Empower your organization to
Inspire your workforce to think beyond limits, collaborate fearlessly, and drive game-changing innovations that set your enterprise apart.
In today's fast-paced business world, organizations struggle to innovate consistently and effectively.
Melissa Dinwiddie helps leaders and teams
overcome creative roadblocks, enhance communication, and build a culture of innovation.
Through her engaging keynotes and workshops, she empowers companies to Create the Impossible™,
driving breakthrough results and staying ahead of the competition.
Most Requested Programs
Creating the Impossible:
Unleashing Innovation Through Play, Imperfection, and Rapid Learning
Playfully Human:
Reclaiming Creativity in the Age of AI
Unlocking Leadership Through Art:
Where Doodles Meet Boardrooms
Hi! I’m Melissa.
I used to believe I wasn’t creative. Yet, every "impossible" I've pursued has become a reality.
At 16, I took my first dance class, dreaming of Juilliard. Three years later, I got in. In my late 20s, I picked up calligraphy and envisioned an art career. A year later, I landed my first client and thrived as a calligrapher / artist (in Silicon Valley, no less!) for 15 years. In my late 30s, I dreamed of singing jazz. A year later, I was performing across the SF Bay Area.
From performing for 6,000 people at Arco Arena to writing an acclaimed book on creativity, my journey has been about transforming impossibilities into realities. I’ve toured as a calligraphy teacher and singer-songwriter and led creativity retreats globally.
What truly fulfills me is helping others create their impossibles, especially in creativity and innovation. I've collaborated with top teams at companies like Facebook, Google, Uber, and Salesforce. My unique background has shaped a system that unlocks innate creativity, even in the most analytical minds.
Using my accessible framework, I assist stressed-out leaders under tight deadlines to foster a culture where breakthrough innovations are the norm. This transformation boosts job satisfaction and enhances team communication and collaboration.
Are you ready to Create the Impossible™?
Here’s what audience members say:
"You totally wowed the room, with your particular alchemy of neuroscience, exemplar story and interactivity. You truly made every minute count in the brief time allotted.
I received a number of comments about how valuable it was... And on top of all that - it was fun!”
Lisa Van Dusen
Executive Director, Palo Alto Community Fund
“The feedback from attendees was exceptional, with many describing it as one of the favorite sessions of the day.”
Anup Deshpande
Chief Governance Officer, PMI San Francisco Bay Area
“Melissa delivered one of the best presentations I’ve seen in a long time and I’ve seen plenty. I couldn’t stayed in that session for hours, and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more of her work.”
Jamie Jurgaitis, MBA
Interim VP of Membership, AMA New Jersey
“Melissa brings a rare blend of creativity, structure, and warmth, her work reminds you that innovation and play can truly coexist in professional spaces.”
Uzma Shaikh
Technical Program Coordinator
“I was deeply impressed by her clarity, creativity, and ability to translate abstract ideas into actionable frameworks. Melissa has a rare gift: she bridges the analytical and the imaginative worlds, helping leaders not only tolerate but thrive in uncertainty and disruption. Her presentation was engaging, playful, and thought-provoking, and she shared real tools and models (not just buzzwords) that participants could take away and apply immediately.”
Emmanuel Hyppolite, CAPM, MBA
Director & Board Member
“Melissa’s session was the perfect afternoon boost. It got us up, moving, laughing, and connecting, and was a wonderful reminder that play and creativity belong in professional spaces too.”
Sherian Lutton
Training & Operations at Hyperdrive
“Melissa has a unique ability to engage the audience and make creativity feel accessible, even for those of us who don’t always think of ourselves as “creative.” I walked away with practical ideas on how to approach collaboration with both humans and AI more openly, and I noticed how her energy immediately helped participants connect with each other afterwards. Melissa is a truly inspiring speaker who brings warmth, clarity, and fresh perspectives.”
Tattu Aidarova
MBA, Fulbright Scholar
“I loved her creative genius, and how she got us out of our seats to interact. It felt like everyone got a boost of positive energy and an open mindset. Best in class!”
Jonas Edvardsson
PMO Leader
“Melissa showed how even small, simple actions can unlock our creativity and lead us toward more colorful paths, laughter, and meaningful connections.”
Sara Albolhassani, PMP
Director
“Instantly energized the room. Her engaging style got everyone participating.”
Patricia Simeons, PMP, CPHIMS
Healthcare Information Technology Project & Programs Leader
Keynotes
This dynamic keynote empowers tech teams to achieve breakthrough innovation by embracing playfulness, imperfection, and rapid learning. Melissa shares practical strategies to unlock creative potential, overcome perfectionism, and foster a culture of innovation using her Create the Impossible™ framework.
This program is perfect for:
Tech organizations looking to foster a culture of innovation
Teams struggling to think outside the box and generate fresh ideas
Leaders seeking to unlock their team's full creative potential
Individuals who believe they're "not creative" but want to be
Your audience will leave with:
A renewed sense of creative confidence and permission to play
Practical techniques to overcome the fear of imperfection and generate more innovative ideas
Strategies to turn "failures" into valuable learning experiences that accelerate innovation
Tools to create psychological safety within teams, encouraging the free flow of ideas
A fresh perspective on how to break through expertise-induced blindness and see new possibilities
Melissa's Create the Impossible™ framework – Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast – provides a simple yet powerful approach to innovation that anyone can apply, regardless of their role or industry. This keynote can be customized for different time slots (20-90 minutes) and tailored to specific tech sectors, ensuring your audience receives maximum value.
Prepare to be entertained, challenged, and transformed. Get ready to Create the Impossible™!
What happens when a machine can write, draw, compose, or code better—and faster—than you can? For many professionals, AI is triggering a full-blown creative identity crisis. Others are rushing in so fast, they forget to bring their selves with them.
In this provocative and energizing keynote, Melissa Dinwiddie—artist, improviser, and innovation strategist—invites your audience to reframe AI not as a threat, but as a creative collaborator. Drawing on her Create the Impossible™ framework (Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast), Melissa shows how to tap into what makes us irreplaceably human, even in an AI-driven world.
Through engaging stories, interactive moments, and laugh-out-loud exercises, your audience will confront their fears, dismantle perfectionism, and learn how to stay in the driver’s seat—curious, courageous, and creatively alive.
This program is perfect for:
Tech leaders integrating AI into innovation workflows
Engineers, analysts, and data pros who don’t see themselves as creative
Creative professionals facing AI anxiety or “authenticity crisis”
Women in leadership navigating visibility, voice, and identity in tech
Teams ready to use AI as a catalyst, not a crutch
Your audience will leave with:
A fresh, human-first framework for creative innovation with AI
Tools to shift from “AI anxiety” to playful experimentation
Practices for integrating AI into your workflow without losing your voice
The courage to make imperfect things and learn faster than the machine
A deeper sense of agency, authorship, and creative possibility
Melissa combines her signature Create the Impossible™ framework with real-world AI insight to help teams innovate boldly while staying fully human. Whether you're at a global tech giant or a growing startup, this keynote meets your team where they are—and pushes them into what's possible.
Because in the age of AI, creativity isn't optional. It's your edge.
This program is perfect for:
Leaders seeking to drive innovation through human-centered skills
Organizations grappling with burnout, disconnection, or risk aversion
Tech professionals looking to cultivate adaptability and emotional intelligence
Anyone who's ever said, "I'm not creative" (spoiler alert: you are!)
Your audience will leave with:
A powerful reframe: creativity is a leadership muscle anyone can build
Neuroscience-backed strategies to reduce stress and boost memory, focus, and engagement
Practical tools to develop emotional intelligence and improve team dynamics
Simple ways to use art and play as a path to innovation and resilience
A renewed sense of curiosity, courage, and creative possibility
Melissa’s Create the Impossible™ framework—Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast—offers a refreshing, actionable approach to navigating uncertainty and sparking breakthroughs. Available in lengths from 15 to 90 minutes and tailored for both in-person and virtual events, this keynote blends performance, inspiration, and real-world takeaways.
Get ready to sketch your way to stronger leadership, improvise your next breakthrough, and rediscover what it means to be fully human in a high-tech world.
What about virtual?
You betcha! Whether the room is physical or virtual, Melissa excels at designing and delivering an engaging experience your people won’t forget.
After experiencing Melissa’s keynotes, organizations can expect
Increased innovation and creative problem-solving
Enhanced collaboration and communication
A more engaged and energized workforce
Improved ability to adapt to change and overcome challenges
A cultural shift towards embracing creativity and play in the workplace
7 Ways Melissa Elevates Your Event
and makes your job impossibly easy
Stress-Free Planning
Melissa's proactive communication style means you'll never be left wondering.
She over-communicates and delivers materials well ahead of schedule.
Whole-Hearted Presence
More than just a "sage on the stage," Melissa engages with attendees
before and after her program, creating meaningful connections.
Audience Engagement
With her interactive style and "Play Hard" approach, Melissa keeps your
audience actively participating, not passively listening.
Tech-Savvy Versatility
Whether in-person or virtual, Melissa delivers a seamless experience,
adapting her Create the Impossible™ framework to any platform.
Joy Amplifier
Your attendees will rave about the unique blend of fun and profound
insights, making you look like a programming genius.
Impossible to Forget
Your attendees will rave about the unique blend of fun and profound
insights, making you look like a programming genius.
Hassle-Free Logistics
From AV requirements to post-event surveys, Melissa and her team handle
the details, taking work off your plate instead of adding to it.
Videos
Melissa Dinwiddie Speaker Reel
&Then Talk: Unlocking Leadership Through Art
Downloadables
Let’s Connect
