“The Future Is Now: Futurist Donna Dupont Urges Governments to Think Big, Act Smart, and Embrace Change”

On a recent episode of The Good Government Show, Canadian foresight strategist and futurist Donna Dupont delivered a compelling message to public leaders: governments that fail to plan for disruption risk being overwhelmed by it. “We’re living in an era of compounding crises—climate change, geopolitical shifts, tech acceleration—and good government means preparing before the crisis hits,” she told host Dave Martin.

Drawing from her experience leading policy development and resilience planning for national and local governments, Dupont advocates for a future-forward approach to leadership—one that balances long-term vision with the flexibility to adapt. “You can have a ten-year vision,” she explained, “but you must build in milestones and be ready to pivot. That agility is the difference between thriving and just surviving.”

While some governments still hesitate to hire outside consultants, Dupont was clear about the value they bring—especially when budgets and staffing are tight. “If you don’t have the capacity internally, don’t let the future blindside you,” she said. “The cost of inaction is almost always greater than the cost of expert support.” She emphasized that consultants should work with government, not above it: “This should be a collaboration, not a handoff.”

Her advice for local leaders? Break out of silos. Embrace an ecosystem approach that includes nonprofits, academia, the private sector—and the public itself. “Complex problems demand diverse thinking,” she said. “You don’t need a crystal ball—you need curiosity, courage, and community.”

Listen to the full conversation with Donna Dupont at GoodGovernmentShow.com, or wherever you get your podcasts.