Forming Impact · Necker Island · 14–18 June 2026

The Programme
Three mornings,
one coherent arc.

A cohort-led leadership gathering - curated to unlock the knowledge and expertise in the room.

Format
Residential · 44 leaders
Themes
Learning · Legacy · Capital
Host
Forming Impact & Sir Richard Branson

Wellness & Longevity - 7:45 daily

Méline Liu leads - founder of The HumanWare Project (human performance, neuroscience & longevity). Grounding the body before big ideas.

The 1:1 Bridge - 10:10 daily

Christine Thompson & Ash Moraca hold short paired reflections that make each theme personal before the formal session begins.

The Through-Line

Open afternoons & hosted dinners carry each morning's threads forward - the conversations are built to live beyond the island.

Theme OneMonday 15 June

Future of Education,
Innovation & AI

Energising, curious, practical - the future of learning, AI, human capability, and where the leverage points actually sit.

7:45
Wellness & Longevity Practice
LeadMéline LiuThe HumanWare Project - sets the nervous system for generative work.
10:00
Welcome & Opening

Fiona opens the arc - connecting education, innovation and AI to cross-pollination across the room.

LeadFiona Macintyre
10:10
One-to-One Connection

A personal bridge into the theme through paired reflection and listening.

LeadChristine Thompson
10:30
Session 1 - Future of Learning & Human Capability

Personalised learning, access, workforce development and lifelong capability - from policy reform to AI lifting human performance in the hardest settings.

HostMartina von Künsberg SarreAustrian MP & NEOS co-founder; the party's Education & Science spokesperson - evidence-led education reform.
VoiceKV MohanMD, General Catalyst; built the Customer Value Fund - two-time founder (ex-Palantir, ex-Meta) on AI and new capital models.
VoicePriya PrakashFounder, HealthSetGo - health & life-skills education reaching hundreds of thousands of children across India. Learning at scale.
VoicePedro EspinozaFounder, Pan Peru (STEM access, libraries, women entrepreneurs, reforestation) & GP of PDE Ventures - philanthropy and enterprise as one engine.
11:05
Short break
11:20
Session 2 - Innovation & AI Roundtable

From learning into AI itself - applied systems, founder insight and the investable / philanthropic questions underneath the hype.

HostOana RuxandraFormer Chief Digital Officer & EVP Business Development, Warner Music - AI, M&A and platform reinvention at global scale.
SparkAshkan DabbaghFounder & CEO, 01C (AMARA) - generative AI building entire 3D worlds; Oxford AI, ex-DNEG (Dune, Interstellar).
SparkAlfons HuberFounder, reps.eco - reforestation & sustainable-development infrastructure; the environmental long view.
SparkRoman KaplunFounder, ZoolaTech - applied AI & engineering delivery at enterprise scale.
12:10
Small Breakouts · groups of 4–5
Prompts
  • What idea from this morning should continue beyond the island?
  • Where could this room unlock something together?
  • What question would you most like to ask someone over lunch?
Theme TwoTuesday 16 June

Legacy, Philanthropy &
Sustainable Development

Reflective, honest, strategic - the shift from what we build to what endures.

7:45
Wellness & Longevity Practice
LeadAsh MoracaFounder, Retreat - restorative practice to open the reflective day. (Méline supporting.)
10:00
One-to-One Connection

Paired reflection to make the legacy theme personal - Christine can guide a short grounding exercise before the session opens.

LeadAsh Moraca & Christine Thompson
Prompts
  • What are you hoping your work makes possible for others?
  • What is one value you want to carry more deliberately into your next chapter?
  • Where do you feel called to be more intentional with your influence?
10:35
Session 1 - Legacy, Philanthropy & Sustainable Development

Foundation architecture, strategic giving, reforestation and community ventures as long-term vehicles for systemic impact.

HostMartin BabinecFounder of TriNet; built Upstate / the IPI Family Office Impact Network - community ventures and structured, place-based legacy capital.
VoiceDickie ShearerFounder, Tintra - AI-native financial infrastructure for the Global South; cultural intelligence as design principle.
VoiceTom SchleichForming Impact cohort.
VoiceFrancisco SantosForming Impact cohort.
11:35
Short break
12:00
Fireside - In Conversation with Sir Richard Branson

Wider reflection on systems, courage, entrepreneurship, learning and long-term impact - the gathering's signature exchange.

HostFiona Macintyre in conversation with Sir Richard Branson
12:55
Close

Fiona names the thread for the afternoon and invites intentional one-to-one conversations.

LeadFiona Macintyre
Theme ThreeWednesday 17 June

Investing &
Investment Communities

Practical, strategic, action-oriented - capital, aligned communities, and what continues after the island. Closes with the Gala.

7:45
Wellness & Longevity Practice

Begin the final morning with steadiness and integration.

LeadMéline Liu
10:00
Opening One-to-One Reflection

A final structured moment of personal connection before the investment conversation begins.

LeadChristine Thompson
10:35
Panel - Impact Investing & Capital with Aligned Values

Multi-capital models, new financing structures, financial inclusion and the discipline of backing the overlooked.

HostJens LapinskiFounding Partner & CEO, Angel Invest - Europe's most active angel fund (~one investment a week); ex-Techstars MD.
VoiceRachel SpringateCo-founding GP, Muse Capital - values-aligned consumer & women's-health VC; ~70% female / underrepresented founders.
VoiceRyan BristolInvestor and allocator - a capital-side perspective on diligence, deal flow and backing aligned founders.
VoiceChristian WagnerMaverick - long-horizon capital and the architecture of enduring ventures.
11:35
Group Breakouts · groups of 4–5

Turn the conversation into next steps - theses, introductions, possible co-investment.

Prompts
  • What is one investment or philanthropic thesis you want to explore further?
  • Who in this room could help you think more clearly?
  • What would a useful follow-up look like after Necker?
12:00
Closing Panel - Community & Impactful Leadership

The leadership and community structures that make impact continue - closing the formal programme on the thing this gathering is actually about.

HostMichael KowatschewForming Impact community member and connector - closing the arc on the relationships and structures that sustain impact across the cohort.
VoiceMaximilian von Kuensberg SarreHerba Chemosan - healthcare distribution at scale.
VoiceAtilana PiñónCo-founder & co-CEO, Retorna - a neobank for migrants; financial inclusion as both mission and market. Angel investor.
VoiceChris EberleEx-Facebook partnerships & creator leadership; SparkHouse - the future of work, talent and leadership formation.
12:50
Final Close
LeadFiona Macintyre