Creativity is more than a trait or talent some people possess and others don’t; it’s a spark waiting to be lit within each and every person. The trick for many of us worn down by rote tasks, routines, and responsibilities is figuring out how to ignite and nurture that part of ourselves.

Enter the professional creatives: voice actors, animators and character designers, artists and entertainers with a hard-won bank of knowledge that allows them to do more than express themselves and take things a step further, guiding others to change their perspectives and accelerate innovation.

Although they’re professional adults with distinguished careers, these storytellers and educators are in touch with their inner child and keenly understand the importance of play for both happiness and business success. So if you’re seeking a way to mix things up for yourself or your team and have some fun while you do it, take a quick look at some of our creativity speakers to see if one might be just what you’re looking for.

Top creativity speaker and storyteller Matthew Luhn is a longtime friend and part of our bureau. An award-winning filmmaker and 20 year Pixar veteran, he has worked as an animator, director and story consultant on classic children’s movies including the Toy Story series, Finding Nemo, UP, and many more. His work has honed his understanding of branding, innovation and communication, giving him a one-of-a-kind insight into how creativity can be utilized for business.

Creativity speaker Joshua Seth is a psychological illusionist, best-selling author and voice actor who has worked on almost 100 animated shows and films, including Digimon and Spongebob. An innovative thinker and expert communicator, he’s devoted to helping others unleash their unique voices.

Motivational and creativity speaker Duncan Wardle is the former Head of Innovation for Disney with a 25 year career developing some of their most effective and creative strategies. Challenging others to claim their creativity, he teaches people how to think differently and set themselves up for revolutionary ideas and business success.

Acclaimed motivational speaker and voice actor Kat Cressida has lent her voice to characters created by Disney, Pixar and Cartoon Network as well as ad campaigns for everything from McDonald’s to Michelob. Following a terrifying battle with a rare form of cancer, she’s emerged as a healthcare advocate as well as top voice artist, focusing her skills as a storyteller on inspiring and educating in equal measure.

Deanna Marsigliese is a top creativity keynote speaker and character designer  who has worked at Pixar since 2012. As their Animation Art Director, she has worked on family favorites Luca, Toy Story 4, and the Incredibles 2, and leads creativity and design workshops for global audiences helping foster curiosity, authenticity, and the power of visual storytelling.

Activist, dancer and influencer Sofia Wylie is best known for her work as one of Justin Beiber’s back-up dancers and performing on Disney’s live action Andi Mack, but is expanding into voice acting. An advocate and rising star, she’s dedicated herself to inspiring others in her generation to follow their dreams and use their own voices.

Writer and performer Brady Gill is a motivational speaker and storyteller with a background in creativity and community building. Passionate about education and emotional safety, he works with both children and adults advocating for the power of play via his Modern Fables, stories and animations that encourage making and learning from mistakes to help people grow into happy, fulfilled individuals.

This article was originally published by BigSpeak Jun 29, 2023.