Having new or innovative ideas is essential to pushing the world forward and so we asked the community to share stories of the most innovative things they’ve done in their career. Our hope is to inspire folks who think only scientists or tech-wizards can innovate – innovation is possible for everyone, regardless of job title or function, industry or geography.

Juan Carlos Zaldivar

As both, a filmmaker and an artist we enjoy our creative process tremendously. Our primary interest, however, is to ensure that our work has longevity and that it affects a positive impact in society. Our company, Phonograph Films LLC is an art & media production, post-production and exhibition company founded in NYC in 1986. We are now also in Miami Beach, Florida, Los Angeles, CA, and Buffalo, NY. Read more>>

Phil Lashley

Attending any high profile art school in the US is a privilege, especially if you’re an international student paying as you go without any financial assistance. It was the perfect mix of old school Caribbean mindset (of not wanting to owe anyone) and the harsh reality that no scholarships were available for student coming from out side the US. Read more>>

Francesca Ling

As an artist and entrepreneur, I have reinvented myself and evolved time and again. I grew up in Chicago, where I studied theater and acting, performing in school, as well as professionally. My studies took me across the pond to the UK, where I studied in Oxford and London, then eventually to Los Angeles. I have worked professionally as an actor in film, TV, and commercials ever since. Early on, I trained in classical voice and musical theater, but I had let it go, as the industry in LA focuses less on theater arts. But a few years ago, I felt a deep-seeded need to continue growing my skill and passion. Read more>>

Sasha Mactribouy

I would say the most innovative thing I’ve done in my career was leaving the comfort of staff nursing to become a travel nurse. I traveled for for three years and it was a very transformative experience. It exposed me to diverse environments across the country, allowing me to interact with a variety of people and explore different demographics. This journey not only sharpened my nursing skills but also expanded my professional network with like-minded individuals. Motivated by a newfound passion for holistic care, I ventured into starting an IV hydration business. Recognizing the comprehensive benefits of IV hydration therapy, I aimed to contribute to community health and wellness. This venture became a platform for me to share the skills and knowledge accumulated throughout my career, fostering a holistic approach to healthcare. Read more>>

Mallory Bryce Jesser

I have been a freelance producer and content creator full-time for about three years now, and one of the main ways I was able to begin this career was by saying yes (even when I didn’t always know how it was going to work out) & being open to evolving quickly. When I first started creating content, I was writing listicle style articles for Tastemade’s Snapchat Discover Channel. It was a really fun way to learn about how to keep viewers’ interest from the hook all the way through a story. Read more>>

Vicky Wallace

The most innovative thing that I’ve done in my career was to completely change industries during Covid. For most of my childhood and adult life up until the pandemic, my life revolved around my music career. I’m a classically trained pianist and self-taught guitarist. In my early twenties, I started songwriting and releasing albums which lead to many miles of touring across the United States. Read more>>

Tracy Battaglia

Over the past two decades, my journey in the business world has been a testament to the idea that innovation is not exclusive to high-profile tech billionaires; rather, it’s a daily necessity for any business owner seeking survival, prosperity and job satisfaction. Read more>>

Shauna Stephanchick

Our company strives to transform public education in Missouri. In order to do that we try to focus on providing instructional leaders (superintendents, principals, teacher leaders) with the latest research-based approaches. However, leaders have more demands than ever on their plate and they can not always learn in the traditional way of attending in person meetings and conferences. STEP Up has tried to innovative a new way of professional growth for leaders by creating our Missouri Instructional Leaders Network group. This Mighty Network platform allows educators from Missouri to join a virtual collaborative network anytime that it is convenient for them. Read more>>

Natalya Nightshade

The most innovative thing that I’ve done in my career is staying absolutely authentic to myself and my vision across all my brands, often despite what is popular or exalted in my industry. When most people think of hobbyist pole dance, they think of pole fitness – which is essentially adult gymnastics on a vertical bar with a little bit of dance peppered in. The focus is very much on aerial tricks. Read more>>