Meg Whitman, President and CEO, eBay & John Shoven, Director of SIEPR on Innovation

“eBay just opened in Thailand this morning.” Meg Whitman, President and CEO of pioneering online auctioneer eBay Inc. (EBAY) looked out across the distinguished audience of academia and industry attending the SIEPR (Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research) Policy Forum – Innovation Policy for the Next President. In her keynote address entitled “The Innovation Agenda,” the dynamic Silicon Valley icon captured the very spirit of innovation itself. Director of SIEPR, Prof. John Shoven introduced Whitman and pointed out that her many accolades including being named one of Time Magazine’s world’s most influential people and The Wall Street Journal’s one of 50 Women to watch could not do her justice. “You’re not one of fifty to watch, you’re one of two or maybe three,” he said.

With her charismatic presence and command of the Internet past and future, Whitman delved into the topic of innovation and its importance for fueling America’s progress. “Innovation has always been at the heart of our nation’s unprecedented growth.”

The woman at the helm of the unparalleled global ecommerce engine referenced Thomas Friedman’s concept of flatness and stated we live in an increasingly “borderless world.” “The question is whether America can continue to innovate not at the pace of the 20th Century but at the pace of the 21st century where innovation happens very fast and is incredibly disruptive,” she said.

Since I am an artist who strives to distill essence in single brush strokes, I am intrigued by observing the hands of great CEOs, musicians, and politicians as they deliver their message. Whitman’s expressive and deft hand gestures moved quickly against the black curtain onstage as she framed her arguments. As her fingertips traversed the empty space before her, I wondered which of the 6.4 million eBay listings that typically get added in a day, were uploading at that very moment. “Reinventing is crucial to survival…and prosperity depends on leapfrogging into uncharted territory.”

Stressing the importance of increased funding for science and math education, Whitman concluded “America is at a crossroads…the next President must stir America’s passion for innovation.”

While under funded math and science programs put America at a dangerous risk of losing its innovative edge, I believe under-funding in the arts poses a similar danger. Creativity is our most precious resource to ensure our nation’s competitive and cutting edge for future generations.