Drinks With the CEO Pours a New Strategy of Innovation

Author: Katie Ballance
Corporate Responsibility
Published: Monday, 14 Jan 2019

Sharing

JA Associate Leadership Council members benefited from an impactful and thought-provoking session with gracious host and speaker Think | Stack CEO Chris Sasche. He shared insight into his leadership style and company mission to deliver innovation in the tech space.

Sasche shared his entrepreneurial journey and how Think | Stack has evolved in eight years as a growing IT design and cyber governance company serving credit unions across the country. From internal processes to changing the company’s name, attendees saw how pivoting and innovation played a huge role for staff and workflows. Notably, Sasche emphasized his company’s priorities around providing a great digital experience, offered targeted expertise, and being a trusted partner to clients.

“As we grew and brought more people on, the biggest challenge was our internal storytelling,” Sasche explained about why the company rebranded.

So, what does a CEO like Sasche wish he could do over? Finding a mentor sooner rather than later. (We couldn't agree more!) Initially his education in leadership and experience in the field drove his entrepreneurial spirit. Now he credits the help of two mentors who have become “sounding boards.”

Sasche sees the importance of mentorship and is currently providing guidance to young Baltimore entrepreneurs grow their business through the Emerging Tech Center, which provides a community of tech-savvy, innovative and entrepreneurial people looking for creative collaboration to accelerate their growth potential and make a powerful economic impact. Additionally, he also works with organizations like JA and Year Up.

“I get just as much education from mentoring as they do. It forces me to look into things they are talking about and read up about it,” said Sasche.