Annual Summit

Duncan Wardle is an internationally recognized innovation expert, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, and one of the leading voices in Design Thinking and creative problem-solving.

During his 30-year career with Disney, Duncan and his team helped drive innovation across Disney’s most iconic brands, including Imagineering, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar, and Disney Parks. His work focused on creating groundbreaking experiences, new storylines, and innovative approaches that enhanced how audiences engage with storytelling and entertainment.

Today, Duncan brings that expertise to organizations around the world, helping leaders and teams unlock creativity and embrace fresh thinking. Through dynamic keynote presentations and interactive workshops he shares a practical innovation toolkit designed to help organizations embed a culture of innovation into their everyday operations.

A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Duncan is a multiple TED speaker and has contributed insights on innovation and creativity to Fast Company, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review. He also teaches Innovation Master Classes at Yale University, Harvard University, and Edinburgh Napier University.

In recognition of his global impact and unique approach to Design Thinking, Duncan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Edinburgh Napier University. He also received the White House American Citizen Award for creating a United States citizenship ceremony at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, where 1,000 new U.S. citizens and their families celebrated Independence Day on July 4, 2000. Additionally, he is a recipient of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award, presented in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Known for his energy and creativity, Duncan inspires audiences to think differently and turn imagination into innovation.