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Speaker

Masaki Iwabuchi

Masaki Iwabuchi

Strategic Design Futurist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Visiting Associate Professor at Tohoku University | Author of Strategic Transgression through Design

New York City, New York, United States

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Masaki Iwabuchi is a New York-based Design Strategist and Futurist specialized in navigating "Wicked Problems" through the intersection of Strategic Foresight and Systemic Design. He proposes his unique 'Strategic Transgression through Design' framework—reclaiming radical imagination for non-designers in complex socio-technical systems.

With over 20 years of experience, Masaki currently leads future scenario development at JPMorgan Chase, where he translates complex socio-technical shifts into actionable strategic visions for the financial sector. His unique methodology combines rigorous engineering logic with the provocative power of Speculative Design, enabling organizations to move beyond incremental improvements toward transformative 2050 visions.

Key Expertise & Global Impact:

Strategic Leadership: Bridging the gap between long-term foresight and near-term product strategy within global-scale regulated industries.

Academic Authority: Serving as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Tohoku University, shaping the next generation of strategic design curricula and contributing to peer-reviewed research on future-making.

Thought Leadership: Author of Social Dreaming through Design (2021). Masaki’s work has been recognized by the Core77 Design Awards and he serves as a global jury member for prestigious awards including Good Living 2050 (Canada) and Indigo Design Awards (Netherlands).

Multidisciplinary Education: Holding dual Master’s degrees from Parsons School of Design (MFA) and The University of Tokyo (MA), he seamlessly integrates design, technology, and social science.

Masaki is committed to challenging entrenched Cartesian belief systems and provoking new worldviews that inspire resilient, alternative futures. He is a frequent speaker and advisor for organizations seeking to navigate the uncertainties of the 21st century.

Area of Expertise

  • Arts
  • Business & Management
  • Government, Social Sector & Education
  • Information & Communications Technology

Topics

  • Speculative Design
  • Transition Design
  • Strategic Design
  • Strategic Foresight
  • Scenario Planning
  • Research through Design

Masaki Iwabuchi

Strategic Design Futurist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Visiting Associate Professor at Tohoku University | Author of Strategic Transgression through Design

New York City, New York, United States

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