Kristel Vanderlinden

Kristel Vanderlinden is a forward-thinking strategist and futurist dedicated to shaping the businesses of today, tomorrow, and beyond. With over two decades of experience, she focuses on assisting companies in evolving into future-driven entities that prioritize long-term growth, sustainability, and societal impact. Specializing in purpose-driven strategies, trends analysis, insights, foresights, data science, and technology, Kristel is at the forefront of transforming brands for a better future.

As a sought-after keynote speaker, Kristel delves into a wide array of future-focused topics such as wellbeing, values, circularity, inclusivity, and emerging lifestyle trends. Her expertise extends to guiding brands in developing strong purposes, launching innovative products and services, and crafting groundbreaking strategies that foster meaningful change. In her current role at the Cronos group and &Koo, Kristel is set to introduce workshops aimed at creating a better future, pioneering a trend platform that functions as a concept store, experimental labs, and future embassies to inspire individuals, brands, and institutions to make a positive impact.

Kristel's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from HOBOH, a bachelor's degree in Communications management from Hogeschool PXL, and studies at Solvay Business School. Throughout her career, she has held various key positions at renowned organizations, including Head of Innovation & Intelligence at &KOO, where she drives strategic innovation initiatives. Previously, as the Futurist & Foresight Creative Strategist and Co-Founder of Spectra, she played a pivotal role in brand transformation and strategic development.

With a rich professional history that includes roles such as Global Brand Manager, Chief Marketing Wolf, Head of Strategy, and Communication Manager at esteemed companies like Lowe Worldwide, Ogilvy, and ING Group, Kristel brings a diverse skill set encompassing brand management, strategy development, marketing, and communications. Her past experiences as a freelance journalist, account manager, and project leader have equipped her with a holistic understanding of the industry, making her a versatile and influential figure in the world of business and innovation.