Keynote Speaker

Book Heather as your

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“Heather is one of the most impactful keynote speakers I have ever heard in my 30+ year career.”

- Mark Jacoby, Interim HealthCare

Heather Hodges is a keynote speaker known for blending story, science, and speed-painting in unforgettable presentations. Yes! she paints live on stage while she speaks!

Hi, I’m Heather. I help organizations unlock their team's creative potential.

As an organizational psychologist, I pioneered The Hodges 12 Types of Creative Genius™, a personality index measuring how individuals are naturally wired to solve problems through creativity and imagination. Everyone is creative, and we need everyone’s creativity to solve complex problems.

But most workplaces unintentionally shut creativity down. People hold back their ideas. Teams play it safe. Innovation stalls.

That’s where I come in.

Understanding your unique creative genius is just the beginning. I help leaders create environments that unleash every type of creativity so people feel energized, teams solve problems faster, and organizations innovate at a level they didn’t know they were capable of.

Mastering Human Creativity at Work

Underperforming teams are costing organizations time, money, and talent. In a world defined by speed and uncertainty, technical skill alone isn’t enough. The future belongs to those who learn to use creative thinking and innovate time and again. Each of Heather’s keynotes redefines creativity as the ultimate competitive edge. It’s not just for artists; it’s for everyone who wants to innovate, lead, sell, collaborate, and perform at their best.

Unleash Your Creative Genius

Organizations are facing a perfect storm of challenges: staffing shortages, burnout, tight budgets, constant change, and disengaged teams. The pressure is real, and while resources may be tight, your most powerful asset—creativity—is limitless.

Creativity is the engine that drives innovation, engagement, and organizational performance. Today we have AI as a creativity partner to optimize processes and generate ideas. And yet, for all its brilliance, AI’s creativity is derivative. It draws from what has already been done. It cannot imagine new possibilities, be innately curious, or understand the rich complexity of human experience and emotions. Only humans can do that.

In this unforgettable keynote, Heather blends art, stories, and neuroscience to help you unleash your creative genius and use it as a strategic advantage.

Heather Hodges, PhD Keynote Speaker and Speed-painter, Creativity and Innovation

The Art & Science of Leading Innovation

The most painful professional experience isn't failure. It's the suffocating feeling that your greatest gifts are going completely unseen.

For organizations, the most painful and expensive problem is not recognizing and unleashing the talent on your team. The defining talent risk of 2026 isn't mass resignation; it's the quiet disengagement of your best and brightest people.

Great leaders can change that.

In this powerful keynote experience, featuring two live speed painting performances, Dr. Heather Hodges introduces The Hodges 12 Types of Creative Genius™, a research-backed framework that gives leaders a clear map of human potential. You'll discover how every person on your team is uniquely wired to solve problems and innovate. You’ll also learn the six leadership behaviors you can practice immediately to unleash your team’s creative genius and build a culture of innovation.

The most powerful thing a great leader can do is see and unleash the genius on their team and build a culture brave enough for it to thrive.

Heather Hodges, PhD Keynote Speaker and Speed-painter, Creativity and Innovation

The Art of Teamwork

Build a winning team that unleashes everyone's creative genius

In this high-energy keynote featuring two live speed paintings, Heather draws on her research-backed Hodges 12 Types of Creative Genius™ framework to show leaders how to see, name, and unleash the creative genius already on their team.

Attendees leave inspired and equipped to build a team culture where every person plays at their highest potential, and the whole becomes greater than the sum of its genius.

Heather Hodges, PhD Keynote Speaker and Speed-painter, Creativity and Innovation

  • “Best speaker of this whole conference! I can’t wait to hear another by her.”

    Alix Stankus

    Atlantic Care Services

  • "Dr. Hodges is one of the most impressive speakers that I have ever heard."

    Ingrid Foster

    COO, Care First Home Health

  • "My favorite part was when Heather began our afternoon with her painting and speech of empowerment - That was Incredible! She reminded us that Success is a mindset and we CAN become what we need!"

    April Johnson

    Healthcare Leader

  • "Heather’s down to earth presentation skills brought clarity to a topic that had always confused me. Her expertise in the topic was evident, not by fancy words or ambiguous phrases, but by real life experiences and obvious passion."

    Dan Boggs

    Board Certified Chaplain

  • "Brilliant and eloquent! Dr. Hodges is not only extremely smart but also possesses an exceptional ability to communicate her ideas with clarity and grace."

    Jennifer Elliott, RN

    Executive Director, Heart of Georgia Hospice

  • Heather is BY FAR my favorite speaker. She is inspiring, encouraging, motivating.. AND she has always kept ME engaged (which says a lot for itself) I’ve sat through many classes and speaking events.. and she's #1 for me.

    Brandy Arnold

    Branch Director, Enhabit Home Health & Hospice

  • "I've been in the audience when Dr Hodges has spoken multiple times and she has a remarkable gift for teaching. Her messages stick with the audience members and impact their paradigm!"

    Lindsey Charon

    Course Facilitator, Emerson College

  • "I heard Dr. Hodges speak once at a Las Vegas conference and it was one of the most impactful presentations I have experienced! She has a true gift to convey her message while captivating the audience. I would highly recommend Dr. Hodges for any corporate engagement event."

    Mindy Curtis, PT, DPT, MHA

    Clinical Liason, Baylor Scott & White

  • "I have had the pleasure of being in the audience a couple of a when Heather spoke. I always walked away with a better grasp of my leadership style and capability! Many wise words and takes on leadership and styles that I still use today!"

    Chandra Sevenstar

    Vice President, Mays Plus, Inc.

  • "When Heather combines her artistic talents with her development presentations - there is not a person in the room that is not engaged. You find yourself on a journey and you want more - more insights, more ideas and more opportunities to learn.”

    Brooke Erickson-Mignogna

    Director, Sales & Community Partnerships, Careforth

  • “Heather’s enthusiasm and passion are palpable! She captivates the audience.”

    Rachel Trombley Meyer, MSN RN COS-C

    Director of Clinical Operations, Medalogix

  • "The cornerstone of learning development is engagement. Heathers exceptional knowledge of professional development tempered with her extraordinary ability to connect with the audience helps foster transformational change."

    Tony Maxwell

    Home Care Executive

  • “Heather captivated the audience.”

    Brian Lantier

    CEO, Traditions Health

Watch Heather in Action

Heather Hodges, PhD Keynote Speaker on Creativity and Innovation and Speed-Painter

Heather donates the paintings she creates during her keynotes to the event!

Heather Hodges is a keynote speaker known for blending story, science, and speed-painting in unforgettable presentations. Yes! she paints live on stage while she speaks!

Client Testimonials

Loved by Crowds at:

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Let’s Partner Up!

I would love to partner with you on your next conference with a dynamic keynote that leaves your audience inspired, engaged, and ready to act!

Imagine your team laughing, learning, and tapping into their creativity to drive innovation.

Let’s elevate your event to create an unforgettable experience together!

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Let’s work together

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