Because You Need to Know Podcast ™

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Blake Melnick is a seasoned leader and innovator in the fields of Knowledge Management and Workplace Innovation, with over two decades of experience as a Chief Knowledge Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer, transforming organizations through strategic initiatives and innovative practices. As the Founder and Chief Knowledge Officer of the Knowledge Management Institute of Canada, Blake has been instrumental in advancing the practice of knowledge management across diverse industries, helping organizations harness their collective intelligence to drive sustainable innovation, business excellence, and competitive advantage.

Blake’s leadership in knowledge management is built on a strong foundation of practical expertise and academic insight. His work focuses on creating knowledge-sharing cultures that enable organizations to evolve in response to rapidly changing environments. He has designed and delivered Canada’s first Knowledge Management and Workplace Innovation Graduate Certificate Program, collaborating with leading institutions to bring cutting-edge solutions to the forefront of organizational learning and development.

As the Co-Founders and Principal Catalyst at the Workplace Innovation Network for Canada (WINCan), Blake has spearheaded national initiatives aimed at fostering employee-led innovation. His efforts have helped bridge the gap between education and industry, promoting innovation ecosystems where employee-led innovation can thrive. Through partnerships with academic, government, and industry stakeholders, Blake has successfully implemented workplace innovation programs that align organizational goals with employee engagement and development.

Blake’s extensive experience includes senior roles in organizations such as Husky Energy, Atlantis Systems Corporation, and the Institute for Knowledge Innovation and Technology where he led strategic knowledge management initiatives that improved operational effectiveness, facilitated organizational change, and fostered cultures of learning and innovation. His ability to integrate technology, knowledge, and people into cohesive innovation ecosystems, has made him a sought-after advisor, speaker, and thought leader in the fields of Knowledge Management and Workplace Innovation.

Blake is also the Host and Executive Producer of “For What it’s Worth with Blake Melnick” podcast series.

https://californiatypewritermovie.com

Kim Sherwin is the Director, Knowledge at Aurecon. Kim is a Librarian by trade and has 20+ years of experience in libraries and knowledge management across a range of sectors including engineering, design and advisory consulting, law, defence, public libraries, tertiary and higher education, in both the UK and Australia. Kim has a strong interest in the people and culture aspects of knowledge sharing and has a soft spot for communicating the value it can bring.

Kim Sherwin (she/her) BA(Hons), MA, MCLIP, AALIA

With over 15 years of experience, Rachad’s mission is to align organizational learning and knowledge management programs with the organizational priorities and goals, identifying and assessing learning needs, and delivering an integrated learning strategy that balances experiential, social, and formal learning. Rachad is pioneering Expertise-based knowledge management which is a key pillar to establish strategies for knowledge sharing, transferring, reusing, and applying expertise to solve technical engineering problems. Rachad considers artificial intelligence techniques as an extension to human capabilities to help in designing the enterprise knowledge architecture, retain critical knowledge, and map the expertise to support customer projects. Rachad’s purpose is to foster a culture of learning and sharing that empowers engineers to grow and innovate.

In 2024, Rachad has founded 3R knowledge Services that provides world class proven experience management services and products in the field of organizational learning. He established and pioneered expertise-based knowledge management principles in his company’s product and services offering.

Between 2013 and 2024, Rachad has lead GE Renewable Energy in the field of organizational learning and knowledge management. He was responsible for designing and implementing an integrated learning strategy, system and processes. He was accountable for defining the enterprise knowledge architecture with the right set of knowledge-sharing communities. Rachad has documented monetary savings enabled by the Knowledge sharing program.

From 2008 to 2011, Rachad acted as a knowledge management advisor for a government agency in Dubai, UAE. He directed the requirements for the EFQM Excellence Award. He implemented the enterprise knowledge architecture and the operational processes. His efforts have resulted in winning the award.

Rachad holds a doctoral degree in industrial engineering (2017) and a master’s in software engineering (2012) from the Grenoble Institute of Technology. Rachad has co-authored a recent book in the field of knowledge management and research innovation. Rachad has numerous scientific publications in prestigious conferences and journals. In his thesis, he proposed a groundbreaking framework to characterize and configure the collaboration dynamics for virtual collectives. The framework has proven its effectiveness in multiple professional contexts and organizations.

#Expertise-Based_Knowledge_Management #Learning_Organization #KM  #Artificial_Intelligence #Knowledge-Sharing #Skills-Disseminators

Sven Rinke is based in Vienna, Austria, and is passionate about cultivating learning cultures, driving digital transformation, and fostering collaborative environments that empower professionals to excel and innovate. Sven holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Duke University and is currently the Director of Knowledge Management & Learning Strategy at SimCorp, a global fintech company headquartered in Denmark, where he also serves as an Employee-elected member of the Board of Directors. His approach to KM and Learning is characterized by a deep belief in the power of shared knowledge, social learning, and collaborative innovation for driving organizational success. His vision for the future of knowledge management is one where technology, strategy, and human insight come together to create dynamic, resilient organizations equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern business and non-profit landscape.

Laura Pike Seeley, MLIS is a knowledge and organizational development professional with over fifteen years of experience in library and knowledge services. She currently serves as Knowledge Program Manager at HKS, Inc., a leading global architecture firm headquartered in Dallas. In this role, Laura helps guide the firm’s knowledge strategy by championing knowledge building and sharing, information organization and findability, and employee experience within the digital workplace.

After graduating from Texas A&M University, Laura earned her Master of Library and Information Science (MS) and Master of Arts in History (MA) from Simmons College in Boston. Her interest in the digital workplace follows naturally from her background in corporate library services, where effective outreach and communications, information and resource organization, and a constant focus on the user experience were key drivers of success. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and two sons.

Liesa, a German native thriving in the heart of New York City, is the founder of Witt Collective, a boutique Knowledge Management Consultancy headquartered in the Big Apple.

With an unyielding passion for cultivating profound connections and artistry, Liesa's journey has been a global odyssey that transcends borders and industries.

Liesa's free spirit and artistic soul inspire a culture of curiosity, perpetual learning, and self-improvement.

She champions the values of embracing change and nurturing unique paths to success, challenging conventional boundaries, and encouraging innovative thinking.

Liesa brings a global perspective to her consultancy, with experience spanning diverse cultures and sectors. Her boutique approach to consulting fosters creativity, communication, and collaboration to ignite change, ensuring personalized strategies that drive results.

As the Knowledge Management Director of Women in Tech US, Liesa is a passionate advocate for empowering women on their journey to success.

Leif Edvinsson

The World´s first director of Intellectual Capital, 1991-99, SkandiaThe Worlds´fist holder of Professorship on Intellectual Capital Lund University, Sweden, 2000-Appointed adj. professor The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2006Appointed the Brain of the Year, 1998The KEN Practitioner of the Year 2004Listed in The World´s 50 Most Influential Thinkers 2006Listed in Who is Who in the WorldLuminary Award 2013 by Peter Drucker Foundation, Intel and European Commission for Thought LeadershipKnowledge Award 2017 together with UN

Specialties: Intellectual Capital Management of Enterprises, Cities or NationsInnovations and Future Centers

In my role as the Head of Knowledge Management at PwC Switzerland, I bring together strategic vision and a commitment to continuous innovation, all while ensuring focused execution. Working closely with leadership and practice groups, my main focus is on developing, implementing, and constantly improving knowledge processes and practice support tools that align with the firm's business objectives. By doing so, I enable the firm and its employees to generate more value and fully leverage knowledge as a strategic asset. With over 11 years of professional experience, I am a seasoned knowledge management expert.

I hold a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree and I am also certified as a Knowledge Manager (CKM). Throughout my career, I have successfully coordinated partners and collaborators on complex projects, demonstrating a keen understanding of processes, structures, and projects as a whole. Additionally, I possess strong mediation skills, allowing me to effectively navigate differing opinions and approaches among leaders. I am skilled at building consensus and alignment, and I am known for creating action-oriented plans that support business objectives. My professional style is characterized by energy, passion, and a proactive approach. I am highly motivated, solution-oriented, and have a sense of humor that helps foster a positive impact both within and outside of the organization.

Sebastiaan Borgers is a strategic and innovative business transformation and a L&D leader with expertise in designing and implementing effective change and learning & development programs. He demonstrates ability to lead organizational change and transformation initiatives. He has a keen interest in resolving sustainability and ESG challenges. Proven track record of formulating and implementing strategies to enhance employee growth and increase organizational performance.In-depth understanding of sales and business development. Proficient at leading trainings, workshops, and coaching programs.