Episode 29-Karen Whitaker Interviewed on How to Create an Environment that Promotes Innovation -Buil

In the fourth of our series of five podcasts with Karen Whitaker, Vice President at Grin + Beam, Lois Sonstegard asks about her experience in creating an environment that encourages innovation. In an organization that wants to be innovative, employees need to feel engaged and comfortable contributing their ideas.

The best employees want to feel as if they’re part of the overall plan. Karen explains how, during her career, she has been successful at creating “safe zones” that promote employee engagement and, as a result, innovation.

So if you want to know:

- How “stay interviews” can help you get a pulse on your team
- What millennials can teach you about employee engagement
- Why it’s important to make critical information accessible to employees
- The most effective way to implement Managed Business Objectives

About Karen Whitaker

As Vice President of Business Development for Grin + Beam, Karen is responsible for leading business and relationship strategies enterprise-wide for this company that offers an innovative approach to oral health.

During her 15-year career in clinical care, Karen has proven to be a true “connector” in the healthcare community. She has worked with public and privately owned companies, start-up ventures and merging entities to help these organizations develop a competitive advantage through strategic positioning, planning and patient education practices.

From corporate settings to the operating room, Karen has had hands-on experience in sales, marketing and clinical education. Her gift for forging relationships is a result of her professional values: accountability, compassion, honesty and reliability. She is a champion for women in the workplace, and her reputation for fairness and equality has never wavered.

About Lois Sonstegard, PhD

Working with business leaders for more than 30 years, Lois has learned that successful leaders have a passion to leave a meaningful l