Curiosity fuels the future — discover what’s next at Dent.

Dent The Future is a curated community and annual conference exploring what’s next through ideas, technology, and human potential.

Sept 14-16, 2025 in Santa Fe, NM

Next Annual Conference

Get invited to a transformational experience

We bring curious, adventurous, and diverse professionals like you together to explore new approaches to thinking and push you to breakthrough ideas and new insights.

People networking and talking at a conference in a blue-lit room.

Presenters and Participants

For more than a decade, pioneers, renowned experts, and innovative thought leaders have joined Dent The Future.

Our speakers are also our community members, taking part in activities, dinners, and hallway talks along with everyone else. Here are some of the people we’ve come to know since we started in 2012.

  • Woman astronaut in a spacesuit with an American flag backdrop.

    Astronaut Cady Coleman, Ret.

    Cady Coleman is a scientist, musician, and retired NASA astronaut with over 180 days in space. She has recently released her book, “Sharing Space: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change”.

  • Elderly man with white beard holding a coffee cup, wearing glasses and a jacket, seated indoors.

    Pixar Co-Founder Alvy Ray Smith

    Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, co-founder of Pixar and Altamira, is a key figure in the development of digital animation, and an innovator who has left an indelible mark on both Hollywood and technology.

  • Man in sunglasses sharpening a knife outdoors on a table with plants and trees in the background.

    Master Bladesmith Bob Kramer

    Bob Kramer is a master bladesmith, whose handcrafted knives—renowned for their Damascus steel patterns and heirloom quality—have become some of the most sought-after in the world

  • Smiling person wearing a white shirt with black vest, close-up portrait.

    CEO Everett Harper

    Everett Harper is the CEO and Co-Founder of Truss, a human-centered software development company and author of "Move to the Edge, Declare it Center”.

  • Smiling woman at a poker event with PokerStars logo.

    Writer Maria Konnikova

    Maria Konnikova has authored three New York Times bestsellers, including "The Biggest Bluff," which chronicles her journey into the world of professional poker. She has amassed over $500,000 in tournament earnings.

  • Artist Jodie Herrera

    Jodie Herrera is a Northern New Mexican painter with Latina, Apache, and Comanche ancestry. Her semi-photorealistic figurative oil paintings celebrate women's resilience through trauma. Named "Best Visual Artist of 2017" by Albuquerque Magazine, Herrera's work centers on intersectional feminism while providing a platform for marginalized voices.

  • Futurist Amy Webb

    Amy Webb is a world-renowned futurist and CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group, where she helps global leaders anticipate disruption and build data-driven strategies for long-term growth. She was ranked the #4 most influential management thinker by Thinkers50.

  • Entrepreneur Chip Conley

    Chip Conley is a pioneering entrepreneur and bestselling author who helped shape Airbnb’s culture. A leading voice on aging, learning, and intergenerational wisdom, he founded the Modern Elder Academy to reframe midlife as a time of growth and purpose.

  • Artist Virgil Ortiz

    Virgil Ortiz is a groundbreaking artist who fuses traditional Cochiti Pueblo pottery with futuristic themes, creating a bold blend of art, fashion, film, and storytelling. Rooted in a matrilineal legacy of renowned Pueblo potters, Ortiz reimagines his heritage through sci-fi narratives.

  • Producer Malibu Babie

    Malibu Babie is a trailblazing producer who made history as the first female producer this millennium to debut a song (Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl”) at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Why do some people — and not others — put a dent in the universe?

When we (Steve Broback and Jason Preston) started Dent in 2012, we were focused on understanding what led to the rare stories of success that alter the path of human history. Why this person? Why this team? Why this time?

Tricky questions! And the most important lesson surprised us: we learned that walking an impactful path can be an isolating experience, mired with distraction and trapped by groupthink. You are surrounded by people who question your ambition, or who can’t see the future you are willing into existence, or who can’t conceive of or connect with the weight you carry.

In these cases, a peer group is better than any lesson. A set of people who get it. Who are lost in their own crazy mission and who will help recharge your batteries. A set of people with different viewpoints and the power to spark new ideas.

This is the group you will find at Dent. The mix of disciplines, outlooks, and expertise is surprising and deep. Whatever your perspective, you are guaranteed to find someone who will challenge your ideas and push you to rethink the things you think you understand.

Sound like something you need?

  • Personal Growth

    Discover new purpose and deeper meaning

    Find opportunities for new life experiences

    Expand your ways of thinking and working

  • A group of people socializing outdoors near food trucks, some holding drinks and engaging in conversation. The setting is casual with trees in the background and warm lighting.

    Deep Connection

    Tap into a diverse network of peers

    Build friendships that will last a lifetime

    Participate in year-round experiences

  • A woman standing with a microphone speaking to a seated audience in a conference room with green chairs and decorative lighting.

    Professional Impact

    Gain resources to elevate your influence

    Expand your network beyond your industry

    Find models for success and growth

Join a powerful new community

Dent The Future is by invitation only, and we love to meet new people. Click below to learn more about the annual conference and submit a request for an invitation to register.

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