Hael Kobayashi

Hael Kobayashi is a well-regarded executive with global expertise in design-led innovation and the creative industries, specializing in regeneration, sustainability, film, media, design, and emerging technologies. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Principal at DesignIntelligence. As Global Director of Digital Strategy and Transformation at Arup, Hael led the co-development of the firm-wide engagement with digital innovation for business transformation. As the inaugural Executive Director of Creative Intelligence at University of Technology Sydney (UTS), he led the strategic planning and implementation for creative innovation across research, education, and industry engagement. His leadership has included senior executive and producer roles for several of the world's leading film and entertainment studios. He has been a key member of digital economy teams working with regional economic development leadership to create and implement innovation strategies for sustainable growth in four countries. Hael has served as an awards jury member and senior advisor for INDEX: Design to Improve Life, a global leader in innovation funded by the Danish government. As an appointee to the DesignSingapore International Advisory Board, he co-developed leadership scenarios for next-generation healthcare, transportation, social enterprise, and emerging technologies for public and private sector executives. His thought leadership and keynotes have been presented at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XIII) in Doha, Qatar; the UN-sponsored World Summit on Internet and Multimedia in Fuzhou and Chongqing, China; and the International Creative Economy Forum in Thailand. He joined Sir Tim Berners-Lee, founder of the World Wide Web, for Sydney City Talks in 2013, and served as a keynote speaker at Netexplo in 2014 — the UNESCO forum on digital futures held in Paris — with ongoing participation as a global adviser.