Upcoming Events

Board members save the date for our second quarter meeting!

This annual economic outlook will address a number of critical topics ranging from technology to the economic impact of the recent wildfires to what we anticipate will happen as a new presidential administration begins.

We’re pleased to announce that UCLA Anderson Forecast’s Thomas Ash will join us to deliver the latest economic outlook for California and the US. Dr. Ash will address a number of critical topics ranging from technology to the economic impact of the recent wildfires to what we anticipate will happen as a new presidential administration begins. An important theme of the talk will be the increased economic policy uncertainty and how to manage it. Dr Ash will also discuss tariffs and some of the academic research that has been done to understand their impact.

Following this presentation, we’ll host a panel discussion titled “Tech for Housing Resilience & Rebuilding Post-Wildfires,” moderated by Bhupesh Arora, Executive Chair of Innovate@UCLA, with panelists Greg Moore, VP & CIO of KB Home, and Phillip Leclair, CIO at the City of Pasadena.

As our local communities recover from recent wildfires, this conversation will explore how technology leaders from both public and private sectors are leveraging innovative solutions to support resiliency, speed up rebuilding efforts, and create sustainable and affordable housing for the future.

Agenda:

• 6:00 – 6:28 PM: Networking & Dinner

• 6:28 – 6:30 PM: Welcome by Bhupesh Arora, Executive Chair, Innovate@UCLA

• 6:30 – 7:15 PM: Economic Outlook Presentation, Dr. Thomas Ash, Research Economist, UCLA Anderson Forecast

• 7:15 – 7:30 PM: Audience Q&A with Dr. Ash

• 7:30 – 7:50 PM: Panel Discussion “Tech for Housing Resilience & Rebuilding Post-Wildfires”
  • Phillip Leclair, CIO, City of Pasadena
  • Greg Moore, VP & CIO, KB Home and Sponsorship Chair, Innovate@UCLA
  • Moderated by: Bhupesh Arora, Executive Chair, Innovate@UCLA

• 7:50 – 8:00 PM: Panel Q&A and Closing Remarks

About the Speaker:

Thomas Ash is Economist at UCLA Anderson Forecast and Researcher at UCLA Anderson. His research involves subjects in Macroeconomics, Finance, Digital/Media Economics, Climate Change and Migration. His work uses a range of methods, including empirical data analyses, optimization modelling and machine learning methods to answer research questions in these areas. He has particular expertise in the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) methodologies.

Prior to joining UCLA, Thomas obtained a PhD in Economics from the University of Southern California. He holds a Bachelors and Masters in Economics from the London School of Economics, as well as a Graduate Certificate and Masters in Mathematics from the University of London, Birkbeck. Finally, Thomas worked for over five years in Economic Consulting at National Economic Research Associates (NERA) and Oxford Economics.

For the UCLA Anderson Forecast, Thomas is involved in developing forecasts of the impacts of Climate Change on the economy, as well as forecasts of the California Economy. Thomas' most recent research examines Green Finance and ESG, Social Media's role in herding, polarization and asset price bubbles, as well as Macroeconomic models that analyze the impact of Climate Change through its impact on Natural Disaster

Pop-up Virtual Event

Join Innovate@UCLA Career Exchange for our second Pop-Up virtual session. Jim Rinaldi, Executive Director at Innovate @UCLA, former CIO at Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), and Senior Fellow at Avasant, will share advice for executives looking for career advancement in their current role and strategies for those in transition. After Jim's presentation, we will have a breakout session facilitated by Innovate@UCLA members to discuss insights and possible job openings.

Open to all: members and non-members are welcome!

We’re excited to invite you to our Innovate@UCLA New Member Orientation—a great opportunity to learn how to make the most of your membership! During this session, you’ll gain a clear understanding of your member benefits, discover ways to get involved, and connect with fellow members.

Join us as we kickstart your journey in a community of leading technology practitioners and providers, world-class university educators and researchers, emerging technology originators and a talented student population. Innovation, Education, and Community is at the core of everything we do at Innovate@UCLA and we are glad you are a part of our community!

Open to all members, regardless of when you joined!

Get together with Southern California's top CIOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CIOs today:

1. Shaping the Efficient Enterprise with AI & Automation
2. Strengthening Partnerships for Wider Business Impact
3. Illustrating IT’s Value through Business-first Initiatives

*Please note that this is an invitation-only event.

Join us for Demo Day as students from UCLA’s Young Tech Professionals (YTP) Program (Eng170) present innovative MVP solutions addressing this year’s theme: Wildfires. After a 10-week design thinking bootcamp, teams will showcase their tech-driven ideas to a panel of industry judges, highlighting their skills in business, technology, and social impact.

For an invite to Demo Day or additional questions, please contact [email protected]

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the way we live, work, and create—reshaping industries, augmenting human capabilities, and redefining what is possible. From revolutionizing healthcare through AI-powered diagnostics and personalized treatments, to advancing education with adaptive learning technologies, to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, AI is having a profound real-world impact on human lives.

This interactive seminar and structured networking event will bring together thought leaders, technologists, and creatives to explore the tangible ways AI is shaping healthcare, education, and the arts. Through compelling case studies, expert presentations, and engaging discussions, we will examine:

• How AI is enhancing medical diagnostics, predictive healthcare, and patient outcomes

• The role of AI in personalizing education, making learning more accessible and engaging

• AI’s expanding influence in the creative world, from music composition to digital art

Beyond insights and inspiration, this event is designed to foster meaningful connections through structured networking sessions grouped by industry, theme, and interest. Whether you are a technologist, practitioner, or innovator, you will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, collaborate, and explore AI’s ethical, practical, and transformative implications.

Come ready to engage, learn, and network with professionals at the forefront of AI’s real-world applications—where technology meets human potential.

Event Chair

Joseph Cevetello

Programs Event Chair

Director Public and Social Impact, Slalom

Board members save the date for our third quarter meeting!

Board members save the date for our third quarter meeting!

Board members save the date for our fourth quarter meeting!

Join us for the 2025 Innovate@UCLA Executive Leadership Awards.

About Innovate@UCLA Executive Leadership Awards
The Innovate@UCLA Executive Leadership Award (ELA) recognizes the exceptional creation of value to achieve a company’s vision via the application of innovative, forward-thinking, and disruptive technologies and operating models.

Event Chair

Andy Schlei

Executive Leadership Awards (ELA) Chair

Retired SVP, Information Technology, Sony Pictures Entertainment & Avasant Fellow

Board members save the date for our fourth quarter meeting!

Get together with Southern California's top CIOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.

Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CIOs today:

1. Shaping the Efficient Enterprise with AI & Automation
2. Strengthening Partnerships for Wider Business Impact
3. Illustrating IT’s Value through Business-first Initiatives

*Please note that this is an invitation-only event.

Please join us for our holiday party to celebrate all of this year's many accomplishments!

*This event is invite-only. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.