Thursday, March 5, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Zoom
Join us on March 5 over Zoom for the 2026 UCLA Strategic Communications Bar Raiser Summit! We will focus on how we can lead — and thrive — through rapid technological advances and profound societal change. From grounding ourselves in emotional wellness to finding creative ways to engage and inspire on social media, we’ll explore both inspirational talks and practical strategies to elevate UCLA’s storytelling across our community and beyond.
Each session will have time for audience Q&A, so come ready with your questions!
The Bar Raiser Summit is where ideas spark action and we redefine the power of storytelling at UCLA. Let’s raise the bar together.
Schedule
8:45 AM
Waiting Room Opens
9:00 AM
Program Begins
Emcee: Brian MacDonald, Executive Director, Communication and Organizational Development, UCLA Student Affairs
9:03 AM
Welcome Remarks Begins
Mary Osako ’96, Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications
9:10 AM
Main Session #1
Community-based Research and Building Authentic Connections
Jorja Leap ’78, ’80, ’88, Adjunct Professor, Executive Director, UCLA Social Justice Research Partnership and Director, UCLA Watts Leadership Institute
Moderated by Barbra Ramos, Assistant Director, Media Relations, UCLA Strategic Communications
9:50 AM
Break
9:55 AM
Breakout Sessions
1. Self-Care for Campus Storytellers
Grounding and resetting techniques for emotional wellness as critical to our wholeness.
Dr. Drea Letamendi, Inaugural Director of Mobile Compassionate Response, UCLA Student Affairs
2. Designing Your AI Copilot
Build a reusable AI workflow in 30 minutes.
Rob Carpenter, Lecturer, UCLA Department of Communications
Intro by Chris Mattman, Inaugural Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer, UCLA Administration
3. The TikTok Test
Understanding what Gen Z actually engages with on social media.
Kelsey Dempsey ’22, Social Content Lead, DoorDash
Moderated by Ricky Horne, Assistant Director, Communications, UCLA Student Affairs
10:25 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Main Session #2
Leadership & Bruin Excellence
Dave Roberts ’95, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Moderated by Delan Bruce, Senior Copywriter/Editor, UCLA Magazine
11:30 AM
Closing Remarks & Program End
Mary Osako ’96, Vice Chancellor, Strategic Communications
Key Speakers
Jorja Leap
Adjunct Professor, Executive Director, UCLA Social Justice Research Partnership and Director, UCLA Watts Leadership Institute
