Tom Kelley
Founder and Advisor, Design For Venture (D4V) | Author of the bestseller, "Creative Confidence"
Tom Kelley helps organizations unlock creativity, build human-centered cultures, and lead innovation. A best-selling author and longtime design leader, he draws on decades of experience to offer insights that resonate across industries, whether you’re a start-up, a global corporation, or a rapidly growing team.
For more than thirty years, Tom was a key leader at IDEO, the design and innovation firm celebrated for its human-centered approach to business growth and creative problem-solving.
He is also Founder and Advisor at Design for Ventures (D4V), a Tokyo-based VC firm that partners with early-stage entrepreneurs. Through D4V, he has supported more than 60 start-ups, some of which are now public companies, giving him a front-row seat to emerging trends in innovation, culture, and entrepreneurship. Tom’s work in Tokyo earned him a feature on the cover of Forbes Japan.
As the author of the New York Times best-seller Creative Confidence, Tom has helped thousands of individuals and teams recognize and unleash the creative potential within. His earlier works, The Art of Innovation and The Ten Faces of Innovation, offer practical strategies for building creative, collaborative, and resilient organizations.
Tom is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders. He served as the first Executive Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and later held the same title at the University of Tokyo, roles that allowed him to bring human-centered design principles to business education.
A seasoned global speaker, Tom has addressed audiences in more than thirty countries. His presentations are known for their compelling storytelling, industry-relevant insights, and practical frameworks that teams can apply immediately. Whether exploring human-centered leadership, navigating innovation in the age of AI, or building cultures of creativity, Tom delivers keynotes that inspire, equip, and entertain, leaving audiences energized and ready for action.
Topics
The Power of Storytelling in a Data-Driven World
The most influential leaders don't just share information. They create moments of meaning. In this dynamic talk, Tom Kelley explores the art and science of storytelling, showing how to transform raw data into narratives that resonate, inspire, and endure. Audiences discover how great storytellers clarify purpose and foster authentic human connections with colleagues and customers. Through compelling examples and practical takeaways, participants learn to combine narrative and insight to paint a vivid picture of the future with their ideas in it.
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Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI
Technology may keep changing, but the heart of leadership remains deeply human. This session equips audience members with the interpersonal skills to lead with empathy, curiosity, and a steady sense of purpose when everything else is in flux. Tom Kelley will share human-centered practices that help people build genuine trust, motivate teams, and lead with integrity. Real-life examples of past and present leaders point to tangible ways for staying effective in a future shaped by both humanity and technology.
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Strategies for Learning at the Pace of Change
The gap between what we know and what we need to know is widening every day. This forward-looking session explores how organizations can close that gap by unlocking the full potential of their learning and development capabilities. Topics include motivating curiosity, gathering insight directly from customers, and accelerating growth through innovative mentoring. Drawing on lessons from his work in design thinking, innovation strategy, and venture investing, Tom Kelley offers practical ways to learn faster and navigate change with confidence. Attendees gain actionable inspiration for thriving in a workplace defined by rapid evolution and new possibilities.
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Leading with Creative Confidence Through Turbulent Times
Everyone in your organization has innate creativity, and leaders have the chance to unleash that creative potential in pursuit of worthy goals. This session gives leaders permission to experiment, “learn out loud,” and lead with humanity when things get complicated. Tom Kelley offers fresh perspectives on mentorship and practical tools for staying future-ready. Through vivid stories from emerging startups and global corporations, he reveals ways to accelerate learning, sharpen human-centered skills, and leverage the power of storytelling. Audience members rediscover their creative capacity and leave energized to turn new ideas into meaningful action.
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Designing Creative Cultures for the Future of Work
The most innovative organizations are built on cultures where people trust each other, feel heard, and know it is safe to take chances. This session explores the leadership approaches that spark genuine collaboration and keep creativity alive, even when teams are distributed and more work is shaped by AI. Tom Kelley demonstrates what it takes to build teams that stay adaptable, energized, and resilient in the face of rapid change. Audience members leave with practical insights for reinforcing creative cultures and preparing people for the future of work.
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