Derek Handley

Chief Innovation Officer at  Human Ventures, New York,
Social Innovation Visionary and author.

22 August 2017
Manawatu Golf Club, Palmerston North
5pm

He’s been placed on two top 100 global leadership indexes,  named as one of the most influential people in technology in New York by Silicon Alley 100, and a ‘New Zealander Leader’ by the Sir Peter Blake Trust - but Derek’s path to success has not always been a smooth one.

At 22 years old, Derek Handley was facing bankruptcy to the tune of $100,000 after a gamble on the stock market fell through. At 30, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis threatened to ruin The Hyperfactory, the award-winning mobile marketing business he had built for over a decade. But it’s been a busy few years. Since selling The Hyperfactory, Derek decided he would use his remaining time and energy on the planet to focus solely on projects, people and companies aiming to do good in the world. This lead to him co-founding The B Team with Sir Richard Branson.  The B Team is an advocacy collective with a team of leaders that includes international billionaires, CEOs of global brands, Nobel Laureates and former Prime Ministers. They aim to encourage global business to become a driving force for social, environmental and economic benefit.

Derek is also the founder of The Aera Foundation, a charitable trust investing in causes and companies that address national social issues in imaginative ways. Aera's activities work to create a better New Zealand, and  include young leadership fellowships, tackling child hunger, advocating for drug policy reform, and encouraging civic engagement.  

He’s won numerous industry awards including: Ernst & Young’s ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’, ‘Distinguished Young Alumni’ of Victoria University of Wellington, and was named Social Innovator in Residence by the Wharton Social Impact Initiative, at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. And Derek’s not done yet.

Come along to Three Keys and be inspired by Derek’s story of resilience - what he’s done, where he’s headed now and how he’s competing on the world stage. You’ll also have the chance to purchase Derek’s recently relaunched book, “Heart to Start” at the event.