How did you start your moderation journey?
I have always been interested in research, innovation, and knowledge sharing with peers. Due to that, I have frequently been asked to be a keynote speaker at conferences, big expos, corporate events, universities, and research institutions, among others. Even though I had been involved in informal “moderator/facilitator” activities, it accelerated in 2021.
In 2021-2023, I gave more than 20 keynote speeches across Europe and Asia, and then one of the conferences asked me to be the moderator on their keynote panel. Then, others asked me to chair their conferences, and rapidly, it became a new service that event organisers would ask me to do.
What do you find most exciting about moderating?
I like the real-time aspect of it. You have to be very attentive, actively listening to both the verbal and body language of the participants, and adapt the discourse and conversation to the “here-and-now” context. It is contrary to what happens when you give keynote speeches, where more than 80% of the allocated time is planned, and you may have to answer a couple of questions at the end.
How do you typically prepare to moderate an Ortus event?
I would like to know who is participating, what their role and company are, and what their answers are to the questions that the Ortus Club sends them prior to the event. This gives me a good basis to build an opening, as well as structure. Being a moderator is very much like being a storyteller who writes the material in real-time; The information which I get from Ortus Club can be used to set a rough frame for how the storyline should evolve, the so-called story arc.
Besides that, I also use the time before the event starts to get a feeling for the participants’ personalities. In a couple of short conversations with them, and even by observing them, you can see how they prefer to engage. Some are very extroverted and active, and some are more introverted. Some are very lively and already engaging with others, even in topics from daily life, while others are more engaged in technical/business topics.
I believe that a great event needs to engage all participants as much as possible, not just by them verbally engaging in the discussions but also non-verbally and with the energy that they bring. Therefore, when I get an understanding of the participants, as a group and as individuals, it makes it easier for me to proactively engage them in the conversations.
What tips and tricks would you recommend for those aspiring to become moderators? 
The following is for smaller events, such as dinners and lunches. For larger events, such as seminars, workshops, conferences, and expos, we can have a separate talk. For smaller events, it should feel like a relaxed Sunday lunch with friends and family—if they all have the same technical, intellectual, or business interests!
The conversation must flow, so I do not recommend starting with questions from the list and going through them one by one. If their answers to the pre-event questions show a common interest, even if it is not part of the event’s suggested question list, I recommend starting with that specific topic or question that is the subject of the participants’ common interest. If not starting with that, the conversation must be driven towards that topic.
Again, the conversation must be streamlined and feel easy, so I recommend that the moderator should listen very attentively, trying to capture the last comments or answers, and then, upon that last comment, build the following topic that naturally follows. I believe that the moderator should become transparent, so I recommend that the moderator should only intervene if the conversation is getting off course.
Staying out of the spotlight
The event is for the participants and not for the moderator to “shine.” The moderator does not need to have the answer to everything. It is actually okay to vocalise it if, during a conversation or discussion, he or she has learned a new point.
At the end of the day, the participants should walk away happy, positive, and with a sense of achievement. As it is recommended to manage the participants who tend to dominate the conversations, it is also advisable not to push excessively those who are introverted. They tend to appreciate the conversations and topics more by listening and intervening when they are ready.
Observe them, and they will almost always show themselves when they want to intervene. Not everyone around the table wants or must participate. I would also recommend that there should always be some time towards the end of the event when the moderator just closes the plenary and lets the participants talk to each other and build their network. I believe that participating in Ortus Club events is also for networking and not just the technical aspects, so it’s nice to give the participants the space to enjoy that.
In what ways has moderating contributed to your growth as a leader in your field?
I find it a great opportunity to discuss specific topics in a short amount of time with highly experienced and talented participants coming from many different adjacent fields and industries. This gives immediate depth to my knowledge.
How has moderating contributed to your personal and professional growth?
I find it very stimulating to get to know new peers with different backgrounds, experiences, daily work, and life. I am always open to learning and experiencing new topics, so activities such as moderating contribute very positively to my growth as a person and as a professional.
