Adam Rosendahl

Artist, Business leader, Connector, Event planner, Idea generator, Musician, Social entrepreneur, World traveler

Adam Rosendahl is using the arts to address the global crisis of disconnection. For over 16 years, he has led immersive experiences across 20 countries with leaders, teams, and institutions navigating complexity, conflict, and disconnection. His work has been sought after by more than 150 organizations, including Adobe, Pixar, Nike, Accenture, and the U.S. Court. He is the creator of Human Trust Protocol®, an experiential methodology that blends collaborative art-making, curated music, and intentional interaction. At a time when people aren’t sure who to trust, his work breaks down barriers and, in a single 90-minute session, builds the kind of trust most leadership teams take months or even years to develop. Rooted in his background as an educator, artist, youth empowerment facilitator, DJ, and community-builder, Adam grew his business into a global movement. His work now lives inside organizations wrestling with a hard question: how do you scale belonging, connection, and creativity across thousands of people?

Bringing the arts into leadership development and business. Turning strangers into collaborators. Using music to transform boring learning environments into vibrant spaces of connection and growth. Building trust between people who don’t fully “see” one another.

Imagine 50 stiff probation officers in Louisville, Kentucky taking off their bulletproof vests and sitting reluctantly at long tables covered in drawing paper and art supplies. At first, they roll their eyes and cross their arms. Ninety minutes later, those same officers are sharing vulnerable stories, taking risks, and seeing each other and the people they supervise, many incarcerated for decades, with empathy and a new perspective. For the past 16 years, I’ve led this process with leaders, teams, and communities in high-stakes environments struggling with disconnection and lack of trust, from law enforcement and healthcare to government, education, law, and business. Across more than 150 organizations and 25 countries, I’ve refined a method built on collaborative art-making, curated music, and intentional interaction. It’s called the Human Trust Protocol.

Bridge Building, Entrepreneurship, Experience Design, Facilitation, Illustration, Leadership Development

In 2013 I was the DJ at TEDxGoldenGatePark. In 2020 I stepped onto the TEDxSonomaCounty stage. In 2026 I came back as emcee. This April, I'm leading a Discovery Session at TED2026 in Vancouver. Can't wait.

I draw portraits that capture the spirit and ideas of people (which I call "Illuminated Notes") I also cook a mean Indian daal, surprise people on the salsa dance floor, and love to beatbox.