Graduate Story: Mark Warnick

Graduate Story: Mark Warnick

Mark Warnick knows the power of curiosity. As a seasoned engineer and innovation leader, he’s spent the last 15 years pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity at USAA—earning 26 patents in the process. But recently, Mark felt a shift: he wanted to stand up an internal foresight consulting team within USAA.

Six Pet Industry Trends Shaping 2026—and the Future of Human Wellness

Six Pet Industry Trends Shaping 2026—and the Future of Human Wellness

The pet industry isn’t just booming—it’s pointing to something far bigger. What was once a niche retail category is now a cultural and economic force reshaping how we live, heal, and connect. From AI-powered feeders to pet memorial rituals, the pet space is offering early signals about the next evolution of consumer behavior, emotional intelligence, and even human identity. As a Futurist focused on well-being and the future of consumer behavior, the pet industry is top of mind. It’s one of the clearest frontiers where wellness, ethics, and emotional need converge—offering a lens into what people truly value and where we’re collectively headed.

The Next Wave of Dog Domestication & What it Means for the Pet-conomy

The Next Wave of Dog Domestication & What it Means for the Pet-conomy

Dogs have been our companions for thousands of years, but the story of their domestication has evolved through distinct phases. Today, we're entering a third wave of domestication, driven by changing lifestyles and shifting pet trends. This new era focuses less on physical traits and more on behavior, health, and emotional intelligence – reflecting a growing demand for dogs that can thrive in modern, urban environments.

The Future of Miami: A City on the Edge

The Future of Miami: A City on the Edge

Sea level rise is no longer a distant threat in Miami—it’s a daily reality, with streets in Brickell flooding during hurricane season and historic buildings in Miami Beach slowly eroding from saltwater intrusion. Storm surge, tidal flooding, and declining water quality are undermining both the coastline and public trust in outdated infrastructure, while saltwater threatens drinking water supplies. Yet amid these challenges, Miami has an opportunity to lead. Nearby Fort Lauderdale is already piloting adaptive infrastructure, hinting at a future where Southeast Florida becomes a global model for ocean-conscious urban design. What if Miami’s magic wasn’t just in its growth, but in its ability to rise—literally and figuratively—with the water?

The Future of New York: The Urban Alchemist

The Future of New York: The Urban Alchemist

Over the past several years, New Yorkers have had to confront not just a pandemic—but long-standing gaps in public safety, affordable housing, and public transportation. These issues didn’t begin with COVID-19, but they were brought into sharp relief by it. Now, they demand bold vision—and equally "bold action." Where does New York go from here? The answers are taking shape in bold, emerging shifts across the city—signals that hint at a new kind of urban future built on creativity, care, and collective resolve.

Tariffs on Canada Explained: What’s Really Going On?

Tariffs on Canada Explained: What’s Really Going On?

Why Tariffs on Canada? This thought-provoking opinion piece dives deep into the real strategy behind Trump’s aggressive tariff policies. Far from being simple protectionism, the article argues that Trump’s high-stakes tariff gambit is a calculated move to reshape global trade dynamics, push back against China's dominance, and place economic pressure on key allies.

The Future of Canada: True North Strong and Evolving

The Future of Canada: True North Strong and Evolving

What is the future of Canada? Explore the future of Canada through a visionary lens—from climate leadership and Indigenous innovation to productivity, self-sufficiency, and global influence. This article by Chief Futurist and TED Speaker, Lindsay Angelo, unpacks the opportunities and tensions shaping the country’s next chapter.

The Future of San Francisco: How the City Could Become a Global Wellness Model by 2035

The Future of San Francisco: How the City Could Become a Global Wellness Model by 2035

Over the next decade, San Francisco has the potential to move from optimization to regeneration; to re-emerge not just as a city of innovation, but as a well-being-centered metropolis—one that heals people, planet, and possibility.