iNNOVATION Insights Podcast

Leadership, Innovation & Hospitality Education: Career Growth | Dr. Dede Hamm | iNNOVATION Insights | Ep. 77

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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dedehamm/] ◾Meeting Academy: https://www.meetings.academy/ [https://www.meetings.academy/] ⚫Subscribe to iNNOVATION Insights News https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact] ⚫iNNOVATION Insights - https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/ [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/]

Art, Indigenous Identity & Cultural Leadership | Sarah Ortegon HighWalking | iNNOVATION Insights | Ep. 79

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/ [https://www.sarahortegon.com/] ◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ortegon-highwalking-561478104/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ortegon-highwalking-561478104/] ◾Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonookeiht_bee3eisei/ [https://www.instagram.com/nonookeiht_bee3eisei/] ⚫Subscribe to iNNOVATION Insights News https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact] ⚫iNNOVATION Insights - https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/ [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/]

Creative Leadership & Design: Arts & Impact | Ingrid Lilligren, MFA | iNNOVATION Insights | Ep. 78

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/ [https://www.lilligrenart.com/] ◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingrid-lilligren-597ab872/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingrid-lilligren-597ab872/] ⚫Subscribe to iNNOVATION Insights News https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact] ⚫iNNOVATION Insights - https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/ [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/]

Why Most Innovation Efforts Fail: Future-Fit Leadership | Barbara Salopek | iNNOVATION Insights | Ep. 76

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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-salopek/] ◾TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@barbaraceovinco [https://www.tiktok.com/@barbaraceovinco] ◾Vinco Website: https://vinco.no/ [https://vinco.no/] ◾Personal Website: barbarasalopek.com/ [http://barbarasalopek.com/] ⚫Subscribe to iNNOVATION Insights News https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact] ⚫iNNOVATION Insights - https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/ [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/]

Arts Leadership, Creative Practice & Innovation | Marie Bukowski, MFA | iNNOVATION Insights | Ep. 75

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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-bukowski-610448a/] ◾Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BukowskiArt/ [https://www.facebook.com/BukowskiArt/] ◾Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bukowskiart/ [https://www.instagram.com/bukowskiart/] ◾Website: https://www.mariebukowski.com [https://www.mariebukowski.com] ⚫Subscribe to iNNOVATION Insights News https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact] ⚫iNNOVATION Insights - https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/ [https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/]