“I left Dubai at 13 for boarding school in England. I wanted to remember who I was— and I wanted something to hold onto in case one of my parents was suddenly gone. That feeling never left me. That’s why we built this.”
— Sam Braeken, Co-founder
The people behind Talks2TheFuture
Sam Braeken
Co-founder & CEO
Sam grew up in Dubai, where he spent the first 13 years of his life before moving to Haileybury boarding school in Hertfordshire, England. That transition — leaving behind a childhood, a city, and the constant presence of his parents — planted the seed for Talks2TheFuture. He wanted a way to hold onto the version of himself that existed before everything changed, and to preserve the people he loved most in case life took an unexpected turn. Sam leads every interview, shapes every client experience, and brings the emotional authenticity that makes Talks2TheFuture what it is.
Frank Braeken
Co-founder & Chairman
Frank brings over 30 years of senior global leadership, including roles as Regional President at Unilever across China, the Middle East, and Africa — overseeing multi-billion dollar businesses. Educated at the University of Leuven (Law & MBA in Finance) and the Wharton Executive Program at Penn, he has served on the boards of Bühler, Tiger Brands, AECF, and Marie Stopes International. Based in Dubai for many years, Frank brings the global vision, financial rigour, and a father's understanding of exactly why these moments deserve to be preserved.
“Every life is a journey worth remembering.”
Origins
How it started
Growing up in Dubai
Sam's childhood and Frank's global Unilever career unfold in parallel — a family shaped by movement, ambition, and deep connection.
Age 13 — Haileybury, England
Sam leaves Dubai for boarding school. The distance makes something clear: people change, moments pass, and nothing stays the same. The feeling of wanting to hold onto it all never leaves him.
The question that started everything
"What if I had recorded an interview before I left?" The idea is simple. The impact is everything.
Talks2TheFuture is born
Sam brings the idea to Frank. Two generations. One shared understanding of why these moments matter. Talks2TheFuture is built.