Matthew Luhn is a renowned storyteller, creative leader and keynote speaker best known for shaping some of the most beloved animated films of a generation at Pixar Animation Studios. With over 25 years of experience developing stories, characters and global brands, Matthew has built a reputation for turning creativity into meaningful, lasting impact. As a former Story Supervisor at Pixar, he played a central role in creating emotionally resonant stories that continue to influence audiences worldwide. Today, he translates his unique career into impactful keynote talks, helping organisations unlock innovation, strengthen communication and build narratives that connect with people on a deeper level.
Matthew’s career began at just 19 years old when, while studying at the California Institute of the Arts, he created a short film that secured him a role as the youngest animator on The Simpsons. His early credits include Kamp Krusty, Lisa’s Pony, Homer Alone, Colonel Homer, Homer Defined and Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk. After working on the show’s third season, he returned to CalArts to refine his craft before being discovered by Pixar. Initially joining as one of the first animators on Toy Story, he later pursued his ambition to work in story development. He returned to Pixar as a story artist on Toy Story 2 and went on to help create the characters and narratives behind films such as Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, Ratatouille, Up, Toy Story 3 and Monsters University, eventually progressing to the role of Story Supervisor. Beyond film, he contributed to education as a VanArts Story Masterclass presenter for eight years from 2009, alongside teaching roles at the California College of the Arts. Matthew also served as a story consultant for the Adidas brand, franchise and storytelling, applying narrative thinking to global brand strategy. He also
Throughout his career, Matthew has been widely recognised for his storytelling expertise across both entertainment and business. He has been featured in leading publications, including Inc., City Buzz, Indeed, The Financial Brand and Forbes, reflecting his influence as a creative authority. Matthew is also the author of multiple published works, including The Best Story Wins and has shared his knowledge globally through collaborations with brands such as Google, Apple and Disney.
As a motivational speaker, Matthew stands out for his ability to translate cinematic storytelling into practical business applications. Drawing on decades of experience shaping globally recognised films and characters, he delivers engaging insights on turning data into compelling narratives, fostering creativity and building stronger emotional connections with audiences. His widely viewed TEDx talk, Creating a Feeling, further demonstrates his ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and impact. Tailoring each talk to his audience, Matthew equips organisations with the tools to think differently, innovate effectively and create stories that drive lasting results.
Social Media
Books
How to Draw Cartoon Pets!
The Best Story Wins: How to Leverage Hollywood Storytelling in Business and Beyond
Santa Yeti
Matthew's speaking topics are listed below.
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.
- Matthew Luhn, a former 20-year Pixar story artist and animator, brings his experience creating and developing 10 blockbuster films at Pixar, and provides practical strategies that teach and inspire people and teams to connect more effectively with audiences.
- Matthew uses the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between business and heart, driving your story toward one unforgettable selling point.
Storytelling and NEW TECHNOLOGY
- Technology is changing everything from content development to culture itself. Matthew Luhn, former 20 year Pixar story artist and animator, will share how new technology is being used to create great stories and characters in Hollywood and beyond.
- Matthew’s experience and insight will empower and inspire publishers, advertisers and innovators on how to forge stronger, more meaningful connections with consumers.
To Innovation and Beyond
- When your company’s product or service appears similar to your competitor’s offerings, how can you differentiate and get consumers to notice? In this enlightening and entertaining talk, Matthew Luhn, accomplished writer and story artist on the Toy Story films, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, UP, and Ratatouille, will share his methods and experiences working with Pixar and advising other Fortune 500 companies.
- Audiences will learn how to innovate, differentiate and stay relevant in today’s business world, creating more value and winning customer loyalty.
Inspiring Creativity in the Workplace
- One of the most essential resources for any business to stay competitive is new ideas that spark innovation. Matthew Luhn, former 20 year Pixar story artist and animator, participated in building and sustaining the creative culture at Pixar from startup to the most successful filmmaking group in the history of Hollywood.
- Matthew’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.
Effective Leadership as Told by Movie Heroes
- Every film and business needs an effective leader to inspire its people to achieve their goals. In this unique session, Matthew Luhn, former 20 year Pixar story artist and animator, shares how to create authentic, inspirational, and memorable heroes and how to translate these same hero traits into your leadership and business.
- By exploring and analyzing the characters of movie heroes and other great story protagonists, audiences will learn how likability, vision, vulnerability, structure and perseverance can provide a model for outstanding leadership that will leave your audience inspired and empowered.
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events
"Matthew is a born storyteller and mentor. As a teacher, he demonstrates a true passion, drive, and expertise that is world class. Matthew is a true master of the craft of story." - Emily, Director, Sony Animation
"Matthew Luhn has an incredible ability to captivate an audience through the art of storytelling. Unveiling some of the most insightful techniques used in Pixar films, he can effortlessly simplify complex ideas into concise messages – a valued skill in business. Matthew highlighted actionable tactics that sharpened my team’s storytelling skills right away." - John, President, VRBO
"Working with Matthew has been great! Whether running a workshop or speaking at Dreamforce, his brainstorming techniques and boundless creativity have inspired many at Salesforce. With his guidance, we have found fun new ways to tell a richer and more meaningful story. Matthew’s journey and methods for creating story and memorable characters continue to resonate with me. I look forward to working with him again!" - Domenique, Senior Creative Director, Trailhead | Salesforce
"Matthew inspires passion for storytelling. He brings it full circle with an amazing ability to teach the art form to others." - Stacey, VP Brand & Marketing Strategy, The Clorox Company
"Matthew Luhn is not only a master of story himself, but a brilliant educator. In an enjoyable and understandable way, he helps his students understand the links between story and business, and how story is invaluable in making smart, mission-driven, business decisions." - Ericka, Faculty, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
"Thank you Matthew for teaching our staff how to give oral presentations with strong structure that can change the beliefs of the world. In a nutshell, if we take a story — one of our success stories, for example —back it up with data and make people feel something, people will remember it. Big thumbs “Up” for edutainment value!" - Lise, Team Lead, HR Services & Programs, Canadian Institute for Health Information
- 2026 - Spoke on storytelling and delivered a workshop for Cyera
- 2023 – Published children’s book Santa Yeti
- 2021 – Directed and wrote the animated short film Sprite Fright for Blender
- 2020 – Credited as a story artist on Pixar’s film Onward
- 2018 – Delivered widely viewed TEDx talk ‘Creating a Feeling’
- 2018 – Published The Best Story Wins: How to Leverage Hollywood Storytelling in Business & Beyond
- 2016 – Story Consultant for Adidas
- 2013 – Contributed to the release of Monsters University
- 2012 – Contributed to How to Draw Cartoon Pets!
- 2010 – Worked on Toy Story 3
- 2009 – Became a VanArts Story Masterclass presenter
- 2009 – Contributed to the Academy Award-winning film Up
- 2007 – Played a key role in the development of Ratatouille
- 2006 – Contributed to Cars
- 2003 – Helped develop Finding Nemo
- 2001 – Worked on Monsters, Inc.
- 1999 – Re-joined Pixar as a story artist on Toy Story 2
- 1995 – One of the early animators involved in Pixar’s Toy Story during the studio’s formative years
- 1992 – Became the youngest animator on The Simpsons
How to hire Matthew Luhn
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Matthew Luhn for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
