Niluka Kavanagh
Founder of ImagineThat,
Creator of The Modern CEO
Niluka Kavanagh is the Founder of ImagineThat, the creator of The Modern CEO and an ex-Big 4 Consultant, having forged a career in innovation, strategy, and building a reputable brand. Dedicated to offering other start-ups and entrepreneurs the support she wishes she had, Niluka is helping to foster a confident community of like-minded professionals navigating the business landscape.
As a University of Oxford graduate, Niluka was selected as an Alumni Ambassador for Somerville College, leading to a feature in the University of Oxford’s Entrepreneurial Spotlight. Her professional journey began in a graduate market development role at KPMG LLP. During her tenure, she progressed through various roles and had the opportunity to lead KPMG SheCan as Head of Communications, and also founded the KPMG Behavioural Science Unit. Niluka exited the business after climbing to a managerial role in customer, marketing and brand strategy. She then co-founded and served as CMO and Director of the tbc app, a dating app. At the same time, she also founded HelpMePresent, guiding individuals in the art of public speaking, with clients ranging from Siemens and Deloitte to the University of Chicago. Today, Niluka is the founder of ImagineThat, an invite-only group that serves to help other founders build their business with motivation and clarity. She is also the creator of The Modern CEO, the organisational branch of ImagineThat, helping leaders rethink their attitudes to business management and working environments.
Alongside this, Niluka is also the host of the YouTube channel Breaking Boundaries with Niluka, where she engages with other entrepreneurs who have also broken barriers in business. Her insights have been published across various media outlets, including KPMG LLP, The World Financial Review, and Cambridge University. Niluka is also a member of the UN Culture of Innovation Group and has been named as one of the Top 10 Leading Speakers to Follow by MSN.
With first-hand experience and a passion for guiding others, Niluka is providing deeply impactful insights into the world of entrepreneurship and offering audiences the tools to excel with new approaches to working. Her Modern CEO framework encourages engagement, innovation, intrapreneurship, and effective communication across multigenerational teams, resulting in a better approach to psychological safety. With expertise in future of work, communication, leadership and culture, Niluka is the perfect speaker for a multitude of corporate summits, events, and conferences.
Sessions
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30-Apr-2026Conference Theatre 1The Human Side of the Future of Work: Leadership, Behaviour, and Why People Still Matter