The Innovate@UCLA Executive Leadership Award (ELA) recognizes the exceptional creation of value to achieve a company’s vision via application of innovative, forward thinking and disruptive technologies and operating models. The award is given to a CEO/Founder and CIO/CTO (or top Technology Executive) who has led and promoted the use of digital technology and expertise as a critical component of the company’s decisions, fueling improvements in brand and bottom line.
This year, the primary focus is on organizations that have excelled in the face of adversity, illustrating the power of innovation in times of uncertainty and ambiguity.
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Nomination Process
Selection Criteria
The selected senior executive and/or organization exemplifies leadership in the vision and use of technology to achieve outcomes through their ability to:
- Seek new innovative solutions creating a far more stimulating environment for change than during economically stable times
- Develop, communicate, and execute a strategic vision for the business that centers around technology as a critical advantage
- Leverage modernized, cutting edge technologies or proven technologies in an innovative or disruptive manner
- Maintain a track record of recognizing and successfully capitalizing on opportunities to utilize digital solutions/technologies
- Focus on delivering a differentiated, exceptional customer experience throughout the customer’s journey
Additionally, the selected Executives should:
- Be receptive to receiving the award
- Attend the Award Dinner on Thursday, 09/29/22
- Lead a company or division of a larger company
- Reflect positively and prestigiously on UCLA and Innovate@innovateatucla
Award Categories
Starting in 2017, the ELA award was expanded to identify 4 distinct categories. Additional criteria for each award include:
- Enterprise Award
- Senior Executive awardee is typically C-level (i.e. CEO, CIO, CTO) but can be other Senior Executive title, leading a company or division of a larger company.
- Brand, customer experience and innovative technology are both paramount in the final award decision
- Size of company can be either Enterprise (over 1B in revenue) or Mid-Market (200M – 1B)
- Public Sector Award
- Senior Executive awardee is typically Public Official leader with large sphere of influence, contribution and presence to a Southern California technology community.
- Outcome focus can be varied whether on efficiency through government/city tech or focus on helping citizens and the community.
- Emerging Technology Award
- Senior Executive awardee is typically C-level, however given the infancy of these companies, the company leader can be other Senior Executive title by exception.
- Company has achieved product market fit and adoption as well as level of VC funding to support company viability to be considered in this category (typically 20M minimum Funding and/or 200M Revenue as minimum).
- Acquisitions are common within 3-5 year period of company start. These will be reviewed case by case against overall award criteria.
- Community Impact Award
- Senior Executive awardee is typically a non-profit officer who positively impacted their communities in ways that inspire integrity.
- Organizations that have made significant outreach efforts that serve to uplift the community, specifically by promoting strong principles, ethical leadership and honesty.
- Evidence of sustainable impact of their work
Past Honorees
| Past Honorees | Title | Organization | Year Honored |
Kyle Jackson Andrew Johnson | Co-Founder & CEO Director, Source-to-Pay Systems | Talespin Sony Pictures | 2022 Enterprise Award 2022 Excellence in Coaching YTP Award |
| Brian Fennessy Jiajun Zhu Dave Ferguson Amanda Renteri | Fire Chief Co-Founder & CEO Co-Founder & President CEO | OC Fire Authority Nuro Nuro Code for America | 2021 Public Sector Award 2021 Emerging Tech Award 2021 Community Impact |
| Jack Dangermond Christina Ghaly Andy Puddicombe Rich Pierson Skye Patrick | President Director Co-Founder Co-Founder & CEO Director | Esri LA County Health Agency Headspace LA County Library | 2020 Enterprise Award 2020 Public Sector Award 2020 Emerging Tech Award 2020 Community Impact Award |
| Dennis Gilmore Sachi Hamai Ara Mahdessian | CEO CEO CEO | First American Financial County of Los Angeles ServiceTitan | 2019 Enterprise Award 2019 Public Sector Award 2019 Emerging Tech Award |
| Jeff Dailey John Wicker Travis VanderZanden | CEO Director CEO | Farmers Group, Inc. County of Los Angeles Bird | 2018 Enterprise Award 2018 Public Sector Award 2018 Entrepreneur Award |
| John Wallace Eric Garcetti Brian Mullins | CEO Mayor Co-Founder | Deluxe Entertainment City of Los Angeles DAQRI | 2017 Enterprise Award 2017 Public Sector Award 2017 Entrepreneur Award |
| Bryan Smith | President & COO | American Homes 4 Rent | 2016 |
| Gary Burnison | CEO | Korn Ferry | 2015 |
| John Molina | CEO | Molina Healthcare | 2014 |
| Scott McGregor | CEO | Broadcom | 2013 |
| David Pyott | CEO | Allergan | 2012 |
| Alan Buckelew | CEO | Princess Cruises | 2011 |
| Dean Scarborough | CEO | Avery Dennison | 2010 |
| Tony Vinciquerra | CEO | Fox Networks Group | 2009 |
| Alexis C. Livanos | President | Northrop Grumman Space Technology | 2008 |
| William J. Bratton | Police Chief | Los Angeles Police Department | 2007 |
| Alan J. Fohrer | CEO | Southern California Edison | 2006 |
| John A. Clarke | Executive Officer | Los Angeles Superior Court | 2005 |
| Robert A. Eckert | CEO | Mattel, Inc. | 2004 |
| Leonard D. Schaeffer | CEO | Wellpoint Health Networks | 2003 |
| Angelo R. Mozilo | CEO | Countrywide Financial Corporation | 2002 |
| Susan Kent | City Librarian | Los Angeles Public Library | 2001 |
| Patricia Wyatt | Division President | Fox Consumer Products | 2000 |
| Sky Dayton | Founder & CEO | EarthLink Network, Inc. | 1999 |
| Edward C. Stone | Director | Jet Propulsion Laboratories | 1998 |
| David M. Lawrence | CEO | Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. | 1996 |
| Robert Rodin | CEO | Marshall Industries | 1995 |
| Roger F. Greaves | CEO | Health Net | 1994 |
| Thomas E. Epley | CEO | Technicolor, Inc. | 1993 |
| Thomas V. McKernan | CEO | Auto Club of Southern California | 1992 |
| George H. Babikian | President | ARCO Products Company | 1991 |
| Emil P. Martini, Jr. | CEO | Bergen Brunswig Corporation | 1989 |
| John P. Singleton | CEO | Security Pacific Corporation | 1988 |
| Sanford C. Sigoloff | CEO | Wickes Corporation | 1987 |