Generational Expert & Keynote Speaker
I build bridges between your world and the world of Generation Z
Benoît Vancauwenberghe helps brands, leaders, marketers, HR teams, and educators surpass stereotypes and trend reports. He clarifies the cultural shifts shaping Gen Z and their Alpha successors through powerful keynotes, workshops, and strategy sessions. From youth values and digital rituals to new forms of activism, anxiety, and identity, Benoît equips audiences with the insight they need to understand, connect with, and design for the future of youth.
About Benoît Vancauwenberghe
From Understanding …
Benoît Vancauwenberghe is one of Europe’s leading voices on Generation Z and Alpha. As a strategist, keynote speaker, and co-founder of 20Something, a pioneering youth-focused agency founded in 2009, he has spent over a decade decoding how young people think, consume, communicate, and shape culture.
With a background that blends sociology, marketing, psychology, and trend forecasting, Benoît transforms raw research into sharp cultural insight. He’s delivered data-driven, future-facing talks across Europe, from Cannes Lions and D&AD London to Brand Week Istanbul, Eurobest, Pandox Stockholm, and BAM Youngster Brussels.
Whether you’re a brand, institution, HR, leader, or educator, Benoît’s work helps you understand youth not as a trend but as a transformative force shaping the future of leadership, work, and society.
… to Action
Today’s youth aren’t just influencing the future but rewriting it.
In his keynotes and workshops, Benoît challenges audiences to move beyond observation and into action. He equips decision-makers, marketers, HR professionals, and educators with the insight and tools they need to engage meaningfully with Gen Z and Gen Alpha across Europe and beyond.
This isn’t about inspiration. It’s about strategy.
It’s not about following trends. It’s about anticipating cultural shifts before they break.
Discover some of our client testimonials below.
Discover some of testimonials below.
Cleo Papadopoulou
Head of Tax & Reporting Strategy and Connected Compliance, Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer, Chief Learning Officer, PwC Cyprus
Having worked with many speakers as a Conference Officer, I can confidently say that Benoit stood out from the very first interaction. His professionalism, strong character, dedication to hard work and continuous development, along with his integrity, immediately earned my trust. His presence on stage is captivating, his expertise on Generation Z remarkable, and the energy he brings is truly one of a kind. I genuinely hope to cross paths with more people like him!
Katerina Nazlidou
Conference Officer at IMH Business
Following the insightful session hosted by PwC Cyprus on Generation Z, Benoit Vancauwenberghe left with a renewed perspective on how this generation is reshaping the workplace. Their emphasis on purpose, transparency, continuous growth, and well-being isn’t just a preference; it’s a powerful direction for the future of work. The discussion highlighted how essential it is for us in HR and leadership to adapt our practices, listen more intentionally, and create environments where Gen Z can genuinely thrive. Feeling inspired to turn these insights into meaningful actions that strengthen our culture and support the evolving expectations of the workforce. Thank you for the truly inspiring speech !!
Vasia Myridaki
Talent & Development Lead | Building Leadership Capability | Driving Performance, Culture & People Growth
Great speech!
You helped us feel empathy for the new generation(s).
I loved your approach, and thank you for sharing your learnings.
Zana Goic Petricevic
Leadership Coach I Bestselling Author
A millennial expert on Gen Z, he amazed me with his ability to “translate one human to another.” He observes Gen Z through their eyes, but with our words, highlighting their talents and strengths, and conveys their world so that we understand it fully. His passion for bridging generations and his meta-skill of translating one perspective into another were incredibly inspiring.
Victoria Esaulova
Human Potential Coach | Meta-skills Trainer | Founder You Inspire | On a mission to create a thriving work culture in Cyprus
I had the pleasure of working with Benoît on a campaign targeting Generation Z, and his contribution was invaluable. Benoît brings truly disruptive creativity to the table; he is not afraid to challenge conventions and propose original solutions that resonate directly with younger audiences.
What impressed me most is Benoît’s expertise: he’s a top expert in Europe on new trends and today’s youth mindset. He combines this with exceptional knowledge of media, allowing him to adopt a global, integrated approach in both his reflections and his advice.
Pierre-Benoît Sepulchre
Chief of Staff | Strategic Advisor
A specialist in Gen Z, Benoît is a creative thinker and an exceptional analyst, capable of turning his ideas into concrete actions. His perspective, experience, and expertise make him an essential figure on these topics.
His talks are not only inspiring but also highly insightful, offering a unique and valuable perspective.
Eusebio Larrea
Head of Entertainment & CoProduction RTL Belgium
Benoît and I are both active in an NPO that defends human values.
The quality of his insights is highly valuable to the project. His experience allows us to make the right decisions, and he teaches us how to communicate more efficiently with specific target groups, explaining the methods and content clearly. He is an expert in Generations Y and Z and has extensive experience working with the younger generations.
Benoît is a great person to work with; he is committed and very target-driven.
Gabriel Goffoy
General Manager MINI at BMW Group Belux + Founder of Forbidden Colours NGO and fund at King Baudouin Foundation
Over the last 5 years, Benoit and I have researched together the impact of social, political, and economic crises on generations. It was a pleasure to work with Benoit.
Benoit excels at finding patterns in multiple sets of data, and put them into context. He is good at summarising key insights and make them practical for clients. Finally, he is an excellent communicator, and knows well how to make complex material and ideas accessible to large audience.
Samuel Sigere Ph.D.
Programme Manager / UCL History PhD / GMF TILN Fellow
Every meeting and workshop with Benoit is a surge of energy and creativity.
His unique understanding of Gen Z, paired with his strong expertise in traditional media, makes him a true expert in brand and audience positioning.
What sets him apart is his rare ability to blend disruptive creativity with practical, results-driven solutions.
Kim Beyns
CEO at Nostalgie, NRJ, Nostalgie+, NRJ+, Chérie / NGroup Belgium