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Hi there

I'M EMILY

If you lead a creative team, run a creative business, or champion creativity inside your organization, you're in the right place. I've spent 25 years building a global creative agency, leading with boldness, and bringing big ideas to life. Now I'm sharing everything I've learned — through keynotes, courses, and The Chief Creative podcast.

 

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Hi there

I'M EMILY

If you’re looking to stretch your creative muscles, lead with boldness, or bring big ideas to life, you’re in the right place. I’ve spent 25+ years in the creative trenches—now I’m here to share the tools, lessons, and behind-the-scenes wisdom to help you grow, lead, and create with confidence.

 

MY PURPOSE

To elevate the role of creativity in business and equip creative leaders with the tools, frameworks, and confidence to realize its full value—especially now, as AI reshapes every industry.

About Emily 

I started my career writing screenplays. I ended up building one of the largest women-owned creative agencies on the East Coast. In between, I've produced hundreds of live and digital experiences for brands like Norwegian Cruise Line, Apple, Under Armour, Marriott, and Jeep.
 
I've led creative teams through impossible timelines, defended bold ideas in boardrooms, and learned what it actually takes to run a creative business. Pursuing my Master's in Creativity & Innovation at Drexel deepened that knowledge, challenging me to examine the science behind what I'd been practicing instinctively for decades.

THE AGENCY

Co-Founder of Acclaimed World-Class Creative Agency

I co-founded VIVA Creative in 2001 with my husband, Lorne. Over 25 years, we've grown it into a globally recognized experiential agency, producing large-scale live, digital, and brand experiences for American Express, Oprah Winfrey Network, Audi, and dozens more. Our work has earned many industry awards in experiential design, video/film production, and business innovation—including recognition as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Free Guide!

Spark your creativity in 5 minutes or less

 Our exclusive guide, The 5-Minute Creative Reset, is your ultimate guide to jump-starting your creativity. Inside, you’ll find proven techniques, actionable steps, and powerful rituals that will help you re-open your creative channels with ease.

Education and Credentials

I hold a Master of Science in Creativity & Innovation from Drexel University, where I studied the science of creative thinking, leadership, and organizational change. This research-based training deepened my understanding of how creative teams perform at their best, and I apply it daily inside my agency and in everything I teach
 
I also hold a Bachelor's in Creative Writing from Northwestern University. I started my career writing for film and television, and that storytelling instinct has shaped everything I've built since — from brand experiences to keynote talks.
 
Additionally, she is certified in Design Thinking through the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, experienced in IDEO and Stanford d.school design frameworks, and deeply familiar with Harvard Project Zero thinking routines, with concrete strategies that help make creative and critical thinking visible, leading to growth and breakthrough across age groups, from the youngest students to adults. 
 
I'm certified in Design Thinking through the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and trained in IDEO and Stanford d.school design frameworks. These methodologies inform how I lead creative teams and how I teach others to do the same.
Follow @GoAskEmily