Spring 2026 Programming Highlights

Innovate@UCLA Career Exchange #1 – Virtual Session (March 12th, 2026)

Innovate@UCLA hosted Career Exchange #1, a virtual fireside conversation titled “Embarking on a Career Adventure with Eric Iverson.” The event featured Eric Iverson, Chief Technology Officer at United Talent Agency (UTA), in conversation with Bhupesh Arora, VP and CIO at South Jersey Industries and immediate past chair of Innovate@UCLA. Iverson shared the backstory of his career journey, from early experiences that shaped his professional path to leadership roles across major organizations, highlighting how curiosity, resilience, and preparation enable professionals to grow within large corporations. The discussion encouraged attendees to reflect on knowing themselves and their core principles, using frameworks such as personality assessments and strengths-based tools to better understand their gifts, skills, and motivators. Iverson also emphasized the importance of urgency and disciplined habits, referencing ideas from Atomic Habits and The 12 Week Year to illustrate how small, consistent actions lead to meaningful long-term progress. The conversation ultimately focused on aligning personal strengths with what the world needs, while remaining honest with oneself and committed to continuous growth. The session progressed through the early segments of the program, including the career backstory, self-reflection exercises, and discussions on urgency and personal development, before concluding with parting advice for aspiring leaders.

Women in Technology (WIT) Virtual Session – The Power Pivot: Turning Unmet Expectations Into Strategic Advantage (March 17th, 2026)

Innovate@UCLA hosted a virtual Women In Technology (WIT) session featuring Amber Senteno, Chief Technology Business Officer at City of Hope, titled “The Power Pivot: Turning Unmet Expectations Into Strategic Advantage.” Moderated by Theresa Miller, Innovate@UCLA Women in Technology (WIT) Chair and former CIO & EVP at Lionsgate, the session focused on how individuals can respond to moments when expectations are not met and transform them into opportunities for growth and leadership. Senteno introduced the concept of the “automatic loop,” where unmet expectations can trigger quick assumptions, emotions, and reactions that often limit progress. She emphasized that while individuals cannot control external triggers, they can control their responses. Through the idea of a “power pivot,” she encouraged participants to ground themselves in what they can control, choose how to use their power, and redirect their mindset with purpose and gratitude. The session also highlighted practical leadership strategies, including active listening, building strong relationships, embracing feedback as a tool for growth, and prioritizing self-care and intentionality. Senteno reinforced that leadership begins with self-awareness, noting that “your power starts with you,” and that reframing challenges can help individuals reclaim control and drive better outcomes. In the Q&A, Senteno shared practical insights on maintaining emotional regulation, balancing innovation with human-centered decision-making in the age of AI, and intentionally building meaningful relationships. She emphasized that pivoting is an ongoing process and encouraged attendees to focus on what they can control early in their careers. The session concluded with a powerful reminder that growth is rooted in how one responds, capturing her core message: “the moment I pivot, is the moment I lead.”

Spring CxO Exchange – From Innovation to Impact: The Data Storytelling Skill Every C-Suite Leader Needs (April 8th, 2026)

Innovate@UCLA hosted an in-person Spring CxO Exchange, featuring Timothy Park, MBA, Executive Director of the Easton Technology Management Center at UCLA Anderson. This gathering brought together board members, industry leaders, and C-Suite executives for an evening of conversation centered around data, leadership, and innovation. His talk, “From Innovation to Impact: The Data Storytelling Skill Every C-Suite Leader Needs”, explored how organizations can better translate technical insights into better decision making. The session opened with remarks from Kevin Gray, CTO of Metrolink, followed by acknowledgements of KniTT sponsorship and its work in the data center space. Park’s discussion focused on the growing disconnect between technical teams and executive leadership, emphasizing that data storytelling serves as the critical bridge between the two. He outlined core components of effective data storytelling—narrative, data, and visuals—and stressed the importance of identifying the “punchline” and clearly communicating the “$o what” behind any analysis. Rather than relying on complex tools or overly technical outputs, Park encouraged attendees to prioritize clarity, actionable insights, and strong business context. Drawing on real-world examples, including a case study on Chipotle’s 2023 sales performance and the varying spellings of “Spider-Man”, Park highlighted how even advanced models and lazy documentation can fail to deliver value without meaningful interpretation. The evening concluded with closing remarks from Beth Apillanes from JPL, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, thoughtful analysis, and clear communication in driving impact at the executive level. This event has been sponsored by KniTT, a Southern California–based cloud provider delivering enterprise private cloud solutions to Global 1000 organizations through its ELYSIUM platform.