Distinguished Innovator Speaker Series
Inspiring Innovative Thinking and Thought-Provoking Discussions
The Westcliff University Distinguished Innovator Speaker Series connects thought leaders from various professional fields with Westcliff students and with members of the greater community interested in learning more about creative approaches to problem-solving in the modern world. The series uses the Westcliff platform to initiate and facilitate informative, thought-provoking discussions as the University continues to solidify its position as a leading global academic resource.
The series is designed to inspire innovative thinking and stimulate solution-oriented conversations. It provides the greater community an opportunity to hear from and connect with nationally and internationally renowned leaders who have shaped their industry. Attendees are able to interact and ask questions of the featured speakers after each presentation.
When is the next Distinguished Innovative Speaker Series event?
Distinguished Innovative Speaker Series guests are announced in spring and fall.
Fall 2024 speakers have not yet been announced. Please check back soon to learn more about our upcoming speakers.
You can watch all of the event recordings from past speakers below.
Past Speakers
In case you missed or wanted to revisit any of our past speakers, all of our Distinguished Innovator Speaker Series events are recorded and can be rewatched at any time.
Though all of our events are recorded, we encourage you to RSVP for our upcoming speakers. You will have the opportunity to ask the guest speaker questions about their topic of discussion and your questions could be answered live!
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Spring 2024 Innovative Speakers
March 28, Navigating the Future of Education with Generative AI
Dr. Julene Reed, Educational Leader and AI Consultant
Watch Event Recording
April 25, Saving Lives Using AI
Navid Alipour, CEO of Curemetrix
Watch Event Recording
May 30, Create an Autonomous Enterprise with AI
Doug Shannon, Global Intelligent Automation Leader
Watch Event Recording
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Fall 2023 Innovative Speakers
September 26, Unleashing the World of Possibilities
Leo Chan, Founder - Abound Innovation Inc.
Watch Event Recording
October 26, From Skies to Stars: Boundless Exploration
Captain "Hoot" Gibson, Former Top Gun Pilot & 4X Space Shuttle Commander
Watch Event Recording
November 30, Championing Growth: Thriving Amongst Constant Innovation
Dr. Ernesto Sirolli, Founder | Sirolli Institute
Watch Event Recording
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Spring 2023 Innovative Speakers
The Lean Startup Framework Explained
Ben Hafele, Managing Director, Lean Startup, Co.
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
The Secret To Building Resilience
Vered Kogan, CEO, Momentum Institute
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
Reinventing the Way You Present: Take Your Presentations from Boring to Brilliant
Kelly Fallucca, Founder and CEO of Sugar Please Productions
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
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Fall 2022 Innovative Speakers
Navigating Business and Life
Alicia Hanf, Founder and Managing Partner at Dear Mama Ventures
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
Turn Your Passion into a Thriving Business
Celine Ikeler, Owner and Founder of Karma Baker
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
Career Journey from the NFL to Activision Blizzard with Johanna Faries
Johanna Faries, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Call of Duty, Activision-Blizzard
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
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Spring 2022 Innovative Speakers
Lead Like a Lady: Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Industries
Gina L. Osborn, International Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host, Former FBI Agent
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
In Your Face: The Pros and Cons of Facial Recognition
Josh Freed, Writer, Director, and Actor
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
Perfect Pitch
David Friedman, Vice-Chairman, Tech Coast Angels
Learn More | Watch Recording
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Fall 2021 Innovative Speakers
The Metaverse Demystified
Cathy Hackl, Futurist, Founder, Futures Intelligence Group
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
THE CHAOS ADVANTAGE Embrace the Unexpected
Corinne Hancock, International Keynote Speaker & Chaos Coach
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
The Steve Jobs Way: Being Pirates, not the Navy
Jay Elliot, Founder & CEO, TIGOhealth Inc.
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
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Spring 2021 Innovative Speakers
Hollywood Story Telling: When Innovation Works & When It Doesn't
Dr. Barry Sandrew, Ph.D., Director of Entrepreneurship, Westcliff University
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
The Quantum Revolution
Dr. Shohini Ghose, Ph.D.; P.Phys., TED Senior Fellow, NSERC Chair for Women in Science & Engineering; Professor, Physics & Computer Science, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada.
Learn More | Recording Unavailable
Cutting the Cord: How The Cell Phone Has Transformed HUMANITY
Martin Cooper, Legendary Futurist and "Father of the Cell Phone"
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
Neuroscience of Attention: Using Video Games to Treat Attention Disorders
Leanne Chukoskie, Ph.D., Associate Research Scientist, Director of Neurogaming Center, Qualcomm Institute, University of California, San Diego
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
Deconstructing Henry Molaison's Brain: The History of Memory
Dr. Jacopo Annese, Ph.D., Founder, Executive Director, The Brain Observatory, President, CEO, The Mind Corporation
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
Blurring the Lines Between Virtual & Physical Realities: The Power of Big Data Analytics
Greg Passmore, Computational Imaging Systems Architect, President and Founder, Passmore VR
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
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Fall 2020 Innovative Speakers
The Augmented Human: Exploring the Boundaries of Alternative Realities
Ted Schilowitz - Futurist in Residence, Paramount Pictures
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
Entrepreneurial Opportunities in the Global Outer Space Economy
Bidushi Bhattacharya, Ph.D. - CEO & Founder, AstroHub
Learn More | Watch Event Recording
The Power of Collaboration in the Cloud: Examples from Hollywood Media Production
Buzz Hays - Global Lead Entertainment Industry Solutions for Content Creation with Google Cloud
Learn more | Watch Event Recording
Finance and Other Career Opportunities in Hollywood: It’s Like Any Other Business
Steve Ecclesine - Producer, Director, Author
Learn more | Watch Event Recording
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