About Dani Bowman

Diagnosed with autism at age 3, Dani Bowman didn’t start speaking until 6 years of age.  Now 24, Dani started Danimation Entertainment at 14, produced 8 short animated films, taught over 1000 young adults animation and is a nationally recognized motivational speaker on autism and employment.

Dani’s inspiring message of hope and opportunity inspires youth and adults alike to find the opportunity within their disability.

Dani graduated magna cume laude with a BFA in animation in May of 2018 from Woodbury University in Burbank and is now working on her MBA with focus on leadership.

Topics

  • Autism and Employment
  • Entrepreneurship

Testamonials

“I first met Dani Bowman in the summer of 2012. She was teaching an animation summer camp at our offices in Columbus, OH. I was so impressed with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of this teenage dynamo – I mean she was already an animator, entrepreneur, and teacher – while still in high school! I asked Dani if we could do an impromptu video interview, and she graciously agreed. We were so impressed that, two years later, we were delighted to welcome Dani as keynote at OCALICON 2014, our largest annual event and one of the biggest autism and disabilities conferences in the country. She shared “Believe It: The Dani Bowman Story” with 1,000+ leaders, educators, parents, and self-advocates from 41 states. It was definitely one of the highlights that year – attendees lined up afterwards for a chance to meet and speak personally with Dani. Dani had big ideas and goals back then – and it’s been really exciting to watch from a distance and see those ideas and goals come to fruition through her successes in college and through Danimation Entertainment. If you don’t know Dani, just wait ’til you meet her. She does what every great speaker does – reaffirms our work, challenges our conventions, and inspires us to think differently about what is possible.”  – Simon Buehrer OCALI

“Dani’s presentation held the attention of everyone in the audience for over an hour, and we would have liked her presentation to go on for even longer, as it was extremely entertaining! She combined her presentation with clips of her animation and life experience. Dani was articulate, animated, engaging, and informational. She was dressed professionally, and completed a “dry run” of her presentation, in the Performing Arts Center to make sure it was everything and more that both she and Gateway Academy expected from her. During her presentation, she was able to read her audience, and she was able to add levity to her story. We would have Dani back to Gateway Academy to speak to our Graduating Class every year, but she has become quite the busy entrepreneur. Since her presentation at Gateway, she is a very sought after speaker, and we know that she would be a true asset to your Speaker Roster.” – O Robin Sweet, Gateway Academy

“I was introduced to Dani nine years ago at age 14, when she pitched me her company and animated series.  I was immediately struck by her vision, entrepreneurial drive and professionalism.  I have enjoyed a great working partnership with Dani ever since.

Dani first started teaching at my summer camp programs at age 15.  Dani does more than just teach animation, as an individual on the autism spectrum, her success inspires our campers and parents to see potential to a population missing notable role models.  Both campers and parents have shared with me the impact that Dani has had on them and their lives to do more and see beyond the perceived limitations of what society considers a disability.” – Joey Travolta, Owner, Inclusion Films

Past Speaking Engagements:

2019

  • Panel Moderator, Palm Springs International Animation Festival.
  • Panel Moderator, San Diego International Children’s Film Festival At San Diego Comic-Con.
  • Frank D Lanterman Regional Center Annual SCAT Parents Meeting.

2018

  • Panel Moderator, Los Angeles Comic-Con.
  • Panel Moderator, Palm Springs International Animation Festival.
  • Panel Moderator, San Diego International Children’s Film Festival At San Diego Comic-Con.
  • Performing Arts West Los Angeles, The Importance of Arts and Employment.
  • Frank D Lanterman Regional Center Annual SCAT Parents Meeting

2016-2017

  • The Art of Autism Exhibit at the  H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum. Covina, CA.
  • Gateway Academy Commencement Speech at Scottsdale Community College. Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ.
  • Autism and the Arts: Supporting Students In A Post-Secondary Studio Environment. Daemen College. Amherst/Buffalo, NY.
  • Alaska Autism Resource Center Roadshow. Fairbanks, Valdez, Palmer, Sitka, and Anchorage, AK
  • Alaska Autism Resource Center Roadshow. Juneau, Bethel, Soldotna, and Anchorage, AK

2015

  • Oklahoma Statewide Autism Conference, Oklahoma City, OK, Keynote
  • Temple Grandin & Friends at Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA

2014

  • OCALICON, Columbus, OH. Keynote sponsored by Hasbro Inc., to an audience of over 2000 people.
  • CORE 10, Long Beach, CA. Informative speech to transition young adults about the importance of having a college education.
  • AGI conference in Bolder, CO. Informative speech about myself to my fellow leaders.
  • Advanced LA, Los Angeles, CA. Informative speech to transition young adults about the importance of having a college education.
  • APSE, Long Beach, CA. Informative speech to transition young adults about the importance of having a college education.
  • Conference. Persuasive speech to the autism community about why it’s beneficial to them to employee people with disabilities.
  • La Canada Kiwanis club. Persuasive speech to small business employers about why it’s beneficial to them to employee people with disabilities.
  • Autism in Long Beach “Bully Free Zone 1 2 and 3” in 2014/2013/2012 Persuasive speech to intercity kids of all abilities about the importance of staying in school and going to collage.
  • Aquarium of the Pacific, Festival of Human Abilities. A closing speech to thank everyone for attending.
  • Pitting for Autism Benefit. Informative speech to a punk rock audience about autism.

2013

  • Art of Autism, Mr. Music Head art event in Hollywood, as well as featuring my art. Talking about art and autism.
  • Acceptance speech at Exceptional Ability Award “for Next Level Artist”

2009-2012

  • ARI Conference, Irvine, CA, Employment Panel.
  • 6th annual Autism Conference of America. Informative speech, “My Story“.
  • Genius of Autism, McCarton Foundation, New York, NY
  • Golden Goody Award, Award Acceptance Speech. 
2011
  • Art of Autism, Barnesdale Theater in Hollywood, Informative Speech about myself and my animation company
  • Art of Autism, Southern California Gas Company, Informative Speech about myself and my animation company
  • Cal-TOSH, Informative Speech about myself and my animation company
  • California Avocado Festival in Carpentaria, CA, Informative Speech about myself and my animation company, followed by a book reading of one of my books.
  • Orange County Festival of Children’s Books, Informative Speech about myself and my animation company, followed by a book reading of one of my books.
  • Rotary Club in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Informative Speech about myself and my animation company.
  • Girltopia, a meeting of over 12,000 Girl Scouts at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Informative Speech about myself and my animation company, followed by a book reading of one of my books.

Temple Grandin and Friends, Club Nokia Los Angeles

OCALICON 2014
OCALICON 2014 drew over 1,500 educators, intervention specialists, administrators, SLPs, psychologists, policy-makers, parents/family members, self-advocates, special education directors, and many others from 40+ states, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Keynotes Ami Klin and Dani Bowman gave us some front-lines research and inspiration. Featured speaker Justin Martin challenged us to think more critically about what it means to “overcome obstacles.” More than 150 sessions were provided by 200+ leaders and experts from across the nation. The Research Symposium highlighted the latest research, discoveries, and studies through 50+ poster displays. Over 70 leading exhibitors shared their latest products and services in support of individuals with autism and low-incidence disabilities. The conference took place November 19-21 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH.