Unlocking Innovation

“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.