All articles by Kate Katz

Article Payment Innovation at Scale: Inside Visa’s Global Innovation Network
August 8, 2024 | By Kate Katz
Valla Vakili, Visa's Senior Vice President and Global Head of Insights and Innovation, shares how Visa's Global Innovation Network pilots groundbreaking projects in digital payments, leveraging local insights to drive global solutions, all while aligning with Visa’s overarching mission to enhance and secure the payment ecosystem.
Article How Japan’s NEC Adjusted Its Silicon Valley Strategy
July 30, 2024 | By Kate Katz
We talked with Naoto Mizuguchi, NEC X CFO about the evolution of its startup accelerator program, now called Elev X! Mizuguchi describes the updated venture studio model, success stories, focus areas, and long-term goals for the program.
Article At Hearth & Home Technologies, Exploring Where AI and the Smart Home Intersect
March 27, 2024 | By Kate Katz
We talked to Hearth & Home Technologies, manufacturer and supplier of fireplaces and stoves, about AI and innovation for our research initiative, "How AI is Influencing Corporate Innovation in 2024.”
Article At DFW International Airport, AI and Sustainability Top the Innovation Agenda
March 7, 2024 | By Kate Katz
We talked to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the second busiest airport in the world, about sustainability, AI, and innovation for our research initiative, "How AI is Influencing Corporate Innovation in 2024.”
Article Member Spotlight: Ryan Pletka, Black & Veatch
May 2, 2023 | By Kate Katz
As part of our member spotlight series, we caught up with Ryan Pletka, VP of Innovation at Black & Veatch, about
Article Member Spotlight: Brandon Campbell, Center on Rural Innovation
February 17, 2023 | By Kate Katz
Brandon Campbell, Regional Director for the Southeast U.S. for the Center on Rural Innovation, shares how he connects with the organization's mission; discusses some recent rural innovation projects; and gives advice for getting buy-in on initiatives.
Article Member Spotlight: Pascale Wautelet, Avery Dennison
January 3, 2022 | By Kate Katz
Pascale Wautelet is Vice President of Global R&D for Label and Graphic Materials at Avery Dennison Corporation. We spoke with Pascale as part of our IL Member Spotlight series.
Article Member Spotlight: Claire Johnsen, Hallmark Care Homes & Savista Developments
February 11, 2022 | By Kate Katz
Claire Johnsen is Head of Innovation of Hallmark Care Homes and Savista Developments, a family-run company that operates 19 eldercare facilities in the UK. We spoke with Johnsen as part of our IL Member Spotlight series, which profiles our members.
Article Member Spotlight: Joshua Kreger, Pinnacol Assurance
March 9, 2022 | By Kate Katz
Joshua Kreger is Director of Safety Innovation and Strategy at Colorado-based Pinnacol Assurance, which provides worker’s compensation insurance. We spoke with him about the software he uses, and the need for radical candor, as part of our IL Member Spotlight series.
Article Member Spotlight: George Dunning, Canada Post
April 27, 2022 | By Kate Katz
George Dunning is Director of Innovation at Canada Post, a federally-owned Crown corporation and the primary postal service in Canada. We spoke with him about his open innovation framework, and the challenges of innovating inside a large corporation and as part of our IL Member Spotlight series.