Steelcase CEO to speak on 'Designing Leadership' at Hauenstein Center Wheelhouse Talk

Three thought leaders in the concept of design thinking and leadership will take part in a presentation hosted by Grand Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies and the university's Design Thinking Academy. 

The presentation will feature Jim Keane, president and CEO of Steelcase; Hannah Akin, Steelcase chief of staff; and Adam Weiler, director of Social Enterprise at WMCAT. 

Jim Keane: Designing Leadership — a Wheelhouse Talk

Friday, November 3 at 4 p.m.

Loosemore Auditorium, Richard M. DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids

Event is free and open to the public

The program will explore the leadership practices and behaviors Keane and his colleagues have used in their work in the community. They will also highlight design thinking as part of a thought process to create change and movement within an organization.

"Steelcase is a leading, innovative company using design thinking to address real issues," said GVSU Design Thinking Academy director John Berry. "Hearing from Keane on how leadership and design thinking relate will be useful to all."

Keane has served as the president and CEO of Steelcase since 2014, and has led the company's evolution from a manufacturer to a partner that creates furniture, architecture, technology and experiences for clients. 

Keane also serves on the boards of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids and IDEO – one of the world’s top practitioners of design thinking – and is a director of the Grand Valley University Foundation.

For more information or to RSVP, visit hauensteincenter.org.