Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen was named innovationENTREPRENEUR of the year for 2024 during the Business Record’s annual innovationIOWA event on July 11. The award recognizes a leader who is known for their innovative accomplishments and fostering a culture of innovation in others.
When Wintersteen gave her first speech after being named president in November 2017, she talked about her vision for inspiring an innovative mindset throughout campus. Components of the university’s innovation ecosystem already existed, but Wintersteen brought it all together under the strong call to ‘Innovate at Iowa State.’
“My philosophy about innovation is a simple one,” Wintersteen said. “It can occur anywhere, so I believe we should teach it everywhere. At Iowa State, we teach innovation and entrepreneurship in every college.”
Numerous outside authorities have recognized Iowa State for excellence in research, innovation and entrepreneurship. For example, Iowa State University won the top Innovation and Economic Prosperity University Award given by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and was named the 2023 Entrepreneurial University of the Year for the Americans by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities.
Iowa State University is a long-time supporter of America’s Cultivation Corridor with President Wintersteen serving on the organization’s Investor Board and Executive Committee as Secretary. The Corridor is honoring its 10-year anniversary this year by celebrating the many ways Iowa innovation makes the world better.
“Under president Wintersteen’s leadership, Iowa State has accelerated the innovation happening within communities and companies across the state,” said Billi Hunt, Executive Director of the Corridor. “The result? A significant, positive impact on global challenges, such as food security and sustainability.”
Wintersteen credits the Corridor for bringing together partners and leaders in the food and agriculture sector to discuss opportunities and solve problems.
“This is where opportunity lies,” Wintersteen said. “In the cross-pollination among business leaders and the university, when we come around the table to discuss big issues of the future and use our creativity, just like we want our students to do.”
The innovationIOWA Awards are presented annually by the Business Record, to recognize a company (the innovationLEADER Award) or individual (the innovationENTREPRENEUR Award) making a difference in the state. Previous company winners have included Sukup Manufacturing (2018) and Harrisvaccines (2016). Prior individual award winners include ISU Research Park resident, Kevin Maher, the founder of VetMeasure, and Iowa State University professor, Lisa Schulte Moore.
Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen during the awards luncheon.
Published July 2024.