Rahaf Harfoush

Member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI, Executive Director of Red Thread & New York Times Bestselling Author of “The Decoded Company”

Rahaf Harfoush’s Biography:

Rahaf Harfoush is a renowned digital anthropologist, strategist and New York Times bestselling author whose work explores how emerging technologies are reshaping work, creativity and productivity. A member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI and France’s National Digital Council, Rahaf operates at the intersection of policy, innovation and human behaviour. As Executive Director of Red Thread, she advises organisations on navigating digital transformation with humanity at the core.

Rahaf completed her BA in Business Administration and Management at the Ivey Business School before beginning her career at Nestlé as a Purchasing and Marketing Associate. She later joined Hotspex as a Research Analyst and Project Manager, building expertise in digital strategy and consumer insight. In 2009, she became Associate Director of the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers programme, working with high-growth technology firms and global leaders. During this period, she also served on President Barack Obama’s social media team, contributing to the digital engagement strategy.

In 2012, Rahaf became Executive Director of Red Thread, where she continues to guide organisations through cultural and technological change. She was appointed Adjunct Professor at the School of Management and Innovation at Sciences Po and later became a Visiting Policy Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute. In 2021, she joined France’s National Digital Council, and in 2024 was selected to serve on the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI. She has delivered keynote addresses at London Tech Week, Thinkers50 Thinker-Fest and the WEBECS Summit, and launched a LinkedIn Learning course on Humane Productivity.

Rahaf has authored three influential books, including ‘The Decoded Company’, ‘Hustle and Float’ and ‘Yes We Did!’. ‘The Decoded Company’ became a New York Times bestseller and received the 2015 Gold Axiom Award for best technology book. Her ideas have appeared in The Financial Times, Fast Company, The Globe and Harvard Business Review. She has been named a Young Global Changer by the G20 Global Think Tank Summit and shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Award.

Why Hire Rahaf Harfoush?

Rahaf is hired as a speaker for her rare ability to connect technological transformation with human creativity and wellbeing. As a member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI and a policy adviser at national level, she offers authoritative insight into the global governance of artificial intelligence and digital innovation.

At the same time, her TED Talk “How Burnout Makes Us Less Creative“, bestselling books and keynote appearances at events such as London Tech Week and Thinkers50 demonstrate her ability to translate complex ideas into practical strategies. She equips leaders with frameworks for humane productivity, sustainable creativity and responsible technology adoption in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Rahaf Harfoush’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Rahaf Harfoush’s impressive career:

• 2026 – Recognised as Speaker of the Month by Nordic Business Forum, highlighting her keynote presence and influence on leadership and digital performance at major global conferences.
• 2024 – Appointed as a Member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI, contributing to global AI governance discussions.
• 2024 – Invited to speak at the Gartner Reimagine HR event on digital transformation and humane productivity.
• 2023 – Delivered a keynote at Thinkers50 Thinker-Fest, engaging global business leaders on creativity and innovation.
• 2022 – Launched a LinkedIn Learning course entitled Humane Productivity, expanding her impact on workplace culture.
• 2021 – Became a Member of France’s National Digital Council, advising on national digital strategy.
• 2021 – Appointed Visiting Policy Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, contributing to research on digital governance.
• 2019 – Published Hustle and Float, exploring creativity and burnout in modern work culture.
• 2014 – Published The Decoded Company and became Adjunct Professor at Sciences Po.
• 2009 – Served as Associate Director of the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers programme and contributed to President Obama’s digital campaign strategy.
• 2012 – Appointed Executive Director of Red Thread, leading strategic advisory work on digital transformation.