How to be an 'Uncommon Thinker': What we learned profiling six people solving big problems

A blueprint for world-changing ideas: GeekWire's reporters have spent the past month profiling a group of six “Uncommon Thinkers”: Seattle-area inventors, scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs transforming industries and driving positive change in the world. Working on these profiles, we were able to identify commonalities among our honorees, including their inspirations, mindsets, and approaches. A few of our takeaways:

• Embrace an "outsider's perspective" to upend traditional fields.

• Tap deeply into your personal experiences to inform and inspire your work.

• Use data and facts to help shape behaviors and outcomes.

• Capitalize on the human desire for recognition and competition.

This editorial series, presented in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners, was based on the deliberations of a panel of outside judges who chose the Uncommon Thinkers from nominations submitted by GeekWire readers. On this week's GeekWire Podcast, we talk with four of our Uncommon Thinkers backstage at the GeekWire Gala, where we honored them this week.

Read more takeaways and listen here, and subscribe to GeekWire in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Pictured above, four of our “Uncommon Thinkers,” clockwise from upper left: Dr. Elizabeth Hansen, an attending anesthesiologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital; Shwetak Patel, a UW computer science professor and Google distinguished scientist; Poppy MacDonald, president of USAFacts; and Xiao Wang, the CEO of Boundless, speaking at the GeekWire Gala. (GeekWire Photos / Kevin Lisota)

Graham & Walker celebration: A crowd of startup founders and investors gathered Friday evening at Pike Place Market for a holiday celebration hosted by Graham & Walker, the Seattle-based venture capital firm that focuses on women-led startups. Founders spoke about the firm’s impact and led a chant encouraging Graham & Walker founder and General Partner Leslie Feinzaig (pictured addressing the gathering above) and team to raise a second fund. 

Tech Moves: Nordstrom names a chief information security officer; Meta research scientist joins AI2; and more key personnel changes.

Hot Links:

• The Bezos Earth Fund has pledged up to $100 million to support a $225 million initiative to aid Pacific island nations threatened by climate change. The support was announced at the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai. (Bloomberg)

• MacKenzie Scott published a list of 360 organizations that received more than $2.1 billion from the philanthropist this year. (Yield Giving)

• Health tech startup Forward is rolling out new AI-powered “CarePods” that could compete with Amazon’s health business. The company is led by Adrian Aoun, who previously founded Seattle startup Wavii. (Axios)