Beth Apillanes

Executive Chair, Innovate@UCLA
Manager, Enterprise Information Technology Services, Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL)

A Strong Start to 2026!

When we opened the books to this new chapter in January, I shared my excitement about the “extraordinary year” ahead for Innovate@UCLA. Our journey so far in 2026 has been a direct reflection of the commitment we have to bridge academic research with real-world IT leadership and bring our community together. We have already hosted three powerful sessions that equipped our members to handle this year’s “near-impossible” standards. We kicked off with a Career Exchange session talking with Eric Iverson, who explored how entrepreneurial thinking and relentless preparation will drive career growth. Amber Senteno then led a transformative Women in Technology session on the “Power Pivot,” teaching us to reframe unmet expectations into strategic leadership momentum. These sessions highlight that personal leadership is as vital as technical expertise; it is leadership as a competitive advantage. Most recently, Timothy Park joined our Spring CxO Exchange to demonstrate how data storytelling serves as a leadership multiplier, turning complex AI and analytics insights into actionable business imperatives. These events provide valuable insight and real tools for you to navigate the evolving digital landscape.

I am delighted to announce that our Student Internship program has experienced substantial growth. We have successfully matched UCLA students with leading companies, providing valuable work experience and creating robust new-hire pipelines for our industry partners. This expansion not only benefits our students but also strengthens our collaborations with employers.

The Road Ahead

At its core, the role of an IT leader has shifted from managing “back-office” systems to navigating the strategic and geopolitical center of the enterprise. We aren’t just keeping the lights on; we are steering the ship through a period of unprecedented volatility. As we look ahead, our focus turns to our upcoming flagship Summer Solstice event, “Code Red: AI at the Crossroads – Technology, World Economics, and Conflict.” This gathering on May 21^st addresses a defining inflection point as artificial intelligence accelerates beyond the current pace of policy, markets, and diplomacy. We will bring together industry thought leaders and strategists to examine the collision of three tectonic forces: the rise of generative AI, the fracturing global economic order, and the intensifying competition for technological supremacy.

Throughout the coming months, I look forward to reconnecting our vibrant community to foster the partnerships that drive our industry forward and to working together to make 2026 our most innovative year yet.

Wishing you a prosperous May!

Warm regards,

Beth Apillanes Executive Chair, Innovate@UCLA