NSB Logo Jennifer Turliuk Jennifer Turliuk

Jennifer Turliuk

Speaker

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Innovator & Founding CEO of MakerKids

Jennifer Turliuk is the Founder of Koru Labs and the Founder and Former CEO of MakerKids, which started the first and largest makerspace for kids in the world and now runs award-winning virtual programs, camps and parties on Coding, Robotics and Minecraft that help kids build confidence, resilience, social skills and a positive relationship with technology. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Huffington Post, Fast Company, Wired, and more. Today, Koru Labs has her focused on the world of AI; developing software, chatbots, sentiment analysis and more, to enhance user experience with artificial intelligence applications. She continues to invest in and advise startups in the digital transformation space. 

More Themes Business & Workplace Youth & Campus Technology & Trends Education

In the News

The Future Of Climate Could Be In Quantum Computing | Jennifer Turliuk May 7, 2024
Fast Company | How to branch out into a new industry without quitting your job June 24, 2021
Business Journal | Connecting: Sample your way to your dream career April 14, 2021
1851 Franchise | Young Ones To Watch: Jennifer Turliuk, CEO of MakerKids December 3, 2020

Keynote Speeches

Virtual Keynotes & Webinars
Contact us for more information about this speaker & their virtual presentations. Click here for some of the most popular formats for virtual events.
Leveraging AI to Drive Climate Solutions - Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Sustainability

Join Jennifer Turliuk, a seasoned entrepreneur, technologist and climate tech investor, as she takes you on a journey through the pivotal role of AI in addressing climate challenges.

Drawing from her work as a Partner with Climate Angels and Climate Capital Syndicate (one of the most active funders of climate startups), Jennifer uncovers the dynamic synergy between artificial intelligence and climate action. Discover groundbreaking AI applications that are predicting climate patterns, enhancing renewable energy efficiencies, and devising robust adaptation strategies. Delve into captivating case studies that illustrate AI’s instrumental role in fostering a sustainable future.

This enlightening talk not only highlights the transformative impact of AI on environmental stewardship but also sparks a dialogue on how technology and sustainability can coalesce to forge a resilient and thriving planet.

Innovation in Climate Education: Shaping Climate Change-Makers

Reflecting on her pioneering role in Climate Angels and experience in innovation of edtech, Jennifer will discuss the importance of equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills to innovate in the climate tech space. This session offers a deep dive into the pivotal role of educational initiatives like Climate Angels in molding innovators and leaders in the climate tech space.

Jennifer Turliuk, leveraging her expertise in both edtech and climate tech investing, illuminates the pathways for empowering future investors and entrepreneurs. This session underscores the importance of integrating cutting-edge knowledge and skills to drive impactful innovations in climate technology.

Jennifer’s insights provide a blueprint for creating educational ecosystems that not only inform but also inspire action towards sustainable change. The session will emphasize the role of educational initiatives in empowering future investors and entrepreneurs to drive meaningful change.

The Future of Work in a Climate-Conscious World

Transforming Careers for a Sustainable Future: This presentation will explore the evolving landscape of careers in the context of climate change and technological advancements. Jennifer will discuss how sustainability is becoming integral to various industries and how individuals can adapt to thrive in a climate-conscious economy.

Jennifer Turliuk, climate tech investor and author of career guide “How to Figure Out to Do with Your Life (Next)”, offers a visionary exploration of how industries are integrating sustainability into their core operations and the emerging opportunities this shift presents. This presentation examines the skills and mindsets required to excel in a future where environmental considerations are paramount, providing a roadmap for professionals to navigate and thrive in a climate-conscious economy.

Jennifer’s insights aim to equip attendees with the tools to align their careers with the principles of sustainability, driving positive change while achieving professional growth.

Additional Topics

See Jennifer Turliuk’s additional topics here.

Audience reviews:

  • Jennifer is a genuine, authentic and relatable speaker. She was great to work with, and we received a lot of positive feedback from the audience after our event. Highly recommend! - Smith School of Business, Toronto Chapter
  • Jennifer was fabulous and she was the perfect fit for our topic discussion. She used current and tangible examples which I know our parents really appreciated. It would be fitting to have Jennifer present again in the future as we expand our building to incorporate a Maker Space of our very own. - Fundraising Coordinator, Calgary Academy
  • Thank you for your inspirational talk yesterday. You were highly engaging and showed a deep passion for entrepreneurship. We’ve had several guests come through our doors in the last few months but your “approval rating” was by far the highest amongst all speakers.

    - Caldwell Partners
  • Vast new frontiers for learning are possible by embracing the Maker Movement, but most schools don’t have enough in-house expertise needed to go there. With MakerKids, you’ll have the expertise you need. You’ll be amazed by the potential in your students. MakerKids will help you release it. - Assistant Head, Academics, Kingsway College School
  • I think that MakerKids is doing some outstanding things for kids. Let’s get more kids into making. - Director of Education at Intel

Speaker Books

How to Figure Out What to Do with...
Every Child A Maker
The MakerKid

Speaker Biography

As a pioneering force in the tech landscape, Jennifer Turliuk’s passion for technology has shaped her entrepreneurial journey, leading her to become an acclaimed CEO, angel investor, author, and keynote speaker whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Huffington Post, Fast Company, Wired, and more.

At just 12 years old, she coded her very first website for a school book report on Harry Potter. The website went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of page views, and was even featured in a major children’s magazine. Experiencing that level of success at an early age was empowering, says Jennifer.

Jennifer took that passion and continued to create. She attended business school at Queen’s University and the prestigious Singularity University (based at NASA) – ‘tech’s most coveted community’- where she learned about exponential technologies like robotics and 3D printing, and how to apply those technologies to make a positive impact on global grand challenges such as education.

After this experience, Jennifer decided to pioneer MakerKids to empower other young people to reach their potential through technology. Through her leadership, Jennifer led its growth trajectory, securing venture capital, major media coverage, and ultimately, acquisition. She spearheaded product development and marketing, and formed strategic partnerships with companies like Twitter and Intel. At Procter & Gamble, she led a multi-functional team and a $10M budget to deliver the biggest launch in 25+ years.

With her background as an AI software developer and prompt engineer, Jennifer has built various AI applications using OpenAI’s GPT-3 model, prompt engineering, and natural language processing techniques.

In addition to leading MakerKids and her work in AI, Jennifer has achieved notable success as an angel investor into AI companies. She has invested alongside top VC firms such as Founders Fund, 8VC, Softbank, SV Angel, and others through SPVs and her portfolio includes three unicorns, one of which is Loom. Her acumen in identifying promising startups led to a successful exit after just two years of angel investing.

Now, she leads and co-instructs Climate Angels, an educational program on climate tech angel investing, one of the most active funders of climate tech startups involved in sourcing, evaluating, and leading investments into climate tech startups. Additionally, she is a Partner with Climate Capital Syndicate, one of the original and most active climate tech funders globally. In this role, she sources, conducts due diligence, and leads investments into climate tech companies.

She has also made significant contributions in the field of marketing in her work at Procter & Gamble, where she led commercial efforts for P&G’s largest brand and reversed a 10-year decline in household penetration, and through doing marketing & PR consulting for tech startups.

Jennifer’s contributions to society have been recognized with an honorary degree from Humber College. She also serves on the Professional Advisory Committee for the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education at the University of Toronto and was on the Board of Directors of the Geneva Centre for Autism.

As an accomplished author, Jennifer’s book, “How to Figure Out What to Do With Your Life (Next)”, has received accolades from notable personalities like Deepak Chopra, who called it “a brilliant instruction manual”. Currently, she is in the midst of authoring a new book, “Prompt Engineering for All: A Comprehensive Guide to Harnessing the Power of Generative AI” with BPB, India’s largest publisher.

Jennifer’s dynamic career has not only been focused on the creative development of innovative technologies and education but also on the art of storytelling. Her articles have been published in Forbes, Business Insider, Strategy, and numerous newspapers. 

Beyond work, she has a penchant for musicals, dancing, and wind sports, and even spun tracks as a DJ for Red Bull.

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