Sari Stenfors

Dr. Sari Stenfors is a futurist, strategist, and systems thinker whose work focuses on the intersection of technology, leadership, and human potential. Named one of Forbes' 50 Leading Female Futurists, Stenfors challenges leaders and organizations to consider long-term futures, including scenarios extending to the 2090s. As executive director of the Augmented Leadership Institute, a California-based think tank, she guides individuals and institutions toward what she describes as protopic futures—visions that are realistic, human-centered, and inclusive.

Stenfors holds a doctorate in business technology with a focus on artificial intelligence, algorithms, data governance, distributed ledgers, and digital organizational behavior. Her academic work includes research collaborations with Stanford University and other international institutions, exploring the intersection of leadership, technology, and human adaptability. She specializes in AI, blockchain, and cybernetics, and has conducted anthropological studies on the evolving relationship between societies and technology. Her expertise spans health care, retail, advertising, and entertainment, providing a cross-sector perspective on systemic change.

Stenfors has founded more than 20 companies, with multiple exits and one initial public offering, and serves as an advisor and board member for various startups. Among her ventures is Phenium, a food safety startup she co-founded after a personal experience with a life-threatening infection. Phenium uses IoT, big data, AI, and blockchain to help restaurants and food service providers improve food storage and preparation processes, aiming to reduce global foodborne illness. Stenfors' entrepreneurial activities also include social impact work in regions such as Afghanistan and Somalia, where she has participated in humanitarian initiatives and impact investment.

Stenfors is a keynote speaker who addresses topics including artificial intelligence, blockchain, female leadership, and the future of democracy. She has spoken at forums across Europe and North America, including the Ülemiste City Future Forum in Estonia, and has participated in panel discussions on the societal impact of emerging technologies. Her work emphasizes existential hope—a grounded belief in realistic possibilities—as a critical leadership capacity for navigating rapid technological and societal transformation.