Tojin T. Eapen, PhD, is the founder of the Center for Creative Foresight and a researcher, educator, and consultant specializing in augmented creativity, bioinspired design, and sustainable innovation. He has advised over 40 global organizations, including Google, Samsung, and Tata Group, and has taught at the University of Missouri, and the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Widely published in outlets such as the Harvard Business Review, Eapen is co-author of Bioinspired Strategic Design and has contributed to the U.S. Technical Advisory Group for ISO 56000 innovation management standards. He holds a PhD from UNC Chapel Hill, an MBA from the Indian School of Business, and a BTech from NIT Calicut. Learn more...
GLOBAL ADVISORY BOARD
Josh Folk, Senior Advisor
Josh Folk is an innovation consultant and entrepreneur. He was formerly the co-founder and president of enterprise solutions at IdeaScale, a cloud-based innovation software platform. Over his career, he has worked with more than 100 organizations across government, academia, and the private sector, including The White House, NASA, McKinsey & Co., the U.S. Air Force, IKEA, Ford, Target, and Pfizer. He has also collaborated with leading academic institutions such as NYU, Columbia University, and the University of Virginia on innovation initiatives. His expertise lies in leveraging AI and open innovation to drive strategic growth and transformation. He has published on innovation, strategy, and AI-enabled creativity in Harvard Business Review and technology forums. A graduate of the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, Folk has a track record of building and scaling ventures that connect people, ideas, and technology. Learn more...
J. Scott Christianson, Senior Advisor
J. Scott Christianson is a speaker, educator, and consultant on applications of emerging technologies in businesses and classrooms. He was previously Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Associate Teaching Professor of Management at the University of Missouri’s Trulaske College of Business. A former tech entrepreneur with over two decades of industry experience, he integrates emerging technologies like AI and blockchain into his teaching, which spans project management, information systems, and digital innovation. Recognized with numerous teaching awards, Christianson is also a sought-after speaker and mentor, actively engaging with startups, media, and the broader community to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Learn more...
Dr. Daniel J. Finkenstadt is the proprietor of Wolf Stake Consulting LLC, advising organizations on market intelligence, acquisition innovation, and strategic management. A recognized expert in public procurement, AI applications, and executive strategy, he blends academic research with practical solutions to drive efficiency and innovation. Formerly an Assistant Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, he founded the award-winning Simulation and Ideation Lab for Applied Science (SILAS) and has published in outlets such as Harvard Business Review and California Management Review and several reputed peer-reviewed journals. A former U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with over two decades of service, his career spanned critical contracting roles in Afghanistan and the National Reconnaissance Office, earning him honors including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the NRO Silver Medal. He earned a PhD in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with research focusing on the intersections of marketing theory and government contracting. Learn more...
S. Arunachalam, Senior Advisor
Dr. S. Arunachalam is the Director of the Badruka School of Management and a Professor of Marketing, bringing over 16 years of international experience in academia and industry. He has served as Associate Professor of Marketing at Texas Tech University and as a faculty member at the Indian School of Business (ISB), where he was named “Professor of the Year” three times and led the Centre for Business Innovation as Academic Director, advancing work in emerging technologies such as AI and IoT. His professional background includes leadership roles at Godrej Industries and Tata Consultancy Services. A widely published scholar, Dr. Arunachalam’s research appears in top journals including the Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of International Business Studies, Production and Operations Management, and the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. Learn more...
Kai Wang is the founder and CEO of AI Ager, where he leverages generative AI to transform creative thinking and drive innovation in organizations. Previously, he served as a tenured associate professor at Kean University. Over the past 15 years, his research has focused on advancing the understanding of creativity and innovation management. He has published extensively in leading academic journals, including Creativity Research Journal, Creativity and Innovation Management, and the Journal of Management Information Systems. Kai is a specialist in creative thinking methods, such as the Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem-Solving process. He earned a PhD from Stevens Institute of Technology and an MS in Creative Studies from SUNY Buffalo State University. Learn more...
