I was in Davos during the week of the World Economic Forum (January 20-24, 2025) for the third consecutive year (See journey songs from 2024 and 2023). My intention in being there was to join the conversation around themes and topics that have the potential to shape the next cycle ahead and to connect with the international communities and individuals I have been – and will be – collaborating with in alignment with Light Eagle’s vision: "Remembering and redefining our relationship with our planet as humans."
A Gentle Reminder Before We Begin
I am an explorer and a guide.
I dream of a time when we, as humans, live deeply in touch with the purpose of our existence, our Sacred Dream of Life—the source of our unique gifts and superpowers. I envision a world where we exist in harmony with ourselves and each other, acting as guardians of all life on our planet, engaging in a graceful exchange with all existence, and expanding consciousness together.
Throughout the week in Davos, I navigated with the intention to explore the threads that will lead to this dream. My reflections here are not just observations but a personal journey—shared in the hope that they encourage you to tap into your own calling.
This world is one we have manifested together—and it is us who will shape the next one.
If you’re ready, let’s begin our walk on the Promenade!
Donald Trump’s Second Coming and The World
My first scheduled event in Davos took place at Financial Times House, hosted by the Free Thinker Society. The discussion featured prominent voices such as Niall Ferguson, Martin Wolf, and Nouriel Roubini, among others, who explored what they believed awaited us in the next U.S. presidential term—just hours before Donald Trump’s second inaugural address.
Session began 45 minutes late, opening with one of the speakers apologizing for being late, explaining that he had been on a private jet with prominent climate change thinkers. They were unable to land due to a thick cloud of fog and eventually had to switch to a helicopter.
I believe Martin Wolf’s article that was published the day after on Financial Times titled Donald Trump’s Second Coming and The World captured the common thread in the room quite well.
A Different Energy in Davos and The Ritual of QR Code Scanning
Right from the start, Davos 2025 felt noticeably different from the previous two years. In the past, I had sensed an energy of newness, with dazzling launches of fresh ideas and themes creating an air of anticipation and excitement.
This year, however, the atmosphere was quieter, more subdued. There were fewer people, less buzz on the streets, and the agenda felt recycled—like last year’s fashion repackaged for a new season.
One phenomenon that seemed to encapsulate this shift was the way contact information is exchanged in Davos. An indispensable part of every interaction in Davos is the exchange of contact information—more specifically, QR code scanning. This modern ritual involves one party presenting a QR code that links to their contact details, while the other scans it, often promising to share their information via WhatsApp.
The entire process takes about 10 seconds for the contact details to sync with WhatsApp. However, if the scanning party tries to send a message too soon, a moment of confusion arises when an "Invite to WhatsApp" notification pops up. This typically leads to a brief, bemused exchange of, "Oh, that’s strange, but I am on WhatsApp," before the sync completes and the contact exchange is finalized.
This moment of lag, this temporary misalignment, felt like a metaphor for 2025 itself—a year in the process of syncing.
As we step into the next cycle, we might need to pause, recalibrate, and let things fall into place before we can truly move forward.
Kicking Off Davos at Impact Ecosystem Night: Collaboration, Climate, and Systemic Transformation
In the evening, I attended Impact Ecosystem Night at the Climate Hub Davos. I knew this would be a great way to kick off the week—catching up with the communities we collaborate with year-round, such as The Impact Office (TIO), Family Business Network (FBN), and Climate Scale-Up, while also meeting new people in the climate tech, impact investing, and systemic transformation space.
The evening launched with a panel on "The Role of Public-Private-People Partnerships (PPPP) in Climate Action: Catalyzing Transformative Change," exploring how systemic transformation can be unlocked through innovative partnership models and the role business families can play in this journey.
During the networking session that followed, I had the chance to meet Dr. Kirsten Dunlop of the European Institute of Technology and Innovation, Climate Knowledge and Innovation Center and share where we are in our impact journey at Light Eagle. I expressed how I have been following their systemic transformation work and asked how we might collaborate on one of their projects. I learned that they have ongoing projects in Izmir as well and took note to follow up afterward on potential collaboration.
Finding Flow in Davos: Impact, Community, and Conversations in the Mountains
During my stay in Davos, I had the pleasure of residing at the Sacred Shell House, a unique community space that harmoniously blends privacy with communal areas. This environment not only provided a serene retreat but also facilitated meaningful interactions with fellow attendees. The house hosted several events throughout the week, enriching my experience and supporting my internal reflection process.
The Sacred Shell House is renowned for its commitment to serve as a hub for individuals and organizations dedicated to New Health and New Leadership. The space is thoughtfully designed to encourage deep conversations and creative exchanges, making it an ideal setting for those passionate about driving positive change.
Staying at the Sacred Shell House added a profound layer of connection and purpose to my time in Davos, reinforcing the importance of community in our collective journey toward a more sustainable future.
A Morning of Impact and Systemic Investing
With impact and systemic investing as my main focus, Tuesday started with the Breakfast Event of TopTier Impact (TTI). My intention behind signing up for this event was threefold:
- To connect with a new impact community
- To experience an offsite event in Davos
- To meet with İlkay Demirdağ, the event organizer
Interestingly, İlkay Hanım and I were seated next to each other on the flight to Zurich, giving us spacious time to get to know one another and discuss international community-building.
At the event, I enjoyed the somewhat traditional panels on climate finance and nature investing, which were elevated by a heartwarming breakfast and the inspirational art of Voice of the Earth, all set in the stunning après-ski chalet, Fuxagafer.
It was a pleasure to meet members of TTI, and attending alongside Daniel, the Founder of NatureRe, and Christian, with whom we co-invested in NatureRe, added to the joy.
I was curious to see how moving away from the village would affect the overall flow of the day. Yet, the chairlift ride provided a beautiful moment for morning practice, and an excellent conversation with Daniel about offsetting Light Eagle’s footprint. It also made me realize how crazy it is to be conducting business in such a breathtaking place for skiing.
A Midday Pause in the Heart of Davos
Back in town, I met with Kerem and Ülkü, close friends with whom we have walked multiple paths together.
We enjoyed lunch on the sunny Kulturplatz in Davos, a refreshing pause that helped us digest our exploration—both literally and intellectually—while exchanging insights over Tibetan dumplings.
Kerem is the Founder of Neol, an AI-powered platform designed to help users find and build teams of talent. We invested in the startup through Light Eagle after reconnecting in Davos last year.
This year, the entire Promenade was filled with value propositions around building, managing, and retaining talent using AI. Among various engaging conversations, we scratched the surface of a compelling question: Could an AI agent be developed to leverage Neol’s network across broadly defined topics? For instance, could we feed the agent information about the startup ecosystem and a specific startup, then task it with creating a unicorn within three years—strategically utilizing the talent network as a resource?
With Ülkü, an interdisciplinary artist, we spoke about Davos as a creative space and how recent technological and social developments are shaping the creative process worldwide.
From Vision to Action: Regenerative Futures Towards Systemic Transformation for Nature and Society
Next stop was the "From Vision to Action: Regenerative Futures Towards Systemic Transformation for Nature and Society" workshop at the SDG Tent.
This was one of the sessions I was most excited about this year. Workshops always offer a more beautiful and participatory way to inspire new ideas, exchange learnings, and build relationships. While a panel or keynote is centered around speakers, a good workshop thrives on active participation. I find this format highly engaging, and in this case, the topic was even more compelling.
Having first encountered the term "systemic transformation" three years ago in Davos, I have since been deeply engaged in learning and growing in this field. I knew this particular session would bring together practitioners working year-round in systemic transformation, offering insights at the cutting edge of current developments.
The full video of the session was recorded. Hosted by Future Stewards, the session began with an introduction to the Three Horizons framework.
We then moved into roundtable discussions, starting with the Third Horizon, exploring the question: "What do I stand for?"
Next, we shifted to the First Horizon, addressing: "What systemic barriers do I encounter in moving towards regenerative futures? What is ‘choking’ the system?"
Finally, we concluded with the Second Horizon, discussing: "What can WE do to (further) activate collective action towards regenerative futures?"
Each group’s findings were then shared and sketched, creating a beautiful experience of co-creation. I was truly inspired by how effectively this format helped wisdom emerge from the collective and be expressed in a tangible, deliverable form—within such a brief time.
AI, Systems Thinking, and the Quest for Immortality
From there, I headed to AI House to say hello to our friends from Merantix and attend Ray Dalio’s session on AI, systems thinking, and human connection.
I must admit—I was a bit starstruck by his presence. I see Ray Dalio as a remarkable example of human potential realized. His ability to listen intently and respond with clarity is deeply inspiring. His insights on AI and macroeconomic conditions were a pleasure to absorb, and I particularly enjoyed how decisively he answered the question, “What do you think about Bitcoin?”
The full recording of the session can be found here, and I took note to explore Digital Ray, an AI bot modeled after Dalio himself.
Finnish Flow and Deepak Chopra on AI & Healing
For the evening, I met with Kerem once again, and we caught the funicular up to Schatzalp for the Finnish Flow event.
What stood out most from this evening was the opportunity to listen to Deepak Chopra speak in-depth about how he envisions AI being utilized for personalized healing. It was fascinating to learn about DeepakChopra.ai, an AI-driven wellness platform inspired by his teachings.
I had first encountered the concept of creating an AI bot in the image of a person through a family who was modeling their patriarch’s persona for future generations. It seems this idea is gaining traction as an approach to achieving digital immortality.
I wonder—what would my own AI bot self say on this matter?
Late-Night Conversations at Sacred Shell
Having gone to bed early the night before, I wanted to spend more time at Sacred Shell that night, so I left early from the event.
Of course, getting from the house’s door to my bed took over three hours—as every step along the way led to fascinating discussions on a wide range of topics. Among the many things I learned were:
- How to create an AI agent using ElizaOS
- The reasoning behind why people buy meme coins
Even the most unexpected conversations in Davos seemed to weave into the larger themes of technology, consciousness, and the future of human experience.
Knowing from experience how an intense week in Davos can lead to burnout, I decided to pace myself on Wednesday—taking it slow in the morning and starting my day with an 11:00 AM panel at unDavos Summit.
Getting Lost, Finding Insights
This was my first time in this House, and I ended up taking the wrong elevator in the Sunstar Hotel where the event was being held. I found myself in an empty corridor with another attendee who was also looking for his session. We reversed back to the lobby and found another elevator—where we ran into two others searching for the blockchain panel.
Eventually, I entered the Climate Finance panel, only to realize that my lost companion was actually one of the panelists!
As the panel progressed, I experienced an unexpected moment of déjà vu. I had spent the past year attending sessions on finance structures, funds, banks, family offices, and foundations at various global events. At that moment, I realized the discussion was no longer stimulating me. It was a sign—my calling was elsewhere.
So, I did something spontaneous—I stepped out and entered the next room, without even knowing the topic.
The session? "Privatizatied of Deep Space Exploration."
One of the panelists was a "Space Environmentalist" who had started a company dedicated to clearing space debris—a fascinating topic, given how many old satellites are currently orbiting Earth. The discussion revolved around whether we should go straight to Mars or first establish a station on the Moon to build an ecosystem before venturing further.
How’s that for stimulating? 😊
Blockchain, Space, and Unexpected Connections
One thing I know about the Space Economy is that some of the most brilliant minds of our time are working in this field. Out of curiosity, I checked the panelists’ backgrounds and noticed that Halvor’s (the Space Environmentalist) company name directed the landing page of a Blockchain Startup.
At first, it felt peculiar, but it was also a reminder—the most brilliant minds are still working on blockchain.
Lunch, Thor Wallet, and a Crypto Awakening
After an engaging post-panel discussion, I met with Risto for lunch, and we headed to Postli Restaurant for a catch-up. The restaurant was full, so we were invited to share a table with another group—a serendipitous turn of events that led to meeting the founding team of Thor Wallet($TGT).
Having the opportunity to ask fundamental (!) questions to a highly knowledgeable crypto expert in his 20s felt almost indulgent. My conversation with Marcel was lively and insightful—but also made me feel like a dinosaur in comparison.
Yet, instead of discouragement, it reignited my ambition to dig deeper into blockchain. This conversation came at an especially interesting time, as Risto and I had been exploring new ways to weave business families and family offices together in financial collaboration.
At this point, I became acutely aware that AI technology was far beyond where I had perceived it to be, and while mass adoption still lags, the crypto community remains at the frontier of this transformation.
Inner Calm in an Uncertain World
As expected, another session followed right after lunch. We walked back to the SDG Tent for a session titled "Maintaining Inner Calm in an Uncertain World."
With a beautiful facilitation of Britta and Lynda, we explored how we navigate uncertainty—both in this space and in the broader world. Beyond fostering meaningful connections and personal realizations, this session made me reflect on how I use intentionality as a tool for navigation.
Stepping into each day and each space with a clear intention, then taking a breath—both literally and figuratively—allows me to bring my true self into each moment and align the world around me in relation to that intention.
The Hallway Serendipity
After the session, the hallways were buzzing with long-time collaborators and new connections emerging from different rooms—heating the space up with dynamic conversations.
One particularly interesting coincidence was running into two friends who had planned to meet and discuss collaboration on systemic mapping and field-building for a systemic transformation project.
They graciously accepted my request to join their discussion, as this is an area we are actively working on in our region. Having the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced stakeholders through an actual project discussion was invaluable.
This experience will undoubtedly inspire many new manifestations in our region in the coming year.
Dancing with Wyclef Jean and Weaving Worlds Together
Around this time, I received a message along the lines of: “19:55 by the Dome, be there or be square!”
This meant one thing—the exclusive Wyclef Jean performance invitation had come through. I had heard whispers around town leading up to this night that this was going to be “the” event. Of course, I was sure the same word had been circulating about nearly every event in Davos, but I love Wyclef Jean’s music, so I started warming up my legs for night of dance, with a fast paced walk towards the Dome.
He entered the stage with “Ready or Not”, told security to “chill” because he’s not 50 Cent!,” formed dance circles, and even invited the audience to join him on stage. By the time he played “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, I thought the roof was going to come down.
And yet, when the session time ended, we were kindly asked to clear the space for the next event, and in an instant, the wild, raving crowd transformed back into its natural state of networking.
I love music, and I’d like to think I’ve seen my fair share of incredible live performances, yet I’ll always remember this night as the time Wyclef Jean took us there AND brought us back:)
Shoutout to Octave Institute for the amazing organization—this event truly embodied Fred Tsao’s quote about the 4Ps: “Party, party, party, partnership!”
After the electric energy of the night, returning to the beautiful, grounding space of Sacred Shell House felt like a much-needed contrast. It provided the perfect container to reflect, recalibrate, and reconnect.
Climate Scale-Up Deal Day: Exploring Two Worlds
One of the most anticipated events on my agenda this year was the Climate Scale-Up Deal Day at Schatzalp Hotel on Thursday morning.
As I entered the hotel foyer, I noticed a fascinating juxtaposition—the Climate Scale-Up event was taking place in the right hall, while the Global Crypto Forum was unfolding in the left hall.
A friend from Family Business Network greeted me with a smile and asked: “Are you here for the dark side or the good side?”
This remark displayed how these two worlds are being held seperate from each other for me, and aroused my curiosity around how they would look like if woven together.
The Climate Scale-Up Deal Day showcased an exquisite batch of scale-up companies in climate tech. I met many new ventures, exchanged contacts, and had fruitful conversations about potential collaborations.
Several companies were beyond the stage we typically invest in, so we exchanged contacts to later connect them with the relevant funds where we are LPs, ensuring they reached the right investors.
At the entrance, a lively networking space buzzed with activity. But deeper into the hallway—past a discreet door—a series of thought-provoking panels were unfolding, featuring some of the most inspiring thought leaders. What stood out from this experience, offering a glimpse into its atmosphere, were:
- Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, shared that AI currently accounts for less than 2% of global energy usage, but this figure is expected to rise to 20% by 2030.
- A session on the visualization of sustainability explored how consumer perceptions are evolving and what brands must do to keep up—or even lead—the shifting narrative.
As the session concluded, I joined Andrew and Seema for a photo with the breathtaking view (see cover). I shared my prayer that this image serves as an inspiration—encouraging more business families, impact investors, and climate startups to come together and shape a future that is more desirable for all life on our planet.
Unexpected Encounters and Expanding Possibilities
On our way back down from Schatzalp on the funicular with Andrew, I was surprised when Holvar suddenly stepped into the same car with us. Taking this as a sign, I jumped from my seat to ask him about his current work and shared my interest in exploring new ways to connect families for collaboration. I asked whether Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) could be a potential solution.
He responded enthusiastically, suggesting that setting up a family office DAO could be a great idea. He assured me that it was very easy to establish one and even offered to help set it up.
Of course, I took the phrase "very easy" with a grain of salt—especially coming from a rocket scientist—but I gratefully exchanged contact details as we approached town.
As we unloaded the funicular, others who had overheard our conversation expressed interest in the idea and asked to be kept updated, reinforcing the relevance and potential of what we had just discussed.
A Walk Towards Wisdom House
Once we parted ways with Andrew at a crossroads, I took a moment to find my flow for the rest of the day—feeling into what was calling me.
My agenda had a few marked sessions, and my whatsapp was buzzing with messages. I paused, observing the energy on the street, when a friend walked by on her way to the train station. I asked if I could join her for the walk, and we set off, engaged in a lively conversation about our experiences that day.
As we walked, I realized we had stumbled upon Wisdom House, located inside the beautiful Davos Church. I had not yet stepped into this space this year, so we decided to go in.
We were informed that an ongoing conversation was taking place on: “The Next Step in the Evolution of User Experience in AI.”
The room was full, but we were welcome to enter quietly. I parted ways with my friend, found a stool, and joined the discussion.
What unfolded was a brilliant, open debate, where thought leaders asked questions, spoke into them, and the conversation naturally expanded—an almost epiphanic experience in the inspiring atmosphere of the church.
A seed was planted in my consciousness.
A Paradigm Shift: Augmenting AI vs. Augmenting Humans
Up until this moment, I had been focusing on how AI can be used to augment the human—seeing AI as a tool.
But what if the real question is: How can humans augment AI?
How can I design human organizations around AI agents instead of designing AI tools around humans?
From this perspective, corporations are at a disadvantage—they already have culture, structure, and position built around humans. Meanwhile, an individual starting from scratch with just a computer has limitless potential.
This idea is deeply unsettling, as it challenges the existing paradigm.
But could it also be liberating?
Is this shift—this new type of intelligence—not something to be resisted, but rather, something to be surfed like a great ocean wave? A force that cannot be fought, but one that can carry us forward?
Could AI have the potential to expand human consciousness to the next level?
This thought lingered in my mind as I walked back into town, still processing the conversation. There was something unsettling yet deeply exciting about it—a realization that questioned the very structure of how we work, think, and build.
As I reflected on these ideas, I met with Michael from Seedstars for coffee. Our conversation became an extension of this internal dialogue—Michael, with his resourcefulness and depth, helped me both internalize and expand these thoughts. He challenged my perspectives, offered new dimensions to consider, and, as always, brought a wealth of insights to the table.
Closing the Week: Familiar Faces, Final Reflections, and a Snow Dip Under the Stars
That evening, I joined the FBN Dinner at Stubli Restaurant, where the atmosphere was more grounded, offering a moment to reconnect with familiar faces and reflect on the week’s journey.
In addition to meeting new friends and exchanging reflections on what the week had brought forward, I also had a chance to wind down in a calm, familiar setting.
After a round of last rounds of drinks after dinner, I contracted back into the grounding space of Sacred Shell.
Even though I had heard so much about it, I had yet to close the day at the sauna—something I had been meaning to experience all week. Finally, I made my way there, and to my delight, Ivan guided me through the backyard door to a snow dip under the stars after the sauna.
The contrast of the heat and the crisp cold, the silence of the night sky, and the pure presence of the moment felt like a fitting final ritual—a way to fully integrate the experience of the week before stepping back into the world beyond Davos.
Final Reflections: The Echoes of Davos
As I look back on this week in Davos, what stands out is not just the conversations, panels, and discoveries, but the spaces in between—the serendipitous meetings, the late-night reflections, the moments of stillness before the next wave of thought and action.
This week was a journey through the edges of innovation, the depths of systemic change, and the vast unknowns of AI, blockchain, and climate solutions. It was about weaving together different worlds, exploring how technology, finance, and human connection intersect to shape the future.
But more than anything, Davos was a reminder that transformation happens not just in boardrooms or on stages—but in the spaces where ideas meet intention, where questions are left open, and where we allow ourselves to be carried by what is emerging.
The final night’s snow dip under the stars was more than a fleeting thrill—it was a moment of integration. A moment to breathe, reset, and embrace the unknown ahead.