Meet our speaker

Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, a philanthropic entrepreneur and humanitarian, is known for his ground breaking contributions at the intersection of climate and health. As the founder and CEO of Sceye, he is leading advancements in high-altitude platform technology to improve climate monitoring and expand internet access. As the founder of public health companies, LifeStraw and Vestergaard, he created life-saving solutions around fresh drinking water and infectious diseases that, among others, helped reduce global malaria deaths by over half. For this work, Mikkel was made an elder by the Luhya tribe of Western Kenya, a rare honor given to foreigners who have had an immense impact on their lives. Mikkel’s visionary leadership has earned dozens of humanitarian, innovation, and design awards for his commitment to creating a healthier, more equitable world.