Stand Out Innovators from Season 1

“Innovation isn’t just a process; it’s a culture.”

In our season finale, hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey get to the heart of innovation by revisiting the standout moments from season one of “Just Say Hackathon.” They explored how companies like Amtrak, Rocket Mortgage, and Dell Technologies foster innovation in their organizations.

You’ll hear stories that go beyond traditional business strategies, offering real-world insights into how organizations blend creativity with structured processes. And ultimately, expect to learn how hackathons are not just tools for innovation, but cultural drivers that help organizations thrive.

Jump into the conversation: 

00:00 Welcome to the show
01:05 Why innovation is a core cultural element
03:22 Backstories of innovators and their impact on innovation
05:37 Ego’s role in resisting change within organizations
07:50 Innovation vs. human nature’s need for stability
10:05 Amtrak’s use of 3D printing for problem-solving
13:18 Emotional investment in running hackathons (Pritesh at Lookout)
15:35 Structured work enabling unstructured innovation
18:09 Hackathon rituals and team culture-building
20:45 Final takeaways from Season 1