Executive Leadership Awards Dinner

Join us for ELAD 2023, taking place in-person on Thursday, September 28th, from 5:00PM – 9:00PM PST at the UCLA Luskin Ballroom.

Each year, Innovate@UCLA celebrates the innovative use of technology in creating exceptional business value. On Thursday, September 28, we will gather at UCLA Luskin Conference Center from 5-9 PM as we recognize visionary CEOs and the technology behind propelling humanity across the world and into space.

Co-hosted by Heidi Pease, Wave Financial Head of Investment Products, and Thomas Phelps, Laserfiche CIO and Innovate@UCLA Executive Chair, the annual event will feature world-renowned UCLA faculty, industry thought leaders, innovators and award-winning singer/songwriter Chase Bell.

Beth Apillanes, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Deputy CIO, will lead a fireside chat with Tim Ellis, Relativity Space Co-Founder & CEO, on how the company is using 3D printed rockets and the latest in AI and material sciences to launch the future of humanity into space. Ellis will receive the Emerging Technology Award.

Learn about the many innovations—including e-gate and reservation-based parking and security screening—at Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) that will soon enhance the travel experience for over 66 million passengers who arrive and depart annually through LAX. Justin Erbacci, LAWA CEO, and Ian Law, Chief Digital Transformation Officer, will receive the Public Sector Award.

Helix Wolfson, Infinite Reality Co-Founder, will provide a keynote on AI’s evolution and advancements. This will be followed by a creative innovation AI panel moderated by Chitra Rajeshwari, Avasant Principal and Executive Director. Panelists include Beverly Macy, UCLA Center for Media, Sports and Entertainment Acting Executive Director; Jeff Burke, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Professor and Associate Dean; and Charles Sims, United Talent Agency CTO.

Chase Bell, singer/songwriter and music producer, will cap off the evening with his performance of “Chasing Your Dream”, a song that embodies the resilience of the entrepreneurial spirit. Other notable speakers include Davida Johnson, UCLA Office of Advanced Research Computing Executive Director, Andy Schlei, Avasant Fellow and Awards Chair, and Jim Rinaldi, Innovate@UCLA Executive Director and former NASA JPL CIO.

For this annual event, we welcome all qualified attendees from our membership to bring a guest to enjoy the evening.