About Me
I am a Strategist, Author, and Speaker who has a deep passion for exploring how technology is affecting the way we communicate, work and play. I specialize in helping organizations align their Digital Media initiatives with their strategic vision to build authentic relationships with consumers, employees and other stakeholders. I am currently working working on my second book (tentatively) titled: “ArchiTechs: How to Work, Govern & Learn in a Hyper-Connected World.”
I am the co-founder of Red Thread Inc, a consulting agency that provides clients with out-of-the-box thinking to tackle strategic challenges. I connect business leaders and management teams to the latest global foresight trends and offer a unique approach to digital strategy, ideation and innovation.
I am also the co-founder of Emerging Women, a non-profit that curates global events to strengthen local and global support systems for women entrepreneurs in emerging economies. I’m so excited that our first event will take place in South Africa in 2012.
Formerly, I was the Associate Director of the Technology Pioneers at World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland where I identified disruptive start-ups that were using technology to improve the state of the world.
In 2009, I published “Yes We Did: An Insider’s Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand,” about my experiences as a part of Barack Obama’s New Media team during his Presidential election campaign.
I have been speaking about New Media and Technology since 2006 and am currently exclusively represented by The Lavin Speaking Agency.
Past Projects:
Technology is a subject that fascinates me and I have published white papers on the impacts of technology on youth today through Don Tapscott’s think-tank nGenera. I have contributed to several business books:
- I was the Research Coordinator for “Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything,” (Tapscott 2006)
- I was on the Writing and Research team for “Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World.” (Tapscott 2008)
- I was the Lead Writer and Researcher for “Everything I Needed to Know About Business I Learned from a Canadian.” (Brody 2008)
One of my favorite things about Toronto is the incredibly talented people that make up the Technology and Innovation community. I actively participate in associations such as The Movement, an organization of people committed to collaborating on projects for social good. I was the 2009 Co-Chair for The Overlap, a community that combines cross-disciplinary expertise to tackle the challenges of sustainable innovation. (We were covered in BusinessWeek) You can occasionally find me as a guest on technology podcast, CommandN with my good friend Amber MacArthur.
Boards & Associations:
Taking It Global, Board of Directors
I am on the Board for Taking It Global, an organization that enables a collaborative learning community which provides youth with access to global opportunities, cross-cultural connections and meaningful participation in decision-making. In addition to being on the board, I’m also an online mentor and donate some of my time each month to offer advice and support to young people from around the world.
OneLeap.to, Advisory Board
OneLeap is a London based company which puts people starting or building their careers, businesses or social enterprises directly in touch with hard-to-reach employers, mentors, clients and investors (“Shakers”). Every connection generates revenue for great charities.
Sandbox Network, Global Ambassador & Member
Sandbox is a global community of achievers between 20 and 30. There are over 500 young leaders in 44 different countries. I am proud to be one of Sandbox’s Global Ambassadors and promote the community and its entrepreneurship message during my travels around the world. I have been a member since 2010.
Summit Series, Member
Summit is an annual invitation only conference that is the Davos for Gen-Y. Every year, 1000 entrepreneurs, leaders and game changers meet to discuss how they can apply their skills and insights to help create a better world.
Other places on the web:
Google: Buzz/Profile
Twitter: @rahafharfoush
My Tumblr Blog: Digital Magpie
Shorter Bio:
Rahaf is a Digital Innovation & Foresight Strategist currently working on her second book entitled “ArchiTechs: How to Live, Work & Govern in a HyperConnected world.” She is the co-founder of Red Thread Inc, a consulting agency that provides clients with out-of-the-box thinking to tackle strategic challenges.
Formerly, Rahaf was the Associate Director of the Technology Pioneer Programme at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. Her first book, “Yes We Did: An Insider’s Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand,” was published in 2008. Rahaf was the research coordinator for the best-selling Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything (Tapscott 2006), and contributor to bothGrown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World (Tapscott 2008).
She currently serves on the board of directors for Taking It Global, a non-profit that enables the world’s largest online community of youth to create positive changes in their cities.
