Leadership. Innovation. Creativity. In Living Color.

Creativity helps you innovate and lead.

When you're feeling stuck or unsure, stepping away from the task often brings clarity. Especially when you change course altogether and spend time pausing, noticing, breathing. Even better if you play, laugh, have a little fun. Do something creative.

My nephew channels his creativity into the 3D printer. Recently, I asked him to make me some claws for my fingers.

Why? 

It sounded fun?

Halloween is around the corner? 

I read too many books about witches and werewolves?

It harkens back to days when I'd assist my Dad in the restaurant kitchen and after pulling out lobster meat from the claws, I'd wear the shell on my fingers.

Maybe it's just the novelty of seeing something build up right in front of you. Or it's recognizing that I didn't grow up with that technology, but an entire generation will think of it as common place, and there's even more novelty on the horizon.

The thing is, he did it. A short while later, I had two black plastic claws, with joints on them so they'd bend with my own movements. Kinda cool. 

Not at all comfortable to wear, but cool.

Then a few days later, I stumbled upon an art installation celebrating women in STEM.

And it stopped me in my tracks.

Well actually, I stopped, pointed, said “Hey, Look at That!” and then rushed over to see it closer.

It’s the color that grabs your attention. Orange!

The sheer volume of statues, even in this partial installation, is impressive.

Then you realize they’re all 3D printed and come with their own QR code to reveal more information.  Scan a QR code and you’re invited into each woman’s story — their challenges, their discoveries, their impact.

The IF/Then exhibit (If Then She Can) celebrates women leading innovation across science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Apparently, I’m late to the game as it’s been around since 2020. Yet it’s no less impressive or fascinating today than when it launched. Each figure stands as a symbol of creativity meeting technology — and of the leadership it takes to imagine new possibilities. They dared to pause and envision and innovate.

It’s a beautiful reminder that leadership and innovation are both acts of creation. 

You can read more and learn more at https://ifthenexhibit.org/about/