Strategic Foresight and Life-Centred Design for Resilient Leadership
Design leaders are increasingly expected to guide organizational change, not simply deliver projects. Shifting economic conditions, climate pressures, social equity expectations and technological disruption require decision makers to think beyond individual assets toward system-level impact. Yet many practices lack structured methods for integrating foresight into everyday design and governance processes.
Drawing on global experience across corporate real estate, hospitality, education, wellness and transportation, this session explores how strategic foresight and life-centred design can inform resilient decision-making. It examines how architects and design professionals can frame uncertainty, identify emerging risks, and measure change in ways that strengthen long term value while supporting human and organizational outcomes.
Principal/Founder | Decanthropy
Ian Rolston is a design strategist and humanist inspiring change through his strategic foresight, and innovation design consultancy Decanthropy. His global experience across diverse sectors in Corporate Real Estate, Hospitality, Education, Wellness, and Transportation has informed his emphasis on design's power to foster meaningful change. Rolston believes in the power of design to bridge gaps in systems, and build resilience for organizations, and communities—his Life-centered approach to engagement in diverse roles from Principal, Professor, Practitioner, and Precipitant supports seeing challenges uniquely for” better good”. As a vision specialist for decision-makers, Rolston facilitates innovation with foresight, authenticity, equity, and honesty by design. Wherever the context Ian champions developing connected enterprises, experiences, and environments that augment a shared sense of humanity. Rolston aims to shape a more “human” world to ”Life” in, one possible at a time.
