Executive Chair’s Message
Dear Innovate@UCLA Members,
I’m excited to share some highlights for this year.
We’re pleased to welcome seven new members to our growing community this quarter. If you’re new, I encourage you to attend the New Member Orientation on May 14th to learn how to get involved and make the most of your Innovate@UCLA membership.
We kicked off the year with strong momentum, hosting four dynamic events that covered a wide range of relevant and timely topics:
We introduced a new virtual Career Development series, where industry experts provided valuable insights on hiring trends and successfully managing career transitions. Due to the strong interest in this event, we’re planning a follow-up session in the second quarter.
The Spring CxO Exchange, titled “For Whom the Bells Toll? Implications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Managers,” was our first-ever event hosted at the University of Southern California (USC). The session explored AI’s growing impact on management and provided great networking opportunities.
Our Women in Technology (WIT) committee hosted a virtual workshop focused on overcoming imposter syndrome and amplifying your voice—an inspiring and empowering session for all who attended.
Our fourth event was the Economic Outlook presented by UCLA distinguished economist where we gained insights into the U.S. economy and emerging technology trends in Southern California. The session also examined the economic impact of recent wildfires, tariffs and the academic research that has been done to understand their impact.
The survey results for our events averaged 92.5%, reflecting the strong engagement and satisfaction of our attendees. I thank our speakers for their thought leadership, and our members that continue to provide feedback so we can continually improve our programs.
Looking ahead, I’m proud to announce a special collaboration with Evanta, a Gartner company. We’ll co-host the Southern California CIO Executive Summit on May 20, 2025, at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown. Join CIOs from across the region as we explore shared challenges and strategic priorities shaping the future of technology leadership.
Please Mark Your Calendar for Q2 Upcoming Events:
May 8 – Career Exchange Pop-Up (Virtual)
Jim Rinaldi, Executive Director of Innovate@UCLA and former CIO at JPL, will share career strategies for executives—whether you’re aiming to grow in your current role or exploring new opportunities. Follow-up breakout sessions will offer peer discussion and job leads.
June 6 – Young Tech Professionals Demo Day
UCLA students from the YTP (Eng170) Program will present MVP solutions addressing the theme Wildfires—the result of a 10-week design thinking bootcamp. Join us to support and celebrate the next generation of tech talent.
June 11 – Summer Solstice: The Human Side of AI: The Intersection of Silicon and Carbon
This thought-provoking event and networking event will bring together technologists, creatives, and thought leaders to explore how AI is transforming healthcare, education, and the arts.
If you’re interested in attending an event as a guest, please reach out to me or Snezana Sibalic. Attendance will be confirmed based on qualifications.
Finally, a heartfelt thank-you to our Board Members and Committee members—your dedication and service continue to fuel the growth and success of Innovate@UCLA within the Southern California tech community.
Warm regards,
Bhupesh Arora
Executive Chair, Innovate@UCLA