Leaders in the Arena

In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, we’re joined by Charlie Ursell, Managing Director at Tidal Strategies.

Charlie is a seasoned transformation leader with deep expertise in strategic collaboration, co-design, and unlocking group intelligence to drive innovation and lasting impact.

This session focuses on one of the most timely and critical topics facing leaders today: how to harness group intelligence as a driver of innovation and transformative change.

During this session, we explore:

• What makes large-scale transformation so difficult in today’s environment?

• What are the real keys to mobilizing people toward change?

• How can leaders tap the full creativity and insight of their teams?

• What role can generative AI play in elevating collaboration?

• Why is this more important now than ever before?

• What practical steps can leaders take to build this capability?

If you're leading transformation or looking to elevate how your team thinks and works together—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

The most effective leaders inspire trust, navigate change with confidence, and equip their teams with the tools to succeed. The Future Ready Leadership Collection by Bridge Innovate offers four integrated tracks of leadership development—Leadership & Change, Innovation & Customer Experience, Teaming, and Strategy—this leadership accelerator approach combines Activate Skills sessions with a Future Lab where participants apply learning directly to their organization’s real challenges.This Test Drive webinar provides an insider’s look at the Future Ready Leader Collection, including:- An overview of the four Leadership tracks and how they build critical leadership capabilities.- A preview of the Exemplary Leaders, Strategic Influence, and Strategic Foresight Programs- A sample Future Lab, where participants apply learning directly to pressing leadership challenges, advancing real work while building new capacity.- Highlights of the faculty and delivery optionsCatch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

True transformation goes beyond launching new initiatives—it requires a culture that supports and sustains change. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, we’re joined by Kevin O’Meara, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain and Enterprise Strategy at Shaw Industries and a seasoned executive with deep experience leading complex, enterprise-wide change.Kevin shares insights from his work at Shaw and beyond, exploring what it really takes to create a transformation-ready organization and drive momentum from the C-suite to the front lines.

Key questions we

• What defines a true transformation?
• How do you gain buy-in from senior leaders and frontline teams alike?
• What does it take to mobilize and sustain change across an enterprise?
• How do you measure success beyond just KPIs?
• What advice do you have for leaders starting this journey?

Join us to learn how to lead with purpose, align teams around change, and create the conditions where transformation can truly thrive.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

In today’s fast-paced business environment, leadership demands more than functional expertise—it requires a broad, cross-disciplinary perspective. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, hear from two retired senior executives from Unum—Tom White and Wendy Gibson—for a dynamic 30-minute conversation on how leadership development must evolve to meet today’s challenges. Tom and Wendy explore how expanding business acumen across tech, data, finance, and operations helps leaders connect the dots, ask better questions, and lead with foresight. Learn why scenario thinking, curiosity beyond your day-to-day, and the ability to adapt across industries are becoming essential skills for modern leaders.Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, join Tabitha Kapic, Director of Innovation at the Chalmers Center, for a bold conversation on how creativity and design thinking are driving grassroots innovation around the world—especially in places often overlooked.Discover how the Chalmers Center (www.chalmers.org) is equipping local leaders to spark change from within, using a faith-based, asset-based approach.We explore practical tools like the 9-week Design Journey and train-the-trainer models, and share real stories of communities solving their own challenges with their own resources.Key Takeaways:• Why people closest to the problem must be part of the design team• How to scale impact with simple, empowering tools• Why innovation isn’t limited to “creatives”—everyone can be a problem-solver• What it looks like when joy and dignity drive changeLet’s reimagine innovation—starting at the margins.Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

Generative AI is revolutionizing the way professionals solve problems, drive innovation, and enhance creativity. By automating repetitive tasks, generating new ideas, and providing deep insights, AI is becoming an essential tool across industries. This one-hour session is designed to equip leaders and professionals with a strong foundation in AI fundamentals while integrating human-centered design principles. Participants will learn how to leverage AI to accelerate brainstorming, streamline prototyping, and enhance decision-making, all  through the lens of  responsible and ethical AI use.

This Session Will Cover

• AI Fundamentals - Gain a strong foundation in Generative AI, including how ChatGPT Turbo and other cutting-edge AI models process information, generate content, and support innovation. Understand how AI is reshaping industries and how businesses can leverage it for strategic advantage.
• Prompt Engineering - Learn how to craft effective prompts to optimize AI-powered brainstorming and problem-solving. Using structured prompt techniques like context-driven personas and constraint-based prompting, participants will learn how to guide AI towards producing more creative, relevant, and actionable outputs.
• AI in Design Thinking - Discover how AI enhances each phase of the design thinking process, from ideation to prototyping and insight generation. Through exercises like AI-powered brainstorming (e.g., “How Might We” frameworks with AI collaboration), participants will explore how AI can spark novel solutions while complementing human intuition and creativity.
• Ethical use of AI - Navigate the ethical considerations of AI, including bias mitigation, data privacy, and responsible implementation. Through real-world case studies, participants will analyze the risks and responsibilities of AI-driven decision-making and explore strategies for building human-centered AI solutions.

Key Takeaways

• Harness AI for Innovation – Unlock the power of Generative AI to accelerate problem-solving and creativity.
• Learn AI-Driven Brainstorming – Learn prompt techniques to generate better, faster ideas.
• Streamline Prototyping – Use AI tools to test and refine concepts with speed and precision.
• Navigate AI Ethics – Apply responsible AI practices to ensure fair, human-centered solutions.
• Collaborate with AI – Work smarter by integrating AI as a creative partner, not just a tool.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

When disaster strikes, the Red Cross moves fast—but never alone. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, join us as Julia Wright, Executive Director at American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee, takes us on a quick dive into how they mobilize volunteers, partners, and donors to meet urgent community needs.We’ll cover:

• What community mobilization really looks like
• The role of trained volunteers and strong partnerships
• How collaboration drives impact in times of crisisPerfect for anyone interested in disaster response, volunteerism, or building community readiness.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

Too many "problems" are really just three symptoms in a trenchcoat. In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, join expert facilitator and problem-solver Seth Owings for a fast-paced conversation on how to uncover root issues hiding in plain sight. We’ll explore how to apply tools from user-centered design and cognitive psychology to build sharper, smarter problem-solving frameworks.

We dig into questions like:

• How do you decide which problems to solve?

• What are the signs you’re tackling a symptom, not the root?

• How do you push back without shutting people down?

• What tools and approaches actually work—and how do you get teams on board?

If you're tired of spinning your wheels on surface-level fixes, this one's for you.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

What if your next competitive edge isn't a new strategy, but a more authentic leader?

In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, we explore how coaching can unlock untapped leadership potential and drive real business results. Vicki Gordan, Senior Vice President and Chief Auditor at Unum® (Retired), and Sherri Parks, Holistic Life Coach, share practical insights on how developing authentic, multi-dimensional leaders can transform teams and performance in today’s complex environment.

What You'll Discover:

• Unlock Hidden Leadership Potential - Learn how coaching helps uncover strengths that traditional development often misses.
• The Business Case for Authentic Leadership - See how companies are achieving measurable improvements in performance and engagement.
• What Authentic Leadership Really Looks Like - Understand how authenticity shows up in practice and why it matters.
• Coaching Strategies That Work - Explore proven methods for building self-awareness, resilience, and trust.
• Building a Coaching Culture - Find out how to create an environment that consistently develops authentic leaders.

Catch the next episode of Leaders in the Arena, and check out other exciting events on our website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.bridgeinnovate.com/events⁠⁠

Subscribe to the ⁠⁠⁠Bridge Innovate® newsletter⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with our latest programs and services: http://eepurl.com/gv3ST5

In this episode of ⁠⁠Leaders in the Arena⁠⁠, Keri Randolph, Executive Director of Chattanooga 2.0, dives into the game-changing Chattanooga Future Fund and its transformative impact on Hamilton County students. We explore the innovative financial solution designed to address educational and opportunity gaps, empowering the next generation of leaders.

Key Topics Include:

• What is the Chattanooga Future Fund? Discover how this new initiative is creating lasting change for students in Hamilton County by providing access to critical resources and opportunities.
• Human-Centered Innovation: Learn how Bridge Innovate's approach of human-centered design is making this solution truly impactful, addressing the specific needs of students and empowering them to succeed.
• Engaging Stakeholders: Understand how the traditionally slow-to-innovate financial services sector has come together to develop and launch this initiative, breaking barriers to create a more equitable future for all.
• Closing the Opportunity Gap: Hear how the Chattanooga Future Fund is directly working to close the education and opportunity gap, leveling the playing field for students in the community.
• Community Support: Find out how local businesses and organizations are partnering to make this initiative a reality and how their support is driving success.
• What’s Next? Get a sneak peek at other innovative financial literacy solutions in the works that aim to further empower students and strengthen the community.
• Leadership in Innovation: Gain valuable advice from leaders on how to drive innovation and inspire change in your own initiatives.