Dr Claire Madden
Social Researcher & Next Gen Expert
An expert on Generation Z and founder of research-based strategy agency Hello Clarity. Claire Madden helps organisations, educators, and business leaders understand generational change, translating research into actionable strategies. A dynamic keynote speaker and media commentator, Claire guides audiences to navigate the evolving social and business landscape.
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Dr Claire Madden is a renowned Australian social researcher, author and keynote speaker, widely regarded as an expert on Gen Z and the changing social, cultural and work landscape. With a PhD exploring what motivates Gen Z in the workplace, and extensive experience analysing social trends and demographic data, Claire’s work helps leaders understand the forces shaping the next decade – technology, generational shifts, workplace, learning, and the future of work.
A sought-after commentator across television, radio and print, Claire brings clarity to complex trends, translating them into practical strategies for organisations, educators and government. She is the author of Hello Gen Z and founder of the research and advisory firm Hello Clarity.
Known for her dynamic presenting style, Claire has delivered hundreds of keynotes to audiences across industries from corporate, education, government to not-for-profit. Claire is known for helping teams engage emerging talent, design future-ready cultures and navigate rapid change with confidence.
Driven by a passion for equipping leaders with insight and foresight, Dr Claire Madden is recognised as a trusted voice on the trends redefining our society and workplaces, and an essential guide for organisations preparing for the next generation.
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Topics
Engaging Emerging Consumers: Unlocking Gen Z and Gen Alpha as customers
Gen Z and Gen Alpha have emerged as influential consumer groups, bringing their transformed expectations as customers. They are our household influencers, with 4 in 5 parents admitting that Alpha kids significantly influence family purchases. With shorter attention spans and elevated expectations as customers, younger generations expect faster delivery, sustainable practices, free returns, online access to brands and immersive offline experiences. In this session, Dr Claire will unpack key trends to understand how to unlock the emerging generations and engage effectively with this cohort to be a growing segment of your consumer base.
Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce: Activating the motivation of generations at work
Do the younger generations have a work-ethic? How do we span the gaps in a workforce made up of the “hard-working, get the job done” Boomers and Gen Xs, alongside the “find a faster way, wellbeing and flexibility focused” Gen Ys and Gen Zs? Dr Claire’s PhD focused on understanding how to activate the motivation of Gen Z at work. For our organisations to adapt to the future of work, it is critical that we can effectively engage all generations in the workplace. In this interactive and engaging session, Claire will provide research-based insights into how to practically shape a workplace culture that activates the motivation of the generations at work.
The Future of the Workplace: Cultivating an optimal performance culture
A motivated workforce is a competitive advantage and strategic asset in any organisation. Investing in our workplace culture and understanding the factors that activate the motivation of staff across the generations can lead to higher retention, improved productivity and better business outcomes.
The focus of Dr Claire’s PhD was on understanding what motivates Gen Z at work, and as part of this developed the ‘Optimal Performance Matrix’. Understanding how to ensure the relational and role satisfaction needs of our teams are supported in our workplaces can move staff from being unsupported workers to optimal performers. In this research-based, engaging session, Claire will provide practical tools to help leaders, managers and teams to prioritise key aspects of workplace culture to cultivate an environment of high performers.
Next-Gen Learners: Connect, educate, inspire and motivate Gen Z and Gen Alpha as students
Today’s classrooms are filled with digital natives who think, learn, and connect in entirely new ways. Generation Z and Generation Alpha bring fresh perspectives, short attention spans, strong values, and a desire for authentic connection and belonging, and a need for relevance and understanding the ‘why’ in everything they do — including education.
This session explores what motivates and engages these emerging generations as learners. Drawing on current research, real-world examples, and practical strategies, Dr Claire will unpack how educators and institutions can create meaningful learning experiences that resonate with Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s unique characteristics. From understanding the social, technological and cultural forces shaping the worldview of the emerging generations, to fostering belonging, collaboration and purpose-driven learning, participants will be equipped to align teaching practices and approaches with the evolving needs and expectations of today’s students.
