At the 7th Annual American Innovation Conference IKEA, Toyota USA, JetBlue, Google, & Amazon Shared Insights on Their Approaches to Product Development, Customer Service, & Sustainability
Featured Events , Responsible Business Center | Nov 26, 2024 | Gabelli School of Business
Hosted by Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business Responsible Business Center, the Event Attracted Industry Leaders and Entrepreneurs from Across Business Sectors
On November 19, the 7th Annual American Innovation Conference convened industry leaders from some of the most innovative companies in the country as ranked by consumers in the 2024 American Innovation Index™ (Aii). The Aii ranking is based upon research conducted by Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business Responsible Business Center, Illuminas, and the Norwegian School of Economics. The event provided a forum for entrepreneurs and industry leaders to learn about the ways in which some of the world’s most influential companies and iconic brands have fostered an environment of innovation that has enhanced their brand recognition and their reputation with consumers. It also drove home the point that new ideas and ways of doing business are instrumental drivers of shareholder value.
Oakley Roberts, vice president of innovation and product management at Trane Technologies
The event kicked off with a keynote address by Oakley Roberts, vice president of innovation and product management at Trane Technologies. Roberts explained the significant financial cost of energy waste and how innovation in building equipment and management systems is helping businesses save money while increasing sustainability. To Roberts, sustainability and profitability aren’t competing goals when an organization is purpose driven. He also explained that innovation takes time and highlighted how Trane’s open innovation culture embraces internal and external ideas that directly contribute to the company’s science-based initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
Gina Woodall, VP & group director of Illuminas, provided insights into the 2024 American Innovation Index™, sharing how customer perceptions shape strategic plans for growth. She demonstrated how companies can use the Index and the lessons learned from the award winners to identify innovation that moves the needle for a company, consumers, and society at large.
Laura Podesta, (far left) with (left to right) Evan DeKaser, Jeremy Neil, and Mary Strain
The first panel, “Innovation Accelerator or Ethical Disruptor?” featured Jeremy Neil, vehicle product training specialist, Toyota USA; Evan DeKaser, a Fordham alumnus specializing in enterprise data, analytics & AI at Google Cloud; and Mary Strain, a Fordham alumna, specializing in AI and machine learning strategy, US EDU AWS, and was moderated by Laura Podesta, communications strategist and journalist. The technology-focused session highlighted how AI can enhance current activities and critical thinking. However, the panelists cautioned that organizations should self-regulate how they are using this new technology to address ethical concerns and protect the rights of consumers.
Timothy Keiningham, Ph.D., J. Donald Kennedy endowed chair in e-commerce at St. John’s University and New York Times bestselling author, segued into the Conference’s second half by delivering a presentation on the “Latest Developments in Social Innovation.” Citing recently published research he co-authored, he focused on the role innovation plays as a driver for market returns in Social Profit Orientation.
Patsy Sciutto Doerr, (far left) with (left to right) Katherine Hunter, Kathleen Myers, and Clarissa Moses-Washington
The second panel, “Defining Social Innovation,” explored social innovation from an economic, environmental, and social perspective. Katherine Hunter, executive director impact finance & advisory, head of venture investing & advisory, JPMorgan Chase; Clarissa Moses-Washington, manager of diversity, equity and inclusion, JetBlue; and Kathleen Myers, AVP, member research strategy/member strategy organization, Navy Federal Credit Union, guided by moderator Patsy Sciutto Doerr, senior consultant and executive coach at Simitri Group International, and adjunct professor at Fordham University, agreed that companies aren’t shying away from social innovation initiatives, but are instead challenging the status quo and readdressing their approach to it. Putting the customer’s needs and wellness at the core of their business strategy is one way businesses are embracing social innovation. The panelists gave examples of how companies are embracing new tools to create multifaceted solutions that lead to investing in more inclusive economic opportunities. Small changes, they reminded the audience, can lead to significant transformation.
Zoya Mirza with Mardi Ditze
Mardi Ditze, US sustainability manager, IKEA, and Zoya Mirza, editor, ESG Dive, sat down for a fireside chat about how IKEA has always positioned sustainability at the center of all its business operations. This has driven the development of innovative solutions across the organization, from product design to food waste disposal in its stores, and has informed decision-making at all levels of the organization. Echoing points made by Oakley Roberts, Ditze discussed how sustainability and affordability is a core value at the top of Ikea’s agenda and has helped the company to substantially cut its carbon footprint.
The afternoon concluded with an awards ceremony and reception for the companies in attendance that placed at the top of the 2024 American Innovation Index.
