Dustin Portillo is a bestselling author, culture coach, and one of the most dynamic voices shaping the future of hospitality and leadership.
His career spans the circus ring, the drive-thru window, and the corporate boardroom—an unconventional path that gives his message unmatched depth and relatability.
Dustin began as a professional clown with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, performing for over 35 million people before stepping into the iconic red shoes of Ronald McDonald. As the brand’s Chief Happiness Officer, he brought joy to national stages like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, mastering the art of emotional impact and performance under pressure.
He later transitioned into executive leadership with one of McDonald’s highest-performing franchise groups, where he led culture transformation and community engagement across 60 locations—proving that fun isn’t fluff, it’s a force multiplier.
Today, Dustin is the bestselling author of It’s Okay to Be an IDIOT, a refreshingly real leadership book that blends humanity and high-performance strategy. His keynotes, like The Showtime Mindset and FUN Makes Great Things Happen, are trusted by leading brands in QSR, hospitality, and customer experience to spark energy, elevate culture, and drive results from the front line to the C-suite.
Whether he’s delivering keynotes, coaching leaders, or helping brands come alive from the inside out, Dustin’s message is clear: When fun leads, greatness follows.
