Melissa Dinwiddie
Innovation isn't a value. It's a practice. I help analytical teams build it. | 2x Author
Travels from Mountain View CA, USA
Audience Feedback
# of feedback responses
Attendees Find Valuable
# of attendees over # of events
Would See Again
# of attendees over # of events
Talks Given
# of event type over # of events
Speaks on:
Creativity Workshops
AI for Business
Innovation
Leadership Development
Learning Development
Speaks to:
Associations & Membership Orgs
Community & Civic Organizations
Formats:
Keynote
Workshop
Audience members say
Key Audience Outcomes
Participants felt more connected to their community and fellow activists.
Attendees gained actionable strategies and resources for fighting for their cause.
Participants felt inspired and empowered to take action.
Attendees discovered new ways to use AI tools to enhance their work and creativity.
Melissa's Bio
Melissa is an innovation strategist & keynote speaker who helps leaders and teams Create the Impossible™ — through her signature framework: Play Hard. Make Crap. Learn Fast. Drawing on her background as a professional artist, Juilliard-trained dancer, jazz singer/songwriter, and improviser, she's catalyzed transformation for teams at companies like Google, Meta, and Salesforce. Melissa designs memorable experiences that strengthen connection, communication, and creativity while having fun. Author of Innovation at Work (her second book) and a sought-after speaker known for interactive sessions that leave audiences energized and ready to try something new the very next day. When not transforming corporate cultures, she can be found making art or attempting ukulele-and-bass duets with herself.
Private
Varies based on date, location, and engagement type
What you will receive
A detailed quote with pricing, availability, add-ons, and travel info that's ready to share with your team.
Melissa Offers the Following Talks
Creating the Impossible: Unleashing Innovation Through Play, Imperfection, and Rapid Learning
A practical reframe: innovation isn't a talent, it's a practice anyone can build
The three-step Create the Impossible™ framework, applied to real team challenges
Strategies for building psychological safety — the foundation nobody talks about that determines whether any of the rest of this works
Micro-experiments participants can run immediately, with or without a facilitator
A culture shift from "waiting for the perfect idea" to generating momentum fast
Show more >
45 - 90 minutes
Playing With Possibility: How Your Team Can Partner With AI Without Losing the Human Touch
A practical framework for human-AI collaboration rooted in Create the Impossible™
How to use AI to accelerate the Play Hard → Make Crap → Learn Fast cycle — without losing the human judgment that makes innovation stick
Strategies to shift teams from AI anxiety to playful, productive experimentation
The specific human capabilities — rapid iteration, psychological safety, cross-functional communication — that AI cannot replace and your team needs to develop now
Micro-experiments for integrating AI into your team's innovation practice starting this week
Show more >
45 - 90 minutes
Communicating for Influence™: A Taste of the Toolkit
Understanding why brilliant ideas fail to land — and what to do about it
How to translate technical expertise into language that moves people to action
Play-based techniques for building the communication muscle between sessions
The connection between cross-functional communication and innovation velocity
Tools participants can use in their next stakeholder meeting
Show more >
45 - 90 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions on Working With Melissa
What should I know about working with you?
I make it easy. Pre-event discovery call, clear communication, everything you need well in advance. I tailor every session to your audience and use Talkadot to capture real-time feedback you can share with leadership.
What's included in your fee?
Customized keynote or workshop, pre-event discovery calls, all facilitation materials, and post-event Talkadot feedback report. Bulk copies of my book, Innovation at Work, can be added as part of a partnership package.
Can you customize your presentation for our specific audience and event theme?
Yes — deeply. I do a pre-event discovery call and research to understand your audience's challenges and context. Examples, language, and activities are all tailored so it feels built specifically for your people. Because it was.
What kind of promotional support do you offer to help market the event?
Bio, headshots, stage intro, and promotional assets on request. I love recording special videos to help you promote, and I also promote to my own audience via email and social. Happy to collaborate on co-branded content to help you fill the room.
How do you engage audiences post-event?
I use Talkadot (talk.ac/md) to connect attendees to free resources and next steps. I'm happy to stay at least an hour for Q&A, photos, and networking. Follow-up Q&A sessions or book club conversations available on request.
Do you offer extras (book signings, meet-and-greets)?
Yes! Book signings, meet-and-greets, and emceeing (available as an add-on) are all welcome. The post-session conversations are often the best part. Ask about bulk copies of my book, Innovation at Work, for signing.
My organization has a limited budget. Do you have any flexibility in your pricing?
Let's talk. My partnership model includes options like bulk book orders, testimonials, referrals, and case study rights. One non-negotiable: a post-event Talkadot survey. Everything else, we can explore on a call.
Will I receive post-event materials (slides, recordings, handouts)?
Attendees get resources via Talkadot during the session. Slides aren't routinely distributed, but event-specific handouts or digital resources are available on request. Recording rights are handled separately.
What is your policy on event recordings and media rights?
Internal recordings for members who couldn't attend: generally fine. Redistribution, resale, or use in marketing requires prior written agreement. Bring it up early and we'll work it out easily.
What are your specific travel requirements?
I fly from the SF Bay Area. I ask for economy airfare (business class for flights 4+ hours), hotel near the venue the night before and night of, and ground transportation — covered in addition to my speaking fee.