David S Abraham Keynote Speaker

Rare metals and critical minerals strategist
Author of The Elements of Power: Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a Sustainable Future in the Rare Metal Age
Oversaw the technology materials center at the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security

David S Abraham's Biography

David S. Abraham is author of ‘The Elements of Power – Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a Sustainable Future in the Rare Metal Age’.

His extraordinary career spans from commodities trading and Wall Street to the White House where he oversaw international and natural resource programs. He also ran the Technology, Rare and Electronics Materials Center. He is therefore uniquely placed to speak on rare metals and technology issues.

A recipient of numerous fellowships, David researched the rare metal trade at Tokyo University, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Council on Foreign Relations. He also oversaw operations of a clean water non-profit, starting the organization’s operations in Japan and Uganda.

During his career, he has advised investors on resource opportunities, counseled Congressional staff on resource risks, and received a meritorious service award while in government. He has crossed more borders than he cares to count and interviewed hundreds of people throughout the rare metal supply line.

David was selected as a Young Leader by numerous international organizations and was a Truman National Security Fellow.

He holds degrees from Boston College and Tufts University and speaks Lithuanian.

He brings rare credibility across markets and government, drawing on experience from commodities trading and Wall Street to the White House to explain how resource constraints shape geopolitics and industrial strategy.
He is the author of The Elements of Power, translating the hidden world of rare metals and supply chains into clear, actionable insight for investors, policymakers and technology leaders.
He has conducted deep, on-the-ground research into the rare metal trade across leading institutions in Japan and at the Council on Foreign Relations, giving audiences a global view of where vulnerabilities and leverage really sit.
He has advised investors on resource opportunities and counselled Congressional staff on resource risks, helping leaders stress-test strategies against supply shocks, regulation and strategic competition.
He brings a practitioner’s perspective from building programmes across sectors, including launching clean water operations in Japan and Uganda, showing organisations how to turn complex global challenges into resilient, mission-driven execution.