Irene Wu

Irene Wu is a transformation designer specialising in ESG, strategy, and human-centred change. She works with governments, corporations, and international organisations to design meetings and programs that enable alignment, decision-making, and long-term transformation.

Her work integrates design thinking, sustainability strategy, and learning science, helping organisations translate complex challenges into clear direction and shared ownership. She has led projects across semiconductor, finance, public sector, and sustainability ecosystems, including cross-sector initiatives connecting ESG with regional development.

Irene is currently a PhD candidate in Service Design and a board member of the Asia-Pacific Service Design Association. She is also exploring how AI, learning science, and mind-body awareness can shape the future of leadership and transformation.

Q1: For which meeting would you like to design the program?

I design meetings for moments of transformation — when organisations are facing complexity, uncertainty, or the need to realign.
Especially for:
• ESG and sustainability transformation
• Organisational change and innovation
• Cross-sector collaboration between government, corporate, and community
Because the most important meetings are not about discussion —
They are about alignment, decision, and change.

Q2: What was your proudest moment as a meeting designer or trainer?

One of my proudest moments is when organisations shift from “doing ESG” to truly understanding what it means for their future.

I’ve seen teams move from resistance to ownership within a single session — not because of the content, but because the process allowed them to see themselves differently.

Those moments — when people change how they think — are what I value the most.

Q3: What is something most people don’t know about you?

Most people know me as a strategist. What most people don’t know about me is that I have a deep interest in systems beyond traditional business thinking.

I explore astrology, tarot, numerology, and sound-based practices — not as beliefs, but as ways to understand patterns, perception, and human behaviour.

They have helped me see what is often unseen —
and that awareness quietly influences how I design experiences, especially in moments of transformation.

Q4: Poor meetings are the cause of what, exactly?

Poor meetings are not just inefficient — they are a hidden cost to organisations.
They create:
• Misalignment disguised as agreement
• Participation without ownership
• Decisions without real commitment
Over time, they erode trust, energy, and meaning in work.

Q5: Who is the person you learned the most from?

One of the people I learned the most from is Bob Pike, a globally recognised expert in training and performance and a pioneer in creative learning methodologies.

I had the opportunity to attend one of his final workshops when he came to Taiwan, and it fundamentally changed how I understand learning and facilitation.

In that experience, I realised that training is not just about content — it is about designing a complete experience. From lighting, space, interaction, games, sound, to performance — every element can be intentionally designed to support learning.

That perspective has deeply influenced how I approach meeting design and transformation work.

Q6: Describe a meeting during which (or after which) you witnessed a profound change.

In an ESG strategy workshop, a team initially approached sustainability as a compliance requirement.

Through structured dialogue and reframing, they began to connect ESG with their core business and long-term identity.

By the end of the session, the conversation shifted from
“What should we report?”
to
“What kind of company do we want to become?”
That shift changed not only the meeting — but their strategic direction.

Where Irene has planted seeds of change

Government/Public
National Development Council, Taiwan; Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs; Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Taiwan; National Park Service, Ministry of the Interior; Taipei City Government; New Taipei City Government; Taichung City Government

Corporate
ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.; Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp.; Kinpo Electronics, Inc.; SunnyHills; FamilyMart Taiwan Co., Ltd.; Signify Taiwan Ltd. (Philips Lighting); Cathay Financial Holdings; Cathay Securities; Nan Shan Life Insurance Co., Ltd.; Huashan 1914 Creative Park; PwC Taiwan; LCY Chemical Corp.; TBI Motion; New Taipei Metro Corporation; Taiwan Power Company

NGO
GX Foundation / Longchung Foundation of Education; Meet Taipei Startup Festival; New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum

Association
Association for Talent Development (ATD), Taiwan; Service Design Network (SDN); Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD), Taiwan