Melissa Crawford is a forward-thinking expert in future technologies, people psychology, and strategic foresight.
Growing up as one of six children and moving through 13 schools and over 40 houses, she developed a unique resilience and adaptability. These qualities have fueled her passion for change and innovation, guiding her toward a career that bridges the intersection of cutting-edge technology and human behavior.
Throughout her career, Melissa has worked across multiple sectors, collaborating with some of New Zealand’s largest organisations, including Air New Zealand, BNZ, Fonterra, and ASB. In 2022, she launched her own company, Future Focused Ltd, trading as Tech with Heart, through which she helps businesses shape future strategies. Her work spans both New Zealand and the United States, where she holds board positions and advises on future-focused initiatives.
Melissa holds two technology degrees, including a Master of Technological Futures, and is New Zealand's first certified Metaverse expert from the Blockchain Council. She is also a certified futurist from the top global institutions in the field and a chartered member of both the Institute of Directors and HRNZ. Her professional accolades include multiple HRD Hotlist awards and recognition as HR Leader and HR Person of the Year.
A true global thinker, Melissa is well-known for her wide-reaching travel and her passion for kindness initiatives, which have become a significant part of her personal and professional identity. Her ability to combine knowledge of emerging technologies with deep insights into human psychology makes her a respected voice in shaping how organisations approach the future.
Talking Points
Your digital body language – what message are you really sending to other humans…..and AI
In today’s world of work the majority of our business communication is now digital (email, text, comms channels, mobile ph, online meetings, social media platforms). Since the days of learning about body language, we have not been given a communication upgrade to understand the impact of the digital transition and as a result we are getting unintended consequences. This insightful and humorous talk will outline the subtle elements of digital communications and the developing norms on business culture. Looking at the key elements that if better understood have the power to reduce burnout, increase trust, increase productivity, improve connection and psychological safety in the workplace. What message are you really sending and what breadcrumbs are you leaving that paint a picture of you that you might not be intending.
Your digital body language – what message are you really sending to other humans…..and AI
Future of work - The intersection of People Psychology and Future Technology
The future will be about optimising the best of technology and the best of people. In the last year many have upskilled themselves on evolving tech trends such as Chat GPT and CoPilot with the clear directive that those that don’t will be left behind. But few have put the same time into upskilling themselves on the more complex developments happening in the human space and understanding the waves of change these technologies are bringing to the way we communicate, behave and evolve. This session will delve into evolving tech and people trends and the shifting dynamics this creates. Being future ready will require a deeper curiosity across Technology and People, in this session, Melissa hopes to spark that curiosity.
Future of work - The intersection of People Psychology and Future Technology
The power of Kindness - Humanity in a digital world
Globally recognition and kindness has reduced post covid, in a world where loneliness and digital communications have increased. Melissa tackles the importance of emphasising the power of our humanity through kindness behaviours in the workplace, our communities and in our digital interactions. As people become concerned about AI and its lack of EQ and humanity, Melissa implores us to make sure we are role modelling behaviours to be proud of. Through practical examples of daily behaviours through to creating moments that matter. The impact of kindness and the repercussions are felt well beyond the interaction. We all know its how you make people feel that matters. What role will Kindness play as AI, robotics and other technologies dominate our homes and workplaces?
The power of Kindness - Humanity in a digital world
Preparing for the Future of work - The shifting forces of disruptive technology and evolving human needs
This session is designed to get audiences thinking beyond the current state and thinking ahead. With a people and technology viewpoint, distinct changes are on the horizon. Is your organisation ready, are you ready?Preparing for the Future of work - The shifting forces of disruptive technology and evolving human needs
Target Audience: Executives, Senior Leadership, Senior HR Leaders, Innovation drivers, Learning curious leaders, Executive Coaches
Key Takeaways:
- Future technology trends impacting the world of work
- The changing shape and requirements of our workforce
- Keeping future fit
Keynote or Workshop
Workshop - How Future Fit is your people strategy?
How to create proactive preparations for disruptive technology and evolving human needsWorkshop - How Future Fit is your people strategy?
The term Future of work is thrown around a lot and many people can only associate flexible and hybrid working as its descriptor. But Future' implies what's to come not what's already here. This session is a thought-provoking session guiding HR teams to delve deep into several what-if scenarios to uncover opportunities to make adjustments in their work practices to keep them and their business future fit.
Target Audience: People Executive and Leadership Teams keen to think beyond the operational and into a more strategic future focus. Strategy teams with a people lens.
Key Takeaways:
- Disruptive technology impacts
- The changing shape and requirements of the workforce
- The shifting state of capabilities
Future Technologies - The beginners guide to 8 of the leading future Technologies
This session is designed as a stimulating introduction to 8 of the leading future technologies. Demystifying the terms and definitions and real-life examples of their current and potential uses. An engaging session crossing exciting developments in the future tech space and thought-provoking encouragement into preparing your business and personal skillsets to thrive in this changing world. Future Technologies - The beginners guide to 8 of the leading future Technologies
Target Audience: Anyone interested in keeping current on future technologies
Key Takeaways:
- Future Technologies now and in the future
- How embedded these technologies already are in our day-to-day lives
- Technology for good, examples of disruptive technologies that people are fearful of and how they are being used for good
Keynote or Workshop
People and Technology impacts - What are the realities of psychological safety in the workplace
Since the google study on high-performing teams and its finding that a key success factor was psychological safety, this has been a desired state in organisations. Yet the reality is far from this. This session explores some of the markers in your organisation practices that will highlight potential gaps as well as explore new horizons that may challenge this further. People and Technology impacts - What are the realities of psychological safety in the workplace
Target Audience: Executives, Senior Leadership, Senior HR Leaders, Health and Safety Leaders, Learning curious leaders, Executive Coaches
Key Takeaways:
- Psychological Safety indicators in the workplace
- What Psychological safety in the workplace means with the changing shape of remote working
- Technology impacts on psychological safety
Keynote or Workshop
Metaverses - The beginners guide to Metaverses and why everyones talking about them
By using the popular phrase The Metaverse' anyone in the know will realise you have no clue what a Metaverse is. There is not one Metaverse and there are strong reasons why we are not there yet. This session will provide clarity and understanding on Metaverse technology and why you should have some knowledge of what's coming. This session will upskill attendees to hold their own in a conversation about Metaverses and have a grounding in potential impacts on their business or industry.Metaverses - The beginners guide to Metaverses and why everyones talking about them
Target Audience: Anyone interested in keeping current on future technologies
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Metaverse Technology
- The Evolution of Metaverses
- Top Metaverses in action today
- Company uses for Metaverse Technology
- Watchouts for unintended consequences
Keynote
We have utilised Melissa's expertise as a presenter and a panellist at our last three conferences across New Zealand and Australia due to both her engaging content and style. A crowd favouri ... keep reading Hannover Fairs
Melissa delivered an outstanding presentation to our ANZ People & Culture Business Partnering team on the implications of AI for HR. Her 90-minute session was both engaging and thought-provoking, striking the perfect balance between being informative and a call to action. We could have easily spent far longer on this topic alone. Melissa’s passion, expertise, and talent as a speaker were evident throughout, making her presentation the highlight of our hui. We highly recommend Melissa for any speaking engagement on AI and its impact.
Melissa is a rare speaker who combines deep tech expertise with human-centred delivery and empathy. She can take a complex subject (like the metaverse) and conjure a 'do not ignore' future relevant to any industry. Melissa is a must have speaker for any conference organiser who wants a thought provoking and insightful keynote on their programme
