Unlocking Innovation

The job of a Chief Wagon Officer at one of the world’s most iconic brands, Robert Pasin says, is to “lead a team of flyers… an incredibly creative group of people who design and develop awesome products that inspire active play.” Creativity is at the heart of Radio Flyer’s purpose and after 100 years in business, they have perfected the balance of innovation and tradition. He joins us on #UnlockingInnovation to share his company’s continually inspiring story.

Northshore HealthSystem – The world of healthcare has completely transformed since we last spoke to Dr. Nirav Shah, Infectious Disease Physician and Medical Director of Quality Innovation and Clinical Practice Analytics at NorthShore University HealthSystem. Dr. Shah joins us again to talk about how the challenges of this year have shifted his focus of work, how healthcare systems are using emerging technologies and the shocking effectiveness of potential COVID-19 vaccines. He also shares positive news about how NorthShore is using data to fight healthcare disparities.

Noodle.ai – “Shareholders need it, customers need it, the planet needs it… every part of your organization should have some type of machine intelligence,” says Stephen Pratt, CEO of Noodle.ai. His San Francisco-based startup is working to create a world without waste by helping corporations adopt AI into their manufacturing and supply chain operations. In this episode, he discusses the possibilities, dangers, and responsibilities that come with the increasingly complex world of artificial intelligence.

“Are we maximizing our decision making opportunities by ensuring we have different perspectives around the table?” asks Melissa Donaldson, Chief Diversity Officer at Wintrust. Roles like hers aren’t new (as she points out, diversity and inclusion efforts in the workplace began in the 1940s), but it comes with new challenges in the modern workplace. Melissa approaches each challenge, she says, by asking “what if we looked at things another way?” She discusses this approach as well as the close relationship between D&I and innovation.

“I can’t think of an industry that has a greater impact on the future of our society,” says Phil Nevels, Director of Innovation and Partnerships at Exelon. He joins us on #UnlockingInnovation to share how his company’s mission to provide reliable, clean, affordable and innovative energy products is helping to create a brighter and more sustainable future. Phil also provides insight into how his team uses an incremental approach to change within the 34,000 person organization.

“There’s disruption happening around us all the time… it’s about understanding how quickly that’s going to happen and how fast you need to respond,” says Shannon Gilmore, Managing Director at KPMG. In this week’s episode, she breaks down KPMG’s approach to innovation, how she evaluates enterprise investment opportunities, and keys for leading remote teams.

Molson Coors Beverage Company – “I don’t take it for granted that things will work out… you have to be ready to pivot,” says Sofia Colucci,VP of Innovation at Molson Coors Beverage Company (formerly MillerCoors). She is responsible for transforming the beer giant’s innovation approach during a time where more and more consumers are looking for hard seltzers and other novel products. On this week’s episode, Sofia explains how she has managed to shift from the traditional, while keeping consumer needs at the forefront. The Taste Evolution: Igniting Change in the Beverage Industry

RioTinto – “After 132 years of research and development, we have finally cracked the code,” says Paramita Das of Rio Tinto’s carbon-free aluminum process. She joins us on #UnlockingInnovation to discuss her company’s groundbreaking green initiatives among other surprising innovations in mining that impact the daily life of each and every one of us.

“If there wasn’t top-down recognition that change needed to happen, I wouldn’t be here today,” says Mandy Tahvonen. In 2017, she led the launch of Relish Works, an innovation hub backed by Gordon Food Service. She joins us to discuss how she developed Relish Works, and gives advice on how to launch an independent innovation hub.

Rana’s beginnings in non-profit work have informed over 20 years of her work in advertising. In this episode, she shares insights about how the way we absorb content has transformed communication from an afterthought to a core part of every business, and what’s next for an industry that’s constantly changing. Rana also shares how she’s worked with companies to deliver socially impactful ad campaigns– including a project with Excedrin that aimed to increase empathy for migraine sufferers.

Kelly Leonard has been at The Second City, where he now serves as Executive Director of its B2B branch, since 1988. He was responsible for hiring some of the most iconic names to come out of the theater, including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, and Adam McKay. He also co-authored the book “Yes, And.” Today, Kelly helps companies apply The Second City’s methods to business. We talked with him about cultivating talent, responding in the face of ambiguity, why improv can help solve problems in communication, and washing dishes with Jon Favreau.

Tastytrade – “We went in with the mission to make finance fun and actionable,” says tastytrade co-CEO, Kristi Ross, on her financial network’s beginnings. On this episode, she shares her career journey and insights on how to create a culture of open collaboration.

Raymond James – Raymond James’ COO, Kim Jenson, makes a point of taking “listening tours” and being where the action is. Her career in financial services has given her insight into the way work/ life balance has transformed over the years, why a “people first, client first” mentality is essential, and how to close the customer feedback loop.

Kellogg’s – SVP of Global R&D and self-described Willy Wonka of Kellogg’s, Nigel Hughes is on a journey to understand the way we consume. On this week’s episode, he explains why CPG is so compelling and what makes Kellogg’s a “solution-driven design house, operating like a tech company.” Plus, will we be 3D printing our food in this lifetime?

To celebrate a year full of fascinating interviews with leading innovators, we’ve put together a panel of some of the most influential Chicago executives to share insights about the state of corporate innovation and reveal their bold predictions for the future. Join Moderator Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871 and guests Adam Hectman of Microsoft, Leslie Anderson of BMO, Guillaume Deudon of Dow and Mandy Tahvonen of Gordon Foods.

SVP & National Director of Data Management and Technology Operations, Mike Hart, joins us to discuss his multi-faceted approach to integrating technology into a large company, adopting a data-driven strategy and how crowdsourcing ideas has led to some of JLL’s most impactful innovations.

NorthShore University Health System – Infectious Disease Specialist and Vice Chair of Quality, Dr. Nirav Shah, joins us today to explain why the millennial call for on-demand service is changing healthcare, how wearables will improve patient outcomes, and all the ways leveraging predictive modeling helps determine both risk and course of treatment.

The Dow Chemical Company – “We’re now the new Dow,” says Director of Digital Marketplace Centers and CX services, Guillaume Deudon. On this week’s episode, he joins us to discuss understanding what motivates your company, creating a global network, and next-generation interfaces.

Mondelez – On this week’s episode Global Technology and Innovation Lead at Mondelez, Stephanie Miller, explains how she has helped Mondelez “move to a test & learn culture,” how she manages innovation at scale, and why the most successful CPG companies will aim to reignite their current brands through experience. #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago.

Oracle – Dr. Burcin Kaplanoglu is the founder of Oracle’s Engineering and Construction Innovation Lab. On this week’s #UnlockingInnovation, he talks with us about engaging with the tomorrow’s workforce and clears up some misconceptions about the role of robots in the construction site of the future.

Northern Trust – On this week’s #UnlockingInnovation Northern Trust SVP, Shaelyn Otikor, shares insights from her 22 years at the global financial services firm including the power of client collaboration and how technology is helping make wealth and asset management more accessible, intuitive, and client-centric. #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast from EX3 Labs and 1871 Chicago.

Kraft Heinz -The iconic food company, Kraft Heinz has over 200 brands in 125 countries. The company’s Global Brand Officer & Chief Marketing Officer, Eduardo Luz, joins us to talk innovation in marketing and the future of CPG in this week’s episode of #UnlockingInnovation.

Ferrero- This week, Giovanni Battistini, SVP of Open Innovation at Ferrero, the multi-billion CPG company that manages global brands such as Nutella joins us by phone from New York. We discuss “open innovation”, why his company is “a technology pushpin,” and how to invest like an entrepreneur. He also dives into the iconic candy company’s Hazelnut Computer.

JetBlue Tech Ventures – Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships, Amy Burr, came to Chicago to talk with us about her position at the intersection of technology and travel, why and how JetBlue looks outside for innovation, and what she’s learned from being active in the larger travel ecosystem. #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes as they air.

BP – On this week’s episode, we talk with Jamie Boothroyd, Head of Planning, Optimization, and Pricing at BP about how the $244 billion oil and gas company adapts consumer technology to solve business problems and why starting with yourself is the best practice for kick-starting innovation at your company. #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes as they air.

ISTC – As President and CEO of the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, Mark Harris is always asking how his organization “can do a better job elevating Illinois.” On this week’s episode of #UnlockingInnovation, he gets in-depth about how collaboration facilitates change and how ISTC uses data to measure Illinois’ innovative efforts. #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes as they air.

BMO – “202 years didn’t happen by chance,” says SVP Leslie Anderson of BMO Harris Bank on her company’s legacy of innovation. On this week’s episode, she talks with us about keeping a large organization nimble through partnerships, how she builds an engaged workforce, and her bold predictions about the future of banking. #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes as they air.

GE – An inventor, philanthropist, and curious problem-solver Nick Allen is now the Global Director of Design and User Experience for GE’s $19 billion healthcare division. In this episode, we had a fascinating conversation about Nick’s innovation philosophy, how he used virtual reality to create a fun experience for children receiving needle injections and his excitement about machine learning in the healthcare space.

Lifeway – In 2002, Julie Smolyansky took over her Lifeway Foods, becoming the youngest female CEO of a publicly held firm at just 27. Since then, she’s grown the company from $12 MIllion to over $120 Million. On this week’s episode she shares the fascinating story behind Lifeway’s foundation, the revelation she had while running the London Marathon that disrupted the baby food space, and how she managed to market a 2,000 year old Russian staple to the US market.

World Book- What’s the greatest challenge facing innovation in education? Learning to embrace a changing culture, according to VP of Technology at World Book, Jason Dole. An expert in programming and software development, Jason is helping his organization use technology to move towards a future that includes more personalized, adaptive learning methods. Tune in for a  fascinating discussion about shifting the paradigm of innovation, redesigning education with future generations in mind, and the potential of immersive technology. #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Liked today’s episode? Be sure to rate & review.  

Conagra – How does someone with an “analog childhood and digital adulthood” adapt to today’s world? If you’re Thatcher Schulte, with an insatiable curiosity and a methodical approach to problem solving. On this week’s episode, we talk with Thatcher about his early roots in entrepreneurship, how Conagra is both a CPG and technology company, why artificial intelligence is “completely underused,” and much more.   #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Liked today’s episode? Remember to rate & review.  

Alight Solutions – On this week’s episode, we have VP of Innovation at Alight Solutions, David Westfall. We talked with him about his career journey, what his organization is thinking about as they move into the future and Alight’s revolutionary lab in 1871 and how it’s set up to constantly provide value to their clients.

Leo Burnett – According to Leo Burnett CEO, Andrew Swinand, “a lot of change management is being relentless and repetitive in terms of establishing expectations and changing behavior”. Today’s episode features a fascinating conversation about how the world’s 3rd largest advertising agency continues to out-innovate itself by keeping human problems at the center of their business and why training, incentives and accountability are key in driving innovation.   #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes as they air.  

Discover Financial Services – On this week’s episode, we talk to Kim Holmes, System Director of Discover Financial Services, about focusing on “the why” in order to deliver true business value,  her commitment to bringing a diversity of thought to the workplace, and why she believes in advocating for others above all else. #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes as they air.  

Microsoft – You can’t go many places in Chicago without hearing Adam Hecktman’s name mentioned. As Director of Technology and Civic Innovation, Adam’s work with Microsoft drives cities and communities towards a more equitable future. An advocate for the power of public spaces, Adam constantly pushes himself to ensure that civic resources (whether driven by technology or policy) are available to everyone. On this week’s episode, we talk with him about how he’s working to bridge the digital divide, the “innovation engines” that are startups, growing up with Microsoft, and much more. It’s a fascinating look into the past, present, and future of technology and community in Chicago.   #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes as they air. https://ex3labs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Driving_Social_Impact_Through_Civic_Innovation_Adam_Hecktman_of_Microsoft.mp3

Cushman & Wakefield – “Tomorrow there will be no such thing as a company that isn’t digital,” says Adam Stanley. As Global CIO & CDO, he’s played a major role in building Cushman & Wakefield into a $7 billion corporation with over 48,000 employees in 70 countries. On today’s episode, we talk with him about the value in startup / corporation partnerships, why he’s glad he jumped into the tech world despite his initial aversion, and his best advice for driving innovation.   #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. https://ex3labs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Influencing_Your_Innovation_Agenda_Adam_Stanley_of_Cushman_Wakefield.mp3

1871 Chicago – Kicking off #UnlockingInnovation we have 1871 CEO, Betsy Ziegler. We talked with her about the difference between sustaining and disruptive innovation (and why the latter is so critical to staying on top), what motivates her to take big leaps, the “exponential times” we’re living in and how that affects her business, the problem of “innovation theater,” and the advice she gave to Bette Midler! #UnlockingInnovation is a podcast by EX3 Labs, produced in partnership with 1871 Chicago. Be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes as they air. https://ex3labs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Cultivating_Disruptive_Innovation_BetsyZiegler.mp3