In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Dr. Dede Hamm, a respected leader in hospitality education and industry engagement. Dr. Hamm shares insights from her career working at the intersection of higher education, leadership development, and hospitality innovation.

Drawing from her extensive experience in academic leadership and industry collaboration, she reflects on the evolving role of hospitality education and the importance of preparing students for a rapidly changing professional landscape.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hamm discusses how mentorship, industry partnerships, and experiential learning help shape the next generation of hospitality professionals. She also shares lessons about leadership, professional growth, and the value of staying open to new opportunities throughout one's career.

⚫In this episode, we explore:

• The evolving future of hospitality and service industries

• How higher education prepares students for real-world leadership

• The role of mentorship and professional networks in career growth

• The importance of adaptability and lifelong learning

• Lessons from academic leadership and program development

This conversation is especially valuable for students, educators, hospitality professionals, and emerging leaders interested in innovation, leadership, and career development.

⚫Connect with Dede

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dedehamm/

◾Meeting Academy: https://www.meetings.academy/

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In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Sarah Ortegon HighWalking, an accomplished Native American artist, cultural bearer, educator, performer, and storyteller.

Sarah shares her journey as an Eastern Shoshone tribal member with Northern Arapaho heritage, reflecting on how art, culture, and community shape her creative practice and leadership. Raised in Denver and now living on the Wind River Reservation, Sarah discusses the powerful role of storytelling, artistic expression, and cultural connection in preserving identity and inspiring future generations.

Throughout the conversation, Sarah reflects on her background as an artist trained in drawing, her experiences in cultural leadership, and the ways Indigenous artists use creativity as a form of resilience, education, and innovation.

⚫In this episode, we explore:

• How Indigenous art preserves culture and storytelling

• The role of creativity in community leadership

• The intersection of identity, heritage, and artistic practice

• Building pathways for Indigenous youth in the arts

• Using art and performance to inspire cultural connection Sarah’s work highlights the importance of creativity, cultural knowledge, and community engagement in shaping innovative approaches to education and artistic expression.

If you are interested in Indigenous art, cultural leadership, storytelling, and creative innovation, this episode offers meaningful insights for artists, educators, students, and community leaders.

Subscribe to iNNOVATION Insights for more conversations with innovators, creatives, educators, and leaders who are shaping the future through culture, creativity, and impact.

⚫Connect with Sarah

◾Website: https://www.sarahortegon.com/

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ortegon-highwalking-561478104/

◾Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonookeiht_bee3eisei/

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In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Ingrid Lilligren, MFA, an accomplished artist, educator, and creative leader whose work bridges design, art, education, and community engagement.

Ingrid shares her journey as a creative professional and educator, reflecting on how artistic practice, leadership, and innovation intersect in both academic and professional environments. She discusses the importance of cultivating creativity, supporting emerging artists, and creating educational spaces where experimentation and collaboration thrive.

Throughout the conversation, Ingrid highlights how design and artistic practice can drive innovation, cultural dialogue, and meaningful community impact. She also reflects on the role of mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and experiential learning in helping students and creatives build sustainable careers in the arts and design industries.

⚫In this episode, we explore:

• How creative practice fuels innovation

• The evolving role of arts and design education

• Supporting the next generation of artists and designers

• The power of interdisciplinary collaboration

• Leadership lessons from creative professionals

If you are interested in design innovation, arts leadership, creative careers, and the future of arts education, this conversation offers valuable insights for students, educators, artists, and professionals alike.

Subscribe to iNNOVATION Insights for conversations with innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders shaping the future of creativity and professional growth.

⚫Connect with Ingrid

◾Website: https://www.lilligrenart.com/

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingrid-lilligren-597ab872/

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In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Barbara Salopek, MBA, MS — Innovation Strategist, TEDx Speaker, Founder of Vinco Innovation, and author of Future-Fit Innovation.

Barbara shares why most AI and innovation initiatives fail — and it is not because of technology. It is because of people, culture, and leadership. Drawing from 20+ years of international innovation leadership across Europe,

Barbara explains why innovation must work on three levels:

• The individual

• The team

• The organization

Skip one, and the transformation stays superficial.

⚫In this conversation, you will learn:

• Why innovation is a marathon, not a sprint

• The hidden human blocks that stall AI adoption

• How functional fixedness limits creativity

• Why psychological safety is essential for transformation

• The role of diversity in driving better innovation outcomes

• Why leadership alignment determines success or failure

• How to build an innovation muscle bottom-up and top-down

Barbara also shares her journey as a female founder building a global innovation consultancy from scratch — and what it truly takes to tolerate uncertainty and lead through complexity. If you are a business leader, academic, entrepreneur, strategist, or executive navigating AI, sustainability, or culture change — this episode will challenge and equip you. Innovation is not a department. It is a system.

⚫Connect with Barbara

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-salopek/

◾TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@barbaraceovinco

◾Vinco Website: https://vinco.no/

◾Personal Website: barbarasalopek.com/

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In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Marie Bukowski, MFA, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University and internationally recognized artist and printmaker, to explore the intersection of creative practice, arts leadership, and innovation in higher education.

Marie shares her journey from practicing artist to academic leader, reflecting on how her studio practice informs her approach to curriculum design, faculty development, and the building of interdisciplinary creative ecosystems.

She discusses what it means to lead arts programs during times of rapid change and why innovation in the arts is rooted in experimentation, process, and lived experience. This conversation dives into Marie’s approach to creative research as inquiry, her belief in making work as a form of reflection and meaning-making, and how personal experience can shape artistic practice.

She also discusses the responsibility of arts leaders to create environments where students and faculty feel supported to take risks, explore new media, and build sustainable creative careers.

⚫Key themes in this episode include:

◾Leading creative colleges through innovation and uncertainty

◾Bridging studio practice and academic leadership

◾Supporting interdisciplinary arts education

◾Fostering experiential learning and creative research

◾Preparing students for evolving creative industries

◾Designing inclusive environments for artists, designers, and makers

⚫Connect with Marie

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-bukowski-610448a/

◾Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BukowskiArt/

◾Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bukowskiart/

◾Website: https://www.mariebukowski.com

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In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Dr. Michelle Burton, Assistant Professor of Fashion Merchandising at Montclair State University and former retail industry leader, to explore the intersection of fashion, sustainability, innovation, and well-being.

Dr. Burton shares her journey from corporate retail roles at major brands to academia, offering powerful insights into how industry experience can strengthen teaching, research, and student preparation. She reflects on the realities of transitioning from corporate culture to academic culture, the importance of applied learning in fashion education, and why bridging the gap between industry and the classroom is essential for preparing future professionals.

This conversation dives into Dr. Burton’s research on sustainability and consumer behavior, including how people extend the life of their clothing through repair, repurposing, and mindful consumption. She introduces her work on textile crafts as tools for well-being and empowerment, highlighting how creative practices support mental health, identity, and community building—especially within marginalized communities.

Dr. Burton also discusses her interdisciplinary projects, including fashion-based storytelling initiatives that elevate social impact, ethical responsibility, and cultural awareness. The episode explores how innovation in fashion is not just about new products, but about using what already exists to empower people, build inclusive systems, and create meaningful change.

Dr. Burton offers practical insights for educators, students, and professionals seeking to navigate sustainability, technology, and purpose-driven leadership within the fashion and retail industries.

⚫Connect with Michelle

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-burton-ph-d-149625/

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What does innovation look like when it is grounded in human connection, cultural intelligence, and hospitality-driven leadership?

In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Dr. Arlene Garrick, published researcher and poet, and internationally recognized leadership mentor. Arlene shares her global journey from Jamaica to the United States and Canada, and how living and working across cultures shaped her approach to education, leadership, and student mentorship.

This conversation explores how storytelling, poetry, hospitality, and cultural intelligence can transform leadership and learning environments. Arlene reflects on growing up across from a hotel in Jamaica and how early connections with travelers sparked her lifelong commitment to hospitality, people-centered leadership, and cross-cultural education.

⚫In this episode, you will hear about:

◾How hospitality leadership builds empathy and inclusive learning spaces

◾The difference between cultural awareness and cultural intelligence

◾What leaders often miss in cross-cultural hiring and interviews

◾Supporting immigrant students and international learners in higher education

◾Using storytelling, poetry, and creative teaching strategies to deepen learning

◾Building experiential learning through international internships and industry partnerships

◾Why innovation is “courage dressed as possibility.”

Arlene also shares insights from training over 2,000 volunteers for the Cricket World Cup, coordinating international internships, and mentoring students across continents.

⚫Connect with Arlene

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arlenegarrick/

◾Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArleneHowellGarrick

◾Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0FHCT99VJ?ccs_id=c352d327-ea3a-4d25-a124-1674120a7249e

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What does innovation in higher education look like when it centers community, access, and learning for the common good?

In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders speaks with Dr. Lance Bennett, President and Founder of The People’s Institute for the Common Good, Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University, and higher education leader. Dr. Bennett shares his journey from community college student to scholar-practitioner and how early mentorship shaped his path into higher education leadership.

This conversation explores how communication studies, organizational leadership, and systems thinking inform Dr. Bennett’s work in designing community-centered learning spaces. He reflects on launching The People’s Institute to create open, accessible learning spaces beyond traditional universities—through programs such as community book clubs, virtual Lunch & Learns, and a distinguished speaker series.

⚫Key topics include:

◾Why community-based learning matters in the future of higher education

◾Lessons from launching a nonprofit learning institute

◾Building partnerships between universities and communities

◾Rethinking enrollment, access, and alternative education models

◾How higher education can respond to AI, workforce shifts, and ethics

◾Leading with values, imagination, and courage Whether you are an educator, higher ed leader, nonprofit founder, or community innovator, this episode offers a powerful lens on how to reimagine learning spaces for impact and equity.

Subscribe for more conversations with innovators shaping education, leadership, and community transformation.

⚫Connect with Lance

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lancekylebennett/

◾Substack: https://substack.com/@instituteforcommongood

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In this powerful episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, founder of Identity Talk Consulting, educator, author, and global leader in culturally responsive, identity-affirming education. Kwame shares his journey from middle school math teacher to international consultant supporting educators across the United States and African countries.

This conversation explores how lived experience and cultural identity shape innovation in education. Kwame reflects on growing up as a first-generation Ghanaian American and how those experiences fueled his commitment to equity and empowering educators of color. He also discusses building Identity Talk Consulting and launching the Identity Talk 4 Educators LIVE podcast to support culturally affirming classrooms.

Kwame introduces his award-winning book, Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom, and shares practical advice for educators seeking to become thought leaders, build a digital presence, and use content creation for professional growth.

⚫ In this episode, you will learn:

◾ How identity shapes teaching, leadership, and student engagement

◾ Why culturally affirming classrooms are essential for equity in education

◾ How educators can become innovators and content creators

◾ Lessons from building an education consulting business

◾ How to support teacher empowerment and anti-bias, anti-racist practices

◾ Why “learning to relearn” is essential for personal and professional growth

Kwame’s story is a powerful reminder that innovation in education is not only about new tools or technology, but about reimagining identity, power, voice, and belonging in learning spaces around the world.

⚫Connect with Kwame

◾Identity Talk Consulting Website – https://identitytalk4educators.com/

◾Learning To Relearn – https://learning2relearn.com

◾LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kwame-sarfo-mensah

◾YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kwamesarfo-mensah5785

◾Instagram: https://instagram.com/kwam_the_identity_shaper

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How do gender policy, culture, and the global apparel supply chain intersect—and what does innovation look like inside that complexity?

In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, host Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Dr. Cydni Robertson, scholar, storyteller, and global researcher whose work explores gender inequality, political change, and labor conditions within the global fashion and apparel industry.

Dr. Robertson shares her journey from early experiences in fashion and textile education to earning her doctorate and conducting Fulbright-funded research in El Salvador, where she interviewed women working in apparel factories. She reflects on how witnessing labor conditions reshaped her research agenda and deepened her commitment to people-centered innovation in fashion systems.

⚫In this conversation, you will learn:

◾What Dr. Robertson discovered about women’s labor, opportunity, and resilience in global apparel supply chains

◾How Fulbright research and living abroad transformed her perspective as a scholar and educator

◾Why experiential learning and global research matter for fashion and textile education

◾How social sustainability goes beyond materials to include people, policy, and culture

◾Lessons for students and scholars interested in international research and ethical fashion systems

◾Practical advice for conducting research abroad, building community, and prioritizing safety

Dr. Robertson also shares insights on personal branding in academia, building community through social media, and how storytelling can expand the public impact of scholarly work. Whether you are a student, researcher, educator, designer, or innovator, this episode offers a powerful lens on how innovation emerges at the intersection of fashion, policy, culture, and lived experience.

⚫Connect with Cydni

◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cydnimrobertson/

◾TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.cydrobertson

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