Michael Tabtabai is a creative leader whose career was shaped at the iconic agency Wieden+Kennedy, where he served as Creative Director in Portland before going on to lead some of the industry’s most forward-thinking brand and in-house teams.

Over the past two decades, Michael has built and led world-class creative studios on both agency and brand sides, bringing together designers, technologists, strategists, and storytellers to work at the intersection of technology, brand building, and narrative craft. At Google and Coinbase, he developed high-performing in-house teams responsible for award-winning campaigns and content ecosystems.

During his tenure, Google was named Cannes Lions Creative Marketer of the Year, earned recognition as an AIGA Corporate Leader, and his teams received honors including In-House Creative Team of the Year. In 2020, he was named to Adweek’s Creative 100 as a brand content innovator.

Michael’s work has long focused on demystifying emerging technologies and making their value tangible—from AI and robotics to digital finance and web3. His leadership is defined by curiosity, clarity, and a deep commitment to creative excellence that serves both culture and business.

Outside of work, Michael is the founder of Leave It On The Road, a nonprofit that uses cycling to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and gene therapy. He remains a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and using creativity as a force for good.