Bhupesh Arora

Executive Chair, Innovate@UCLA
Executive Partner, Gartner

Dear Innovate@UCLA Community,

2025 has been a remarkable year for our community—marked by fresh ideas, powerful conversations, and meaningful collaborations. We’ve leaned into the evolving role of technology while keeping human values, resilience, and innovation at the center of everything we do.

Our events continually received high ratings due to the quality of speakers and content. Here are highlights from our recent events.

The Human Side of AI

Our Summer Solstice program explored how AI is shaping multiple industries – health case, education and arts, capped by industry leading speaker, Ray Wang. The event also provided statistics on the use of AI for Gen Z and millennials. We also explored structured networking across tables which led to strong collaboration and knowledge sharing for the attendees.

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Next-Generation Talent Pipeline and Internships

Our Young Tech Professionals (YTP) program reached new heights with students tackling urgent issues like wildfire recovery. By pairing technical training with real-world problems, we’re creating a new blueprint for bridging academia and industry. We also initiated a student alliance program which successfully placed students as interns in large enterprises.

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C-Suite Networking

This iteration of the CxO Exchange provided an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience at SoFi Stadium. The event combined executive networking with a curated tour of the stadium’s most private and technologically advanced spaces. We had over 40 attendees.

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Disruption Advantage – Executive Leadership Awards Dinner

This flagship dinner event was a capstone gathering for Innovate@UCLA, celebrating leadership, innovation, and community impact. The evening framed technology and transformation as forces that can be harnessed strategically. Through keynote, panel, and awards components, the program highlighted emerging digital trends (crypto, tokenization, tariffs), local challenges (LA wildfires), and organizations making tangible impacts in technology and society. We had over 130 attendees for this gala event.

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Voice and Leadership

I look forward to seeing the Innovate@UCLA community for Women in Tech (WIT) event on October 14th featuring industry thought leader, Beate Chelette discussing the Unapologetic Value Proposition (UVP) which is more than just a framework for career advancement. Through Women in Tech (WIT) programs and leadership workshops, we’re equipping professionals with tools to embrace authenticity, articulate value, and amplify their voices.

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Overall, I would like to thank our diverse Board Members, who volunteer their time for making Innovate@UCLA a success for the technology community, our members, and our sponsors who fund and support our objectives.