Meet Our February Keynote: Dr. Sarah Glova on Building Cultures of Innovation
If you want to understand how everyday people achieve big goals, you might start by asking Dr. Sarah Glova.
A former tech journalist turned educator, TEDx speaker, and entrepreneur, Dr. Glova has spent the last decade studying how people achieve ambitious goals — not by being perfect, but by being strategic, clear, and adaptable.
“I’m obsessed with the how,” she says. “How do we actually move from idea to impact — especially when time, resources, and energy are limited?”
It’s a question she brings to life in her keynote, workshops, and most recently, in her viral TEDx talk— which has reached over 350,000 views since its release in May 2024.
Now, she’s bringing that same energy and expertise to NCAIS’s February Middle & Upper School Educators Conference, with a keynote tailored to educators: Blueprint to Innovation.
Innovation Rooted in Real Life
Dr. Glova’s approach is grounded in real-world research and personal connection. She teaches graduate-level communication at both Duke University and NC State University, where she helps future leaders hone their strategic, persuasive, and collaborative communication skills. She’s also the founder of Reify Media, a professional development firm that specializes in creating compelling and effective educational content for adult learners. But perhaps most notably to our audience — she’s a mom.
“I’m so proud to be a parent of two boys who attend an independent school right here in Raleigh,” Dr. Glova shared. “And as someone who studies how people build innovative systems and cultures, I’m excited to talk with educators about how innovation happens — and practical ways we can foster it sustainably in our schools and classrooms.”
From Theory to Practice — and Play
In her session, Dr. Glova promises to go beyond buzzwords. Drawing on examples from education, business, and personal development, she’ll explore the essential components of innovative work.
Her talk includes research-backed strategies and memorable stories — with a focus on how to support innovation without burning out.
“I think innovation thrives when we make space for experimentation and exploration,” Dr. Glova said. “But we also need support systems that encourage curiosity and celebrate progress — not just perfection. I’m excited to share practical strategies and examples aimed at doing just that.”
You can preview some of these ideas in her TEDx talk, How to Achieve Your Goals with a Single Page — a reflection on clarity, momentum, and how to avoid the trap of overplanning.