Innovate@UCLA (formerly known as IS Associates) began at the Anderson School of Management to create networking and education opportunities between the school and the IT community in Southern California. The organization transitioned to the UCLA Office of Advanced Research Computing (formerly known as the UCLA Office of Information Technology) in 2013.
The organization was founded in 1978 by faculty members, Lew Leeburg and Ephraim McLean. Leeburg, a three-time UCLA alumnus, used his contacts and connections from his time as a senior executive at IBM to recruit tech companies into the organization. During his tenure as the Executive Director, the membership grew from just a handful of members to around 45 member companies.
Below is a list of Board Chairs since the organization’s inception:
| Past Chairs | Years Served | Company (at time of service) |
| Bhupesh Arora | 2023-Present | Magellan Midstream Partners |
| Thomas Phelps | 2021-2023 | Laserfiche |
| Bill Martin | 2020-2021 | AEG Worldwide |
| Theresa Miller | 2019-2020 | Lionsgate |
| Michael Keithley | 2018-2019 | United Talent Agency |
| Ron Guerrier | 2017-2018 | Farmers Insurance |
| Jim Rinaldi | 2016-2017 | JPL |
| Bill Miller | 2015-2016 | Broadcom |
| Rick Hopfer | 2014-2015 | Molina Healthcare |
| Susan Nakashima | 2013-2014 | Southern California Edison |
| Rob Devers | 2012-2013 | Avery Dennison |
| Steven Davis | 2011-2012 | Walt Disney Studios |
| Cindy McKenzie | 2010-2011 | Fox Entertainment Group |
| Janet Parr | 2008-2009 | Countrywide |
| John Byrnes | 2007-2008 | California National Bank |
| Lynn Wolf | 2006-2007 | Northrop Grumman Corp. |
| Rich Hoffman | 2005-2006 | Hyundai Information Service NA |
| Don Olender | 2004-2005 | Wells Fargo Capital Finance |
| Al Strong | 2003-2004 | Commercial Programming Systems, Inc. |
| Susan Nakashima | 2002-2003 | Adecco Technical |
| Patrick Zorsch | 2001-2002 | Countrywide |
| Kim Spenchian | 2000-2001 | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. |
| Tom Swysgood | 1999-2000 | Sun Microsystems Computer Co. |
| Jerry Thode | 1998-1999 | Ernst & Young LLP |
| Mary Kay Kotzman | 1997-1998 | City of Los Angeles |
| Mary Kay Kotzman | 1996-1997 | City of Los Angeles |
| Stan Johnson | 1995-1996 | Port of Los Angeles |
| David King | 1994-1995 | Korn/Ferry |
| George Brenner | 1993-1994 | MCA Universal |
| George Brenner | 1992-1993 | MCA Universal |
| Edward N. Altman | 1991-1992 | Paramount Pictures |
| Edward N. Altman | 1990-1991 | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Edward N. Altman | 1989-1990 | Security Pacific Bank |
| Boyd Haigler | 1988-1989 | ARCO Products |
| Boyd Haigler | 1987-1988 | ARCO Products |
| Vic Janulaitis | 1986-1987 | Positive Support Review |
| Michael Erdei | 1985-1986 | Hughes Aircraft |
| Charles Tucker | 1984-1985 | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Patrick McNally | 1983-1984 | Andersen Consulting |
| Robert Pomeroy | 1982-1983 | Southern California Gas Co. |
| Bob Foster | 1981-1982 | Xerox Data Systems |
| Bill Taubert | 1980-1981 | Hunt Wesson Foods |
| DuWayne Peterson | 1979-1980 | Security Pacific Bank |
| Lewis Leeburg | 1978-1979 | IBM Corporation |