The 2023 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner (ELAD), hosted by Innovate@UCLA, was an inspiration, recognition, and networking evening. This exclusive event, held on Thursday, September 28th, at the UCLA Luskin Ballroom, brought together approximately 150 attendees to celebrate exceptional leaders and explore the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the creative industries.
Helix Wolfson, the Co-Founder of Infinite Reality and President of Metaverse Operations, took the stage as the keynote speaker. In a captivating presentation, Wolfson delved into the transformational role of AI in the creative envisioning process, providing insights into AI’s remarkable journey from history to its current game-changing applications.
The event also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “AI and the Creative Industries.” Chitra Rajeshwari, Principal and Executive Director of Avasant, expertly moderated the panel. The panelists included Beverly Macy, Acting Executive Director of UCLA Center for Media, Sports, & Entertainment; Jeff Burke, Professor and Associate Dean at UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television; and Charles Sims, Chief Technology Officer at United Talent Agency. Together, they explored the evolving connection between AI and creativity, examining its transformative effects and broad implications.
ELAD 2023 recognized exceptional leaders in the industry. Tim Ellis, Co-Founder & CEO of Relativity Space, received the Emerging Technology Award. Additionally, Justin Erbacci, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Chief Executive Officer, and Ian Law, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, were honored with the Public Sector Award. These awards celebrated innovation and technology-driven transformation.
Notably, Thomas Phelps, SVP & CIO of Laserfiche and Innovate@UCLA Executive Chair, and Heidi Pease, Head of Investment Products at Wave Financial, served as co-hosts for the event.
Beth Apillanes, Deputy CIO of Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), engaged in a fireside chat with Tim Ellis, and Thomas Phelps, discussing how Relativity Space utilizes 3D-printed rockets and AI and material sciences to propel humanity into space. This conversation shed light on the remarkable advances in space technology.
The evening concluded on a high note with a captivating performance by Chase Bell, a talented singer/songwriter and music producer. He performed “Chasing Your Dream,” a song that embodied the resilience of the entrepreneurial spirit and left attendees inspired.
The event was graced by several notable speakers, including Davida Johnson, Executive Director of UCLA Office of Advanced Research Computing, and Jim Rinaldi, Innovate@UCLA Executive Director.
Andy Schlei, Retired SVP, Information Technology, Sony Pictures Entertainment & Avasant Fellow and Innovate@UCLA ELA Chair, chaired ELAD for the third year but has been part of ELAD for many years.