
Duena Blomstrom
- Creator of “Emotional Banking” and “Human Debt,” advising global executives on people strategy.
- International speaker and tech influencer focused on psychological safety and emotional intelligence.
- Co-founder of PeopleNotTech, promoting tech-driven, high-performing work cultures.
Duena Blomstrom's videos
What Duena Blomstrom's clients say
"Duena is an incredible storyteller. She captures the attention of her audience and opens the door to great new ideas. The best kind of speaker you want at your event."
"Duena’s expertise and passion for the topics she speaks about shines through in every word. She was a fantastic speaker at SIBOS and the audience was captivated by her delivery and insights."
"Duena Blomstrom is a powerhouse on stage. Her keynote on Human Debt was eye-opening and brought a new perspective on how we treat the human element in our organizations."
"Her authenticity, combined with deep knowledge of psychological safety and leadership, made Duena the highlight of our event. The insights we walked away with will shape the future of our company."
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Duena Blomstrom's 2025 biography
Meet Duena Blomstrom
Duena Blomstrom is an internationally renowned thought leader, podcaster and influencer at the intersection of culture and technology, known for her groundbreaking work in emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and human-centered organizational change.
Before becoming a social entrepreneur, Duena was a successful intrapreneur and C-level leader who led strategy and innovation for both startups and large tech companies. She built award-winning tech and product propositions that gained worldwide project recognition. This rich combination of academic insights and business practice gives her a unique perspective, enabling her to offer innovative solutions that resonate deeply across industries.
As an acclaimed published author of “Emotional Banking“, “People Before Tech” and “Tech-led Culture” Duena’s insights have been featured in all major media outlets. Previously a writer for Forbes she now writes twice a week as a LinkedIn Top Voice, engaging a large global audience of a quarter of a million followers and subscribers. Duena has delivered keynote speeches at over 300 conferences and corporate events for top organizations such as Google, Cisco, Oracle, Facebook, and more. She has also presented at premier industry events including TechSummit, Money2020, SIBOS, and HR Tech. As the CEO and Co-Founder of PeopleNotTech, a startup promoting psychological safety and continuous development in teams, Duena works tirelessly to bridge the gap between human and technological innovation. Recently having disclosed the fact that she is neurodiverse, Duena is leading the way in keeping the dialogue on diversity and the need for inclusion in business and STEM honest by speaking and writing about her experience as a NeuroSpicy leader
Duena’s strong following of 25K on Twitter and 230k people on LinkedIn (of which 124k+ subscribers to her weekly newsletters) generates thousands of page and video views daily and she is the host of several successful podcasts: “people AND tech”; “NeuroSpicy@Work”; and “Tales from the FinTech Crypt”.
Duena Blomstrom's 2025 talks & topics
Human and Tech Debt: Untangling the Connection for High Performance
In this keynote, Duena introduces the concept of “Human Debt”—the long-term cost that companies accrue when they fail to focus on the psychological well-being and development of their employees. She explores how organizations often focus solely on “Tech Debt,” neglecting the human side of the equation and how the two forms of debt power each other. Through compelling data, storytelling, and actionable insights, Duena demonstrates how balancing both Human and Tech Debt can lead to more innovative, agile, and resilient organizations.
- Key themes: Psychological Safety, Digital Transformation, Emotional Intelligence in Leadership, Agile Culture
- Target Audience: CEOs, CTOs, HR Leaders, Tech & Innovation Executives
AI or EI? – Prepare for the 5th Industrial Revolution
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms industries, Duena asks a critical question: What role will emotional intelligence (EI) play in this technological revolution? This talk explores the synergy between AI and EI, advocating for a future where human emotions are just as important as technological advancements if not more so. Duena highlights the importance of leaders fostering emotional intelligence and building human-centric teams as we enter the 5th Industrial Revolution.
- Key themes: Artificial Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Future of Work, Leadership in Tech
- Target Audience: Tech Leaders, Business Professionals, Students, Innovation Executives, HR Managers, Entrepreneurs
Tales of a NeuroSpicy Leader: Neurodiversity as a Catalyst for Passion and Innovation
In this highly personal and thought-provoking keynote, Duena builds on her podcast “NeuroSpicyAtWork” and shares her journey as a NeuroSpicy (neurodivergent) leader in the business and tech world. This talk focuses on how neurodiversity can foster innovation and creativity within organizations. Duena offers practical advice for companies looking to embrace neurodiverse talent and create psychologically safe environments where every team member can thrive.
- Key themes: Neurodiversity, Innovation, Inclusive Leadership, Culture Transformation
- Target Audience: CxO, Leaders, HR Professionals, Diversity and Inclusion Professionals, Team Leaders, Organizational Psychologists
The Future of Work and Agile Culture
Psychological Safety and High-Performance Teams
Tech-Led Culture: How to Foster Innovation and Human Connection
FinTech, Digital Banking, and Emotional Banking™
Leadership in a VUCA World: Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility