# Jim Keane on Fueling Sustainable Innovation
For over a century, Steelcase has focused on creating workspaces that unlock human potential for leading organizations worldwide. But as CEO Jim Keane explains, their true motivation isn't products—it's people and what they can accomplish together.
## Moving Leadership Closer to Action
Actions shape culture, and building a sustainable business starts with getting culture right. Last spring, Steelcase made a deliberate move: relocating their entire leadership team from the fourth floor of their global headquarters to the ground floor of their Learning + Innovation Center.
This wasn't just about changing addresses. The move signals presence and accessibility, creating organic connections between leadership, employees, and customers that simply weren't possible from their former isolated location. When people feel included in shaping company identity, they're more likely to contribute ideas and see them through—fueling innovation and driving stakeholder value.
## Safety and Security as Core Values
As a manufacturing company, Steelcase recognizes their responsibility in job creation and employee safety. Beyond standard well-being initiatives, they invested significantly in building a 1,200-person tornado shelter at their Athens, Alabama factory. When you prioritize people and act with inclusion in mind, these decisions become straightforward.
## Community Impact Through Innovation
This people-first philosophy extends globally. Steelcase employees logged over 38,000 volunteer hours company-wide—triple their previous year's contribution. Through partnerships with organizations like Teach for India, they donated hundreds of Polyvision whiteboards to underresourced schools, directly impacting children's educational experiences.
## Environmental Action Driven by Employee Passion
Many of Steelcase's environmental initiatives began with passionate employees who identified opportunities for positive change. Their current efforts include:
- Strengthening their 100% renewable energy portfolio - Expanding end-of-use services to divert furniture from landfills - Reducing water use and waste despite expanded global production
## Creating a Culture Where Ideas Flourish
Steelcase aspires to build an innovation culture where ideas emerge from everywhere and innovation becomes everyone's responsibility. Their approach demonstrates that sustainability begins with inclusion—inclusion that empowers people to imagine, take calculated risks, and pursue initiatives that drive growth while increasing organizational resilience.
**Key Takeaway for Design Professionals**: Physical workspace decisions can profoundly impact company culture and innovation. Consider how your design choices either enable or hinder the organic connections that fuel sustainable business practices.
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*Jim Keane serves as President and CEO of Steelcase, bringing 20 years of company experience across various roles including COO and CFO. He currently serves on several boards and is passionate about customer interaction and building inclusive workplace cultures that translate words into action.*
