I have been zig-zagging across the country for the past three weeks as a champion for change. I spent a week at the Harvard Women’s Leadership Forum where I met many successful women from all over the world…including a NASA astronaut, a CEO of a hospital in the UK, the head of all government services in Brisbane Australia, and a leader from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. All in all, I learned a lot and found out that rapid change is ascending upon the entire world—and every industry.

I started my adventure on Hawaii’s Big Island working with the Hawaiian Credit Union League. We stretched into blue ocean strategies. Never mind the funny looks on their faces when I asked, “How blue is your ocean”? My key learning: Hawaii does not have squirrels (except for this one).

I finished my journey in Palo Alto for the Mavericks in Banking meeting. The room was filled with the best and brightest of the world of finance—both bankers and credit unioners. I stretched them into taking off their shoes and innovating for my session. Participant Kevin Hoffberg provided some great notes and conducted interviews with the mavericks.

My final stretch…I managed to get down to the Wharf to bring back a sourdough Alligator from Boudin Sourdough for the hungry Filene staff. How’s that for innovation…