Robert Safian is a visionary business thinker, media strategist, and master storyteller who helps leaders thrive in a world defined by disruption. A sought-after leadership and innovation keynote speaker, Safian brings decades of experience helping organizations and executives navigate change with clarity and confidence.
As founder of The Flux Group and former Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of Fast Company, Robert Safian has built his career on understanding what drives transformation. His insights into leadership, creativity, and adaptability have made him one of today’s most trusted voices for companies seeking to stay ahead in fast-moving markets.
From 2007 to 2017, Safian led Fast Company’s print, digital, and live-event operations, turning it into one of the most influential media brands in the innovation economy. Under his direction, the magazine earned the prestigious National Magazine Award for Magazine of the Year and became the go-to resource for forward-thinking leaders. Safian launched landmark editorial franchises such as The World’s Most Innovative Companies and The Most Creative People in Business, and personally authored more than 100 thought-leadership pieces exploring how great leaders and companies thrive amid change.
Before Fast Company, Safian held senior editorial roles at Time, Fortune, and Money. At just 33, he became the youngest chief editor in Time Inc. history when he took over Money magazine. Known for his journalistic depth and ability to spot emerging trends, he developed a unique perspective on what defines resilient, innovative leadership — the same qualities he highlights today as a leadership and innovation keynote speaker.
In recent years, Safian has expanded his influence through his podcast, Masters of Scale: Rapid Response, where he interviews top CEOs and entrepreneurs navigating disruption in real time. As founder of The Flux Group, he advises Fortune 100 companies, startups, and nonprofits on agility, transformation, and culture. His clients turn to him for strategies that turn uncertainty into opportunity — and for the grounded optimism that defines his work.
Robert Safian is also a dynamic onstage presence. He has moderated and keynoted at global gatherings such as SXSW, the Cannes Lions Festival, and the United Nations Global Accelerators Council, and has appeared on major media outlets including CBS, MSNBC, and CNBC. Known for his warm delivery and sharp insight, Safian connects with audiences through storytelling that blends data, trends, and humanity.
Safian coined the term “Generation Flux” to describe adaptable leaders who embrace instability as a catalyst for growth. His keynote themes — How Great Leaders Thrive Amid Chaos and Lessons from the World’s Most Innovative Companies — have inspired audiences across industries.
Today, Robert Safian stands as a premier leadership and innovation keynote speaker, offering a playbook for navigating uncertainty with confidence, creativity, and purpose.
