Our 2025 Speaker
On March 4th, audiences at the Barclay experienced an inspirational presentation, hearing firsthand how the spark of imagination got Mike Morhaime started, plus his personal perspective on how innovation and human creativity have proved and remain fundamental to success.
About the Speaker
Mike Morhaime’s three-decade career as a leader in gaming has had a profound impact on the industry and beyond. Under his leadership, Blizzard Entertainment produced some of the most widely recognized and globally played franchises of all time, with more than twenty #1 games, multiple Game of the Year awards, and widespread critical acclaim. These franchises include Overwatch, World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Hearthstone, Diablo, and more.
In 2020, Mike and his wife Amy Morhaime cofounded a new company, Dreamhaven, based in Irvine, CA. With its two development studios, Moonshot Games and Secret Door; its novel operating model, which emphasizes studio empowerment; and its unique partner studios program supporting independent developers, Dreamhaven serves as a beacon lighting a bright future for the global game industry.
In October 2024, Dreamhaven announced its first game, Secret Door’s Sunderfolk, and released its first published game into early access, Lynked: Banner of the Spark by partner studio FuzzyBot.
Each Year the Creative Edge Lecture Is Presented In Association With:
Thanks to our generous sponsors for making this event free to attend!
2025 Sponsors
Sidney Poitier Circle Sponsor
Phil and Mary Lyons
Frida Kahlo Circle Sponsors
Charlie & Ling Zhang
Isamu Noguchi Circle Sponsors
Judith Posnikoff
Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez
Joy Harjo Circle Supporters
Ellen Breitman
Susan K. Hori
Community Partner
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Karen Ahola at: Kahola@artsoc.org
2025 EVENT PHOTOS
Photos by Tony Lattimore
(From L) ArtsOC VP and COO Patrick Brien, Glenn Gray, and Rick Smetanka
Glenn Gray (L) and Rick Smetanka
(From L) OC Educator, OC Educator, Constance Steinmetz, Dr. Jeff Kim, Jason Collar
Steve Sorenson and Dr. Tiffany López in the audience at the Barclay
Ellen Breitman
(From L:) Lisa Huang, Amy Li, David Dunford, Justin Lansing
(from L) Monica Guillena, Socorro Vasquez, Ellen Breitman
(From L) Nicholas Thurkettle, Arnold Holland, Steve Sorenson, Dr. Tiffany López, Marleena Barber
(From L) Jennie Maya, Amy Morhaime, Olivia Morhaime, Greg McCollum
Richard Stein, President and CEO of Arts Orange County, introduces the speaker
Dr. Craig Springer, Executive VP of the Irvine Barclay Theatre, addresses the audience
Dr. Sandra Lee, associate superintendent of Educational Services for the OC Department of Education, welcomes attendees
Mike Morhaime takes the stage, welcomed by Dr. Sandra Lee
Mike Morhaime delivers the 2025 Creative Edge Lecture
The audience at the Irvine Barclay Theatre watches the Creative Edge Lecture
A packed audience watches the Creative Edge Lecture
Richard Stein, Mike Morhaime, and Constance Steinkueler hold a conversation and Q&A after Mike's lecture
(from L) Richard Stein, Mike Morhaime, Jeff Ball, Constance Steinkueler
Mike Morhaime and Constance Steinkueler
(from L) Richard Stein, Mike Morhaime, Constance Steinkueler
Richard Stein and Mike Morhaime
Mike Morhaime with ArtsOC VP and COO Patrick Brien
ArtsOC Advancement Officer Karen Ahola with Mike Morhaime
Judith Posnikoff and Richard Stein
(Clockwise from Bottom L) Dr. Tiffany Ana López, Steven Sorenson, Constance Steinkuehler, Richard Stein, Dr. Sandra Lee, Mike Morhaime, Olivia Morhaime, Amy Morhaime, Paula Tomei
(Clockwise from L:) Lisa Huang, Susan Hori, David Dunford, Amy Li, Patrick Brien, Judith Posnikoff, Cheer Pan, Justin Lansing
Dreamhaven Guests: (Clockwise from L) Shane Dabiri, Julia Goldberg, Dan Goldberg, Jennie Maya, Greg McCollum, Ann Vanderhelm, Gil Shif, Beverly Morhaime, Janet Adair
(Seated, from L) ArtsOC's ArtsNow
(Clockwise from L:) Glen Gray, Craig Springer, Monica Guillena, Socorro Vasquez, Felix Yan, Rick Smetanka, Andrea Sigler
The OC Department of Education table at the VIP Luncheon. (From L) Daniela Arbizzi, Jonathan Swanson, Trish Walsh, Steven Kahn, Marleena Barber, Marika Manos
Constance Steinkueler with Amy and Olivia Morhaime at the post-Lecture VIP luncheon
Guests from the OC Department of Education. (From L) Jonathan Swanson, Marika Manos, Trish Walsh, Dr. Sandra Lee, Scott Fitzpatrick
PREVIOUS SPEAKERS
2024 - Nina Simon - "Author and Arts and Culture Thought Leader"
2023 - Maria Rosario Jackson - "Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts"
2022 - Donn K Harris - "Culture Clash: Creativity, Curriculum and Chaos in the Millennial Classroom"
2020 - Joy Harjo - "Poet Laureate of the United States"
2019 - Vijay Gupta - "Citizen Artistry: Restoring the Human Spirit Through Artistic Engagement"
2018 - Dr. Robert Duke - "Eleven Years Of Piano and I Can't Get a Date: Cultivating Creativity In Human Expression"
2017 - Juan Felipe Herrera - "The 21st Poet Laureate of the United States"
2016 - Dr. Charles Limb - "Your Brain on Improv"
2015 - Sarah Lewis - "The Rise: Creativity, The Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery"
2014 - John Maeda - "Redesigning Leadership"
2013 - Tom Kelley - "The Art of Innovation"
2012 - Randy Nelson - "Learning and Working in the Collaborative Age"
2011 - Ken Robinson - "Launch A Creative Revolution"
