Nathalie Nixon

Natalie Nixon, PhD, is a renowned creativity strategist and CEO of Figure 8 Thinking, LLC, known as “the creativity whisperer to the C-Suite.” With a focus on applying wonder and rigor to achieve transformative business results, Natalie is a highly sought-after global keynote speaker, offering accessible expertise on creativity, the future of work, and innovation. Her impressive accolades include being selected for the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2024 and named one of Real Leaders’ “Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World for 2022.” Natalie has been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Fast Company, and INC, solidifying her reputation as a thought leader in her field.

As the author of the award-winning book “The Creativity Leap,” which was honored in Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards, Natalie has made significant contributions to the creativity landscape. Her firm, Figure 8 Thinking, was recognized among the top 20 women-led innovation firms in 2021 by Core 77. Natalie’s diverse background in cultural anthropology, fashion, design thinking, and dance informs her unique perspective as a hybrid thinker, allowing her to offer innovative solutions at the intersection of commercial value and stakeholder equity.

Natalie’s impressive client list includes industry giants such as Microsoft, Salesforce, Comcast, Citrix, Morrison & Foerster, Living Cities, VaynerMedia, and Bloomberg. She is also an early-stage investor in two social impact ventures, leveraging her expertise to drive positive change. Beyond her professional endeavors, Natalie serves as a trustee of the Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and has held positions at Vassar College and Leadership+Design.

With a global perspective gained from living in various countries and proficiency in multiple languages, including Portuguese and Spanish, Natalie brings a rich cultural understanding to her work. Certified as a Foresight Practitioner by the Institute for the Future, she holds a BA (honors) from Vassar College and a PhD from the University of Westminster in London.

When she’s not captivating audiences with her insights, Natalie can be found honing her dance skills in hip-hop, salsa, foxtrot, and tango on the ballroom floor. Residing in her hometown of Philadelphia with her husband, John Nixon, Natalie takes pride in her role as a stepmother to Sydney. Her dynamic presence and innovative approach make her a standout figure in the world of creativity and leadership.