Santa Fe is home
​to some of the most innovative, creative, and resilient thinkers in the world.
 Contact us to schedule a guest speaker from the City Different
for your next meeting or event.

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Brilliant Minds. Inspiring Messages.
From the City Different.

Matt Brown
Real and refreshingly honest, Matthew Brown brings his years of experience with Bay Area business startups and consulting for Fortune 500 companies. Now, Director of the City of Santa Fe’s Economic Development Department, he is "helping to catalyze a more vibrant economy for the businesses, community and citizens of historic Santa Fe, New Mexico." Known as the "Playczar," he brings exceptional management skills and business savvy together with good, old-fashioned common sense, as well as a great sense of humor, to offer unique and effective insights into creating a culture of success through innovation and leadership.
Education: Villanova University, Charles Widger School of Law,
and Georgetown University - BA in Government, Theology, History

​Speaking in 2018:
Digi-Fab-Con
March 27 & 28, 2018 | Schaumburg Convention Center | Schaumburg, IL
April 5, 2018 - Tech Industry Panel | Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
​ 

   The Power
​of Play

Dive deep into understanding the nature of play, and how it is so much more than toys and games for kids.  Then, discuss how play can be fused into a business’ structure and processes to significantly improve performance and culture.

 Purpose-Led Leadership

 A presentation and conversation of pursuing and adapting a life based on an evolving sense of values and purpose, with emphasis on bringing this into work.

Innovation 
​is Not Passé

While the term gets over used, innovation as an approach to work and life is essential to competitive advantage, employee engagement, and creating a thriving future for all.  We will explore the World Database of Innovation (https://innovatorsequation.com/) to examine some of the  only research-backed data on what makes innovation happen.

Statement:
A square peg I’m not. In 20+ years I’ve founded companies, consulted for start-ups and Fortune 500s, been a C-level executive at LeapFrog and Scholastic, and started it all off as a lawyer. I've worked in education, tech, toys, publishing, gaming, CPG, media, and more on the horizon. I believe business should be force of good. I laugh often and am fiercely committed to doing the right thing. 
I’m a strategist who doesn’t skip the details. A systems thinker, creative problem-solver and addicted to practical results. Comfortable in chaos and seek order with just the right amount of process. Happy being a leader or a wingman, but always put team, organization and communities we serve first. I know the difference between leading and managing, collaboration and consensus, and brand and marketing. Will have the tough conversation respectfully and make the tough decision thoughtfully. I love working with bright, caring, imaginative, open-minded people of all walks of life as we tackle important issues, deliver big time and build more humane cultures in and outside of work.  One of my superpowers is applying the science of play to make our lives and world happier, healthier, and more harmonious . . . hence the moniker, playczar. Play is essential to developing and expressing our curiosity, imagination and creativity. It builds empathy, promotes spontaneity and embraces change. When we play, we get in the flow, generate astonishing insights and experience deep satisfaction and human connection. We all deserve more play in our work. And, in our lives. Currently, I spend my professional time as Director of Economic Development for Santa Fe, NM. When not working, I'm lecturing at universities, writing a book on creative leadership, making darn good english toffee, and taking my daughter to a state capital in our quest to get all 50.
 
Publications
Culture Change - Fast or Slow It's Up to You, Linked In, August 2015
Leaders are responsible for culture change. And, perhaps more importantly, our experience shows that they are responsible for the speed of that change.  Authors: Matt Brown, Jean Heller