The Strategic Gap
Most organizations invest heavily in innovation, but efforts get fragmented, misaligned with strategy, and stall in "pilot purgatory"—classic innovation theater.
What I Bring
I build and run disciplined innovation systems that turn experimentation into execution. I link strategy, sourcing (employees + external innovators), evaluation, pilots, procurement, and scale—so leaders get financial results they can prove. (Typical outcomes: digital transformation, efficiency, sustainability.)
What This Means For Your Business
- Launching new offerings: Test and de-risk faster—before the big spend.
- Tackling complex problems: Tap startups, research, and capabilities you won't see via traditional vendors.
- Managing budgets: Fund winners, kill losers early, and show ROI.
How The System Works
This is a repeatable framework for turning strategic goals into tangible outcomes.
1. Frame the Right Problems
Align innovation efforts directly with C-level strategy to ensure resources are concentrated on the highest-value work.
2. Source Internally & Externally
Tap into the full ecosystem (employees, startups, academia) for faster access to more diverse, better-fit solutions.
3. Run Targeted Challenges
Run active, time-bound challenges—not a passive "suggestion box"—to manage the portfolio and create a quality pipeline.
4. Evaluate & Down-Select
Use data-driven scorecards and expert evaluation to gain confidence in what gets funded, killing losing concepts early.
5. Pilot → Procurement → Scale
Create a structured path from a validated pilot to full procurement and operational scaling—mastering the "last mile."
6. Measure & Report
Track success against strategic goals to provide clear, provable ROI, build executive trust, and justify investment.
Delivered Impact: Measurable Difference
This approach has delivered significant, quantifiable value across sectors.
AT&T: Enterprise Innovation
Directed the enterprise innovation program, achieving a 51% sustained engagement lift through system redesign and process optimization.
≈$500 Million
In combined revenue, cost avoidance, and cost savings.
AFWERX: Federal Innovation Challenges
Managed AFWERX Challenge, designing a system to move from crowdsourcing to contracting in 6 months.
$1.62 Billion
In follow-on government contracts.
$205 Million
In initial investments (SBIR/STTR).
177
Awarded Contracts.
Gilead Sciences: Global Initiative
Led a global initiative (NA, Europe, Australia) refining 200+ submissions down to 6 finalist solutions.
6 of 6
Finalist solutions funded and implemented.
6-12 Months
Implementation timeline for all finalists.
Who I Help: Cross-Sector Experience
Who to Connect Me With
This document is designed to be shared. The best connections for me are:
Chief Innovation/Strategy Leaders
R&D / Tech Partnerships
Government Program Managers
Sustainability Leaders