Stephen Whitehead

Founder of 5th Hammer Innovation

Stephen H. Whitehead, Ed.D., is a seasoned higher education and business leader with more than two decades of experience driving innovation, organizational transformation, and leadership development. He is the founder of 5th Hammer Innovation, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations embrace creativity, clarity, and sustainable outcomes through design thinking, human-centered leadership, and collaborative problem-solving.

Before launching 5th Hammer Innovation, Stephen served as Associate Provost of Innovation at California University of Pennsylvania (now PennWest), where he directed academic strategy, enrollment initiatives, and the development of new programs that expanded opportunities for nontraditional and underrepresented students. He also secured millions in funding to strengthen STEM education, establish community partnerships, and create spaces where innovation could flourish.

Nationally, Stephen held the role of Head of Practice for Academic Innovation with Academic Impressions, where he designed and facilitated leadership development programs for higher education leaders across more than 3,500 institutions, impacting over 200,000 professionals. His thought leadership has been featured at events such as the ASU+GSV Summit and the Academic Impressions Provost Summit, where he has spoken on topics including organizational creativity, strategic enrollment, and leading teams through change.

Stephen’s professional journey began in the printing and design industry and includes military service in the United States Army, experiences that shaped his practical approach to leadership and resilience. He has earned recognition for bridging academic, nonprofit, and corporate environments, helping leaders reframe challenges, unlock hidden talent, and design strategies that produce measurable results.

A lifelong learner, Stephen has completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, IDEO U, and the LUMA Institute, and is a graduate of Seth Godin’s altMBA. He holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, an M.S. in Multimedia Technology, and a B.S. in Graphic Communication Technology.

At the heart of his work, Stephen believes that the “fifth hammer” moment–the one that brings harmony in the noise–is found when leaders step into curiosity, creativity, and courage. His mission is to help organizations design futures that resonate with clarity and purpose.