FEI25 MEET, DISCOVER, PLAY, AND GROW AT
By Aligning experts of the unknown with business strategy
Presents
May 19-21, 2025 Omni Seaport Boston
Presents
FEI25
F or 21 years, FEI has brought together innovation experts and corporate change makers to drive progress with human intelligence. Now, as global business ecosystems are transformed by artificial intelligence, our collaborative use of AI can address the Innovator’s Dilemma: balancing current success with the need to innovate and adapt to emerging trends through disruptive technology. The theme for FEI25, “Harvesting Innovation: Sowing the Seeds of Future Growth,” emphasizes the importance of innovation experts working with corporate change makers to align with business strategy. Together, we can turn the green shoots of innovation, informed by both human and artificial intelligence, into the next generation of products, businesses, and markets for a better and brighter future.
Seth Adler
Use Code: BOGO50 to save 50% when you register with a colleague from another discipline!*** *Corporates Only
**Not applicable to solution providers
2 FEI Honors
Confirmed Innovation Luminaries
4 FEI25 Advisory & Thought Leadership
Harvesting Innovation 3 Days of Learning, Networking and Collaboration
12
18 Day 1
Human Intelligence: What Got Us Here
20 Day 2
Artificial Intelligence: What To Do Now
22 Track Session Structure 3 Ways to Grow
24 Day 3
Collective Intelligence: What’s Next?!
26 Enhanced Interactivity
28 Proxy Meeting Information
34 Day 1 Session Details
49 Day 2 Session Details
66 Day 3 Session Details
70 First Look Interviews
92 2025 Sponsors
FEI ho confirmed innova
FEI25
Linda A. Hill, Harvard Professor
Michael Tushman, Harvard Professor
Panos Panay, President, Recording Academy
The bright minds that trailblazed the path to th
LIVESTREAM Q&A WITH WOZ
onors vation luminaries
Rita McGrath, Columbia Professor
Steve Blank, Co-creator, Lean Startup movement
Alex Osterwalder, Founder & CEO, Strategyzer
he present share their thoughts on the future.
FEI25 ADVISORY COMMITTEES & PARTICIPANTS
BUSINESS CRITICAL COMMITTEE
Anu Sundaram VP Business Analytics, Rue Gilt Groupe
Tammy Butterworth Product Innovation Director, Welch’s
Michele Sandoval Director of Innovation, E&J Gallo Winery
Oscar Barranco Liebana Enterprise Innovation Program Director, Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council
START-UP COMPETITION COMMITTEE
Leslie Shannon Head of Trend and Innovation Scouting, Nokia
Carley Hart Director of Corporate Partnerships Cornell tech, Cornell University
Keith Crossland CEO/Co-Founder, Carbon Negative Solutions
Arvind Balasundram Exec. Dir. Insights & Analytics Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
June Dershewitz Co-Founder, InvestInData
Andre Magni Data & AI Leader, Microsoft
Rachel Levy Head of Innovation, Google Cloud, Google
Seth Adler Head of IMI Innovation & Intelligence, Informa
4 • FEI25
FEI HONORS COMMITTEE
Tammy Butterworth Product Innovation Director, Welch’s
Christian Saclier VP Design Innovation PepsiCo
Mike Hatrick Vice President IP Strategy & Portfolio, Volvo Group
Katharine English Head of Innovation Programs, Global Engineering Excellence Google
Milan Ivosevic Global VP of R&D and Innovation, CooperSurgical
Miranda Helmer VP, Product Development & Regulatory, Albertson’s
COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
Betsy Brunner Net-Zero Program Business Development & Financial Strategist, INL
Harsh Wardhan Innovation Program Lead Google
Kara Cunzeman Founder & Dir. Strategic Foresight, The Aerospace Corp.
Michelle Wee Food Trend Director, Global Strategy and Innovation, Ferrero
Su-Feng Kuo Senior Director of Global Client Insights and Analytics, Visa
Kaja Tretjak, J.D., Ph.D . Senior Manager, UX Research, Charles Schwab
FEI25 • 5
ADVISORY-AT-LARGE
Cherie Leonard Head North America Insights, Colgate-Palmolive
Brigette Wolf CMO, MyMochi
Dakota Crow Head of Innovation Programs, US Bank
Jhansi Kandasamy Executive Director Net Zero Program, INL
Liza Sanchez Vice President, Research & Development, Procter & Gamble
Marci Ruman Global Innovation Strategist, Kimberly Clark
Ophelia Chiu VP, Strategic Innovation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
STEERING COMMITTEE
Christian Mühlroth CEO, Itonics
Chris Townsend VP Product Marketing, Wellspring
Fred Schonenberg Founder and CEO, VentureFuel
Gus Valen Managing Partner & Entrepreneur, The Valen Group
Tim Hall Co-Founder, Simporter
Chris Houghton Head of FMCG, Cambridge Design Partnership
6 • FEI25
FEI25 SPEAKERS, ROUNDTABLE MODERATORS & PARTICIPANTS
Alexandra Bell President and CEO, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Samantha Johnson Founder & CEO, Tatum Robotics
Rick Robinson VP, AgeTech Collaborative™, AARP
Craig Dubitsky Founder & CEO, happy
Jonathan Stringfield VP, Global Revenue & Business Planning, Microsoft
Sanji Fernando Operating Partner, Data & Artificial Intelligence, Frazier Healthcare Partners
Ron Wetklow Sr Mgr., Brand Insights, Innovation & Strategy, Gallo
Phil Sage Sr. Dir.: Design & Innovation HUB NA, Pepsico
Christian Lavoie Senior Manager, Consumer & Market Insights, Welch’s
Sarah Polansky VP Trends & Innovation, Dig Insights
Brian Leslie Interim Head of Transformational Innovation, Welch’s
Sebastian Osswald MD, Miele Technology Inc, Director, Emerging Technologies Lab, Miele
Shahid Azim CEO, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, C10 Labs FEI25 • 7
Gus Valen Chief Executive Officer & Entrepreneur, The Valen Group
Sarah Princehorn Transformational Innovation Manager, Welch’s
Paige Palmieri Innovation Sr Scientist, Welch’s
FEI25 SPEAKERS, ROUNDTABLE MODERATORS & PARTICIPANTS (CONTINUED)
Panos Panay President, The Recording Academy
Linda Hill Wallace Brett Donham Prof. of Business Admin., Harvard Business School
Mike Tushman Prof. Business Administration, Emeritus, Harvard Business School
Rita McGrath Strategy Professor, Columbia Business School
David Luis Senior Dir. Product Dev., Albertsons Companies
Minoo Rathnasabapathy Res. Eng. & Prog. Lead, Future Worlds, MIT Media Lab
Ted Curtin Chief Innovation Officer, ProdigyWorks a division of Quester
Karen Kraft Associate Director, Consumer Insights, Johnsonville
Inna Khazan Author, The Clinical Handbook of
Sean Borman CEO and Founder, Aeroauto Global
Michael Bagalman VP Business Intelligence & Data Science, Starz
Santh Sathya CEO & Founder, LuftCar
Biofeedback, Instructor, Harvard Medical School
Prapti Jha Former Design Thinking, Strategy, Research & Innovation, Harvard
Rita Rozenshteyn Director, Global Oncology Patient Experience, Pfizer
Narek Vardanyan CEO, Prelaunch
Ben Knapp Dir. Inst. for Creativity, Arts & Tech., Prof., CS, Virginia Tech University
8 • FEI25
Lauren Collier Chief Experience Officer, Finch Brands
Steve Blank Adjunct Prof., Management Science & Engineering, Stanford University
Tameka Brown Senior Manager, R&D, Kimberly-Clark
Michael Ott SVP, Chief R&D Officer, The Clorox Co.
Scott Ehrlich Chief Innovation Officer, Head Corp. Strategy, Sinclair Broadcast Group
Jay Hunter Manager of External Relations, BUInnovate@BU
Aaron Mattfeld Director, Neuroscience of Memory and Development (MaD Lab), FIU
Stephanie Roulic Founder, Startup Boston
Fred Shoenenberg Founder & CEO, VentureFuel
Melisssa Zablocki Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives, Memorial Sloan Kettering
Rupinder Jaura Director, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance, Albertsons Companies
Justin Mueller Senior Technical Specialist, Kimberly Clark
Garsen Yap Former Director- Innovation, Mars Wrigley
Charlie Paradise Front End Innovation Director, Cooper Surgical
Matthew Halpern Principal Product Manager, CarMax
Elle Brossy Senior Innovation Project Manager, MindSumo
FEI25 • 9
FEI25 SPEAKERS, ROUNDTABLE MODERATORS & PARTICIPANTS (CONTINUED)
Mike Thomas CEO, Upstream 360
Mary Lague Partner, Insights and Growth Strategy, Pilot44
Ray Mack Innovation Enablement Consultant, Progressive Insurance
Jonathan Livescault Managing Director, Itonics
Mohan Nair Former SVP, Chief Innovation Officer, Cambia Health
Abigail Baldwin Senior Director, Emerging Digital Programs, Memorial Sloan Kettering
Alison Reichert Director, Digital Marketing, Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals
Chuck Martin Author, Flying Vehicles
David Millay VP, Strategy and Innovation, Valen Group
James Estrada Associate Director of Innovation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Tony Zhang Founder, sbur
Erica Norton Sr. Director Consumer Insights, The Hershey Company
Kate Kinsey Director of Marketing, H2/H3 Innovation Enterprise Oral Care, Colgate-Palmolive
Colin Scott Senior Vice President, DownSelect®, Innventure
Pritam Bhattarai Director of Innovation & Partnerships, VentureFuel
Aidan Kittredge Program Manager, Techstars Boston
10 • FEI25
Michele Simoni Professor, Innovation, Business Design, University of Naples Parthenope
Anushka Nair Rhodes Scholar, Researcher, MIT
Eva Panetti Assistant Professor., Innovation, Business Design, University of Naples Parthenope
Marco Farretti Chair, Innovation, Entrepreneurship Ecosystems, MENA, UNESCO
Margaret de Jonge Food Applications Leader, Cargill
Termeh Rassi Chief Strategy Officer & Editorial Director, Leonardo
Francesco Fazio Partner, Cherry Bekeart
Sara Semborski Insights Manager, Cargill
Christine Minh Minh Garner Trainer & Talent Alchemist, CliftonStrengths, Gallup
Kristina Perlas R&D Center of Excellence Lead, The Clorox Company
Jamaar Smiley Transformation Officer Poetic Disruption
Steve Berrent Director of IT Innovation & Architecture, Steptoe LLP
Chrystie Kallis Business Director, Capital One
Garret Westlake Executive Director; Professor of Product Innovation, VCU
Ankit Mathur CTO, United Network for Organ Sharing
Marie Boll Senior Scientist Product Development, Kimberly Clark
FEI25 • 11
FEI25 SPEAKERS, ROUNDTABLE MODERATORS & PARTICIPANTS (CONTINUED)
Phil Sage Sr. Dir - Design & Innovation, N.A, PepsiCo
Vivian Tsaklanganos Global Innovation Director, Colgate-Palmolive
Vikram Shyam Futurist, NASA
Marlon Hernandez Director Innovation, Beverage, Ocean Spray
Rose Huang Founder / CEO, Accelidea
Anushka Singh Founder/CEO, Kathalyst
Sara Stabelfeldt Vice President of Innovation, Schreiber Foods
Narek Vardanyan CEO, Prelaunch
Phil Winkelman VP Customer Success, Suzy
Nihal Advani Founder & CEO, QualSights
Dien (Dean) Hu Founder, Caid
Divya Harpalani Product Manager, B&H
Suann Griffin Former Senior Director, Insights, Serta Simmons Bedding
Vibha Tourani Researcher, PlayMatters (ED-Tech), International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Ryan Wittman Enterprise Account Executive, Yogi
Dung Tran Program Manager, Founder, Rayo
12 • FEI25
Matt Bowring Software Engineer, Gigabug Computer
Shawn Harris Cofounder & CEO, Coworked
Hilary Lane Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Tim Joyce Principle, ZS
Heather Corker Sr. Consumer Insights & Data Strategy Mgr., Lagunitas Brewing Company
Anthony Schiavo Senior Director & Principal Analyst, Lux Research
Sesha Kadakia Founder & CEO, Tangify
Nitya Ravi Senior Consumer Insights Analyst - Front End Innovation, SharkNinja
Chelsea Trengrove CEO and Cofounder, Neoclease
David Hojah CEO, Parrots AI
Eileen Bruen Customer Insights, Staples
Liz Graham CEO, Ada IQ
Roger Dias CEO, Xtory
Erika DeLeon Sr. Category & Consumer Insights Mgr, Juanita’s Foods
Jason Radford CEO, The Ostrea Cultura Company
Arnell Milhouse CEO, yc0n1c
FEI25 • 13
FEI25 12 Ways to Maximize Your ROI
1
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3
Team Up and Save Register with
Turn “Rogue” Ideas into Value Learn how to champion unconventional thinking in your organization at our Rogue Mindset Roundtables.
Gain Insights from Innovation Leaders Join FEI Honors and hear from past participants on navigating the future of innovation.
a cross-disciplinary colleague and get 50% off!
4
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Achieve Real-World Success Explore proven strategies in our FEI Case Study Labs.
Master Front-End Principles Hone your skills with expert-led Front-End of Innovation Principles Labs.
Solve Problems Collaboratively Develop solutions to
shared challenges in our Problem-Solving Labs.
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Expand Your Network Connect with peers through 1:1 Starter Meetings and our onsite app.
Tackle Business Challenges
Develop an Action Plan
Collaborate and problem solve with a “proxy team” facing similar issues in our Proxy Team Meetings.
Solidify your key takeaways and create a roadmap for implementation in our Primary Team Meetings.
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Unlock the Power of AI Discover practical AI applications in our Applied AI Roundtables.
Harness Collective Intelligence Witness cutting-edge AI
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Explore emerging con- cepts and technologies like Quantum Computing on Day 3.
solutions at the 2nd Annual FEI Start-up Competition.
16 • FEI25
Driving transformation and shaping the future of your organizations is much more difficult in uncertain times. Navigating a landscape of constant change and uncertainty creates experts of the unknown. At FEI25, we’re bringing together the brightest minds to address these challenges head-on, and we invite you to join us. FEI25, is a dynamic ecosystem designed to empower innovation leaders like you with the strategies, connections, and inspiration needed to thrive in today’s consistently and continually disruptive environment. Join Your Peers, Who Have Dedicat- ed Your Careers to Being Experts of the Unknown
FEI25 offers unparalleled value with expert insights, collaborative problem- solving, and a focus on harnessing the power of AI. Register now, connect with fellow innovation leaders and changemakers to unlock the strategies you need to drive transformative
growth for your organization. Join us at FEI25 and lead the future of innovation »
FEI25 • 17
DAY 1 Human Intelligence: What Got Us Here
Lab Key:
Front End Lab
Problem Solving Lab
Case Study Lab
Trends/Foresights Lab
Breakfast
7:00 AM 8:00 AM
FEI25 Open & Event Welcome
Rogue Mindset: Aligning the Innovation Capability with Business Strategy
8:30 AM
Rogue Mindset Roundtables
8:50 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM
Strategy & Transformation Track
Excellence & Best Practice Track Engaging Deliberate Rapid Prototyping Welch’s
Integration & Talent Creation Using Innovation as a Differentiator Jonathan Stringfield, Microsoft Using AI to Power Innovation: Unpacking Risks and Opportunities
Delivering on R&D Strategy Liza Sanchez, The Procter & Gamble Co.
10:30 AM
11:00: Emotional Connection: Why GenAI Needs Continuous Insight Into Real Human Behavior Aaron Reid, Ph.D. 11:30: Proxy Meetings (See Pg. 28) Taking a Lead on Emerging Technology Sebastian Osswald, Miele
Business Mondel Innovation as a Competitive Advantage Gus Valen, The Valen Group Taste, Touch, Feel: Experience 4 Cultural Shifts That Will Impact Your Business Sarah Polansky, Dig Insights Evolution of The New: A Transformation Journey Phil Sage, PepsiCo
11:00 AM
Anthony Schiavo, Lux Research Experimentation for Innovation Termeh Rassi, Leonardo Ben Knapp, Virginia Tech
12:00 PM
A Real-World Approach to Building Products That Matter Lauren Collier Finch Brands
Stronger Together: How Progressive Stream- lined Crowdsourcing With A Trusted Partner Ray Mack, Progressive; Elle Brossy, MindSumo
12:30 PM
Lunch
12:45 PM
Establishing a Corporate Accelerator Dakota Crow, U.S. Bank
Overcoming IT & Legal Barriers to AI Outcomes for Your Organization Steven Berrent, Steptoe LLP Driving An Effective, Insight-Driven Innovation Pipeline For CPG Sarah Polansky, Dig Insights Catalyzing Innovation and Change Through Strengths-Based Engagement Christine Minh-Minh Garner, CliftonStrengths
Inclusive Design as an Innovation Catalyst Samantha Johnson, Tatum Robotics
1:45 PM
Why Stories, Not Just Science, Should Start in the Lab Mike Thomas, Upstream 360
Harvesting Innovation Through Collective Intelligence Colin Scott Innventure
2:15 PM
Innovation Insights for Future Growth Su-Feng, Visa
Activating Emotional Innovation Craig Dubitsky, happy
2:45 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM
Spotting High-Impact Use Cases & Rethinking What’s Possible At The Front-End Erica Norton, Hershey, Tim Joyce, ZS
From Systematic Incubation To Predictable Value Creation Nadine Fahim, KPMG; Christian Mühlroth, Itonics
A New Era in Conversational Research Phil Winkelman, Suzy
3:45 PM
4:15 PM
1:1 Starter Meetings
1:1 Starter Meetings
1:1 Starter Meetings
FEI Honors: Celebrating A Quarter Century of Innovation Luminaries
4:45 PM
Cocktail Reception End of Day One
6:00 PM 7:00 PM
18 • FEI25
ROGUE MINDSET
The ROGUE MINDSET champions an unconventional approach to decision- making and innovation.
Tammy Butterworth on bringing the Rogue Mindset Roundtables
FEI HONORS
Celebrating FEI’s rich history of Innovation Luminaries sharing their thoughts on the future and how to get there.
Milan Ivosevic on the 2025 FEI Honors
FEI25 • 19
DAY 2 Artificial Intelligence: What To Do Now
Lab Key:
Front End Lab
Problem Solving Lab
Case Study Lab
Trends/Foresights Lab
Breakfast & Networking FEI25 Mid-Event Welcome
7:00 AM 8:00 AM
No-Hype AI Impact on Organizational Efficiency, Value, Teams & The Bottom-Line
8:30 AM
Applied AI Roundtables: Aligning AI with Business Strategy
8:50 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM
AI, Data, Analytics & Insights
R&D, Product Dev, Experience & Design
Customer 2030 & Future Trends Sowing the Seeds of End-to-End Innovation
Improving Innovation Impact Milan Ivosevic, CooperSurgical
Data Partnership for Innovation June Dershewitz, InvestInData
10:30 AM
AI Energy - Balancing Nuclear Risk with Business Need Jhansi Kandasamy, The Nuclear Co.; Alexandra Bell, The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Co-Development: Turbocharge Enterprise R&D Fred Schonenberg & Pritam Bhattarai VentureFuel How to Create Breakthrough Innovations Risk-Free Narek Vardanyan, Prelaunch Michele Sandoval & Ron Wetklow, Gallo Community & Conversational Intelligence: How AI & Deep Listening Will Reshape Front End Innovation Mary Lague, Pilot44; Ethan Fassett, Glystn Inc Establishing An Innovation Culture Roadmap Ophelia Chiu, Memorial Sloan Kettering
Revolutionizing Product Innovation through Radical Consumer Empathy
Introducing XMOT: A Breakthrough Methodology to Fuel Front-End Innovation Nihal Advani, QualSights From Insight to Impact: How AI & People are Transforming Innovation at Clorox Michael Ott, Clorox & Francesco Fazio, Cherry Bekaert Scaling AI Within Global Corporate Enterprise For Better Decision Making Arvind Balasundaram, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
11:00 AM
Karen Kraft, Johnsonville Ted Curtin, ProdigyWorks
Growth Innovation: A Survival Guide For Corporate Innovators Chris Townsend, Wellspring Disrupting From Within: Distinguishing Between Vision, Strategy & Roadmap Marci Ruman, Kimberly-Clark
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
Lunch
12:45 PM
AI as a Thinking Partner: Your Companion for Innovation and Creativity (Collective Intelligence Workshop Part II) Prapti Jha The Rise of Growth Innovation: A Survival Guide for Corporate Innovators Chris Townsend, Wellspring
Aligning Innovation with Business Strategy Through Analytics Anu Sundaram, Rue Guilt Groupe
1:45 PM
Partner Session Check back for session details.
2:15 PM
Proxy Meetings: Small Group Problem Solving
Proxy Meetings: Small Group Problem Solving
2:45 PM
1:1 Starter Meetings
Networking Break
3:15 PM
Lessons Learned from Building a Network of Global Incubators Carley Hart, Cornell University
Innovation ROI: Harnessing Emissions To Drive Profitability Keith Crossland, Carbon Negative Solutions
Applied AI: From Hype to Impact Patricia Geli, C10 Labs
3:45 PM
4:15 PM
1:1 Starter Meetings
1:1 Starter Meetings
1:1 Starter Meetings
2nd Annual FEI Seed Stage Startup Competition: Collective Intelligence
4:45 PM
Cocktail Reception End of Day Two
6:00 PM 7:00 PM
20 • FEI25
APPLIED AI INTERACTIVE ROUNDTABLES
Moderator Betsy Brunner on the value of the Plenary Roundtables
AI Impact on Teams and the Bottom Line
COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE STARTUP COMPETITION
$25K to the AI start-up that best fuses Human Intelligence & Machine Intelligence
Founder, Keith Crossland on the Start-up Competition
FEI25 • 21
Day 1-2 Track Session Structure
Track
Track Session Presenter, Company
Track Session Presenter, Company
Track Session Presenter, Company
Track Session Presenter, Company
22 • FEI25
GROW 4 WAYS TO
FRONT-END LAB Invigorate innovation at your organization with proven front-end principles either in one to many learning or hands-on workshop experiences.
PROBLEM-SOLVING LAB Learn from real-world successes and overcome common innovation roadblocks.
CASE STUDY LAB Collaboratively tackle unsolved problems facing global organizations in roll-our- sleeves-up large group workshops.
TRENDS/FORESIGHTS LAB Realize the future in the present by learning what to expect from trends and foresights experts.
FEI25 • 23
DAY 3 Collective Intelligence: What’s Next?!
Breakfast
7:00 AM
Final Mile Welcome
8:00 AM
Business Model Innovation: Space Economy Ecosystem Minoo Rathnasabapathy, MIT Media Lab; Vik Shayam, NASA, Kara Cunzeman, The Aerospace Co. Transformative Strategic Thinking: The Art of Disciplined Business Creativity Workshop Michele Simoni, Professor, Innovation, Business Design; Eva Panetti, Assistant Professor, Innovation, Business Design, Planning; Marco Farretti, Prof., Chair Corp. Strategy, University of Naples Parthenope Unpacking Quantum For Innovation and Your Organization Leslie Shannon, Head of Trend Scouting, Nokia
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:45 AM
Networking Break
10:45 AM
Mind and the Machine - Solving Real Business Challenges with Collective Intelligence (HI+AI) Harsh Wardhan, Google, Prapti Jha, Former, Harvard
11:15 AM
Lunch
12:30 PM
Business Model Innovation: The Advanced and Urban Personal Air Travel Ecosystem Chuck Martin, Author, Flying Vehicles ; Sean Borman, CEO, Aeroauto Global; Santh Satya, Founder & CEO, Luftcar
1:30 PM
Silent Collaboration: Challenging Habitual Thinking, Constraints & Inefficiencies Divya Harpalani, B&H Photo and Vibha Tourani, International Rescue Committee (IRC)
2:00 PM
Primary Team Meetings: Set Your Action Plan.
2:30 PM
West Coast Direct Flights: Depart by 6pm = Arrive by 10pm
4:30 PM
24 • FEI25
WHAT QUANTUM MEANS FOR INNOVATION
Nokia/Bell Labs’ Leslie Shannon on the value of Day 3
Explore the impact of quantum computing on innovation.
FEI25 • 25
INTE ENHA
26 • FEI25
ERACTIVITY ANCED
1:1 STARTER MEETINGS Expand Your Network. Expand your network of innovation experts and corporate changemakers through quick 1:1 starter meetings. Rapidly explore each other’s abilities and continue the conversation during the next break, cocktail or meal. PRIMARY TEAM MEETINGS Set Your Action Plan. An additional benefit of bringing a team from your organization is our Primary Team Meetings where your team blends the FEI25 Key Takeaways provided through the app with your own notes. Have an action plan before you leave! PROXY TEAM MEETINGS Small Group Problem Solving. Meet with a group of like-minded individuals who are interested in collaboratively problem-solving on particular issues that remain in the way of advancing innovation within global business ecosystems.
FEI25 • 27
Day 1: Excellence & Best Practice Track PROXY MEETINGS
11:30 PROXY MEETING 1: ALPHA Transformational Task Force Lessons Learned
11:30 PROXY MEETING 1: BETA Unpacking Design Thinking (Collective Intelligence Workshop Part I)
Vivian Tsaklanganos Global Innovation Director, Colgate-Palmolive
Harsh Wardhan Innovation Manager, Google
Leveraging her expertise in driving large- scale initiatives, she’ll share practical insights on standardizing the innovation funnel (Discovery, Incubation, GTM-Test, and Scale), streamlining value chain pro- cesses, and achieving optimal resourcing. Participants will gain actionable strat- egies for balancing talent metrics and deploying resources effectively, ultimately enhancing their organizations’ ability to translate innovative ideas into successful market outcomes. Key discussion points include: • Standardizing the funnel • Optimizing value chain processes • Realizing optimal resourcing • Balancing talent metrics to match
Take a critical deep dive into the practical application of design thinking principles, specifically tailored for innovation experts and corporate changemakers. • Participants will gain actionable insights into navigating the intricate interplay of desirability, feasibility, and viability , en- abling them to make informed, impactful decisions. • This session goes beyond theoretical frame- works, equipping attendees with tangible methods to simplify complex challenges , foster cross-functional team alignment around human-centered needs , and drive transformative innovation . • By challenging ingrained assumptions and pushing the boundaries of conventional thinking, participants will learn to unlock new avenues for business value creation. This is an essential opportunity for those seeking to refine their innovation toolkit and lead their organizations towards a future de- fined by strategic, human-centric solutions.
11:30 PROXY MEETING 1: GAMMA Leveraging Your Personal Strengths for Success
This discussion focuses on self-awareness, strategic application of strengths in diverse teams, and leveraging raw potential to transform into value and impact. She discusses a holistic approach, that considers both individual and collective dynamics.
Christine Minh-Minh Garner Trainer and Talent Alchemist, CliftonStrenghts
• Identifying core strengths: This in- cludes recognizing individual talents and capabilities. • Strategic application: Understanding how to effectively use those strengths within organizational contexts
• Interpersonal dynamics: Navigating and leveraging strengths in interac- tions with diverse personality types • Transformative storytelling: Crafting authentic narratives, that connect with others
28 • FEI25
Day 2: AI, Data, Analytics & Insights Track PROXY MEETINGS
2:45PM PROXY MEETING 1: ALPHA Unpacking Organizational AI In Real Time
The integration of AI presents unprecedented opportunities, but also sig- nificant hurdles, for both established corporates and agile startups. While corporate-startup collaborations have historically been challenging, the complexities of AI adoption have amplified these difficulties.
Andre Magni Data & AI Leader, Microsoft
• Addressing these critical issues head-on, offering a strategic road- map for leveraging AI as a binding agent to forge successful partner- ships. This session is designed for corporate leaders seeking to tap into startup innovation and start- ups aiming to scale through corpo- rate resources. • Participants will explore how to overcome traditional collabo- ration hurdles – such as differing cultures, timelines, and priorities –
by strategically utilizing AI’s trans- formative potential. The discussion will delve into practical strategies for aligning AI initiatives , fostering knowledge sharing , and building mutually beneficial ecosystems . • Gain actionable insights on how to navigate the AI landscape to create powerful synergies, drive innovation, and achieve a compet- itive edge in the age of intelligent technologies.
2:45PM PROXY MEETING 1: BETA AI Impact: The Innovator’s Role In Protecting Against Cognitive Decay
What is AI’s impact on organizational human cognition? With extensive experience driving innovation, showcasing leadership in technology and healthcare, Mohan Nair is uniquely positioned to discuss this crucial topic. He explores how AI’s convenience fosters cognitive offloading, hindering critical thinking. Nair delves into the “editor not creator” paradigm, where reliance on machine information diminishes original thought. Nair proposes strategies to counteract these effects, emphasizing self-governance and mindful technology integration, crucial for maintaining cognitive health in
Mohan Nair Former Chief Innovation Officer, Cambria Health
the age of AI. Conversation points include: • AI obsession and the curse of convenience • Fashioning approaches based on machine information • Cognitive offloading • Editor not creator • Achieving self-governance
FEI25 • 29
Day 2: AI, Data, Analytics & Insights Track PROXY MEETINGS (continued)
This session is designed for innovation, marketing, and strategy leaders who are rich in data but still fighting to drive action. We explore how to move beyond research delivery toward decision intelligence by framing the right questions, influencing commercial outcomes, and embedding insight in the moments that matter. It also looks at how AI can support this shift by accelerating scale and speed while keeping human insights at the center of strategy. 2:45PM PROXY MEETING 1: GAMMA From Insights to Decision Intelligence: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do: Why insights leaders struggle to impact the P&L and how to fix it
Suann Griffin Former Senior Director, Insights Serta Simmons Bedding
Day 2: Customer 2030 & Future Trends track PROXY MEETINGS
Agile launch strategies that prioritize customer engagement are critical. This session explores how to achieve differentiation by focusing on cost-effec- tive, learn-moment decisions, and ensuring future needs remain relevant. It emphasizes balancing risk and benefit and leveraging AI to frame unbiased questions. This is timely due to rapid market shifts and evolving customer expectations. Arvind Balasundaram, with his extensive experience in driving innovation and strategic growth, is uniquely positioned to guide participants in realizing tangible value through feasible innovation. 2:45PM PROXY MEETING 1: ALPHA Feasible Innovation: Realizing Value In An Ever-Changing World Of Relevance & Engagements
Arvind Balasundaram Executive Director, Commercial Insights & Analytics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Diving into launch excellence to gain differentiation • Understating that a future customer job in a learn-moment decision is less costly • Realizing how to make a future need relevant and highly engaged for a physician or other end-target
• Ensuring you don’t over-pronate on risks as opposed to benefits • Framing the right questions utilizing AI to avoid bias
30 • FEI25
Explore nuclear energy’s transformative role across diverse industries. Drawing from her extensive background in nuclear regulation, safe- guards, and policy development at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commis- sion and National Nuclear Security Administration, Ms. Lane presents compelling case studies that showcase nuclear energy’s evolution from traditional power generation to innovative industrial applications. 2:45PM PROXY MEETING 1: BETA Learning From Three Case Studies Of Industry Innovation Through Nuclear Energy
Hilary Lane Director of Fuel and Radiation Safety at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Data Center Revolution • Discover how data centers are strategically invest- ing in nuclear solutions to meet exponential digital infrastructure demands • Learn why industry leaders are willing to pay premium rates for unparalleled re- liability and clean energy credentials
Oil & Gas Sector Innovation • Explore groundbreaking applications of mobile nuclear solutions in remote operations • Understand how trans- portable nuclear technol- ogy is revolutionizing field operations and reducing carbon footprints
Steel & Petrochemical Industry Advancement
• Examine the dual benefits of clean power generation and process heat applica- tions • Learn how nuclear inte- gration is transforming traditional manufacturing processes
This session offers unique insights into how nuclear technology is meeting contempo- rary industrial challenges while advancing sustainability goals. Ms. Lane’s comprehen- sive regulatory and policy expertise provides attendees with a thorough understanding of both the technical innovations and regu-
latory frameworks shaping these develop- ments. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge from a leading expert in nuclear energy policy and regulation while discovering how these pioneering case studies are setting new standards for indus- trial energy solutions.
This discussion focuses on self-awareness, strategic application of strengths in diverse teams, and leveraging raw potential to transform into value and impact. She discusses a holistic approach, that considers both individual and collective dynamics. 11:30 PROXY MEETING 1: GAMMA Leveraging Your Personal Strengths for Success
Christine Minh-Minh Garner Trainer and
Talent Alchemist, CliftonStrengths
• Identifying core strengths: This includes recognizing individual tal- ents and capabilities. • Strategic application: Under- standing how to effectively use those strengths within organiza- tional contexts
• Interpersonal dynamics: Navigat- ing and leveraging strengths in interactions with diverse personali- ty types • Transformative storytelling: Craft- ing authentic narratives, that con- nect with others
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7 REASONS TO PARTICIPATE AT FEI25 WITH YOUR
ORGANIZATIONAL INTERDISCIPLINARY PEERS
Maximizing Learning & Perspectives
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Parallel Track Coverage Instead of choosing just one session, your team can attend multiple tracks simulta- neously. This allows you to gather insights from diverse fields like data science, de- sign thinking, and business strategy, then bring that knowledge back to enrich your collective understanding.
Plenary Session Dept Even when attending the same keynote, colleagues from different disciplines will extract unique takeaways. A marketer might focus on the speaker’s communi- cation style, while an engineer analyzes the technical feasibility of their ideas. This leads to richer post-session discussions and a more holistic view.
32 • FEI25
Enhanced Networking & Problem Solving
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Multifaceted Vendor Interactions Imagine your team en- gaging with a software vendor. The developer dives into the API, the designer critiques the UX, and the business analyst assesses its market fit. This collaborative approach provides a comprehensive evaluation and strength- ens your negotiating posi- tion.
Exponential Network Growth Each team member acts as a multiplier, expanding your network not linearly, but exponentially. They’ll each form unique con- nections based on their interests and expertise, creating a web of contacts far greater than any indi- vidual could achieve.
Accelerated Problem Solving Facing a complex business challenge? Having diverse perspectives onsite allows for real-time brainstorm- ing and problem-solving. A diverse team can tackle challenges from all angles, leading to faster and more innovative solutions.
Beyond the Bullet Points
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Establish an Innovation Culture This cross-disciplinary approach fosters a culture of shared learning and collab- orative innovation. It breaks down silos, encourages cross-departmental under- standing, and ultimately leads to a more agile and well-rounded organization.
Collective Intelligence By attending an interdisciplinary event as a team, you’re not just gaining individual knowledge, you’re building a collective intelligence that will benefit your organi- zation far beyond the conference itself.
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Day 1 Key Sessions
8:30AM Rogue Mindset: Aligning The Innovation Capability With Business Strategy Conceived of by Tammy Butterworth at the 21st FEI: Front End of Innovation, the ROGUE MINDSET is a new project that champions an unconvention- al approach to decision-making and innovation. It emphasizes resilience, openness to unconventional ideas, grit, unwavering curiosity, empowerment and communication. The Rogue Mindset Approach released on the Con- nectMe app at the end of April showcases: • How innovators and changemakers have been in- spire & empowered to embrace the ROGUE Mind- set. • Practical insights and tools for cultivating the ROGUE Mindset. • The fostering of a global dialogue on the impor- tance of unconventional thinking. • The building of a community of innovators who embody the ROGUE Mindset. • The alignment of Innovation with Business Strategy by turning ‘outside’ ideas into ‘inside’ strategy
Lend your voice to the Rogue Mind- set report being released in April. Answer the questions to the right by taking a few minutes to complete the Rogue Mindset form:
Add Your Voice Now
SPEAKERS
Tammy Butterworth Product Innovation Director, Welch’s
Brigette Wolf CMO, MyMochi
Lisa Sanchez Vice President R&D, The Procter & Gamble Co.
Scott Ehrlich Chief Innovation Officer, Head of Corporate Strategy, Sinclair Broadcast Group
Craig Dubitsky Founder+CEO, happy®
8:50AM Rogue Mindset Roundtables
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The framework currently defines ROGUE as:
Resilience and Adaptability
Openness to Unconventional Ideas
Grit and Determination
Unwavering Curiosity
Empowerment and Communication
In a Chatham House Rules environment, these Roundtables put the Rogue Mindset Ap- proach to work. After reviewing the Approach on the app in advance of the event, you and your interdisciplinary colleagues share thoughts, use cases and case studies of the current state of the applied Rogue Mindset.
34 • FEI25
5:00PM FEI Honors: Celebrating A Quarter Century of Innovation Luminaries Celebrating FEI’s rich history of Innovation Luminaries sharing their thoughts on the future and how to get there. An Innovation Luminary is an individual who has significantly advanced the field of innovation through their: • Pioneering ideas: They’ve developed new concepts, frameworks, or methodol- ogies that have shaped how we think about and approach innovation. • Influential work: Their research, writing, teaching, or practical application of innovation has had a widespread impact on businesses, organizations, or so- ciety. • Thought leadership: They are recognized as experts and thought leaders in the field, often sought after for their insights and guidance. • Inspiring action: They inspire others to embrace innovation and drive positive change.
COMMITTEE
Tammy Butterworth Product Innovation Director, Welch’s
Christian Saclier VP Design Innovation, PepsiCo
Mike Hatrick VP IP Strategy & Portfolio, Volvo Group
Katharine English Head of Innovation Programs, Global Engineering Excellence, Google
Milan Ivosevic GVP R&D and Innovation, Cooper Surgical
Miranda Helmer VP Product Development & Regulatory, Albertsons Companies
Stay tuned for the Honorees!
The central qualities of an Innovation Luminary: • Deep Expertise • Impactful Contributions • The Ability to Inspire and Guide Others
An Innovation Luminary is someone who shines a light on the path to innovation, illuminating new possibili- ties and guiding others towards a more innovative future. They are the thought leaders, pioneers, and practitioners who are shaping the field and inspiring others to create, experiment,and transform.
FEI25 • 35
Day 1 Strategy & Transformation Track
At FEI 2024, Christian painted a vivid picture of PepsiCo’s innova- tion landscape—one characterized by cross-functional collaboration, a commitment to sustainability, and an embrace of technolog- ical advancements. His insights emphasized that innovation is a journey requiring agility, creativity, and a deep understanding of con- sumer needs while building on the already strong interdisciplinary ca- pability muscle. With AI and tech- nology as powerful allies, Saclier envisioned a future where com- panies like PepsiCo can achieve transformation, fostering growth and positive impact through port- folio evolution on a global scale. This session is the next step in that 10:30AM Evolution of The New: A Transformation Journey
Phil Sage Senior Director - Design & Innovation, N.A, PepsiCo
message, sharing how transfor- mation is now being achieved and The New is being realized. • Becoming an expert in identify- ing, unpacking and communi- cating The New • Unpacking opportunities and delivering via the most efficient possible means • Embarking and engaging stake- holders on every step of the journey at the onset, throughout the process, through to fruition • Learning from the process and understanding what could be done differently • Continually transforming and evolving to remain on the cut- ting edge of innovation
11:00AM Taste, Touch, Feel: Experience 4 Cultural Shifts That Will Impact Your Business In this interactive session, Dig Insights’ trend strategists, researchers, and technology experts will walk you through an experience for the senses that doubles as a lesson in futureproofing your business. We’ll bring to life the 4 cultural shifts that are set to disrupt every consumer category through an interactive ‘Experience Menu’. Then we’ll teach you how to take action, armed with this knowledge, to build an effec- tive innovation pipeline for your specific business. You don’t want to miss this one!
Sarah Polansky VP Trends & Innovation, Dig Insights
36 • FEI25
10:30AM Delivering on R&D Strategy
This session, led by an R&D executive luminary, offers a masterclass in crafting and executing a winning R&D strategy. Going beyond theoreti- cal frameworks, the session provides practical guidance on:
Liza Sanchez VP R&D, Procter & Gamble
• Strategic Alignment : Ensuring R&D initiatives directly support and advance overarching busi- ness objectives. • Organizational Buy-in : Building consensus and securing resourc- es by effectively communicating the value and impact of R&D. • Cross-functional Collaboration : Fostering a collaborative envi- ronment where R&D seamlessly integrates with other depart- ments (e.g., marketing, product development) to achieve shared goals.
• Outcome-Oriented Approach : Defining clear, measurable outcomes for R&D initiatives and tracking progress towards achieving them. • Future-Proofing Innovation : Anticipating future trends and incorporating them into the R&D roadmap to maintain a compet- itive edge.
Attendees will gain valuable insights and actionable strategies for de- veloping and implementing a robust R&D strategy that drives business growth and fosters a culture of innovation.
12:30PM Business Model Innovation as a Competitive Advantage
Gus Valen CEO & Entrepreneur, The Valen Group
While product innovation is important, true competitive advantage often lies in business model innovation. This session explores how organizations can unlock new sources of val- ue by reimagining their business models. Key discussion points include: • Understanding the components of a ro- bust business model canvas and how to leverage it for strategic decision-making • Embracing uncertainty by understanding the limits of traditional strategic planning and the need for agility in the face of con- stant change
Watch the Full Interview »
• Infusing flexibility in strategy execution through agile methodologies to iterate quickly, test assumptions, and pivot as needed • Overcoming common barriers to business model innovation, including organization- al resistance and structural challenges that affect resource allocation and deci- sion-making
FEI25 • 37
Day 1 Strategy & Transformation Track (continued)
1:45PM Establishing A Corporate Accelerator
Dakota Crow Head of Innovation Programs, US Bank
Watch the Full Interview »
Dakota has built a corporate accelerator not once but twice. And in highly regulated industries like life science and banking. From the corporate accelerator he’s built, Dakota has been able to facilitate 13 projects with $650M in value for the organization. He has found a way to create and cultivate significant interest inside of large global corporations with his first effort engaging over 350 people and his latest effort engag- ing over one thousand colleagues. Dakota has proven that the corporate accelerator is a great way to not only activate individu- als but to discover and develop people and ideas towards innovation for the organization.
• Building an internal idea accelerator from the ground up • Beginning with the end in mind; where to start, who needs to buy-in, resources you need, etc. • Reviewing lessons learned on going from 3 to 300 participants • Building in additional levels of Bootcamp, Accelerator and Incubator • Boasting a portfolio of projects with $650M in potential value
38 • FEI25
2:15PM Why Stories, Not Just Science, Should Start in the Lab
Mike Thomas CEO, Upstream 360
Watch the Full Interview »
Breakthroughs in the lab are only half the battle. The other half? Crafting the story that brings those innovations to life—not just for consumers and customers, but for skep- tical managers and cross-functional teams as well. Mike Thomas, CEO of Upstream 360, argues that science alone isn’t enough to captivate or convert—stories must be built alongside the science itself. In this dynamic session, Mike will reveal how Upstream 360’s 3-Second WOW and WHO-HOW-WOW frameworks ensure that every innovation begins with a narrative that connects emo- tionally and intellectually. This isn’t about “dumbing down” the science —it’s about elevating it. Through compelling case stud- ies—from turning complex product formu- lations into consumer-loved campaigns to positioning technical breakthroughs to rise above market clutter—Mike will demonstrate how great stories transform great science
into market success. Without a story to bridge the gap between the technical and the tangible, even the most sophisticated innovations are at risk of failure. Join this workshop on: • Science and Story Together: The lab is where innovations and their stories must begin to ensure they resonate emotionally and intellectually. • Proven Tools for Success: Upstream 360’s 3-Second WOW and WHO-HOW-WOW frameworks simplify complexity and make innovations captivating. • Stories Drive Results: Great storytelling elevates science, turning technical break- throughs into mar ket successes.
FEI25 • 39
Day 1 Strategy & Transformation Track (continued)
2:45PM Activating Emotional Innovation
Craig Dubitsky founder+ceo, happy®
Craig Dubitsky is an innovator with a prov- en track record of reinventing customer experiences. By incorporating emotional innovation into branding and product de- velopment, he effectively solves customer problems and elevates outcomes. In this session, Craig will share his expertise and insights, covering: • Defining innovation: Realizing technical innovation only occurs when hearts and minds are involved
Watch the Full Interview »
• Bringing new to life to an organization by manifesting an idea and making it real • Reviewing lessons learned from challenger brands being acquired by large corporates • Achieving emotional innovation by learn- ing to solve for the area ‘under the curve’
4:15PM From Taproom to Test Market: How Lagunitas Brews Innovation with Consumer Insights In a category steeped in tradition and crowded with competition, La- gunitas Brewing Company stands out by doubling down on innovation rooted in deep consumer understanding. Join Heather Corker, Senior Consumer Insights and Data Strategy Manager at Lagunitas Brewing Company and Phil Winkelman, VP of Customer Success at Suzy for a session showcasing how Lagunitas uses consumer insights to successfully test and launch innovations. Heather will reveal how Lagunitas is build- ing the future of beer without losing sight of its identity. This session is a must attend for anyone navigating change while staying true to their brand’s soul.
Phil Winkelman VP Customer Success, Suzy
Heather Corker Senior Consumer Insights and Data Strategy Manager, Lagunitas Brewing Company
40 • FEI25
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