Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Kitchen.
Lee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born and raised in Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area Moved to Orlando, Florida in 1985 chasing a dream to work for Walt Disney World (since I was 6)
Worked at Disney for 32 Years
Married for 27 years to a Florida native, Kim – had two kids, Leyna in 1990 and Drake in 1992
Lost Kim to breast cancer in 2015
Got laid off from Disney in 2017
Had a renaissance at the age of 50
Started my own business in 2018 – Magical Dude Consulting, which specializes in helping companies be more innovative and creative
Re-married a wonderful Canadian woman named Sarah – met in 2017 at a Creativity Conference in Toronto in 2017 got married virtually (because of COVID) on March 19, 2021
Now live part time in both in Leamington, Ontario and Clermont, FL
I have two grandkids, Jensen (2) and Harriet (1)
Loving life, my wife, my business and my family (kids, grandkids, extended family, etc)
Lee Kitchen is a 5-star Innovation Catalyst, Keynote Speaker, Workshop Leader, Culture Change Agent, Design Thinking Trainer, and overall MAGICAL DUDE! Lee brings a wealth of experience to this dream team of former Disney Leaders as a Certified Master Facilitator and long-term innovation agent He began his 32 year career at Walt Disney World in 1985 His Disney roots are in front line operations and guest relations working to solve real time guest challenges, leading Cast Members with day-to-day operations as well as showcasing Walt Disney World by hosting many groups and families on VIP tours of the property
From front line operation, Lee’s Disney’s career transitioned into a behind the scenes role in the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line Marketing Department Their Lee was an expert in brand management, marketing strategy and special events/project leadership During this time, he helped launch some of Walt Disney World’s most memorable and celebrated attractions, events and marketing campaigns including the Epcot International Food Wine Festival, Disney’s Annual Holiday Celebration, the Epcot International Flower Garden Festival and the famous Year of a Million Dreams campaign where one lucky guest would win a nightly stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite! While at Disney Cruise Line, Lee managed the communication stream for booked guests as well as the loyalty program for returning guests, pioneering many of the processes still followed to date He led the marketing launch of the two newest ships of the fleet, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy
His most recent Disney role was Lead Innovation Catalyst at Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group in house advertising agency, helping teams across the Walt Disney Company think differently about their businesses
He helped them create big, big, ‘game changing’ ideas by facilitating multi discipline collaborative work sessions, leading design thinking training programs and fostering ongoing innovative culture change at Disney Parks locations around the world Whether it was re designing the Annual Passholder Program for Hong Kong Disneyland, helping partners at LucasFilm think differently about their Rogue One and Solo marketing programs, or helping ABC News rethink the future of news delivery, Lee was at the forefront of it all
Since leaving Disney in 2017 Lee launched his own company called “Magical Dude Consulting” where he now offers his magic and wisdom in a mix of virtual and in person design thinking training, interactive workshops, facilitated idea sessions and inspiring keynotes around the world His clients include top brands such as Hilton, Yum, Advent Health, Kellogg’s, the Adventure Travel Trade Association, Siemens and PayChex Among his recent projects in several Caribbean destinations, Lee led diverse teams of stakeholders through a provocative design thinking process, allowing them to successfully innovate their experiences and operations in these leading cruise ports
Lee holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marketing from Webber International University (Babson Park, FL) and several certificates in creative problem solving processes from leaders and pioneers of the craft When he’s not helping or inspiring others to solve creative challenges, he can usually be found boating on the intercoastal, watching Star Wars or Avengers movies, or having fun spending time with friends and family in Orlando, FL and Leamington Ontario, Canada
Lee Kitchen
President and lead innovation catalyst, magical dude
Consulting LLC
Former senior innovation catalyst, Disney parks, experiences, and products
Here’s what I tell everyone in my social bios
LinkedIn.com/in/leekitchen
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Lost my first wife to breast cancer in 2015 Got laid off from my 32-year Disney job in 2017
Started my own business in 2018
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Stay at it! Stand by your prices and value you offer
Everyone suffers from imposter syndrome, but the sooner you can shed that the better
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.magicaldude.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leebeexlt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeeBeeXLT
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/leebeexlt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/leekitchen
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/leebeexlt
