Erik Haug

Erik Haug is a strategist, social entrepreneur, and keynote speaker recognized as the founder and chief vision officer of LIGHT CoCreative. LIGHT CoCreative is an innovation consulting firm focused on sustainable solutions and social impact, working to address fundamental needs such as food security and environmental sustainability. The company leads cross-sector campaigns to foster cooperation, partnerships, and collective problem-solving in areas including food systems and climate action. Haug describes strategic visioning as his core practice, involving deep listening, synthesizing insights, connecting ideas, and clarifying actionable steps.

Haug's career encompasses work at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and social impact. He has served as an innovation consultant and facilitator at Deloitte, advising global brands, and as co-founder and chief executive officer at Rende. Haug has also held roles as immersion architect and master facilitator at Fact0ry, and as director of new business models, strategy and innovation at Earth Finance, Inc., supporting the transition to a low-carbon, regenerative economy. He has contributed as an advisor to startups and is a founding member of ProFound, a network advocating for disability representation.

Haug has facilitated visioning sessions with hundreds of leaders, with clients including Nike, UCLA, Cisco, and Intuit. He has spoken at events such as Dreamforce, OpenWorld, SXSW, Climate Week NYC, and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Conferences. His work centers on helping organizations reshape business models to align profitability with environmental and social responsibility. Strategic visioning and visualization are central to his approach as both an entrepreneur and athlete.

Motivated by his autistic brother, Haug is dedicated to advancing inclusion, neurodiversity, belonging, and mental health. He regularly addresses these topics as a keynote speaker. LIGHT CoCreative develops digital-physical initiatives such as the Youth Sustainability Academy in partnership with the Zayed Sustainability Prize. Through the "Cultivate LA" campaign, LIGHT CoCreative has worked to improve sustainable food access and education in Los Angeles County, addressing food insecurity affecting millions of Americans.

Haug is a former Division I NCAA athlete and starting men's soccer goalkeeper at George Washington University. His athletic background informs his leadership and resilience, themes he explores with audiences at sustainability conferences and leadership workshops. Haug's work focuses on empowering purpose-driven leaders and advancing wellness, inclusion, and sustainable innovation.