Jake Lestan

Brainstormer, Change Agent, Connector, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Marketer, Promoter, Startup, World traveler

Innovator, improvisor, Michigan State alum, golfer, conversation starter and out-of-the-box thinker. I like the air on and the windows down. Believe that no idea is a bad idea but just an under developed idea. Enthusiastic, energetic and excited about the future. I believe the first follower is underrated. Quick decisions with a pinch of risk is the game I like to play. There are always lots of options, so get creative. My passion is ignited by the entrepreneurial spirit and driven by an outstanding experience. Have Questions? You had better, I think even I have a few questions? So make sure you ask your questions, don't let the unknown pass you by. If you don't ask the answer will always be no. I am an Intrapreneur by day and by night.

Helping organizations and people acheieve success. I am passonate about the communities I belong to; Spartan Nation (Michigan State University Alum), my family and my friends.

Here' an idea - Companies have a culture. Organizational culture is something that is the sum of executive leadership, the tribesman (employees), the mission, vision, core values and the personality & enviroment in which they operate. Most companies don't realize this and are faced with many tough decisions everyday. But if an organization has a strong culture - decisions become that much easier. When in doubt, default to what the cutlure suggests.

I attended TEDxLansing in my senior year of college at MSU East Lansing Michigan and I was hooked! I was innamered by the collection of speakers and the wide variety of topics covered. It was so great to be surrouned by so many others we thought and felt as I did. Once I started work for Discover I was still on a TED quest, I would host lunch meetings where a small group of us would watch a selection of talks and then discuss them afterwards speaking about how we can apply what the speakers where saying to our work and our lives. And now I am on a mission to host a TEDx at Discover.

Cooking - unless I've had you over for dinner. I like to improv my way though cooking blending what I think will taste good as I go.