Joe Lanzisero

Joe Lanzisero's career in themed entertainment design is highlighted by his former role as Senior Vice President at Walt Disney Imagineering. With an extensive career spanning 40 years, he first joined Disney as an animator in the early 1980s. Lanzisero has led creative efforts on projects that accrued over $9 billion, including iconic attractions such as "Mickey's Toontown" at Disneyland, "Toy Story Land," "Mystic Point," and "Grizzly Gulch" at Hong Kong Disneyland, as well as various attractions on Disney Cruise Ships. He is a two-time winner of the TEA award and has been honored with the Disneyana Fan Club’s Disney Legend Award.

Educated at CalArts, Lanzisero studied alongside notable figures like Tim Burton, John Lasseter, and Brad Bird. His early career as an animator set the foundation for his later achievements in Imagineering. Today, he remains actively involved in the creative industry as a designer, illustrator, art director, and creative director. He is also a prominent keynote speaker, frequently addressing topics related to user experience and experience design at various conferences.

Lanzisero's ability to connect his deep insight into the workings of Disney and Imagineering with broader design challenges makes him a favored speaker in the UX community. His presentations are known for being engaging and empowering, often leaving his audience inspired with new perspectives. In addition to his speaking engagements, Lanzisero continues to consult on select projects and contributes to the future of design through his advisory roles and educational endeavors.