Cognitive Scientist & Creativity Expert; Co-Founder, Harvard Next Level Lab; Co-Author, "Innovation-ish"

Cambridge, MA, USA
Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Tessa Forshaw Biography

Dr. Tessa Forshaw is a cognitive scientist whose work focuses on the intersection of learning science, creativity, and innovation. Specializing in how people work, learn, and innovate, Forshaw studies the cognitive processes that support creative problem solving and how individuals and teams can develop innovative capability through practice at Harvard University's Next Level Lab, where she is a co-founder. She earned her Bachelor of Arts with honors from Australian National University, her Master of Arts from Stanford University, and her doctorate from Harvard University.

Forshaw teaches design thinking, creativity, and innovation at the Harvard Innovation Lab and Harvard University Division of Continuing Education, and served on the teaching faculty at Stanford's design school. A former designer at IDEO CoLab and Accenture, Forshaw brings experience applying design and innovation principles to complex learning and organizational challenges. While at Accenture, she led thought leadership research into the skills needed for the future and the role of technology in workforce development, collaborating with organizations including the World Economic Forum, the World Bank, Walmart, and the Australian Government.

Forshaw is a recipient of the Australian American Chamber of Commerce Innovation Award, a Fast Company Design Award for General Excellence, and a Core77 Design Award for Educational Product Design. Her academic research focuses on the cognitive science of creativity, breaking down common neuromyths and explaining why creativity is a set of cognitive processes rather than a personality trait. Her research supports individuals and organizations in unlocking human-AI collaboration, creative thinking, and adaptability.

Forshaw is co-author of "Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World," published by Wiley. The book became a number one Amazon bestseller in business and entrepreneurship and was nominated for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year. Rooted in learning science and applied design, the book distills the system Forshaw and her co-authors use to teach creativity and innovation at Harvard and Stanford, and addresses what spurs innovation in organizations. Forshaw argues that all people have the ability to be creative, challenging the myth that innovation is reserved for a select few.

Forshaw has delivered a TED Talk and was curated as a speaker for TEDxMelbourne, where she examines the processes behind creative thought and how they can be nurtured. Outside her academic career, she is a member of the senior leadership team at Silicon Valley design firm People Rocket. Whether speaking to educators, executives, or entrepreneurs, Forshaw combines cognitive science and hands-on design experience to make complex ideas about creativity and innovation actionable for a wide range of audiences.

BOOK Tessa Forshaw

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/30/2026.

Tessa Forshaw Videos

Unlock Your Creativity and Innovation Potential with Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden

Unlock Your Creativity and Innovation Potential with Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden

A must listen for everyone who wants to tap into their creativity with ease and intention! This thought-provoking conversation with authors of the...

The real skill behind creative breakthroughs | Tessa Forshaw | TEDxMelbourne

The real skill behind creative breakthroughs | Tessa Forshaw | TEDxMelbourne

We’ve been sold a myth: that innovation happens by following the right process, method or map. But as Tessa Forshaw reveals, the real breakthroughs...

  • How do I book Tessa Forshaw to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Tessa Forshaw for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Tessa Forshaw, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Tessa Forshaw or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Tessa Forshaw

    Speaking fees for Tessa Forshaw, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Tessa Forshaw are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Tessa Forshaw, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Tessa Forshaw speak about?

    Tessa Forshaw is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Artificial Intelligence, Author, Creativity, Future of Work, Futurism, Innovation, Research & Exploration
  • Where does Tessa Forshaw travel from?

    Tessa Forshaw generally travels from Cambridge, MA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Tessa Forshaw’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Tessa Forshaw for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Tessa Forshaw for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Tessa Forshaw or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Tessa Forshaw is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Tessa Forshaw for your event is available upon request. Tessa Forshaw generally travels from Cambridge, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Natalie Nixon, Liya Safina, Kian Gohar, Elizabeth Kiehner and Gaia Grant. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Tessa Forshaw for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP