[Virtual Event] Harnessing Gray Rhinos for Social Innovation

In today’s uncertain world, organizations face a wide range of economic, political, and operational risks that impact their operations and growth. Many of these are “gray rhino” risks: highly probable, visible, and impactful, yet all too often under-appreciated and poorly addressed. In contrast to highly improbable “black swans,” which are nearly as impossible to prepare for as they are to predict, gray rhinos give decision makers an opportunity to proactively head them off or even to harness their strength. Understanding and wrangling gray rhinos — both challenges and opportunities — is crucial for building resilience, innovating, and creating value.

Join us for an insightful VIRTUAL session, “Harnessing Gray Rhinos for Social Innovation: A New Strategic Approach to Risk”, on Wednesday, November 20 (8:30 p.m. Hong Kong Time / 6:30 a.m. Chicago Time) with Michele Wucker, lecturer at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. Michele will share insights and practical strategies to help you prioritize, evaluate, and improve the way you respond to the gray rhinos facing your organization.

Through real-world examples, Michele will uncover opportunities hidden within challenges and foster creative problem-solving. This session will help you view crises as opportunities for social innovation and development, equipping you with practical insights to enhance your organization’s resilience.

This event is part of the Social Impact Leadership Series (SILS), a program under The Hong Kong Jockey Club Programme on Social Innovation, which features prominent speakers covering social sector issues.

Event schedule (Hong Kong Time) – entirely virtual

8:30 p.m. Welcome and introduction

8:35 p.m. Presentation by Michele Wucker

9:10 p.m. Q&A session

9:25 p.m. Wrap-up

9:30 p.m. Close of event

About the speaker

Michele Wucker, Lecturer, Harris School of Public Policy, The University of Chicago

Michele Wucker is a global risk expert, global best-selling author, and strategic advisor who coined the term “gray rhino” to describe obvious, high-impact risks and to challenge decision makers to re-evaluate and improve the way they respond. Gray rhino theory, developed in her most recent books, The Gray Rhino and You Are What You Risk, has influenced markets, made headlines, and been widely adopted by policy makers in fields from financial risk to disaster risk reduction.

Michele teaches risk management at the University of Virginia and global risk policy at the University of Chicago. A former think tank and media executive, she is the founder of the advisory firm Gray Rhino & Company. She has been recognized as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and a Guggenheim Fellow, among other honors. She speaks regularly at high-level events and private briefings and is frequently quoted in the world’s leading media.

About the facilitator

Wai-Sinn Chan, Senior Director, Nonprofit and Civic Engagement Programs, Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Wai-Sinn Chan, MBA ’02, MPP ’02, is the senior director of nonprofit and civic engagement programs at the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation. She leads the Rustandy Center’s strategy and design of social sector programming for students, alumni, and practitioners. Wai-Sinn oversees initiatives such as The Hong Kong Jockey Club Programme on Social Innovation and the Golub Capital Social Impact Lab, including its IGNITE leadership program. Additionally, she serves as the program director for Chicago Booth’s Civic Scholars Program.

About The Hong Kong Jockey Club Programme on Social Innovation

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Programme on Social Innovation provides resources and programs to help the city’s NGOs, nonprofit leaders, and social entrepreneurs do their best work. Operated by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Programme offers a range of opportunities, including scholarships, social entrepreneurship workshops, and trainings for NGO boards of directors and board members.