Innovation Interview: Barb Young

I think innovation can be seen in many different ways. It may be doing the same thing in a new and different way that is more productive, more creative and/or more effective.  It may be exploring new areas and/or finding new solutions to issues.  It may be creating something new that we never thought possible.

How is innovation part of your life?

In my work, we are always looking for new and creative ways to share our mission. We are looking for more effective ways to address issues. We are looking for new things to being to our community to make it a better and more inviting place for people to want to live, work and play.

Who (or what organization) do you admire for innovation?

It is hard not to admire the creativity and innovation of Apple. Locally we have companies like Fair Oaks Farms – not only creating agro tourism but producing high quality dairy products in a sustainable and self contained enterprise; Family Express – creating a unique delivery system and internal product branding for convenience stores; Mayor Costas (Valparaiso, In) for using fine dining liquor licenses, façade loans and other techniques to enhance and preserve the downtown; READYnwi for bringing together employers, k-12 education systems and secondary education institutions to address new and creative ways to prepare students for success in the workplace; Porter County Give Day – an online giving holiday as a way to reach new donors and younger donors through technology.

 

In April and May, Indiana Humanities is exploring the topic of “innovation,” as part of its Spirit of Competition theme. This post was written by Barb Young. Barb is the President of the Porter County Community Foundation and been affiliated with the Foundation since its start in 1996.