Futurist and strategist with 30 years operating inside the world's most complex supply chains
James Lisica is a futurist, strategist, and keynote speaker whose perspective on disruption, AI, and the future of business is grounded in more than 30 years of direct operational experience. Over that time he has worked across leadership, supply chain, transformation, and innovation in some of the world's most complex and high-performing organisations — bridging the boardroom, the control tower, and the front line in ways that most futurists simply cannot. He has delivered more than 300 presentations and led thousands of strategy sessions across leadership, transformation, supply chain, and future-focused business topics.
What distinguishes Lisica from others in this space is a deliberate refusal to be either a vendor selling a solution or an academic speaking from a distance. He combines futurist insight with real operator credibility and commercial understanding. His focus is on the forces reshaping business through 2030 and beyond — AI, intelligent operations, resilient supply chains, sustainability, digital ecosystems, and the future of work — and he translates those forces into practical frameworks that make the future feel relevant and urgent rather than theoretical. Clients at Kuehne and Nagel, NCC Group, Gartner, and Accenture have noted that he makes audiences 'come away smarter' and helps them 'build a clear action plan to address their challenges.'
Lisica is an ideal choice for industry conferences, leadership summits, and strategy off-sites where the audience needs more than inspiration — they need a sharper lens on what is actually coming and how to respond. He is equally comfortable commanding large auditoriums and small workshop environments, and participants, as one client puts it, 'hang on every word.' Based in Sydney and Singapore, he brings a genuinely global frame to every engagement.
James Lisica is a keynote speaker based in New South Wales who speaks on artificial intelligence, business strategy and innovation. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
AI is moving beyond simple tools and chatbots. In this keynote, James explains what happens when AI starts to take action, support decisions and reshape the way work gets done.
Clear, practical and free of hype, this session helps leaders understand what AI means for their business, their people and their future.
Key takeaways:
Understand what agentic AI is and why it matters.
See how AI will change work, decisions and leadership.
Learn where AI can create real business value.
Recognise the risks of moving too fast without governance.
Gain a practical view of how to stay in control while embracing AI.
The future will not be won by organisations that simply adopt more technology. It will be won by those that connect people, data, decisions and action in smarter ways.
James shows how leaders can build organisations that are faster, more resilient and better prepared for a changing world.
Key takeaways:
Understand what future-ready organisations will need by 2030.
Learn why technology alone is not enough.
See how people, data, systems and decisions need to work together.
Discover how organisations can become faster and more resilient.
Leave with a clearer view of what leaders should prioritise now.
Leadership is changing as AI, automation and intelligent tools become part of everyday business.
James explores what leaders need to know, how their role is evolving, and how they can use technology without losing the human judgement, trust and accountability that define great leadership.
Key takeaways:
Understand how leadership is changing in an AI-enabled world.
Learn what skills leaders will need to stay relevant.
See how human judgement and technology can work together.
Recognise the importance of trust, accountability and communication.
Gain practical insight into leading teams through change and uncertainty.
Sustainability does not have to be a cost or a compliance exercise.
James shows how smarter decisions around resources, operations, suppliers and business models can reduce waste, improve resilience and create stronger commercial outcomes.
Key takeaways:
Understand how sustainability can support business performance.
Learn how reducing waste can also reduce cost and risk.
See the link between sustainability, resilience and competitiveness.
Discover how supply chains and operations can drive better outcomes.
Leave with a more practical, commercial view of sustainability.
What if leaders could test decisions before making them?
James explains how digital twins and simulation help organisations explore scenarios, reduce risk and make better choices. This keynote makes a complex topic simple, practical and highly relevant for modern business.
Key takeaways:
Understand what digital twins are in simple business terms.
Learn how simulation can improve decision-making.
See how organisations can test ideas before committing resources.
Discover how digital twins can reduce risk and improve planning.
Gain a clearer view of how better visibility leads to better choices.
Supply chains now shape prices, growth, customer experience, sustainability and business resilience.
James explains how global trade and supply chains are changing, and why connected ecosystems, AI, automation and smarter collaboration will define the next era of business performance.
Key takeaways:
Understand why supply chains have become a board-level issue.
Learn how global trade, disruption and technology are reshaping business.
See why connected ecosystems are replacing traditional linear supply chains.
Discover how AI, automation and collaboration can improve resilience.
Leave with a clearer view of how supply chains can become a competitive advantage.
As a supply chain leader for 24 years, I have seen many speakers. A great presenter must have credibility, an ability to keep it simple and a passion that makes you believe. James has this ability! I have used him as a sounding board for many ideas over the years. Thanks for inspiring me to think differently and push for more.Rob Coyle, Kuehne + Nagel
James commands both large auditoriums and small workshop environments and participants hang on every word. His topics are so relevant to supply chain leaders which is why he is in such demand. He has a unique ability to contextualise his insights, helping audiences build a clear action plan to address their challenges.Nigel Bowels, NCC Group
During our many years together at Gartner, I witnessed James' core strengths. He develops unique perspectives on supply chain challenges, can analyze situations in ways that uncover creative solutions, and communicate concepts to audiences in an impactful way. Quite simply, you come away smarter after spending time with him.Stephen Meyer, Accenture
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