Innovate@UCLA’s events are thoughtfully designed to create impactful connections among our members, strengthening our community while exploring novel topics related in the rapidly changing world of technology. Guest speakers are a cornerstone of these events, bringing insightful and engaging discussions that make each gathering truly remarkable. Below is a list of speakers who have contributed to our events since 2023, which is continuously updated to reflect new contributions.
Randy Levin
CEO || The Women in Tech Accelerator Program2023 WIT #1: Creating Your Optimal Work Environment and Get Some Down Time!
Ginger Siedschlag
COO || Caylent2023 WIT #1: Creating Your Optimal Work Environment and Get Some Down Time!
Dr. Lynda Murray-Thomas
Sr. Director, Application Delivery & Strategy || Universal Parks & Resorts2023 WIT #1: Creating Your Optimal Work Environment and Get Some Down Time!
Holleh Vansant
Senior Project Manager || The Aerospace Corporation2023 WIT #1: Creating Your Optimal Work Environment and Get Some Down Time!
Naya Wenger
Chief Product Officer || CAA2023 WIT #1: Creating Your Optimal Work Environment and Get Some Down Time!
Nadya Ichinomiya
Vice President - Agile Transformation, Enablement, & Operations || Sony Pictures Entertainment2023 The Agile Way: Unlocking Efficiency and Effectiveness through Agile/Lean Best Practices
Julia Erdkamp
Executive Director || CalSAWS2023 The Agile Way: Unlocking Efficiency and Effectiveness through Agile/Lean Best Practices
Beth Apillanes
Manager, Service Delivery, Strategy & Operations (Enterprise Technology) || NASA JPL2023 Women in Technology: How to be an Ally! || 2023 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Vaishakhi Lahoti
Director of Data Warehousing & Analytics || The Aerospace Corporation2023 Women in Technology: How to be an Ally! || 2023 Summer Solstice
Amanda Bailey
Vice President Global Analytics || Activision2023 Women in Technology: How to be an Ally!
Colleen Rogers
Director, Product || Voyatek2023 Women in Technology: How to be an Ally!
Derek Cotton
Talent Acquisition Manager || Capital Group2023 Women in Technology: How to be an Ally!
Garrett Boss
EVP, Enterprise and Data Platforms || Fox2023 Women in Technology: How to be an Ally!
Michael Keithley
Ex CIO || United Talent Agency2023 Summer Solstice
Kevin Parikh
CEO & Chairman || Avasant2023 Summer Solstice
Tammy Choy
Director of Cybersecurity || LA20282023 Summer Solstice
Via Van Liew
Chief Diversity Officer || The Aerospace Corporation2023 Summer Solstice
Thomas Phelps
SVP, CIO || Laserfiche2023 Summer Solstice
Jessica Wood
Partner, Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement || Manatt2023 Summer Solstice
Piper O'Brien
Solutions Manager || iSpace2023 Expand Your Network, from Virtual to Reality
Helix Wolfson
President || Metaverse Operations2023 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Charles Sims
CTO / Founder || Funder AI2023 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Beverly Macy
Educator || UCLA Anderson2023 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner || 2024 Summer Solstice
Jeff Burke
Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Technology || UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television2023 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Chitra Rajeshwari
Executive Director || Avasant Foundation2023 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Keith Chen
Professor, Behavioral Economics || UCLA Anderson2023 CxO Fall Exchange
Angela Gardner
Partner in Charge || Hedrick & Struggles2024 CxO Sprint Exchange
George Sheth
Managing Partner || Diligent Partners, LLC2024 CxO Sprint Exchange
Philip Leclair
CIO || City of Pasadena2024 CxO Sprint Exchange || 2024 Summer Solstice
Melanie Hildebrandt
CIO || Endeavor and TKO2024 CxO Sprint Exchange
Safiya Noble
David O. Sears Presidential Endowed Chair of Social Sciences and Professor of Gender Studies, African American Studies, and Information Studies || UCLA2024 Virtual WIT #1 Impact of AI on the Lives and Rights of Women and Underserved Communities
Sarah Roberts
Associate Professor of Gender Studies, Information Studies, and Labor Studies || UCLA2024 Virtual WIT #1 Impact of AI on the Lives and Rights of Women and Underserved Communities
Rob Devers
VP & CIO || Majestic Realty Co2024 Spring Summit
Jim Rinaldi
Executive Director || Innovate@UCLA2024 Spring Summit
Theresa Miller
CIO & EVP, Information Technology || Lionsgate2024 Spring Summit || 2024 Summer Solstice
Greg Moore
VP & CIO || KB Home2024 Spring Summit
Bhupesh Arora
Executive Chair || Innovate@UCLA, Chief Technology Officer || Howard Hughes2024 Spring Summit
Wes Gavins
VP and Head of Cybersecurity || LA282024 Spring Summit
Virginia Lyons
SVP and CISO || Sony Pictures Entertainment2024 Spring Summit
Jeffrey Aguilar
CISO || County of Los Angeles2024 Spring Summit
Heather Brooks Karatz
Founder/CEO; Owner || Hextec Inc. ; Angel City FC2024 Summer Solstice
Ed Soo Hoo
Worldwide CTO Global Accounts || Lenovo2024 Summer Solstice
Mike Band
Senior Manager of Research and Analytics, Next Gen Stats || National Football League2024 Summer Solstice
Kevin Gray
CTO || Metrolink2024 Summer Solstice
Lea Eriksen
Director of Technology & Innovation, CIO || City of Long Beach2024 Summer Solstice
Krisha Zagura
VP of Product || On Location2024 Summer Solstice
Janette Smrcka
VP of IT || SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park2024 Summer Solstice
Shelley Taniguchi-Dea
Director of Global Partnerships || Team Liquid2024 Summer Solstice
Laurie Leshin
Director || NASA JPL2024 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Eddie Drake
Head of Production Technology || Walt Disney Studios2024 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Lesley Silverman
Head of New Tech || United Talent Agency2024 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Jay Tucker
Executive Director || UCLA's Center for Media, Entertainment, & Sports2024 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Eric Iverson
Partner and CTO || United Talent Agency2024 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Courtney Stockmal
Studio & Remote Director || FOX Sports2024 Executive Leadership Awards Dinner
Anna Islamova
Management Consultant || Insigniam2024 WIT #2 Leading Without Authority
Josh LeGassick
Professional Management Consultant || Insigniam2024 WIT #2 Leading Without Authority