Every great conference needs a guide, someone who can connect the dots, keep the energy high, and bring a touch of humour along the way. For Impactful Innovation ‘25, that’s David Downs.

David is one of New Zealand’s most recognisable business and innovation leaders, with a career spanning senior roles at Microsoft, NZTE, and now as CEO of The New Zealand Story, where he champions Aotearoa on the global stage. He also serves as Chair of The Icehouse and sits on several boards, shaping the future of entrepreneurship and technology in New Zealand.

But David is more than a business leader. He’s a best-selling author on Kiwi innovation (No.8 Re-wired, Silver Linings), co-founder of SOS Business, a not-for-profit that kept thousands of small businesses afloat during Covid-19, and a cancer survivor whose journey has inspired audiences worldwide. Add to that his background as a comedian, TV and radio actor, and you’ve got an MC who knows how to keep an audience engaged.

With David at the helm, you can expect an event that’s insightful, inspiring, and never short on laughs.