Responsive Conference

Throwing it back to Responsive Conference 2025 and the incredible sponsors who made it all possible. Last year, we brought together leaders, thinkers, and doers to explore connection, purpose, and the future of work – and none of it would have happened without their support. A few weeks ago, Snafu Conference wrapped on March 5, bringing its own energy around non-sales selling. And of course, Zander Media, helped amplify both experiences. There are definitely more sponsors behind the scenes, but these are some of the ones we want to highlight today. Grateful to everyone who helped make the conference unforgettable.

When predictability disappears, what’s left? Responsive Conference 2026 is built for anyone who wants to navigate change with confidence, whether you lead a team, run a business, or simply want to understand how to thrive in an unpredictable world. This immersive two-day experience brings together workshops, discussions, and hands-on exercises designed to help you respond thoughtfully, adapt quickly, and make decisions that actually move the needle. The conference isn’t just about theory; it’s about practice. You’ll hear from expert speakers, engage with peers, and explore strategies for managing uncertainty, building resilience, and leading with purpose. It’s a space to experiment, reflect, and discover what works when the rules keep changing. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, rethink how your team works together, or simply gain perspective on the world around you, Responsive Conference is your chance to step into a new way of thinking. You’ll leave with actionable insights, fresh ideas, and the confidence to take on challenges you might have avoided before. Here’s what you need to know: Location: Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) Dates: September 23–24, 2026 Discounted tickets available until April 15 — secure yours now responsiveconference.com

Craig Forman played a bigger role in Responsive Conference 2025 than ever before. From hosting a dinner to facilitating a workshop and contributing to the organization itself, he helped weave his energy and expertise into the very fabric of the event. “For me, it was a real treat,” Craig said. “Being able to amplify the work around connection and bringing people together was powerful. That dinner, in particular, was designed to help people meet and connect before the conference even began – and I think we succeeded.” Leading a workshop on responsiveness pushed Craig to think more deeply about the concept itself. “I had read the book, I had attended the conference, I had enjoyed the people – but this year, presenting and speaking about responsiveness made me reflect on what it really meant, and how my work – and the work of Marta Riggins – related to it,” he explained. Responsive Conference wasn’t just about talks or panels – it was about the people who helped bring those ideas to life. Craig’s contributions that year reminded everyone that connection, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement were at the heart of the experience.

Not every conference photo needs to be serious. This was a moment from Responsive Conference 2025 — and clearly, nobody here was trying to look overly professional. One of the things we’ve always believed about Responsive is that the best conversations don’t happen when people are stiff, formal, and performing a role. They happen when people relax a little. When the titles drop, the guard comes down, and people feel comfortable enough to be themsvlves… That’s when ideas start moving. When connections form. And sometimes everyone ends up making goofy faces at the camera. It turns out the future of work can still have a sense of humor.

“Responsive Conference has been a place to learn and grow.” That’s how Emma Martin described her experience at Responsive Conference. For Emma, the value of Responsive is beyond the talks on stage. It’s about the opportunity to meet people, make real connections, and be exposed to new ways of thinking about work, leadership, and how we bring people together. The conversations don’t just stay at the organizational level. They also help you reflect personally: about how you think, collaborate, and show up in the communities you’re part of. That combination is part of what makes Responsive unique. You come for the ideas, but you leave with new perspectives and relationships.

Not every conference photo needs to be serious. This was a moment from Responsive Conference 2025 — and clearly, nobody here was trying to look overly professional. One of the things we’ve always believed about Responsive is that the best conversations don’t happen when people are stiff, formal, and performing a role. They happen when people relax a little. When the titles drop, the guard comes down, and people feel comfortable enough to be themselves… That’s when ideas start moving. When connections form. And sometimes everyone ends up making goofy faces at the camera. It turns out the future of work can still have a sense of humor.

Snafu Conference just wrapped. And what a day it was. Thank you to everyone who showed up, spoke up, volunteered, and helped make it happen. These kinds of gatherings only work because people are willing to share ideas openly — and that’s exactly what happened. Over the course of the day, we talked about everything from founder-led sales in the age of AI to how companies navigate uncertainty to what it actually takes to build something meaningful in a rapidly changing world. There were conversations about learning faster, building smarter, and staying human while technology moves at an incredible pace. And as always, some of the best moments happened between sessions—the hallway conversations, the unexpected connections, the ideas that spark when people from different worlds sit down together. That’s the magic of events like this. But this isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning. Because Responsive Conference 2026 is coming later this year, where we’ll go even deeper into the questions shaping the future of work, leadership, technology, and organizations. If Snafu was the spark, Responsive is the bigger conversation. Stay tuned. There’s a lot more coming.

If you care about people and impact, Responsive is for you. Adebayo Dawodu from Metric Health shared what makes the Responsive Conference stand out: He said that if you care about people, impact, and the future of work, Responsive is for you. Beyond sessions, the conference creates a space to meet others who are applying these lessons in real workplaces—and the insights are applicable not just at work, but in life. “The energy I get from Responsive is a catalyst—not just for myself, but for the people around me.” For Adebayo, Responsive isn’t just a conference—it’s an experience that inspires action, fosters connection, and fuels impact long after the event ends.

Uncertainty tolerance is a superpower. As Simone Stolzoff shared, individuals with higher levels of uncertainty tolerance tend to be more innovative and creative because they’re willing to sit with the discomfort that comes from making something new. Communities with higher uncertainty tolerance are often more cohesive and collaborative, able to work together across differences. And organizations that can tolerate uncertainty tend to be more resilient, able to weather ambiguity and economic ups and downs. He illustrated this with the story of Glitch—a startup that looked wildly successful on paper, with millions raised and tens of thousands of users. But its founder, Stuart Butterfield, sensed something wasn’t quite right. Instead of clinging to certainty, he shut the game down and pivoted, later saying they discovered their product rather than planned it. That willingness to turn toward the unknown eventually led to Slack. The lesson wasn’t that everything works out neatly. It was that no meaningful art, breakthrough, or company exists without people being willing to move forward without knowing exactly what’s next. Simone closed by reminding us that uncertainty becomes easier to hold when we have anchors—steady routines, values, or commitments—and when we build in order to learn, not plan endlessly. Uncertainty tolerance isn’t just a skill. It’s a practice.

Predictability is gone. So what’s left? Most of us are working in systems that were built for stability, clarity, and long-term plans — none of which feel especially reliable right now. AI is moving faster than policies can keep up. Roles are shifting. Certainty is harder to come by. And many leaders are left trying to make decisions without the comfort of clear answers. But uncertainty isn’t just something to survive. It’s something we can learn to work with. That’s what brings us together each year—people who want to respond to change with intention instead of reaction. People who believe work can be more human, more adaptive, and more honest about what’s actually happening. Responsive Conference is where those conversations happen. From September 24–26, 2026, we’ll gather at the Oakland Museum of California for a 2-day immersive experience designed for managers and leaders who are navigating real complexity. Since 2016, Responsive has brought together a community of people who care deeply about culture, collaboration, and the future of work—not as a trend, but as a responsibility. Expect thoughtful talks, shared experiences, and space to connect with others who are asking the same hard questions. You’ll leave with practical tools, new relationships, and a clearer sense of how to lead when the path forward isn’t obvious. Tickets are now available here responsiveconference.com/tickets. If you’re ready to meet uncertainty with curiosity — and with others who get it — we’d love to have you.

Not all conferences are created equal — Responsive is different. Jennifer Turner from Alphabet companies at Google shared what she gained from last year’s Responsive Conference: She highlighted the chance to meet interesting practitioners and experts, and how the conference’s design made it possible to connect personally with them in the outdoor networking spaces. “Responsive is one of the few conferences intimate enough that you can actually talk to people you don’t know. And the content isn’t so overwhelming that you’re running from session to session — you actually get value from the participants and the experience.” For Jennifer, it wasn’t just the sessions—it was the space, conversations, and connections that made Responsive truly stand out.

Some of the best moments at Responsive don’t happen in session rooms at all. This one took place outside of the Oakland Museum of California during Late Nite Art with Adam Rosendahl and Lotus Malana Wong. People painted. People danced. They moved, walked, laughed, and talked. Some were meeting for the first time, others reconnecting. The setting shifted the energy and changed how people showed up. It was a reminder that learning and connection don’t always come from sitting still or listening closely – but from doing something together and letting the moment unfold.

At Responsive, the moments between sessions matter just as much as the sessions themselves. It’s a place to catch up with friends you don’t see at work every day, meet new people, and spend real time together in ways that feel unhurried and genuine. It’s the conversations that stretch beyond the session schedule, the shared meals and walks between rooms, and the moments that happen naturally when people feel comfortable showing up as themselves. Over time, those small interactions add up, turning a gathering into a community and making the experience of coming together feel meaningful, lasting, and worth returning to.

Watch the full video here: youtube.com/watch?v=5iMOt2…

Sometimes the hardest lessons in leadership come from the most unexpected places. At Responsive Conference 2025, Eldra Jackson III closed out the day with his session, “The Future of Work is Human.” Drawing from his personal journey – from 24 years in the California prison system to leading the Inside Circle Foundation – Eldra shared lessons about human connection, accountability, and leadership. He highlighted how creating spaces where people can be seen, heard, and valued transforms communities and workplaces alike. Through vulnerability, authenticity, and honest reflection, leaders can foster trust, inspire collaboration, and improve performance. Eldra emphasized that true leadership isn’t just about tasks or metrics, it’s about relationships, empathy, and the impact we have on others. His session reminded attendees that human connection is at the heart of effective, lasting work.

What happens when you show up authentically at work? Matt Kurkjian learned the answer at Responsive Conference 2025. “I’ve learned from many of the people speaking here that the value of showing up authentically at work is hard to predict – and it usually exceeds all of our expectations. When people show up authentically, it brings more than they imagined. It’s worth experimenting, it’s worth trying. That’s what I’m hoping to do: show up more authentically at work.” For Matt, Responsive wasn’t just another conference – it was a reminder that authenticity at work can transform culture and impact in ways you don’t expect.

Making a conference like Responsive run smoothly takes more than speakers and ideas—it takes teams behind the scenes who make it all possible. One of those unsung heroes? The AV team. From microphones to projectors to every little detail in between, they ensure every session is accessible and engaging for everyone. Here’s a moment captured of one of the team members smiling, knowing all their work made a real difference in the experience of the conference. Small moments like this remind us that a great event is built by many hands, not just the ones on stage.

By now, many people have seen the coverage from Minneapolis and across the U.S. involving federal immigration enforcement and the recent fatal shootings by ICE and Border Patrol agents. These incidents have sparked protests and calls for accountability nationwide. And thousands have marched in cities from Minneapolis to New York in response. In that context, a 24-hour National Shutdown has been planned for January 30 — a call for those who can to stay home from work or school, and for everyone to avoid spending money that day. The idea is simple: economic participation is one of the few levers that consistently receives attention, and a coordinated slowdown can signal concern and solidarity. At Responsive, we believe that how we gather, work, and show up matters — especially in moments like this. So we’re choosing to participate by pausing ticket sales on our site for 24 hours, from midnight tonight through tomorrow. If you were planning to register, you can still do so after the pause; if you’re already registered, nothing changes. This isn’t meant to solve everything. But it is a concrete way to act together, even briefly, and to align what we say matters with what we actually do. There are other ways to participate as well — sharing resources, amplifying the voices of affected communities, or leveraging your networks to raise awareness. Small actions can add up to collective impact. Thank you to this community for being willing to pay attention and act, even when the path forward is complex.

If you're interested, you can watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=5iMOt2…

Sometimes the hardest lessons in leadership come from the most unexpected places. At Responsive Conference 2025, Eldra Jackson III closed out the day with his session, “The Future of Work is Human.” Drawing from his personal journey – from 24 years in the California prison system to leading the Inside Circle Foundation – Eldra shared lessons about human connection, accountability, and leadership. He highlighted how creating spaces where people can be seen, heard, and valued transforms communities and workplaces alike. Through vulnerability, authenticity, and honest reflection, leaders can foster trust, inspire collaboration, and improve performance. Eldra emphasized that true leadership isn’t just about tasks or metrics, it’s about relationships, empathy, and the impact we have on others. His session reminded attendees that human connection is at the heart of effective, lasting work.