Purpose

What If is intended as a forum for thought leaders from the national, regional and Ohio State communities to pose the question “What If…” as it relates to their area of expertise and the transformational influence innovation can have. The event serves as the culmination to Innovation Fisher’s year of programs and showcases leading innovators from diverse backgrounds and businesses recognized for their individual achievements or their company’s successful creation, incubation and commercialization of groundbreaking new products, services or branded concepts.

These elements are intended to push the boundaries of business school thinking and balance quantitative and operational rigor with the equally important domain of creativity, intuition and passion. Primary theme include the role of creativity, multi-disciplinary collaboration, open brand development, networked partnerships, top-line value creation and consumer-centered development in each speaker’s work.

Thursday, May 6

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Mason Hall (250 W Woodruff Ave, Columbus, OH)

Borrowing a structure somewhat similar to TED Talks, a mix of national, regional and OSU-related speakers will be given the floor for short snippets of presentations on their area of expertise and how it relates to the business world in a new and different way. This flow of diverse speakers speaking on a wide range of topics will give those in attendance an unexpected and hopefully revelatory experience through the innovation lens. A reception will be held immediately after the event to serve as both refreshment and to facilitate discussion with and about the presenters.

Confirmed Speakers

Larry Sanger, Founder of Wikipedia & Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Citizendium
Bruce Lavash, Research Fellow, Victor Mills Society, P&G
Kelly Mooney, President & Chief Experience Officer, Resource Interactive
Martin Keen, Founder & Owner, Keen Shoes
Jeni Britton, Founder & Owner, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Sherri Geldin, Director, Wexner Center for the Arts
Peter Thum, Social Entrepreneur & Founder, Ethos Water

Friday, May 7

9:00 am to 12:00 pm – Mason Hall (250 W Woodruff Ave, Columbus, OH)

Fisher graduate students will be given the floor on Friday to speak about their own areas of passion in presentations consisting of 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each. These presentations will not only provide an avenue for students to talk about the areas they care about most, but will show to the business leaders, faculty and fellow students in attendance the diversity of thought among Fisher students.