Albert H. Segars

Dr. Albert H. Segars is the PNC Bank Distinguished Professor at UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business. He is also the Chairperson of UNC’s Policy Collaboratory, a research initiative focused on technology and environmental resource management between the University, North Carolina State Government, and Business. Along with his experience in academe, Segars has held posts in research and development with Apple (iPod project), Disney, ILM, Sesame Workshop (Sesame Street), Pixar, IBM, and The Defense Research Projects Agency (MSTAR, LogX). He has worked on several projects with the Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint Special Operations Command focused on technology, innovation, and logistics. His article, “Seven Technologies Remaking the World” published in Sloan Management Review is a featured innovation piece of MIT’s Sloan’s digital collection.

Dr. Segars is the author of "The Idea Chase: Seven Principles for Breakthrough Innovation". This book is a backstage pass to breakthrough innovation in business, science, and the creative arts. Artists such as Banksy, R.E.M., Mariah Carey, Prince, and the Rolling Stones are highlighted for their breakthrough innovations and the challenges they overcame to make their ideas a reality. Organizations such as Industrial Light & Magic, Pixar, Sesame Workshop, and Boston Scientific are also featured for their ability to successfully chase ideas. The book highlights the leadership role of creating opportunity and space for innovation.

Segars is also the author of “Ideas and Innovative Organizations” published by Peter Lang International, 2020. In this book he describes a cultural approach to innovation that is found in organizations and projects such as Sesame Workshop (Sesame Street), Disney Imagineering (Edge of the Galaxy), Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter), NASA New Horizons (Pluto Orbiter), Pixar (Toy Story), and The Event Horizon Telescope (Black Hole). This same approach is found in historical initiatives such as The Civil Rights Movement, The Apollo Program, The Invention of the Flying Machine, and The Women’s Suffrage Movement.