running header ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT empathetic people who are willing to look at how and why things are changing , and can adapt and create something new .”
Dylan is also working with the media and communications team from a large California university on a “ participatory strategy project .” As Dylan explains , “ Often , strategic planning is very top-down . So , we have a process that helps more people contribute to the vision .” Dylan ’ s team will create a live-action video to spark ideas about how the university could look in the future ( Dylan is writing the script now , based on education research from IFTF ). Once produced , over 60,000 students and 10,000 administrators will watch the video as a launch point for strategic planning .
Dylan is also working on the institute ’ s annual event , the Ten- Year Forecast , which Dylan has headed for the past five years . For this flagship event , the institute invites all those in their network to come for a multiple-day conference to immerse themselves in future possibilities . At this event , they release their “ map of the decade ,” which involves forecasts about the future of cars , health , government , foundations , educational systems , and more .
For last year ’ s event , Dylan worked with BAC alumnus Toshi Hoo whom he met coincidentally at a workshop in Dubai . Together , the two created a virtual reality experience inside of a standard metal shipping container ( see video here : https :// vimeo . com / 216507798 ). With special goggles , participants experienced the shipping container as a farm , as a medical clinic , and as an apartment . As a splash of added creativity and innovation , Dylan ’ s team hosted the whole three-day event in an aircraft carrier in California and had the shipping box crane-lifted onto the aircraft . This was so well received that the United Nations invited Dylan and Toshi to feature their installation at the 2019 UN General Assembly in New York .
A Solid Foundation forthefutur for the Future Although Dylan ’ s work gives him great joy , he feels most proud of his family life — one that sprung from Bryn Athyn connections . Back when Dylan had first moved to California in 2009 , he spent time with others who had also come there from the Bryn Athyn community . One of those people was Kristin Walter , co-founder of FeelGood . Kristin ’ s youth-led charity has chapters in colleges all over the country , including Bryn Athyn College and has currently raised over $ 1.7 million toward ending world hunger . Kristin ’ s friend and co-founder , Talis Apud , who organizes the charity ’ s technology initiatives , connected with Dylan over similar interests and values , and the two fell in love .
Dylan said , “ Although she had a different background having grown up Catholic in Mexico , our values were very aligned , and we connected on a deep spiritual level pretty quickly . I feel so grateful that because of my time in Bryn Athyn , I was able to articulate , think about , and value that level of spirituality .”
Today , Dylan and Talis have
In 2016 Dylan , his wife Talis , and their children , Sam and Annie , say goodbye to Petaluma , California and move to Austin , Texas .
two young children : Sam ( 4 ) and Annie ( 3 ) who have tri-citizenship as Mexicans , Canadians , and Americans . Both parents work from home and enjoy spending time as a family . Dylan said , “ Having the career part , as exciting as it is , feels less important to me than my family . I really care about creating a solid foundation for our kids and our marriage . This is where I find the most happiness and sense of usefulness .”
Overall , Dylan found that his experience in Bryn Athyn helps him “ stay grounded in a world that ’ s ungrounded .” He explained , “ The intentionality of a local community where people are helping and supporting each other is something that I haven ’ t seen anywhere else as strongly as it is there . I just wish everyone could experience some version of that . I think we ’ d be a lot better off if there was more of that in this world .”
For more information about Institute for the Future , visit www . Iftf . org
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