The Spring Hill Chamber in Middle Tennessee is thrilled to continue its inaugural thought leader series, Innovation Lives Here sponsored by Premier Design Build. This series, modeled after the globally renowned TED® talks, promises to become a key event for professionals, entrepreneurs, and visionaries in the area. The series will include events on March 20, July 24, and October 16, 2024, each featuring a diverse group of distinguished speakers who will share transformative ideas and insights from various fields, including digital innovation, education, and visionary leadership.
This year's theme is INNOVATION, reflecting Middle Tennessee's dynamic mix of culture, technology, and business, providing an ideal setting for exploring new ideas in creativity and progress. Each event will focus on different aspects of innovation, allowing participants to attend one, two, or all three events to gain a comprehensive understanding of the theme.
A Celebration of Innovation
The Innovation Lives Here speaker series invites community members to engage with transformative ideas and connect with like-minded individuals. It provides an opportunity for attendees to interact with speakers and peers, fostering a community of curious and passionate innovators. As we approach the second event of this series, set for Wednesday, October 16, 2024, we welcome all from the Nashville area and beyond to join us in this enriching journey of discovery, featuring a lineup of distinguished speakers.
Speaker topics:
Kate Hickey: Prioritizing Deeper Work
Kate Hickey has dedicated her life to learning, adventuring, and teaching people how to be their bravest and most authentic selves. Founder of Action Academy, she builds confidence through keynotes and workshops. She's a TEDx speaker and her family was featured on HGTV’s House Hunters International documenting their move to Spain. The Hickeys lived abroad for five years where Kate worked in digital marketing for her travel brand Hickeys Everywhere and was a facilitator for Fortune 500 companies like L’Oreal Paris and Unilever. She’s the author of Have Fun, Be Safe, I Love You, an Amazon bestseller, and her writing has been featured in Glamour and Forbes. She’s a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and counts her 10+ years teaching high school as her highest achievement. Hickey's relatable and passionate, leaving her audienceinspired and laughing.
Ajla Wilhelmi: The Impact of Automation and AI in vehicle production
I am the GM Spring Hill Body Shop Area Manager, where we build Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, the all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ and the Acura ZDX EV. There, I manage manufacturing operations with 400+ body shop employees and 1200+ robots, performing various material handling, welding sealer application and measurement tasks. Born and raised in Bosnia, & Hercegovina, my professional journey started with attaining a mechanical engineering degree during my refugee years in Germany, that has since taken me across multiple disciplines within GM’s manufacturing sector. While working for GM I obtained Masters of Science in Operations Management from Kettering University. Now a 24-year manufacturing veteran with assignments across Stamping and Vehicle Assembly at multiple GM sites, I bring experience in engineering, maintenance, planning, global supply chain, production, quality and vehicle launch roles. My most recent personal accomplishments include earning a 2022 Technology All Star Award, serving as a mentor in GM Spring Hill Women’s employee resource group and being an active supporter of the “All Girls Auto Know” middle school STEM program of the Southern Automotive Women’s Forum.My personal brand is defined by integrity and trust, drive for results and building effective teams. Managing my work life balance over the years to ensure I was an accomplished GM employee, without sacrificing my role as a spouse, mother and daughter, remains my most proud accomplishment.
Ryan Jackson: Bridging the Gap between Education and Industry
Dr. Ryan B. Jackson has a distinguished 17-year career in public education, including roles from classroom teacher to executive leadership. He served as Executive Lead Principal at Mount Pleasant High School for six years and has extensive experience in both urban and rural settings. Driven by a passion for empowering the 'Underdog,' Dr. Jackson is committed to ensuring equitable access to high-quality education. His dedication has taken him to international platforms, including a TED Talk and keynote speaking engagements. Currently, he is a leadership and education consultant and the Executive Director of Leadership and Business Development at Kids On Stage of Maury County, where he champions innovative educational approaches that bridge gaps and create opportunities for students and communities alike.
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