In this episode, I speak with Kirsten Baker, CEO of Jeenie, Inc. (ranked No. 271 in 2025), a platform dedicated to breaking down language barriers through live interpretation. We explore the powerful intersection of AI innovation and the irreplaceable human element required for meaningful communication. Kirsten shares her perspective on building a culture of innovation, highlighting collaboration, embracing failure as a learning tool, and leading with purpose. We also discuss Jeenie’s mission-driven approach to leadership, the importance of hiring for values alignment, and the successes of managing a diverse, fully remote team. Our conversation offers a compelling look at the future of Jeenie and underscores how effective leadership empowers people, nurtures creativity, and drives collective innovation.
Episode Highlights & Time Stamps
2:08 Leading Innovation
10:23 Core Leadership Principles
16:35 Embracing AI in Business
17:35 Creating a Culture of Innovation
23:20 Wrapping Up Insights
Leading Innovation & Mission-Driven Growth
In this episode, Gene Hammett sits down with Kirsten Baker, CEO of Jeenie, to explore what it takes to lead innovation in a fast-growing, mission-driven company. Kirsten shares how embracing failure is essential to innovation and why leaders must actively guide teams through mistakes and missteps rather than avoiding them. She introduces Jeenie’s mission to connect people through language and culture, highlighting the company’s rapid growth and impact in healthcare, legal, and education sectors through on-demand live interpretation. Kirsten explains how combining mission-driven purpose with performance-driven execution fuels ownership, transparency, and alignment across a fully remote, global team, proving that doing good and doing well can, and should, go hand in hand.
Core Leadership Principles
Kirsten shares her belief that true leadership is inseparable from innovation. While companies can operate without it, they can’t effectively lead without continually rethinking how things are done. At Jeenie, innovation is driven by curiosity, challenging the status quo, and creating space to experiment alongside existing business models. She emphasizes that innovation is a CEO-level responsibility, requiring a holistic view across teams, markets, and competitors.
Human-Centric Technology & the Role of AI:
Kirsten explains Jeenie’s human-centric approach as designing technology through the eyes of the people it serves, with a strong focus on equity and access, particularly in healthcare, legal, and education settings. While AI is reshaping language services, Jeenie embraces it as a complement rather than a replacement for human interpreters. With live interpretation still the gold standard in high-stakes environments, the future lies in a hybrid model where AI expands access and efficiency while humans remain essential for accuracy, safety, and meaningful connection.
Creating a Culture of Innovation:
Kirsten explains that innovation starts with hiring people who aren’t afraid to make mistakes and then intentionally creating a culture where taking risks is safe and encouraged. At Jeenie, failure is treated as a learning tool and even a badge of honor, reinforcing the belief that growth and innovation are impossible without stretching beyond comfort zones. Psychological safety is built through clear vision, shared purpose, and leadership modeling vulnerability by openly discussing both successes and failures. Innovation is embedded into performance expectations, with team members evaluated on their willingness to experiment and think creatively. Ultimately, Kirsten emphasizes that true leadership goes beyond managing work it requires leading people by helping them overcome fear, build confidence, and move toward the company’s vision.
Key Takeaways
- Why the future of innovation is a human–AI hybrid, not one or the other
- How CEOs must personally lead innovation—not outsource it
- The role of mission + performance in scaling a values-driven company
- How embracing failure builds psychological safety and fuels innovation
- Why live human expertise remains essential in high-risk, high-impact environments
- The difference between managing work and leading people
This episode is a must-listen for CEOs and executives looking to lead innovation with purpose, scale responsibly with AI, and build cultures where people feel empowered to think boldly and grow.
About Kirsten Baker
Kirsten Brecht Baker is CEO & Co-Founder of Jeenie, an AI+Human multilingual and multicultural platform powering the next generation of smart-tech and AI for more inclusive communication. A Wharton MBA and serial entrepreneur, she has built and scaled ventures across SaaS, tech, and global market development. She is an Ernst & Young 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year, and made the top lists of Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company for leading in equity, innovation, and human connection. She is also a member of YPO, the SAFE-AI Task Force, INC. Leadership Forum, and Fast Company’s Impact Council.
How to Connect with Kirsten Baker:
LinkedIn: Kirsten Baker (LinkedIn)
Company Website: Jeenie, Inc.
Jeenie’s Blog & Media: LinkedIn Page
Resources & Next Steps
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