Discussion Document
AbbVie
Neuroscience Forum
September 23–25, 2026
Athens, Greece
with Heather Hodges, PhD
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Hello AbbVie Neuroscience Team,
I'm excited about the opportunity to partner with you on your Neuroscience Forum in Athens this September.
Below you'll find a personalized video along with a keynote and breakout session descriptions. I've also included a video of the speed-painting experience I've delivered for thousands of attendees over the last few years.
I am proposing a 60-minute keynote with two speed paintings, with the option to add a breakout session or panel moderation, whatever fits your agenda the best.
My goal is to deliver an exceptional experience for your global team and leave them feeling inspired and equipped to use their creative imagination to continue achieving the impossible for patients living with Parkinson's disease and migraine.
I have reserved your dates (September 23–25, 2026) and will hold them on my calendar for 7 days. I'm happy to join a follow-up call if the committee has questions as you make your decision.
I look forward to working with you and the AbbVie Neuroscience team!
Warm regards,
Heather Hodges, PhD
512-672-9073
Heather@HeatherHodges.com
Personalized video for the AbbVie team
Program Overview
Keynote:
Beyond the Limitless: Unleash Your Creative Genius
There is no better place to talk about creativity than Athens. More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Greeks asked a question that still shapes innovation today: Where do new ideas come from?
While early Greeks believed creativity was a gift from the nine Muses, Aristotle offered a different answer. He used the term phantasia to describe the human capacity to form mental images and recombine them into something new. Modern psychology has taken that understanding even further to reveal that creativity is not reserved for a gifted few. It is an innate human capacity that can be developed, strengthened, and unleashed.
That matters because every breakthrough begins with a Reason to Dream. Every scientific discovery, every new therapy, and every bold innovation starts when someone imagines a possibility others cannot yet see.
Companies don’t innovate. People innovate.
Tomorrow’s breakthroughs will become a reality only when we recognize today’s opportunities and have the courage to act. That is the Power to Win.
And every breakthrough carries a Duty to Lead. Leaders create the kind of culture where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are shared, and every person’s creative genius can flourish.
As AbbVie Neuroscience looks Beyond the Limitless, the next great therapeutic breakthrough will begin with the imagination, courage, and creative genius of the people in this room.
Drawing on organizational psychology, creativity science, and her research on the workplace conditions that either unleash or suppress creativity, Heather Hodges, PhD, equips leaders with practical tools to think more creatively, act more courageously, and inspire others to do the same.
Two live speed paintings bookend the keynote. The portraits of Albert Einstein and Mother Teresa are recognized around the world and represent two very different kinds of creative genius.
Through engaging audience interaction, five daily habits that strengthen creative thinking, and The Hodges 12 Types of Creative Genius™ assessment, participants leave with strategies to build the future—one breakthrough at a time.
“Heather is one of the most impactful keynote speakers I have ever heard in my 30+ year career.”
Mark Jacoby
Interim HealthCare
“Heather was the best speaker of the entire conference! I can’t wait to hear her again.”
Alix Stankus
Atlantic Care Services
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
Differentiate creativity from innovation and explain how creative imagination fuels breakthrough thinking.
Apply research-based creativity tools and five daily habits that strengthen innovation and creative thinking.
Create the workplace conditions that unleash creativity and inspire people to contribute their best ideas.
Discover their own Creative Genius Trifecta™ and leverage diverse creative strengths to improve collaboration, innovation, and performance across global teams.
“Few sessions inspire while also providing the tools needed to create a culture of innovation. Highly recommend it to everyone.”
Michael Link
Choices Healthcare
Breakout Session: Option 1
Retention Rx: How to Build a Culture No One Wants to Leave
The number one cause of turnover isn’t pay it is feeling undervalued. The good news is that retention isn’t complicated when you know how to build a culture where people feel valued, heard, and supported.
Through a hands-on activity using Heather’s original Stay Conversations Card Deck™, managers and leaders will experience how easy it can be to have meaningful, trust-building conversations with their team.
Your attendees will walk away with ready-to-use tools and confidence to start having Stay Conversations to create a culture no one wants to leave.
“Very valuable and insightful! We have some work to do but encouraged to complete stay interviews with our team!”
Devin Scott, Interim Health
Breakout Session: Option 2
Brick by Brick: Team Building with LEGO® Serious Play®
In this hands-on session, Heather unlocks 100% engagement from every participant. LEGO® Serious Play® is a structured facilitation method, grounded in constructivist learning theory and used by organizations worldwide, in which participants build 3D metaphorical models and use them to tell stories that words alone don't reach.
This method helps teams break the ice, share stories, and foster genuine cross-cultural connection.
Whether your goal is to break down geographic silos, spark collaborative innovation, or simply connect a global team, this interactive experience turns abstract relationships into a bonded, physical reality. Come ready to play with intent, laugh with your global peers, and leave with stronger trust and concrete insights.
“A fun, creative approach to team building and to create thoughtful communication through building.”
Michael Link, Choices Healthcare
Panel Moderation: Option 3
Heather excels as a forum panel moderator and drives lively and informative discussions through expert time management, engaging questions, and inclusive participation. She ensures a polished session by conducting advance preparation meetings with each panelist and the event planners.
What It's Like to Work With Heather
“Working with Heather was truly a delightful and stress-free experience. A meeting planner's dream speaker!”
Paula Sanders, CEO Georgia Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
“Heather is an absolute pleasure to work with. She took our vision and elevated it into something that felt perfectly aligned with our organization. Her speaking style is exceptional! She is creative, engaging, and genuinely moving.”
Tarrah Lowry, COO Empath Health
“Heather very quickly understood our situation and what we needed. We didn't have to explain anything twice, and in fact her questions for us led to a richer dialogue.”
Rexanne Domico, President & CEO Interim HealthCare
Independently collected audience and client feedback via Talkadot, 1,224 attendees across 27 events.
Watch Heather’s Speed Painting on Stage
Client Testimonials
Trusted by these Organizations
Investment
For this program our all-inclusive fee covers all art supplies, travel, and expenses. The only item not included is hotel accommodation at the venue.
$25,000 Keynote Only
$30,000 Keynote and 1 Breakout or Panel Moderation
$35,000 Keynote and 2 Breakouts or Panel Moderation
Your investment includes:
1. A customized 60-minute Keynote experience “Beyond the Limitless: Unleash Your Creative Genius” featuring two speed paintings and audience engagement activities.
2. One discovery call (1-hour) to personalize the program to align with your goals and desired outcomes.
3. One pre-conference call (1-hour) to align on logistics and details 2-3 weeks before the forum.
4. All painting supplies for two (2) speed paintings during the keynote.
5. A link for every attendee to take The Hodges 12 Types of Creative Genius™. An assessment that reveals how each person is naturally wired to solve problems through creativity and imagination. Includes a 20-page profile for each person. Valued at $40 for each attendee.
6. Travel: including flights, ground transportation, and airport parking. Hotel provided by AbbVie Neuroscience Forum at the venue.
Optional Panel Moderation or Breakout Sessions: your choice of one or both: “Retention Rx” or “Brick by Brick: Team Building with LEGO® Serious Play®” (Note: LEGO® supplies not included and is based on number of participants. Around $5 per person.)
Keynotes (Live in-person with 2 speed paintings)
Domestic (US) $20,000 (45-75 minutes)
International $25,000 (45-75 minutes)
Custom Painting Development: $3,500
Development of a new speed painting created specifically for your event that is researched, designed, and rehearsed to performance standard, including custom video synchronized to the performance.
Conference General Session & Breakout:
Additional general sessions, breakouts, or panel moderation (when booked with a keynote):
$5,000 each (60–90 minutes)
Rate Card
Travel & Expenses Fee:
Domestic: $1,500 flat rate (Not included is hotel accommodations at the venue provided by event organizer)
International: business class airfare at cost plus ground transportation. (Not included is hotel accommodations at the venue provided by event organizer.)
Workshops:
Half-Day (up to 4 hours): $12,500
Full-Day (up to 8 hours): $20,000
Package Deals:
Keynote + Half-Day Workshop (Same or Next Day): $27,500
Keynote + Full-Day Workshop (Same or Next Day): $35,000
(Save $5,000 compared to booking separately)