Faces of Innovation

Faces of Innovation

Welcome to Faces of Innovation! This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers. Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon. Rachel is a growth and innovation advisor to ambitious industry leaders in consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In her 20-year career, she's led innovation initiatives across Europe and North America in-house and as a consultant. Today, she helps clients create internal structures for successful long-term innovation, enabling them to uncover market opportunities, build innovation capability and position themselves for large-scale growth. Rachel’s experience includes work with: ABInBev, AstraZeneca, Danone, General Mills, Harley-Davidson, PepsiCo and Virgin.

Episodes

June 12, 2025 52 mins
In this conversation, Dave Lewis discusses the essential elements of capability building for corporate innovation. He emphasizes the importance of clarity, commitment, and the right conditions for fostering innovation. The discussion covers the definitions of innovation and capability, the significance of creating safe learning environments, and the need for empathy in capability building. Additionally, the conversation highlights ...
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In this conversation, Ana Plasencia, an innovation explorer at Mars, discusses the critical role of consumer insights in driving innovation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding human truths and the need for collaboration across multifunctional teams to create products that resonate with consumers. The discussion also touches on the tension between enjoyment and health consciousness in the confectionery industry, highligh...
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In this conversation, Julian Boxenbaum discusses the critical role of connection in innovation, contrasting the approaches of corporations, startups, and academic institutions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding human needs and the challenges faced by each sector in fostering innovation. The discussion also highlights the need for critical thinking in education and the impact of technology on the democratization of innov...
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In this conversation, Alice Ponti, a corporate innovation expert, discusses the intricate relationship between innovation and risk management in organizations. She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, the limitations of traditional Stage Gate processes, and the need for intelligent risk-taking. The discussion also covers portfolio management strategies and the role of startups in accelerating innovation. Ultimately, t...
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In this conversation, Robin Bolton discusses the challenges and strategies of corporate innovation, emphasizing the importance of leadership, the need for a structured approach, and the significance of understanding the growth gap. She introduces the concept of the Innovation ABCs, which focuses on architecture, leadership behaviors, and culture, and highlights the necessity of executive sponsors in fostering innovation within orga...
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Navigating the Future of Professional Services, AI and Automation w/ Jan Beranek | EP 7 Today we’re excited to be speaking to Jan Beranek Founder and CEO, FifthRow.
In this conversation, Jan and Rachel discuss the significant transitions in the professional services landscape, particularly in light of recent job losses and the rise of generative AI. They explore the capabilities of Fifth Row, a platform designed to automate innovat...
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"It's not about the technology, it's about the way it's used."

Today we’re excited to be speaking to Geoff Gibbins, an expert practitioner in growth strategy and innovation. Geoff leads the Americas region at BOI, the global leader in Autonomous Innovation. 

In this Episode of Faces Of Innovation, Rachel Gordon and Geoff Gibbins discuss the concept of autonomous innovation, its implications for corporate innovation, and the transform...
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Today we’re excited to be speaking to Abhay Jain, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at A+E Networks.
 
In this conversation, Abhay Jain shares his extensive experience in innovation across various sectors, particularly in media and technology. He discusses his journey from startup founder to corporate strategist at A&E Networks, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities in fostering innovation within large or...
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"We need innovation, but we need growth."
 
Today we’re excited to be speaking to Greg Brody, a Venture Partner with 25 years of venture investing experience, specializing in corporate venture capital and building growth capabilities for large enterprises. 
 
In this conversation, Greg Brody shares his career journey and his current focus on helping big enterprises disrupt themselves and drive new growth. He emphasizes the need for com...
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Welcome to Faces of Innovation!

This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers. Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon. Rachel is a growth and innovation advisor to ambitious industry leaders in consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In her 20-year career, she's led innovation initiatives across Europe and North America in-house and a...
Mark as Played
Welcome to Faces of Innovation!

This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon. Rachel is a growth and innovation advisor to ambitious industry leaders in consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In her 20-year career, she's led innovation initiatives across Europe and North America in-house and as...
Mark as Played
Welcome to Faces of Innovation!

This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon. Rachel is a growth and innovation advisor to ambitious industry leaders in consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In her 20-year career, she's led innovation initiatives across Europe and North America in-house and as...
Mark as Played

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