Agenda
Monday, September 15, 2025 | Annual Growth Innovation Leadership Council Meeting and Event Kick-Off
12:00 pm
Growth Innovation Leadership Council Registration: Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center
*Please note participation in the Council’s Annual Meeting is restricted to Council Members and Associate Members only. Please visit the Council Tab above for more information.
12:15 pm
Annual Growth Innovation Leadership Council Meeting and Networking Luncheon
5:45 pm
Growth Innovation Leadership Annual Council Meeting Concludes
6:00 pm
Happy Hour Hangout: Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center
Join us for the Happy Hour Hangout, a perfect opportunity to network, connect with peers, and build relationships in a relaxed and casual setting. Kick off the event with great conversations, beer, wine, and good vibes as we unwind together. Come set the tone for an unforgettable experience!
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | Innovation Workshop and Networking
8:30 am
Registration and Continental Breakfast: Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech
9:00 am
Participant Meet ‘n’ Greet
This networking activity offers practitioners a valuable opportunity to quickly connect with peers facing similar challenges. It’s an excellent way to identify participants with valuable thought leadership and lay the foundation for meaningful discussions throughout the event.
9:30 AM
WELCOME AND HEADLINER – Innovation by Design: Creating Alignment, Value, and Cultural Shift
John Avery, Director, Advanced Technology Development Center, Georgia Tech
Growth Innovation Leadership Council Member
10:15 AM
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT – It Starts with the Customer Problem
Andrew Seleznov, Head of AR Production, Arcadia Creative Studio, Snap Inc.
Jim Sowden, Head of Creative | Arcadia Studio, Snap Inc.
10:45 AM
Networking and Refreshment Break
11:05 AM
CONCURRENT COLLABORATION ZONES – ROUNDTABLES
Roundtable sessions capture the power of all participants’ voices, insights and experiences via group discussion and exploration of the issue at hand.
Choose one of the following zones:
Zone 1.
Beyond the Core: Securing Resources for Transformational Innovation in a Constrained Environment
Donna Worley, Senior Director, Strategy, Business Operations & Innovation, United Surgical Partners International, Inc
Zone 2.
AI and the Innovation Ladder: Rethinking How We Develop the Next Generation of Innovators
Joshua Tamayo-Sarver, Vice President of Innovation, Vituity
12:15 PM
Networking Luncheon
1:15 PM
HEADLINER – Driving Agility: Reducing Internal Barriers to Innovation Success
Jürgen Weichenberger, Head of AI Strategy & Innovation, Schneider Electric
1:45 PM
ASK THE EXPERTS! Panel Discussion – Sustaining Innovation: Structuring Teams and Processes to Support Each Stage of the Journey
Moderator:
Emil Radulescu, R&D Head, Robotic Instruments, Johnson & Johnson
Panelists Include:
Kassandra Díaz-Rivera, R&D Director – Product Design & Technology Development | Charmin and Puffs Brands, Procter & Gamble
Patrick Kennedy, Senior Director, Growth Strategy & Analytics, Oak Street Health
David Massey, Digital Experience Director, UPS
Gracy Wingkono, Director of Corporate R&D (Global) – Materials and Sustainability, The Coca-Cola Company
2:30 PM
Networking and Refreshment Break
2:50 PM
CONCURRENT COLLABORATION ZONES – CASE HISTORIES
Case Histories explore a specific use case and include informal conversations that draw upon the experience and expertise of the featured executive and participants.
Choose one of the following zones:
Zone 1.
Motivating and Incentivizing Transformative Innovation
Christy Overall, Director of Innovation, LivaNova
Zone 2.
Calculating the Risks and Rewards of Transformative Innovation
3:55 PM
Session to Session Travel Time
4:00 PM
CAPSTONE – Fail Forward: Turning Setbacks into Steppingstones
Steven Smith, Head of Innovation Design/Vice President, Crocs, Inc.
4:30 PM
Networking Reception
Close out the day with drinks, small bites and meaningful connections with fellow peers in a relaxed yet entertaining setting!
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 I Innovation Tours and Networking
8:00 am
Innovation Tours Check-In and Continental Breakfast: Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center
Innovation tours shuttle transportation provided.
8:30 am
Shuttle Departs for Innovation Tours
9:00 am
Innovation Center Tour of the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility
As a flagship component of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI), AMPF is a special place where industry works alongside researchers and students to take early-stage concepts from idea to reality. Recently, Georgia Tech and the AMPF facility are supporting a statewide initiative that combines artificial intelligence and manufacturing innovations with transformational workforce and outreach programs.
10:30 AM
Innovation Center Tour of The Invention Studio
The Invention Studio at Georgia Tech is the largest student-run makerspace in the nation and has attracted thousands of members and users since its founding in 2009. The Studio’s mission is to empower students, staff, and faculty to design, build, and play together.
11:45 AM
Shuttle Departs for Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center
Register Now!
For further information or to register, call Jason Doty, Senior Director, Events & Leadership Councils on +1-210-247-2471, or email him at jason.doty@frost.com