Cape Town-based Dave Duarte is a globally recognised speaker, entrepreneur, educator and strategist specialising in AI transformation, digital leadership, storytelling, innovation and organisational change. He is the Founder and CEO of Treeshake, a strategic communications and impact consultancy whose campaigns have reached more than one billion people across 150+ countries and helped raise over $100 million for causes spanning renewable energy, ocean protection and health technology.
A recognised pioneer in South Africa’s digital landscape, Dave co-founded one of the country’s earliest social media agencies and founded the Ogilvy Digital Marketing Academy, helping drive digital transformation within the global agency network. He was also Programme Director at the UCT Graduate School of Business, where he developed and taught pioneering executive programmes in digital marketing and leadership.
Dave was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and has presented in approximately 25 countries, appearing on influential stages including Davos, TEDx and the United Nations. He has also co-authored five books, including The Book Every Leader Needs to Read.
Today, a major focus of Dave’s work is Artificial Intelligence and human-centred transformation. Rather than concentrating purely on AI technology, he explores how leaders can successfully bring people through change — distinguishing genuine opportunities from hype and combining AI with strategy, storytelling, organisational culture and purposeful leadership.
An engaging and highly experienced facilitator, Dave brings complex technological and societal shifts into a practical business context. His presentations are particularly relevant for leadership teams navigating AI adoption, digital disruption and organisational transformation, with a central philosophy that meaningful change requires people to become part of a story they genuinely care about.
Key Speaking Topics: Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Work • AI Transformation • Digital Leadership • Story-Based Change • Innovation & Digital Disruption • Leadership Through Change • Digital Marketing & Influence • Storytelling & Engagement
Based: Cape Town, South Africa. Current profiles from both UCT Graduate School of Business and Dave’s professional profile confirm that he lives and works in Cape Town.
