Saffron hosts a creative journey beginning in Japan's cultural heart.

Luminaries of Change

Join us for the second edition of Into The Bright as we bring together voices from entrepreneurship, art, architecture, AI, design, and branding to spark creative solutions that guide us forward into a brighter future.
Following <a href="https://saffron-consultants.com/journal/saffron-reports-into-the-bright" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our inaugural event at Tate Modern</a>, we now travel from London to Kyoto, a city rich with cultural heritage and innovative spirit. We invite business executives and creative professionals to join us in seeking ways to navigate these shifting times through collective wisdom and meaningful change.
In addition to the forum, participants are invited to a welcome reception, a tour of the newest Takashi Murakami exhibition, and a private meditation session at the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. Together, we will discover and find inspiration in Japan’s cultural roots, deeply embedded in the spirit of kanyō—tolerance, forbearance and generosity.
After two days in Kyoto, participants are invited to a tour of the Noto Peninsula in the northwestern region. There, we will meet with artisans preserving their rich history of traditional craftsmanship and support the local culture greatly affected by an earthquake earlier this year.
Guided by <a href="https://saffron-consultants.com/journal/into-the-bright" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Into The Bright</a>'s visionary optimism and practical action, join us for the next step in this transformative journey.

Programme details

<h2>Welcome reception </h2>
Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art
[18:30-21:00] Welcome reception and tour of Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto exhibition

<h2>Into The Bright Kyoto</h2>
Kenninji Temple
[8:00-9:30] Zen meditation and Buddhist breakfast
Annex, The Museum of Kyoto
[10:15] Doors open
[10:30] Introductions
[10:45] Opening speech: Discovering the spirit of kanyō Tamae Hirokawa [SOMA DESIGN]
[11:00] Session 1: Building adaptive futures Jacob Benbunan [Saffron] &amp; Martha Thorne [Henrik F. Obel Foundation]
[12:00] Lunch 
[13:15] Session 2: Empowering human-centric change Jesús Encinar [idealista] &amp; Andrew Stirk [Reflective Works]
[14:25] Session 3: Bridging collective understanding Susanne Birbragher [Liaisons Corporation] &amp; Rev. Daiko Matsuyama [Taizo-in Temple]
[15:35] Closing remarks
[16:30] End
Ace Hotel Kyoto
[17:00-19:00] Cocktail reception

SESSIONS

<h2>Building adaptive futures</h2>
Explores how communities and cities can build flexibility and adaptability to evolve and grow sustainably in an ever-changing world, creating enduring legacies for future generations. Jacob Benbunan [Saffron] &amp; Martha Thorne [Henrik F. Obel Foundation]

<h2>Empowering human-centric change</h2>
Explores how innovation should not only improve our capabilities but also enrich our humanity, foster creativity, and deepen our connections and relationships. Jesús Encinar [idealista] &amp; Andrew Stirk [Reflective Works]

<h2>Bridging collective understanding</h2>
Explores how art and culture can create spaces for open dialogue and expression, helping to shape a future of mutual understanding and unity. 
Susanne Birbragher [Liaisons Corporation] &amp; Rev. Daiko Matsuyama [Taizo-in Temple]

OUR SPEAKERS

ANDREW STIRK FOUNDER REFLECTIVE WORKS
Andrew is the founder of Reflective Works. He has 25 years of experience working at the intersection of technology and culture for some of the world's most popular products and best loved brands. Andrew was the V.P. of Product Growth and Global Marketing at Meta. He led the rollout of the Meta brand and the return to a more innovation-driven company vision. In 2023, he left Meta inspired by developments in AI technology and the promise it holds for extending human consciousness. Motivated by the belief that everyone should be the artist of their own life, the Reflective Works team has built Monograph, an iPhone app and tool for life, launching this summer.

JESÚS ENCINAR FOUNDER IDEALISTA
Jesús Encinar is the founder of idealista, the leading real estate platform in Spain, Italy and Portugal. He studied business administration at ICADE and an MBA at Harvard Business School. After finishing his master's degree, he moved from Boston to San Francisco to work in Silicon Valley, where he came up with the idea of setting up idealista. He returned to Spain at the end of 1998 and a year later founded idealista in January 2000.

MARTHA THORNE SENIOR ADVISOR HENRIK F. OBEL FOUNDATION 
Martha Thorne is Senior Advisor to the Henrik F. Obel Foundation, which grants the Obel Award, an international prize for impactful architectural contributions in favor of people and the planet. Her main interests center on the contemporary city and how architecture, design, and urbanism can make the highest quality environments and contribute to sustainability and equality. A firm believer in the power of education, she believes that content and pedagogy must be more relevant for today’s challenges. Ms. Thorne received a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She undertook additional studies at the London School of Economics.

REV. DAIKO MATSUYAMA DEPUTY HEAD PRIEST TAIZO-IN TEMPLE 
Born in Kyoto, Mr. Matsuyama obtained his Master’s degree in Agriculture and Life Sciences from the University of Tokyo. After training at Heirin-ji Monastery, he became the deputy priest of Taizoin Temple in 2007. In May 2009, he was elected as a Japan Tourism Agency’s Ambassador for the “Visit Japan” Campaign and has been a Kyoto Ambassador for Tourism since 2011. Acclaimed for organising intercultural activities, such as Zen experience tours and talks at embassies in Japan, Mr. Matsuyama was listed as one of “The Top 100 People of the New Generation 2016” by Nikkei Business. He serves on the Kyoto City Board of Education and as an Outside Director of V-cube, a tech startup, since 2021. As a young representative of the Zen Sect in Japan, he continues to work actively beyond national and religious borders.

SUSANNE BIRBRAGHER PRESIDENT &amp; FOUNDER LIAISONS CORPORATION

Susanne Birbragher is the president and founder of Liaisons Corporation, a global agency offering marketing, events, and curated travel experiences focused on the art, lifestyle, and luxury sectors, with initiatives in over 68 cities and 28 countries. She is the co-founder of ArtNexus.com, an award-winning website for ArtNexus Magazine, where she also serves as its Creative Director, actively contributing to the contemporary Latin American art scene. Susanne served as co-chair for the Junior Host Committee for Art Basel Miami Beach and has been producing multiple initiatives for Miami Art Week since its inception. She is deeply involved in philanthropic work, supporting multiple art organisations and causes benefitting women and children, and has received numerous recognitions including being named one of the “Vogue 120 Women”, and a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.

JACOB BENBUNAN CEO &amp; CO-FOUNDER SAFFRON 
Jacob co-founded Saffron Brand Consultants in 2001 with brand identity pioneer Wally Olins. As CEO of this independent global brand consultancy, Jacob has partnered with YouTube, Meta, Kyocera, Art Basel, The Valuable 500, Gulf Air, and Repsol, and place branding clients including London, the City of Vienna, Turkey, and Poland. Before Saffron, he was a Principal at Wolff Olins. Jacob has contributed as a keynote speaker and juror to global brand, tech and design conferences including Cannes Lions, Collision, and Web Summit. He is a co-author of Disruptive Branding and has taught Master’s students at IE School of Architecture and Design. He holds a BS and MEng in Engineering from Boston University, is married with three children and lives in Madrid.

Into The Bright Kyoto

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