Stephen Yarwood

Stephen Yarwood, a distinguished Futurist, Urbanist, and former Lord Mayor of Adelaide, is a catalyst for transformative change in both corporate and community settings. With a profound expertise in cross-disciplinary strategic foresight, Stephan explores the dynamic interplay between people, places, technology, and change. His passion extends beyond envisioning the future; he actively educates, motivates, and empowers individuals to shape it.

Stephan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Planning, Graduate Diplomas in Regional & Urban Planning and Environmental Studies, and an MBA from Adelaide University. He is an award-winning Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia, with extensive international experience across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. His career spans roles in the South Australian Government, Parliament, and Local Government, where he has excelled as a planner, researcher, educator, and speaker. He has led initiatives dealing with various land use types and a range of environmental, economic, community design, and development issues.

As an international thought leader on "the future citizen," Stephan is a committed advocate for collaborative leadership, assisting leaders in navigate the evolving social, environmental, and economic landscape. His consultancy, city2050, specialises in transformative strategic planning, providing innovative governance, strategy, and policy solutions. City2050 serves global corporations, governments, and communities, aiming to prepare and empower them for a rapidly changing future.

Stephan’s professional services include keynote speaking, workshops, strategic planning, scenario planning, training, coaching, and stakeholder engagement. He is a highly sought-after speaker known for his articulate and though-provoking communication style, engaging audiences worldwide on urban excellence, governance, and visionary leadership. His favourite engagements involve diagnostic and vision-setting commissions for cities, towns, and regions globally, where he applies his expertise to create sustainable and innovative urban environments. 

In addition to his consulting work, Stephan was announced as a founding member of the Airbnb Mayoral Advisory Board in 2016, alongside three former mayors from the U.S. and Italy, contributing valuable insights from his tenure leading Adelaide to strengthen Airbnb’s partnership with cities globally. His contributions have earned Adelaide international recognition as an innovative destination by Lonely Planet, National Geographic, and The New York Times.