Monday Muse

Interview technology and innovation expert Noelle Reno

Interview

Noelle Reno

26 February 2024

Interview

Noelle Reno

26 February 2024

Noelle Reno has worn many hats in her career, from teen model and fashion entrepreneur to TV presenter and tech and innovation consultant – all with supreme panache. Today she helps corporate enterprises and big agencies understand what emerging technologies will matter for their business, as Global VP of Web3 Growth at SmartMedia Technologies, developing strategies for their adoption. She also runs her own consultancy to help more businesses embrace trends that will shape their relationships with customers in the years to come.

Reno is regularly found on the international speaking circuit, sharing her wisdom on the technologies of the future, such as at last weekend’s NFT Paris, an event focused on non-fungible tokens and the metaverse. Here, she reveals how a regular week starts for her, the tech innovations she’s most excited about and what makes women the perfect leaders.

THE WICK: Talk us through a typical Monday.

Noelle Reno: Getting my seven-year-old out the door and to school on time every week is a big lift. I try to keep Mondays light on meetings because I find the day stacks up. Working with US and global teams, I can often be found at my laptop, working late into the evening so that work doesn’t spill over into the week of meetings!

TW: You have moved seamlessly from the fashion to tech worlds. What was the secret to this transition?

NR: The red thread is a focus on innovation and the ability for this to bring new solutions. I was passionate about innovation in retail. That evolved to passion around Web2, such as social media and peer-to-peer networks and marketplaces. I now work in emerging technologies, which are evolving where we and the internet are going next.

TW: You regularly speak about the power of new technologies within business and creativity. Which single innovation are you most excited about?

NR: AI will unlock the ability for mundane tasks to be delegated to a co-pilot. This will free up more time for humans to do what they love and that includes building community connections. I am most excited about the latter: tokenised communities built around shared passions that also grow new economies.

“AI will unlock the ability for mundane tasks to be delegated to a co-pilot. This will free up more time for humans to do what they love and that includes building community connections.”

The Wick - Interview technology and innovation expert Noelle Reno

TW: Women in leadership is something you are passionate about. What are the defining qualities of a woman in power to you?

NR: Women are half of the customers in the world so it is good to see more of them directing businesses! Women tend to be more collaborative, more willing to put in the extra mile, and supportive in terms of feedback and encouragement. That can build confidence, which can go a long way in empowering teams to do their best work.

TW: Art and technology are increasingly converging. Who is your favourite digital artist now?

NR: It would have to be Paul Milinski, the pioneering artist who creates transformative experiences in both the digital and physical realms. This April, Digital Art Week in London will be an amazing opportunity to discover the best in emerging young digital talent. Digitalartweek.io will have details on what’s happening in your local borough.

TW: You have just attended NFT Paris. What were your highlights and takeaways?

NR: What I love about Parisians as the purveyors of art, design and fashion throughout history is their infallible ability to see and create beauty. If I see the world of digital art and digital fashion through the eyes of a Parisian, I understand it better. Ian Rogers, former CDO of LVMH and co-founder of Ledger, led a panel I introduced at Future+ Summit in which they discussed digital art as containing the beauty of the code. The truth that code creates can be truly beautiful art.

The Future+ event was the highlight: an all day event of panels, networking, lunch and a drinks reception with all the big names from the largest fashion houses and builders of emerging tech.

TW: If you could host a dinner party with any three artists – living or dead – who would you choose?

NR: Conversation with Andy Warhol, Peter Lindbergh and Lauren Baker would never run dry.

TW: Who is your ultimate Monday Muse?

NR: I have always found Stephanie Phair inspiring. She was an early adopter of tech and online shopping with Net-a-Porter, then she headed up the Outnet before joining Farfetch as CSO. I am fortunate to call her a friend, but she is also a role model for women when it comes to leading with grace, predicting trends and creating legacy.