ABA NextGenBaker Announces Keynote Speaker

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is pleased to announce Marc Palatucci, Director of Growth and Engagement at Future Today Strategy Group (FTSG), as the keynote speaker for the NextGenBaker Leadership Forum, taking place September 15-17 in Washington, D.C….
Marc Palatucci

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The American Bakers Association (ABA) is pleased to announce Marc Palatucci, Director of Growth and Engagement at Future Today Strategy Group (FTSG), as the keynote speaker for the NextGenBaker Leadership Forum, taking place September 15-17 in Washington, D.C.

As the premier leadership development programme for the commercial baking industry, NextGenBaker equips rising executives with the skills and perspectives needed to navigate an increasingly complex business environment. Palatucci’s keynote will challenge participants to identify emerging trends, develop future scenarios, and examine how today’s decisions can shape tomorrow’s outcomes.

During his interactive keynote, “Leading for the Future,” Palatucci will guide attendees through two immersive workshops designed to strengthen strategic thinking and decision-making, while building leadership skills for individuals and their teams.

Unit One: Leading for the Future: Scenarios and Rehearsing the Future

Effective leaders don’t predict the future; they prepare for it. In this interactive session, participants will be introduced to the principles of strategic foresight and learn how to use scenario planning and the “Time Cone framework” to explore multiple possible futures.

Unit Two: Leading for the Future: Axes of Uncertainty and Thinking the Unthinkable

Today’s leaders must make decisions in an environment defined by rapid change, competing priorities, and increasing uncertainty. In part two, participants will practise an advanced scenario-planning framework that challenges assumptions, uncovers hidden biases, and explores a range of plausible future outcomes.

Palatucci is Director of Growth and Engagement for Future Today Strategy Group, a global advisory firm specialising in strategic foresight, emerging technology, and long-term planning. Alongside FTSG founder and CEO Amy Webb, he teaches strategic foresight in the master’s programme at NYU’s Stern School of Business, where he recently joined the Alumni Council. His insights have been featured in publications ranging from Vogue to National Geographic’s Ultimate Book of the Future, and he has spoken to audiences ranging from the World Health Organization to the Metropolitan Club in San Francisco.

“One of NextGenBaker’s greatest strengths is exposing participants to ideas and perspectives they may not encounter in their day-to-day roles. Marc’s session will challenge emerging leaders to think beyond the immediate horizon and develop the strategic mindset needed to lead the commercial baking industry into the future,” said Pippa O’Shea, Senior Manager of Events and Programming at the American Bakers Association.

The NextGenBaker Leadership Forum brings together high-potential professionals from commercial baker and supplier companies to strengthen leadership capabilities, expand industry knowledge, build lasting professional relationships, and better understand the policy and business forces shaping the future of commercial baking. Designed for professionals with leadership potential, rather than defined by age or title, the programme brings together managers, directors, vice presidents, senior leaders, and other high-performing employees from across every business function.

Co-located with the Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit, attendees will also experience the importance of public policy firsthand through exclusive policy sessions and opportunities to engage directly with policymakers on Capitol Hill. This unique perspective helps future leaders better understand the broader business environment and the role they play in shaping the industry’s future.

To learn more about NextGenBaker:
https://americanbakers.org/professional-development/leadership-training

Learn more about the agenda and register for the NextGenBaker Leadership Forum at the Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit:
https://www.americanbakers.org/events/bakers-fly-and-policy-summit-and-nextgenbaker-leadership-forum

About International Bakery

International Bakery is the leading authority in global bakery content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the bakery sector.

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