Zoe Bayliss Wong

With shrinking budgets and increasing uncertainty, trying to balance sustainable goals with commercial reality is harder than ever. Is there money to be made whilst reducing the world’s environmental and social problems? How can we do this in a meaningful and authentic way? Designed for corporate decision-makers and innovators, this talk goes beyond surface-level ESG goals to unpack how sustainability can become a core business lever. Zoe exposes the often-ignored pitfalls of the green economy—and shares tangible strategies for driving meaningful impact without compromising growth.

For founders who want to build more than just a business—this talk is for you. Blending heart and hard numbers, Zoe shares her first-hand playbook on creating companies that align purpose with profit. With experience as a portfolio CFO for mission-led brands, she offers an honest look at financial leadership that supports growth without selling out. Expect empowering insights on raising capital with integrity, designing a values-driven strategy, and using finance as a force for good. No jargon—just practical tools to build a company that feels as good as it performs.

From 30-person start-up to global cult platform - this is the story behind Depop’s growth and eventual $1.6B acquisition. This talk unpacks the myths and realities of start-up life - from the glamorised hustle to the emotional rollercoaster of scale. Zoe breaks down what founders and early-stage teams need to survive (and thrive), based on a decade of leading high-growth teams and advising bold, purpose-led start-ups. From fundraising and leadership challenges to culture, burnout, and what she wishes she’d known earlier.

Whether you’re pitching for capital or pitching your own your value and asking for a raise - negotiation is non-negotiable. In this empowering and tactical session, Zoe demystifies the art of knowing your worth, drawing on what she’s witnessed from sitting on both sides of the table as a female business leader and CFO. Revealing the subtle, high-impact techniques that drive real results, Zoe shares tactical strategies for underrepresented voices to confidently advocate for themselves in business and beyond.

Sustainability sells—but what if selling itself is the problem? Aimed at brand builders, creatives and cultural thinkers, this provocative talk confronts the contradictions at the heart of sustainable messaging in a consumption-driven economy. Zoe explores the blurry line between purpose and performance, and how brands can pivot from performative greenwashing to progressive leadership. Expect uncomfortable truths—and ideas that challenge how we build and sell the future.

In this honest and empowering talk, Zoe shares her experience navigating leadership and credibility as a woman of colour in predominantly white, male, and corporate spaces. Drawing on her journey as a CFO, startup advisor, and business strategist, she unpacks how difference can feel like a disadvantage and how to turn it into your greatest asset. With a blend of real-life examples and practical strategies, Zoe offers a roadmap for anyone who’s ever felt like the ‘only one’ - showing how to claim space, speak powerfully, and lead authentically, without compromise.

Gender equality in the workplace has made strides but, even beyond the pay gap, many women in business still encounter additional scrutiny, societal expectations and stereotypes. From scrutiny over confidence to assumptions about leadership style, women are still navigating a system not designed for them. In this candid and energising talk, Zoe shares her journey from the corporate world to the start-up trenches—trading comfort for purpose, and discovering what it really means to lead and build credibility as a young BIPOC woman in business. Perfect for female managers, DEI and HR leaders, and anyone ready to challenge the status quo of who gets to lead—and how.

Who is responsible for making retail sustainable, consumers or companies? Circularity alone can’t save the planet and consumer demand is only one element of the solution. We must add social and sharing elements to the way we consume. The future of sustainable commerce lies at the intersection of consumption, social community & a circular economy. This future-thinking talk outlines the evolving path to purchase and a new model emerging from the advances in technology and social awareness.