Presenter

Ellen Young is a philosopher, strategist, facilitator and systems thinker who helps organisations build alignment and unlock hidden potential through collaboration, innovation and regenerative practice.

Through Paper Road, she has brought together diverse ecosystems of organisations, Iwi, communities, creators and stakeholders to deliver distinctive public space projects that create lasting value. Her approach extends beyond project delivery by strengthening the relationships, capability and systems surrounding each initiative, creating outcomes that continue to grow long after the project is complete.

She believes that creating the world is a collective act and that we need to learn to come together to design more. Participation is key to the next stage of human flourishing and for this reason she has developed Real Worlders. It is movement, philosophy and community all about limiting digital distraction and maximising intentional attention. She believes that attention is a foundational resource that shapes how we think, connect, create and contribute. She is developing practical tools that help people become more intentional with their attention, creating positive ripple effects across families, workplaces, communities and society. Rather than treating distraction as an isolated wellbeing issue, Real Worlders explores it as a key leverage point for strengthening human capability, connection, creating ripple effects across society.