Gavin McMahon, CEO and Co-Founder of fassforward.

Gavin McMahon builds things. Once, it was submarines, sports cars, and steel plants—big, complex systems built on logic and precise plans. Then he learned that people don’t move without a story. 

Today, as CEO and co-founder of fassforward, Gavin helps leaders and organizations use storytelling to shape strategy, culture, and growth—because even the best ideas go nowhere if they aren’t told well. 

Now, he's written a book about it. Story Business takes you on a journey from ancient cave paintings to billion-dollar tech unicorns, revealing how storytelling is a powerful—and undervalued—tool for driving business success. Drawing on vivid examples of the rise and fall of real-world corporations, McMahon exposes a timeless truth: It’s not the best ideas that win, but the best-packaged ideas.

What to expect from the evening:

This won't be a lecture.  Its a working session.

We'll start with a simple idea: the world runs on belief not logic.  That's why good ideas stall and smart strategies don't always travel.

You'll write a six word story about a real conversation you're having with your CEO or board.  AI, security, legacy, talent.  The things that actually matter.

Then we'll unpack why some stories move decisions and other don't.

You'll leave with a clear structure to frame technology as a product story, translate strategy into action, and lead with confidence when the stakes are real.