Modern life is full of chance encounters, changing plans, delayed journeys, human errors, and—yes—even pandemics. But what if we could turn such unpredictability into positive outcomes, personally and professionally? Dr. Christian Busch has spent a decade exploring how, if acted upon, unexpected moments can enhance our worldview, expand our social circles, and create new opportunities. In this talk, Christian will share how we can use the unexpected as a pathway to more purpose and success. This talk will enable you to: - Understand the science of serendipity — what it is and how it can be harnessed - Explore serendipity in the context of COVID-19 and other times of uncertainty - Learn how serendipity can be used as a tool for professional development, innovation, and impact - Harness concrete practices on how to cultivate serendipity for enhanced meaning and success

Prof. Dr. Christian Busch, FRSA, is a world-leading expert in the areas of innovation, purpose-driven leadership, and cultivating serendipity. He directs the CGA Global Economy Program at New York University, and also teaches at the London School of Economics. Previously, he co-directed the LSE's Innovation Lab and co-founded the Sandbox Network, a global community of young innovators, as well as Leaders on Purpose, an organization convening purpose-driven CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. He is a member of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Expert Forum, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and among Diplomatic Courier’s "Top 99 Influencers" as well as the Thinkers50 Radar list of 30 thinkers “most likely to shape the future.” Christian's bestselling book, The Serendipity Mindset (Penguin Random House), has been highlighted as a "wise, exciting, and life-changing book" (Arianna Huffington), and was featured on platforms such as the BBC, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes. He received his PhD from the LSE. Twitter: @ChrisSerendip.