MADISON, Wis.(June 14, 2024)—NEXT Generation Consulting (NGC), a leading strategic foresight firm, today announced the promotion of Yasemin Arikan to Director of Futures Research. In this new role, Arikan will lead the company’s efforts to provide clients and partners with visionary insights and intelligence on emerging trends and alternative futures.
A futurist with over a decade of experience, Arikan joined NGC after serving at the Institute for Alternative Futures. There, she supported long-range health, healthcare, and public health initiatives for prominent foundations like Kresge and Robert Wood Johnson. Since joining NGC in 2019, Arikan has participated in 35 transformative visioning projects across industries, including environmental engineering, economic development, risk management, and municipal planning.
As Director of Futures Research, Arikan will use foresight methodologies, social science research, data visualization, and cutting-edge tools like gamification and AI to help NGC’s clients develop sustainable competitive advantages. She will oversee the firm’s research team and internship program, recruiting and managing the next generation of foresight professionals.
“Our clients are facing unprecedented uncertainty and complexity,” said Rebecca Ryan, NGC’s founder, “Yas’s new role focuses on giving clients more clarity about what’s coming, making them more future-ready and resilient.”
“The future is ours to shape,” Arikan said. “I’m excited to innovate new foresight capabilities that offer meaningful engagement for stakeholders, create sustainable advantages for our clients, and contribute to a better world for current and future generations.”
