Tuesday Keynote

Dr. Maya Shankar

Cognitive Scientist and Creator of the Podcast A Slight Change of Plans

The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans

In this powerful and deeply human talk, cognitive scientist Dr. Maya Shankar shares transformative insights from her book The Other Side of Change, blending cutting-edge behavioral science with moving personal stories. Drawing from her own life-altering experiences and interviews with individuals who’ve faced profound upheaval, Dr. Shankar explores how we can rethink our relationship with change—not as something to survive, but as a profound opportunity for reinvention and growth. She offers practical strategies for navigating disruption, helping treasury and finance professionals unlock resilience, tap into new potential and embrace change as a catalyst for becoming their most authentic selves.

Bio

Dr. Maya Shankar is a cognitive scientist and creator of the A Slight Change of Plans podcast, which has been named “Best Show of the Year” by Apple. Dr. Shankar is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Other Side of Change, which blends personal stories with cognitive science to offer a new perspective on how unexpected life disruptions can lead to personal transformation. As a former Senior Policy Advisor for the White House, Dr. Shankar founded and chaired the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team and was appointed as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations.