Biography

Jay Ward is a top innovation keynote speaker, Creative Director of Franchise at Pixar, and a consultant on all Cars-related projects worldwide. He provides automotive and franchise expertise to both Disney and its partners in matters pertaining to consumer products, interactive, marketing, publishing, and theme parks. He also serves as a liaison with automotive manufacturers and museums working on Pixar-related projects. Jay was the automotive and later franchise creative consultant on all three Cars films, the Cars Toons, and Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California.

In addition to his work on Cars projects, Jay worked in the art departments of Monsters Inc., Ratatouille, and Brave, and served as the associate producer of the 2008 Pixar short film Presto. Ward also runs the campus classic car show, the “Pixar Motorama”, hosting vehicles from Jay Leno, Chip Foose, and many others.

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Storytelling for Business

Storytelling is the #1 business skill necessary to connect, motivate, and lead people in today’s world. Stories compel us to engage in experiences, learn lessons, and define our values and ourselves within our organization. Jay Ward brings his experience creating and developing blockbuster films at Pixar, and provides practical strategies that teach and inspire people and teams to connect more effectively with audiences on an emotional level. Jay uses the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between business and heart, driving your story toward one unforgettable selling point.

Building a Culture of Success and Winning: Traits of Pixar's Early Employees

Jay Ward, a Pixar Creative Director, shares how Pixar was started and how they built and maintain a culture that inspires creativity, creates success for all stakeholders and produces best-selling, award winning films. Jay’s experience and insight will empower and inspire audience members to be better team members, leaders and how to forge stronger, more meaningful connections with their own team, clients and all stakeholders.

Inspiring Creativity in the Workplace

One of the most essential resources for any business to stay competitive is new ideas that spark innovation. As the Creative Director at Pixar Animation Studios, Jay Ward participated in building and sustaining the creative culture at Pixar from startup to the most successful filmmaking group in the history of Hollywood. Jay’s engaging and action-oriented talk will provide strategies on how to create a culture that encourages and nurtures new ideas, and embraces fear and failing as a necessary part of the creative process. He demonstrates how to empower relationships and build trust through authentic communication.

The Future of Cars and Entertainment

Jay Ward was raised in a car shop, he is a “car nerd” and he’s the Creative Director of the hit movie Cars – working for Disney and Pixar. Who better than Jay to have visibility into trends and the future of entertainment and cars?

Blog Posts

How a Simple Apology Can Spark Healing and Mental Health Conversations

Learn how a heartfelt apology shared by Johnny Crowder can help you break stigma and ignite life-changing conversations about mental health and self-compassion.

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An Astronaut’s Guide on Leadership and Innovation Lessons on Earth

Explore how former NASA astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao’s experiences in space unlock insights on leadership, innovation, and resilience for teams on Earth.

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The Future of Event Keynotes: Personalization, AI, and Interactive Storytelling

Find out how event personalization, AI-driven insights, and interactive storytelling are revolutionizing keynote speeches with business futurist Greg Verdino.

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The Power of Play: Why Entertainment Is Essential for Engagement

“Entertainment is the emotional glue that connects people to ideas.”—Robert McKee, storytelling expert There’s a shift that happens the moment someone laughs. Shoulders loosen. The room lightens. The noise of the outside world fades just...

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Designing Events That Spark Lasting Connections

Discover Wendy Porter’s proven WPE Planning Process for crafting live, virtual, and hybrid events that foster genuine connections, boost engagement, and drive ROI.

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The Best Diversity and Inclusion Speakers

Why are diversity and inclusion speakers some of the most transformative voices on stage? Because inclusion is no longer a box to check; it’s a culture to create. From boardrooms to classrooms, arenas to virtual...

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Blog Posts

 

How a Simple Apology Can Spark Healing and Mental Health Conversations

Imagine if a single, mental health–focused apology could dismantle stigma, validate someone’s pain, and launch...

Read More

An Astronaut’s Guide on Leadership and Innovation Lessons on Earth

In the boundless vacuum of space, leaders face challenges that dwarf anything encountered on Earth....

Read More

The Future of Event Keynotes: Personalization, AI, and Interactive Storytelling

Imagine a keynote at your next event that feels designed just for your audience—where every...

Read More

The Power of Play: Why Entertainment Is Essential for Engagement

“Entertainment is the emotional glue that connects people to ideas.”—Robert McKee, storytelling expert There’s a...

Read More

Designing Events That Spark Lasting Connections

Imagine stepping into an event where every detail is designed to foster genuine human connection—from...

Read More

The Best Diversity and Inclusion Speakers

Why are diversity and inclusion speakers some of the most transformative voices on stage? Because...

Read More