ELEVATED

Zeina Barrett has over 25 years of experience in the management and execution of programs for the Department of Defense and Departments of State Health and Social Services and across multiple Northrop Grumman Sectors. She has a wide breadth of expertise in program management, risk management, process re-engineering, and operations management across various levels of the organization. Zeina is currently the Program Excellence Director for the Space Sector shaping program management governance, process, and is responsible for executing PM training and development. Prior to this role, Zeina was most recently the Operating Unit Director for Space Vehicles within the Tactical Space Systems Division, where she was responsible for our ESPAStar Product Line (>$1B product line) and growth of space vehicle market within the division. She has led teams across all phases of program execution. Zeina received her bachelor’s in business and a master’s of information systems from the University of Phoenix and a graduate certificate in Project Management from the University of California Los Angeles. She achieved her Project Management Professional certification in 2011, is a certified scrum master and Agile coach. She is currently working towards her masters of business administration at Liberty University on her path to a Doctorate of business administration in the future. Jen García is Caltech CTME’s AI Tools Instructor and the host of ELEVATED. With over 20 years in higher education and workforce development, she served as a program manager at Orange Coast College while also teaching at institutions like UCLA Extension, UCI Extension, and USC. She later founded Employ California, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing workforce development, and Ingrained.ai, which equips businesses, educators, and social impact organizations with accessible AI tools training. Jen serves as the AI Executive in Residence at the Goldhirsh Foundation and sits on the boards of Vidby.ai and Pledge, a platform that raises nearly $50m in donations each year for many of the largest nonprofits and brands in the world. She has led AI tools trainings at the Getty Research Institute, and for the County of Los Angeles, DoorDash, the LA Fire Department, Brooklyn Public Library, and more. Through her work with Break Through Tech AI, Jen has also guided teams in developing custom AI/ML solutions for nonprofits. 

You'll discover how to:Create and execute initiatives in your project that sustain change and escalates relationshipsMaster a mindset that moves you out of your head and past your fears to confidently create valuable relationshipsManage your emotions when connecting with new peopleAdditionally, Christy will share how she fosters a culture that attracts high performers, designs and executes initiatives that catalyze change and most importantly, transforms chaos into harmony—and how you can build on your own creativity to reach your professional and personal goals. Christy Conner is a driver of greater Los Angeles's innovative technology arena. She is a leader of Friday Coffee Meetup, the largest active entrepreneurial and tech innovation group in Los Angeles, with 7,000+ members. In The Confident Connector™: How to Build Your Must-Have Network in an Era of Job Insecurity, Christy enthusiastically shares strategies with readers to on how to build strong and authentic relationships. She seamlessly blends her perspective as a natural introvert with powerful techniques to inspire others to move past their fears and build a dynamic network that fulfills their aspirations.With exposure to over fifty countries and a diverse career spanning six sectors, she offers a unique blend of strategic insight and empathic leadership. She has taught as an instructor of change management on five continents. Utilizing this global perspective coupled with local insights, she writes on leading-edge business topics that help companies work smarter and drive revenue. She earned her private pilot’s license and went on to obtain a BS in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She has an MA in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC).  ♦ Jen García is Caltech CTME’s AI Tools Instructor and the host of ELEVATED. With over 20 years in higher education and workforce development, she served as a program manager at Orange Coast College while also teaching at institutions like UCLA Extension, UCI Extension, and USC. She later founded Employ California, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing workforce development, and Ingrained.ai, which equips businesses, educators, and social impact organizations with accessible AI tools training. Jen serves as the AI Executive in Residence at the Goldhirsh Foundation and sits on the boards of Vidby.ai and Pledge, a platform that raises nearly $50m in donations each year for many of the largest nonprofits and brands in the world. She has led AI tools trainings at the Getty Research Institute, and for the County of Los Angeles, DoorDash, the LA Fire Department, Brooklyn Public Library, and more. Through her work with Break Through Tech AI, Jen has also guided teams in developing custom AI/ML solutions for nonprofits. ♦

What you'll take away from this episode:Which single skill unlocks the biggest productivity gain for cross-functional project teams?With generative AI accelerating project workflows, what competencies project managers should cultivate today to stay indispensable?Which cognitive bias most often derails an executive project plan?This live webcast discussion will be compelling and insightful, and is ideal for anyone interested in strategic decision-making, leadership, and AI product  innovation. Leslie Fine, PhD, earned her PhD in Game Theory and Behavioral Economics from Caltech. In 2008, Leslie founded her first startup, Crowdcast, and successfully exited the company in 2012. Following Crowdcast, she helped lead three more startups: Spigit (SVP Product), tenXer (Head of Product), and Swerve (Founder, CEO). After Leslie’s startup experiences, she ventured into the enterprise world and joined Salesforce (VP Product), where she helped ship the company’s first AI product. But it was through her involvement in Salesforce’s M&A process that she ultimately realized she wanted to return to startup life. Each chapter of Leslie’s career was chosen based on where she would find her next challenge. Leslie is a problem solver at heart, and she takes pride in repackaging all that she has learned throughout her career in order to effectively mentor the next wave of passionate founders.  ♦Jen García is Caltech CTME’s AI Tools Instructor and the host of ELEVATED. With over 20 years in higher education and workforce development, she served as a program manager at Orange Coast College while also teaching at institutions like UCLA Extension, UCI Extension, and USC. She later founded Employ California, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing workforce development, and Ingrained.ai, which equips businesses, educators, and social impact organizations with accessible AI tools training. Jen serves as the AI Executive in Residence at the Goldhirsh Foundation and sits on the boards of Vidby.ai and Pledge, a platform that raises nearly $50m in donations each year for many of the largest nonprofits and brands in the world. She has led AI tools trainings at the Getty Research Institute, and for the County of Los Angeles, DoorDash, the LA Fire Department, Brooklyn Public Library, and more. Through her work with Break Through Tech AI, Jen has also guided teams in developing custom AI/ML solutions for nonprofits. ♦

What you'll take away from this episode:How to build trust between technical and commercial teamsWhat makes AI tools actually useful—and widely adopted—in pharmaWhy data fluency is essential for the next generation of industry leaders.This live webcast discussion will be an energizing and insightful conversation for anyone interested in data, leadership, and building bridges between innovation and real-world impact.ELEVATED Live WebcastTuesday, May 20, 2025  |  10:00 AM (PDT) Jane Urban builds new functions and high performing teams in the biopharma space. She recently transformed customer engagement at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals as VP of Customer Engagement, a newly formed division combining capabilities in omnichannel, analytics, insights, forecasting, commercial operations, and field effectiveness. Prior to Otsuka, in her 7 years at Takeda, Jane held roles at the VP level across global commercial and medical data, US data and analytics, and Commercial Operations integration with the Shire acquisition. Prior to Takeda, Jane worked on healthcare commercialization related roles in consulting and healthcare. Jane has an MBA from Northwestern Kellogg and BA in Engineering from Brown University. ♦ Jen García is Caltech CTME’s AI Tools Instructor and the host of ELEVATED. With over 20 years in higher education and workforce development, she served as a program manager at Orange Coast College while also teaching at institutions like UCLA Extension, UCI Extension, and USC. She later founded Employ California, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing workforce development, and Ingrained.ai, which equips businesses, educators, and social impact organizations with accessible AI tools training. Jen serves as the AI Executive in Residence at the Goldhirsh Foundation and sits on the boards of Vidby.ai and Pledge, a platform that raises nearly $50m in donations each year for many of the largest nonprofits and brands in the world. She has led AI tools trainings at the Getty Research Institute, and for the County of Los Angeles, DoorDash, the LA Fire Department, Brooklyn Public Library, and more. Through her work with Break Through Tech AI, Jen has also guided teams in developing custom AI/ML solutions for nonprofits. 

Please join us for an exclusive ELEVATED webcast, Leading AI Teams.With the robust growth of generative AI, industries are experiencing an accelerated transformation. From improving productivity, to harnessing a new digital framework where AI enhances human skills, industry leaders are wondering how best to navigate the GenAI world.Leading teams who build AI:How do AI teams operate in 2025 and what should companies anticipate as hurdles to AI adoption in their organization? How do leaders navigate the adoption of new tools and manage AI products?We discuss:How to appropriately staff AI projects and how this differs from traditional machine learning and data science projectsHow GenAI can be applied in project management to maximize project efficiencyBuilding versus buying in a market awash in GenAI solutionsIn our April 15 ELEVATED session, guest Jodi Blomberg, a senior leader for AI/ML at Cox Automotive, talks with Caltech CTME’s host Nicholas Beaudoin. Together they'll explore important points to consider as project managers meet leadership requirements to build AI platforms.BioJodi BlombergAs the Senior Leader for AI/ML across the Cox Automotive family, Jodi oversees a diverse team of Product Managers, Engineers, and AI/ML experts, working collaboratively to shape the future of automotive technology. Her teams manage a portfolio of AI and ML initiatives spanning early-stage research, proofs of concept, and full product delivery. In addition, her responsibilities include managing the visual intelligence division, solving complex visual problems with innovative 3D computer vision technologies and artificial intelligence. In addition to technical leadership, Jodi' responsibilities include budget planning, resource allocation, and strategic partnerships to ensure the success and scalability of AI initiatives. Jodi's focus is on delivering impactful solutions that not only push the boundaries of what's possible but also create tangible value for business and their customers. ♦As Caltech CTME's Director and AI/ML Instructor, Nicholas Beaudoin intersects strategic program development with hands-on curriculum design, positioning AI/ML education programs at the forefront of technological transformation. Leading the AI programs at Caltech's Center for Technology & Management Education, Nicholas' focus is on delivering impactful learning experiences tailored to a diverse clientele, including private and public sectors, as well as government and non-profit organizations. 

Exclusive ELEVATED webcast, Avoiding Issues in Complex International Projects. International projects are often complex and dynamic by their very nature. Challenges extend from multi-cultural misinterpretation to language barriers and include managing diverse perspectives, international differences, and hierarchical restraints. In these international project landscapes, project managers must strive to recognize the values and expectations of team members of varying cultural backgrounds. In our March 18 ELEVATED session, guest Kurt Moses, a senior executive with an extensive history in the education and health development sector, will talk with Caltech CTME’s host Nicholas Beaudoin. Together they will examine a high level checklist of potential hiccups to consider in your projects, providing tools that can help team leaders identify challenges before they become restraints. Together they discuss: • The snags in projects as they relate to process, collaboration, clarity and communication • Understanding various governmental/regulatory systems; leveraging technology solutions that are accessible to the entire team • Recognizing cultural differences and identifying concerns; understanding how members perceive authority, handle conflict, and process decision-making Join us March 18 for Anticipating Issues in Complex International Projects and discover the tools that will help you achieve success in the global business environment. Kurt Moses serves as Director of Information Systems with a demonstrated history of expertise in the education management industry. He is skilled in leading nonprofit organizations with policy analysis and effective information technology experience. With a Bachelor’s Degree focused in Economics & Political Theory from Stanford University and an MBA in International Finance from University of Chicago, Kurt has worked in 72 countries, four continents and the U.S, and consulted with major international donor agencies and 45 national governments. He is skilled in strategic planning, national and regional information systems design, mobile system implementation, business analytics, and capacity building. Kurt has operated several independent service centers with P&L responsibility, and regularly reported to or consulted with senior officials in government. As Caltech CTME's Director and AI/ML Instructor, Nicholas Beaudoin intersects strategic program development with hands-on curriculum design, positioning AI/ML education programs at the forefront of technological transformation. Leading the AI programs at Caltech's Center for Technology & Management Education, Nicholas' focus is on delivering impactful learning experiences tailored to a diverse clientele, including private and public sectors, as well as government and non-profit organizations.

Take advantage of the opportunity to watch the exclusive ELEVATED webinar, Managing International and Interdisciplinary Teams for AI Projects, now available on YouTube. This compelling and informative discussion, originally hosted live on Zoom, features guest Cyrus Ashayeri, PhD, alongside Caltech CTME Director for AI, Nicholas Beaudoin. AI capabilities continue to transform how we engage with technology, often requiring the management of teams spread across geographic locations and diverse disciplines. Effective communication and coordination remain essential to achieving project goals. For AI teams, bridging technical expertise with strategic leadership is more critical than ever. During this insightful session, Dr. Ashayeri and Nicholas Beaudoin equipped project managers with the knowledge to make strategic, informed decisions on building and leading AI project teams across the globe. They explored evolving roles and expectations, providing a robust framework for successful collaboration among interdisciplinary teams. What you’ll gain from this webcast: • Proven strategies to foster innovation in international and interdisciplinary team interactions • Insights into identifying and motivating evolving roles within AI teams • A practical framework for collaboration among combined disciplines Don't miss this chance to gain actionable insights for managing complex AI projects. Subscribe to ELEVATED: https://go.ctme.caltech.edu/elevated-launchpad.html To learn more about the unique professional development and executive education program at Caltech, Visit the Center for Technology and Management Education: https://ctme.caltech.edu Cyrus Ashayeri is a Product Owner at Beyond Limits, where he previously served as Principal Technologist. Holding a Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC), Cyrus has a robust background in AI and data-driven solutions. As a Research Manager at Chevron's Smart Oilfield CiSoft Lab at USC, he led initiatives that advanced energy efficiency and emissions reduction. He also contributed to energy security research at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C., focusing on sustainable energy policies. Throughout his career, Cyrus has managed international interdisciplinary teams tackling challenges across energy, manufacturing, logistics, and autonomous systems. He excels at bridging technical expertise with strategic leadership, driving digital transformation and workforce upskilling for some of the world's largest energy companies. As Caltech CTME's Director and AI/ML Instructor, Nicholas Beaudoin intersects strategic program development with hands-on curriculum design, positioning AI/ML education programs at the forefront of technological transformation. Leading the AI programs at Caltech's Center for Technology & Management Education, Nicholas' focus is on delivering impactful learning experiences tailored to a diverse clientele, including private and public sectors, as well as government and non-profit organizations.

Catch up on our exclusive ELEVATED webinar, AI and ML Teams: Navigating the Evolving Roles & Responsibilities, now available on YouTube. This informative session, hosted by Dr. Nathaniel P. Crews, features insights from Nicholas Beaudoin, Caltech CTME's Director for AI. Originally held live, the webinar explored the rapid transformation in how companies deploy machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Over the past two years, generative AI has reshaped the landscape, demanding new skills and strategies from engineering teams, project managers, and decision-makers. During this session, Nicholas unpackskey trends and provided actionable insights to help leaders stay ahead in navigating AI's dynamic evolution. Whether you’re redefining hiring practices, adapting team structures, or tackling organizational challenges, this recording is a must-watch for anyone involved in AI-driven roles. Highlights from the webcast: • Why AI has reached a pivotal moment in its development • How organizations have traditionally used ML and how that’s changing • The distinct roles and responsibilities within AI and ML teams Don’t miss this opportunity to gain strategic insights and practical tools for driving innovation in your organization. Subscribe to ELEVATED: https://go.ctme.caltech.edu/elevated-launchpad.html To learn more about the unique professional development and executive education program at Caltech, Visit the Center for Technology and Management Education: https://ctme.caltech.edu As Caltech CTME's Director and AI/ML Instructor, Nicholas Beaudoin intersects strategic program development with hands-on curriculum design, positioning AI/ML education programs at the forefront of technological transformation. Leading the AI programs at Caltech's Center for Technology & Management Education, Nicholas' focus is on delivering impactful learning experiences tailored to a diverse clientele, including private and public sectors, as well as government and non-profit organizations. Nate Crews, PhD, has 35+ years of experience in application development, systems integration, project management, and PMO directives. He has successfully managed projects for Alcatel Lucent, AT&T, Citibank, EMC, JP Morgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, St. Joseph Hospital, Southern California Edison, and Thomson Reuters. Mr. Crews leads multiple Agile and business agility professional development courses at Caltech.

An inspiring and informative session with special guest Scott Ambler, Agile Data Strategist, and ELEVATED host Dr. Nathaniel P. Crews. In this dynamic session, Dr. Crews will breaks down the current landscape of Agile methodologies, examining their evolution and future trajectory. With special guest and Agile thought leader Scott Ambler, they’ll dive deep into how Agile is transforming modern development practices, with a focus on the critical field of cyber systems. Learn how agility can foster greater adaptability, resilience, and innovation in the face of emerging threats. Scott Ambler shares his unique perspective on the broader implications of Agile for both engineers and businesses alike. Whether you’re a seasoned Agile practitioner or new to the methodology, this event will equip you with the knowledge to stay ahead in a fast-paced technology-driven world. You will learn: • How Agile principles can drive success in complex, security-sensitive environments • How to expand Agile beyond the world of software development • How agility is shaping the future of cyber systems development Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the future of Agile and how it will redefine the way we approach systems development.

Inspiring and informative session with Dr. Tony Freeman of the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) and ELEVATED host Dr. Nate Crews. Dr. Freeman has been pivotal in numerous missions at JPL, where he led the Innovation Foundry for early concept design. In this webinar, he will explore the intricacies of technology-driven strategy, offering insights into differentiation and strategic choices, creating processes and cultures that support innovation and risk-taking, and illustrating how organizations can use technology lifecycles for business disruption and competitive advantage—challenging tradition and status quo. Dr. Freeman will connect these strategic approaches to project management and discuss how influence and planning can help generate buy-in to even the wildest ideas. You will learn to: • Apply analytical methods for strategic choices and decision-making • Use concepts of technology forecasting to build competitive organizational capabilities • Foster a culture for enabling innovation and thriving in uncertainty

Whether a seasoned project manager or new to project management, you understand the critical role that risk management plays in your team’s success. Without a robust risk management strategy, projects can easily veer off course, leading to delays, budget overruns, and even failure. In this episode you will learn how to:*Identify and assess risk*Develop risk mitigation strategies*Monitor and control risk  Moderator: Dr. Nate CrewsProducer: Tracylynne Williams

 In This Episode You'll Discover:1. How DevOps empowers people and process, not only tools2. The importance of applying DevOps principles to any project3. The ability to maximize your versatility when embracing DevOps principles4. Learn how DevOps can help your team drive enhanced customer satisfaction and faster delivery of value Moderator: Dr. Nate CrewsProducer: Tracylynne Williams

In This Episode of Elevated You'll Discover: - The essentials of AI for project managers- Strategies for integrating AI into your projects- Key skills needed in the AI project landscape- How to stay ahead in the fast-evolving world of tech  Moderator: Dr. Nate CrewsProducer: Tracylynne Williams

Dr. Wetsch will discuss the following topics:Some Cloud and AI Basics (e.g., Cloud Landscape, AI Terms)*Cloud and AI Adoption*Cloud AI Services*Developing a Use Case*Conclusion/QuestionsModerated by: Mike AshProduced by: Tracylynne Williams

During this episode, Dr. Johnson will discuss the following:*Delivery of value in the shortest, sustainable lead time*Improved collaboration and knowledge sharing across functional areas*Build competitive advantage through rapid learning and experiments*Improved quality*Improved customer happiness*Happier, more engaged employees Moderator: Dr. Nate CrewsProducer: Tracylynne Williams 

In this exciting episode, Elevated features Caltech CTME Marketing Instructors, Mary Abbazia and Tom Spitale. Mary and Tom discuss 10 of the Most Pressing Questions Facing B2B Strategic Marketers Today, including:*How Do Traditional Businesses Keep Up With The New Digital Competition?*How Can Smart Companies Bet On the Future — And Win?*How Can Content Marketing Be Used To Build Customer Trust? Moderator: Dr. Nate CrewsProducer: Tracylynne Williams

In this session, we discuss: A framework for delivering meaningful Systems Engineering instruction in support and acknowledgment of the reality of digital ecosystems. To execute Systems Engineering in a modern digital context, considerable and intentional thought needs to be invested into developing and implementing the strategy. Moderator: Dr. Nate CrewsProducer: Tracylynne Williams

In this episode, we discuss: *Chat GPT adoption*Current popular generative AI solutions in media*The history of AI*Evolution of AI: Why this time is different*Why everyone is excited about generative AI*AI is here, are we ready?*How work will change because of generative AI*How the workforce will change because of generative AI*Productivity gains, what the research says*Frameworks for achieving the optimal combinations of AI and Humans*The new work operating systems*Redesigning work to achieve the optimal combinations of talent, automation, and AI*Tapping into the full AI potential*Projected impact of generative AI on work Moderator: Dr. Nate CrewsProducer: Tracylynne Williams 

In this session, we will discuss*Systems Engineering*Industries That Require Systems Engineering*System Engineering Products*Model-based System Engineering*SysML Diagram Taxonomy*Magic System of Systems*MBSE Investment*MBSE Implementation Case Studies*Modeling Methodologies and Philosophies*Caltech MBSE Training Courses Moderator: Nate CrewsProducer: Tracylynne Williams

In this episode, we discuss the following:  *Dynamic and unpredictable environment *Various tension and paradoxes to deal with*Core business vs. future business*KPIs vs. team functioning*Diffuse leadership expectations*Clarity and attention to leadership objectives and tasks necessary*Orchestrating leadership value chains: execution, engagement and enhancement*Dealing with tensions & paradoxes meaningfully*Acting effectively as a leader in the core business and being concurrently responsible for the future as well as for the team  Moderator: Nate CrewsProduced by: Tracylynne Williams