About Jennifer

About Jennifer

The greatest barrier to future success isn’t change—it’s how leaders approach change. Jennifer Vessels transforms that approach.

Jennifer doesn’t just talk about the future of business—she builds it. For over two decades, she has driven transformation for the world’s most influential organizations, including Adobe, Cisco, Google, IKEA, Microsoft, and Novartis.

As CEO of Next Step, she operates at the intersection of Silicon Valley innovation and global business execution, translating cutting-edge technology and emerging trends into actionable approaches that deliver measurable results.

Next Step

Founded in Silicon Valley by Jennifer, Next Step’s global team of 40 professionals accelerate business growth through commercialization and business transformation services. Through a holistic approach to change, growth, innovation and leadership, they ensure clients achieve measurable growth in revenue, profitability and market value. Successes have included Adobe, AirBnB, CDW, Cisco, Genentech, Google, Live Nation, Nvidia, Schneider Electric.

Executive Growth Alliance (EGA)

Global community of future-ready leaders who collaborate to co-create success as they resolve Specific Actionable Challenges. Developed by Jennifer EGA’ proven methodology has delivered results for Aker, DNB, IKEA, Novartis, Rabobank, Sutter Health, Schneider Electric, Wilhelmsen and many others globally.
Speaking and Advisement

Speaking and Advisement

Jennifer delivers keynotes, facilitates workshops and moderates events to accelerate successful change, utilization of AI and technology and future-ready leadership. As a Silicon Valley native and global nomad committed to delivering lasting results, her bold insights, real-world examples energetic stage presence and actionable takeaways deliver real results.

All keynotes or workshops are fully customized and available in person or online.

Today is a tipping point – economically, geopolitically, environmentally, and technologically creating pressure to deliver, adapt and engage. My keynotes are guaranteed to delivery future-readiness with  PEACE.

My proven framework as accelerated success for leaders as they:

  • Embrace change delivering shareholder value
  • Apply AI and emerging technologies
  • Transform and build a future-ready organization
  • Empower people through humane leadership, interpersonal skills, coaching
  • Accelerate growth through AI and other technologies, enabling co-creation with custom

Why Jennifer Vessels:

Jennifer’s authority comes not from theory but from hands-on experience transforming Fortune 100 companies across continents. Her work spans:

  • Business Transformation: Guided Adobe through its pivotal shift from software to services, with valuation growth from $16 to $250 billion.
  • AI + People Integration: Led digitalization initiatives for Barloworld, Novartis, Van Ameyde, delivering 300% ROI through human capability, not replacement.
  • Future-ready Leadership: Drove shifts in business model, go to market, work practices, and culture for Cisco, Google, Mitel, NVIDIA, RoboBank, Schneider Electric, leading to $ 175 m revenue increase.

Business as Usual is Obsolete. Break free from:

  • Pressure to do more and work harder

  • Concerns about AI and relevance of humanity

  • Expectations to reaching KPIs

  • Fear of change and the future

Get in touch with Jennifer and move forward with P.E.A.C.E.

Get in touch if you are:

  • Pressured to deliver results in a world of change

  • Uncertain when and how to embrace AI and other technology

  • Concerned about the future of work

  • Committed to growth and future success

  • Expected to transform, innovate and achieve results

“When you want to make change happen in business, Jennifer is person to call.”

Lisa Graham, Senior Director, Adobe

“Jennifer is best speaker ever – incredible stage presence, lasting impact AND easy to work with. Clients rave about the impact her keynotes have had on their business – months after the event.”

Andreas Ljones, CEO, FlowEvents

“When you want to make change happen and grow your business, Jennifer is person to call”.

Daniel Evans, Microsoft

“Jennifer Vessels is a business leader who delivers tools, shares lessons learned and inspires people to act now for future success.”

Thomas Anglero, CTO, Cognizant

“Best speech ever – audience left fully committed to take action.”

Darren Malvec, DNA Brand Architects

“Jennifer is clearly the ‘real thing from Silicon Valley’. Her lessons learned, clear way of demystifying AI and actionable takeaways were exactly what we needed.”

Jane Fisher, The Foshini Group

“Your keynote brilliantly captured the essence of future readiness. Thank you for empowering us to think differently.”   

Amr Elmorsy, Senior Director, FAB

“Jennifer is amazing – she integrates, connects and delivers – from real-world experience in Silicon Valley and globally.”

Kathleen Moore, Director, Google

“Hands down best speaker that delivers real value – Jennifer Vessels. Her experience, engagement of the audience and actionable takeaways are the very best.”

Sam Taller, Director, TNN Holdings

Future-ready Lessons Learned from Silicon Valley, Europe and the World

Future-ready leadership starts with embracing change through exploration of new technologies, adapting culture and empowering diverse team members. By setting direction, demonstrating an innovative mindset, taking action and building a humane culture, global leaders deliver 500% greater results than their peers.

Business Transformation with P.E.A.C.E. requires clarity of purpose, empowerment of people to explore, try, learn as they leverage technology, collaborate with customers and take action to achieve results. Through PEACE, Adobe, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia have delivered increased shareholder value.

Technology AND People are the future. AI, empowering, accelerating, delivering exponentially greater productivity, innovation and competitiveness is also redefining ‘work’ – and it is just the beginning. Advanced technologies allow people to deliver greater value, achieve their life purpose and collaborate to co-create the future.

What Makes Jennifer Different:

30 years experience leading business growth and transformation for worlds-leading companies including Adobe, Autodesk, Genentech, Google ++

Silicon Valley insider insights on AI and future of technology – applied globally

Examples through daily work leading change, growth, innovation for global clients Novartis, Schneider Electric, Microsoft, Wilhelmsen

Demystifies complex technology while highlighting the role and value of people in the future of work

Approachable, authentic and committed to delivering lasting impact

Unique proven methodology for success through PEACE (Purpose, Exploration, Action, Collaboration and Empowerment)