Danielle Feinberg

Visual Effects Supervisor, Pixar Animation Studios

Danielle Feinberg merges computer science with cinematic storytelling to bring some of Pixar’s most beloved worlds to life. After earning a BA in Computer Science from Harvard, she joined Pixar in 1997 to work on A Bug’s Life and quickly rose through the ranks – becoming lead lighting artist and eventually Director of Photography for lighting on WALL‑E, Brave, and Coco. She later served as Visual Effects Supervisor on Turning Red, becoming the first woman in two decades to hold that position at the studio.

Her 2016 TED Talk, “The Magic Ingredient That Brings Pixar Movies to Life,” is one of the platform’s most popular, blending math, code, and wonder to illuminate her approach: storytelling that feels real because its foundation is rooted in science. Danielle also dedicates time to mentoring girls in STEM, collaborating with initiatives like Google’s Made with Code and Girls Who Code to help bridge the gender gap in tech field.

Beyond Efficiency: Cultivating Creativity and Connection in the Modern Workplace

Most workplaces prize efficiency above all else. Danielle Feinberg challenges that assumption. Drawing from her years at Pixar – where unexpected breakthroughs often emerged from moments of play and pause – she makes the case that slowing down is essential to doing meaningful, creative work.

In this interactive session, Danielle shares real stories from Pixar’s culture of experimentation, including how the team continued to spark new ideas during the isolation of the pandemic. Participants will engage in simple storytelling exercises designed to unlock fresh thinking and stronger team dynamics. Danielle also offers practical tools leaders can use to create cultures where people feel safe to explore, connect, and imagine – without the pressure to be “productive” every second.

This session invites us to reconsider a few common beliefs: that busyness equals value, that creativity is a luxury, and that innovation only happens under pressure. Instead, we’ll explore how play, storytelling, and genuine human connection can fuel both performance and purpose.