The Innovation Ultimatum

Acknowledgments

Thanks to my wonderful parents, Mike and Andrea Brown, for teaching me the importance of a quality education and for making many sacrifices to ensure that I got one. Their love, steadfast support, and encouragement makes a difference to me every day.

This book would not have been possible without those who shaped my career, opened doors for me, and encouraged me to stride through them. Thanks to Rob Sheppard for hiring me into my first proper job. A special thanks to Stuart Robinson who pushed me to explore a career beyond engineering, despite my instincts at the time. Without his insistence that I expand my own views on what was possible for me, my life would not have turned out the way it has. If only everyone could have a Stuart Robinson to help them challenge self-imposed limits and redefine their identities. Thank you to all those people who saw a glimmer of potential in me, took a chance, and placed me in challenging roles that took me to new places: Matt Haller, Dan Russell, Jim Pappas, Pat Gelsinger, Larry Shoop, Mike Green, and Dr. Genevieve Bell. Larry taught me how to take my communication and emcee skills to the next level. Mike taught me the importance of humility and grace. Genevieve taught me to always look at the world through the lens of people first. Thanks to all those who helped to shape my career and encourage me to be more.

Special thanks to Terry Scalzo, who put me on the path to become a keynote speaker. While I was emceeing an event ...