panel to hear from experts who will guide you through what you need to know to ensure your business is compliant and secure. FEATURING: Ron De Jesus, Field Chief Privacy Officer, Transcend; Wendi Whitmore, SVP and Head of Unit 42, Palo Alto Networks; Raffi Krikorian, Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director, Emerson CollectivePreparing for a Quantum LeapForum Stage

With all the buzz around AI, one has to wonder what’s next in tech. Many would argue it’s quantum computing, a multidisciplinary field that, at its core, uses quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for standard computers. Understand why tech giants, researchers, and investors see quantum computing as the next big leap—and where you should lean in. FEATURING: Darío Gil, SVP of Research, IBM; Martin A. Schmidt, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Margaret Arakawa, Chief Marketing Officer, IonQ

Thinking Big and Acting Fast with Mobile-First InnovationHosted by ZolaFast Track

Join Charles Scalesse, VP of Mobile Engineering at Zola, to learn how to revolutionize your company by thinking big and acting swiftly with mobile-first innovation. Discover how Zola transformed the wedding-planning experience by placing the consumer at the heart of its product strategy. Rather than viewing mobile apps as mere extensions of its core products, Zola has created a dynamic innovation pipeline to meet the unique needs of couples with speed. Attendees will hear from Scalesse on building mobile-only products and integrating familiar experiences from other apps to enhance user satisfaction and drive business success. They will also have the opportunity to submit questions for a live Q&A session. Light bites and refreshments will be provided.

Brewing Innovation: Combining Tech and Design for the Ultimate Coffee ExperienceHosted by Terra KaffeFast Track

Terra Kaffe, a leader in the coffee technology space, will be serving top-shelf espresso martinis and discussing the cutting-edge tech that makes its products best in class. Experience Terra Kaffe’s connected bean-to-cup TK-02 espresso machine and discover why it’s gracing thousands of countertops nationwide.

If you’re interested in Politics:

Top 10 Innovator: Lina KhanMain Stage

As the youngest head of the Federal Trade Commission in history, Lina Khan has rallied against Big Tech, challenged deceptive data brokers, and fought for antitrust policies that ensure a truly competitive marketplace. And in an incredibly decisive presidential election year, Khan clearly has her work cut out for her even more. In this one-on-one conversation, hear how she’s sought to infuse new ways of thinking into an old institution, while remaining a staunch advocate for fair market conditions.

What’s at Stake This Election YearForum Stage

It’s another presidential election year—and this one seems just as consequential, if not more so, than 2020. The economy, reproductive rights, the state of our democracy, and much more are up in the air. Join this session to understand what the outcome in November could mean for you and your business. FEATURING: Philipp Carlsson-Szlezak, Global Chief Economist, Boston Consulting Group; Asima Ahmad, Cofounder and Chief Medical Offiicer, Carrot Fertility; Ian Simmons, Cofounder and Principal, Blue Haven Initiative

If you’re interested in Wellness:

Why Better Mental Health at Work Starts at the TopForum Stage

A 2023 survey found that 75% of the C-suite and 64% of managers were seriously considering quitting for a different company that would better support their well-being. And it’s not hard to imagine employees haven’t been faring any better when dealing with heavy workloads and long hours. But how mental health is prioritized at any company starts from the top down. Hear from this array of executives who understand the value of centering their own mental health and ensuring employees are doing the same. FEATURING: Linus Karlsson, Chief Creative Officer, Ikea; Andy Dunn, Founder and CEO, Pie; Elyse Cohen, EVP, Social Impact and Inclusion, Rare Beauty

Top 10: Jennifer DoudnaMain Stage

Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna is a pioneering force in biosciences. She’s one of the minds behind CRISPR: the groundbreaking gene-editing technology that’s been employed to develop diagnostics for the Zika virus, disease models for Alzheimer’s, and therapeutics capable of reprogramming cancer cells. Her work is vastly expanding healthcare solutions. At the same time, she’s remained dedicated to lowering the cost of patient care. In this conversation, Doudna breaks down what’s next in gene-editing therapy and what’s needed to ensure it’s accessible to everyone. Doudna will join this session virtually.

Live Long and Prosper: Unpacking the Longevity EconomyForum Stage

The number of people over 60 years old is expected to more than double to 2.1 billion by 2050. Helping to propel that growing number are a range of companies innovating around aging and rethinking approaches to wellness and healthcare. This panel will help you understand the business of longevity—and what you need to know to potentially add more years to your own life. FEATURING: Melanie Goldey, CEO, Tally Health; John Mackey, Co-Creator and CEO, Love.Life; Tom Hale, CEO, Ōura

Inside the Future of HealthcareForum Stage

From the new frontier of vaccination research and development to groundbreaking wearables to reimagining care facilities, innovation within the healthcare industry is booming. Hear from the doctors, researchers, and designers who are helping to shape a healthier, more accessible world. FEATURING: Kayvon Modjarrad, Executive Director of Vaccine R&D, Pfizer; John-Ross “JR” Rizzo, Health System Director of Disability Inclusion at NYU Langone Health; Anne Gibson, Design Principal, CannonDesign