Innovation Night 2024 Program
ABOUT INNOVATION NIGHT
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A Letter from Christopher Ashley and Debby Buchholz
[Thank you for joining La Jolla Playhouse and hundreds of your colleagues for Innovation Night 2023! We hope that you enjoy the networking opportunities, gallery displays, delicious food and beverages, and the inspiring art.
Our honoree this year is the esteemed Irwin Jacobs, Sc.D., Founding Chairman and CEO Emeritus of Qualcomm, and one of San Diego’s most prominent supporters of science, healthcare, education, and arts and culture. As Irwin and his wife Joan are major benefactors of both La Jolla Playhouse and the San Diego Symphony, we are pleased to showcase a piece of art featuring Symphony musicians: A Shared Space, by Ryan Carter, which was an audience favorite at the Playhouse’s 2023 Without Walls (WOW) Festival at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park this past April. We encourage you to play a part in this acclaimed interactive performance during tonight’s event.
Founded in 2007, Innovation Night has raised vital funds to advance theatre as an art form and to create the new and next in American theatre. Your support and generosity enhance the Playhouse’s research and development efforts, which include our signature new play development programs, our Without Walls (WOW) series of immersive and barrier-breaking theatre, as well as ongoing artist commissions and residencies. We are proud of the role Innovation Night plays in facilitating partnerships among artists and leaders in San Diego’s life sciences, biotech, high-tech, cleantech, defense and telecommunication industries.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our Presenting Sponsor PNC Bank, Founding Sponsor Cooley, Lead Sponsors BioMed Realty and UC San Diego, and Host Sponsors, including The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Maravai LifeSciences Foundation, Qualcomm and Show Imaging. These supporters, along with the many others noted in your program, continue to make a tremendous impact in our community and around the globe. Please join us in thanking them when you see their employees and members this evening.
On behalf of the Playhouse’s staff and Board of Trustees, we extend a heartfelt thanks and congratulations to our Honorary Chair Irwin Jacobs, our dedicated Host Committee, as well as our passionate and vivacious Innovation Night 2023 Co-Chairs: Denise Bevers, President & CEO of VETmAb Biosciences and Tim Scott, President & CEO of AustinPx.
And finally, thank you for making our 16th Innovation Night an incredible success and for all that YOU do to make San Diego such a vibrant community.]
The Rich Family Artistic Director
of La Jolla Playhouse
Managing Director
of La Jolla Playhouse
ABOUT LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE
La Jolla Playhouse is where artists and audiences come together to create what’s new and next in American Theatre. From Tony Award-winning plays and musicals, to imaginative programs for young audiences, to interactive experiences outside our theatre walls, the Playhouse brings people together to inspire discussion and open pathways to new ways of thinking. A visit to the Playhouse is an invitation to harness the transformative power of theatre to explore the here and now – and together, expand our world’s compassion, understanding and hope.
OUR MISSION
La Jolla Playhouse advances theatre as an art form, telling stories that inspire empathy and create a dialogue toward a more just future. With our intrepid spirit and eclectic, artist-driven approach we will continue to cultivate a local, national and global following with an insatiable appetite for audacious work.
We provide unfettered creative opportunities for a community of artists of all backgrounds and abilities. We are committed to being a permanent safe harbor for unsafe and surprising work, offering a glimpse of the new and the next in American theatre.
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE LEADERSHIP
Christopher Ashley
The Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse
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Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley has served as La Jolla Playhouse’s Artistic Director since 2007. During his tenure, he directed the world premieres of Come From Away, Diana: The Musical, Memphis, Escape to Margaritaville, The Squirrels, A Dram of Drummhicit, Restoration and Chasing the Song, as well as His Girl Friday, Glengarry Glen Ross, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Freaky Friday and Xanadu. He also spearheaded the Playhouse’s Without Walls (WOW) initiative, the DNA New Work Series and the Resident Theatre program.
Mr. Ashley recently directed Come From Away for AppleTV+ and Diana: The Musical for Netflix. Other screen credits include the feature films Jeffrey and Lucky Stiff, and the American Playhouse production of Blown Sideways Through Life for PBS.
Mr. Ashley’s Broadway credits include Come From Away (Tony and Outer Critics Circle Awards), Diana: The Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis (Tony Award nomination), Xanadu, Leap of Faith (Drama Desk Award nomination), All Shook Up and The Rocky Horror Show (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations). He also helmed productions of Come From Away in London (Olivier Award nomination), Toronto, Australia and on national tour. Other national tours include Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis, Xanadu, All Shook Up and Seussical: The Musical. Additional New York stage credits include Blown Sideways Through Life, Jeffrey (Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Valhalla (Lucille Lortel Award nomination), Regrets Only, Wonder of the World, Communicating Doors, Bunny Bunny, The Night Hank Williams Died and Fires in the Mirror (Lucille Lortel Award), among others.
Mr. Ashley is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Director Fellowship and an NEA/TCG Director Fellowship.
Debby Buchholz
Managing Director of La Jolla Playhouse
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Debby Buchholz was appointed La Jolla Playhouse’s new Managing Director in 2018 and has served as General Manager of the Playhouse since 2002. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT). In 2009, she received a San Diego Women Who Mean Business Award from San Diego Business Journal. Previously she served as Counsel to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. She was a faculty member of the Smithsonian Institution’s program on Legal Problems of Museum Administration. Prior to the Kennedy Center, she served as a corporate attorney in New York City and Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of UC San Diego and Harvard Law School. Ms. Buchholz and her husband, noted author and White House economic policy advisor Todd Buchholz, live in Solana Beach and are the proud parents of Victoria, Katherine and Alexia.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SCRIPPS RESEARCH
La Jolla Playhouse takes great pride in celebrating 100 Years of Scripps Research at this year’s Innovation Night. Under the leadership of Peter Schultz, President and CEO of Scripps Research, they continue to build on this remarkable record to push the frontiers of science and medicine over the next century and beyond.
About Scripps Research
The institute sets the standard for excellence in a number of research fields, evidenced by the steady stream of groundbreaking discoveries that emerge from the institute’s labs in chemistry, neuroscience, immunology and structural biology, to name a few. Building upon this foundation of scientific excellence, we’ve established a remarkable track record of generating new medicines. Discoveries made in the institute’s labs have enabled 15 FDA-approved therapies…with many more on the horizon.
Under the leadership of Peter Schultz, President and CEO of Scripps Research, we have begun to build on this remarkable record to establish a new paradigm for the institute and for the field of science more broadly.
2024 Innovation Night Co-Chairs: Denise Bevers, Adam Jacobs and Tim Scott
Denise Bevers
President and CEO, VETmAb Biosciences
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Adam Jacobs
Co-founder, The Jacobs Scheriff Group
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Tim Scott
President and CEO, AustinPx
Read Bio
SPONSORS
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Host Sponsors
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Co-Host Sponsors
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In-Kind and Media Sponsors
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Bio coming soon.
» pnc.com
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
WHO WE ARE
[The Maravai LifeSciences Foundation seeks out opportunities to contribute to the improvement of human health. Our giving supports charitable, scientific, and educational endeavors, with particular emphasis on advancing scientific education and innovation, supporting local communities in which we operate, promoting public health and access to healthcare, and advocating for inclusion and diversity. The Maravai LifeSciences Foundation is a U.S.-based, private charitable foundation whose activities are made possible by contributions from Maravai LifeSciences. It is a separate legal entity from Maravai LifeSciences with distinct legal restrictions.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[The Maravai LifeSciences Foundation is proud to support Innovation Night 2023. From Award-winning plays and musicals to imaginative programs for young audiences, to embracing artists of all backgrounds and abilities, the Playhouse brings people together to inspire discussion and open pathways to new ways of thinking. We celebrate La Jolla Playhouse and the extraordinary impact they have on our community.]
WHO WE ARE
[At Show Imaging, we are experts at event strategy, creative, production, and execution all in one seamlessly integrated organization. Show Imaging has the ability to incubate limitless creative ideas. We offer strategic in-house cutting edge technology solutions, custom event software design, and world class creative services with precision and intention. We are your one stop shop.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[We are proud to be long-standing partners of La Jolla Playhouse and Innovation Night. At Show Imaging, we believe in a culture of curating impactful experiences through emotion, storytelling, innovation and teamwork. Leading the industry in what is next for event design and technology is our passion. Coming together to celebrate the expansion of emerging technologies is of the utmost importance for the future of live events, live performance and beyond. We’re honored to continue to support innovation through this premier event.]
WHO WE ARE
[AustinPx, Pharmaceutics and Manufacturing is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing analytical and formulation development services and cGMP manufacturing for small molecule drugs. The Company specializes in phase-appropriate development strategies, speed to clinic and market strategies, and bioavailability enhancement of poorly soluble molecules – including its next generation amorphous dispersion platform, KinetiSol®.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[Innovation Night is one of the best events of the year, bringing together the technology community and the arts community. Arts and Sciences are frequently listed together and rarely play together. Innovation Night is a special night when STEM becomes STEAM and La Jolla Playhouse welcomes innovation companies to UCSD’s Theatre District to show off a bit of its own artful innovation. What makes this year’s event extra special is our honorary chair, Irwin Jacobs. As co-founder of Linkabit and Qualcomm, Irwin has created one of San Diego’s greatest entrepreneurial legacies, which is only surpassed by Irwin and Joan Jacobs contributions to our community and institutions, including La Jolla Playhouse.]
WHO WE ARE
[The Carson Royston Group (CRG) is managed by Colette Carson Royston and Ivor Royston, long-time supporters of La Jolla Playhouse, with the unique mission of developing and supporting biopharmaceutical technology and the theatrical arts – two areas industries near and dear to Colette and Ivor.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[Innovation is critical to the success of both science and theatre which provide enormous benefits to society. We salute the innovation and theatrical leadership in this country by pioneers such as honoree Dr. Irwin Jacobs and La Jolla Playhouse under the artistic leadership of Christopher Ashley.]
Bio coming soon.
» lw.com
WHO WE ARE
[The Lodge at Torrey Pines is La Jolla’s AAA Five Diamond resort set alongside the Torrey Pines Golf Course and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The Lodge pays homage to California Craftsman architecture and showcases 170 rooms and suites that were designed in harmony with the pristine surroundings. Earning the Readers’ Choice Award by Condé Nast Traveler, the luxury resort is home to The Spa at Torrey Pines and its signature restaurant A.R. Valentien with Executive Chef Kelli Crosson at the helm. The adjacent Torrey Pines Golf Course was the site of the 2021 U.S Open Championship, and The Lodge is also a member of the California Green Lodging Program.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[The Lodge has been a proud neighbor and seasoned sponsor of La Jolla Playhouse for over a decade. La Jolla Playhouse is one of the greatest American theaters of our time which has given the world Jersey Boys, Come From Away and Escape to Margaritaville. We are proud to be part of Innovation Night 2023 to celebrate not just the Playhouse’s extraordinary work, but their contributions to society.]
WHO WE ARE
[Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) provides business insurance, employee health & benefits, retirement, and private client insurance solutions to organizations and individuals seeking limitless possibilities. MMA combines the personalized service model of a local consultant with the global resources of the world’s leading professional services firm, Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC). With 10,000 colleagues and 170 offices across North America, including nine office locations in the West region: San Diego, Orange County, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Tucson, and Anchorage, we work together to bring clients the latest innovations in the insurance industry.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[In looking toward the future, we firmly believe innovation is the main driver in revolutionizing insurance – as well as many of the industries we serve. As we seek out novel ways to better serve our colleagues, clients, and community, we dedicate ourselves to building meaningful relationships with those at the forefront of inspiring local change. Be it tech, medicine, or the wildly inventive arts of organizations such as La Jolla Playhouse, we are proud to serve and support those in the greater San Diego area who aim to help foster local economic growth – all while changing the world with bold, forward-thinking ideas.]
WHO WE ARE
[Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. Our portfolio of leading innovations allows us to efficiently scale the technologies that launched the mobile revolution – including advanced connectivity, high-performance, low-power compute, on-device intelligence and more – to the next generation of connected smart devices across industries. Innovations from Qualcomm and our family of Snapdragon platforms will help enable cloud-edge convergence, transform industries, accelerate the digital economy, and revolutionize how we experience the world, for the greater good.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs’ passion for the arts, and giving back to the community, inspired the company’s executive sponsorship of La Jolla Playhouse in 2000. We are thrilled to take part in Innovation night to honor Irwin, demonstrate some of our latest technologies and learn from our community partners.]
WHO WE ARE
[The Division of Research & Innovation at San Diego State University fosters technology transfer from bench to business, cultivates university-industry partnerships and offers award-winning entrepreneurship training to students, faculty and alumni.
These initiatives will expand into the 1.6 million square feet of office, technology, laboratory and research space to be housed within the SDSU Mission Valley Innovation District. The Innovation District will convene transdisciplinary collaborations around focal areas in several hubs, with construction related to the first hub – the Health Innovation Hub – expected to begin in 2023.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[Our SDSU representatives, including budding entrepreneurs and successful founders from our on-campus accelerator and incubator, are excited to connect and share their experiences with fellow innovators in our San Diego community.]
» sdsu.edu
WHO WE ARE
[Biocom California is the advocate for California’s life science sector. We work on behalf of more than 1,700 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge workforce development and STEM education programs and create robust value-driven purchasing programs.
Founded in 1995 in San Diego, Biocom California provides the strongest public voice to research institutions and companies that fuel the local and state-wide economy and produce novel solutions that improve the human condition. Biocom California offices: San Diego, Los Angeles, South San Francisco, Sacramento, Washington, D.C. and Tokyo.]
WHY THIS EVENT
[Biocom California celebrates entrepreneurs and has a long history of supporting Innovation Night. We especially honor those entrepreneurs and pioneering companies igniting medical innovation and fueling growth in California’s biopharma industry. We are particularly proud to honor Irwin Jacobs, this year’s honorary chair and a longtime champion and friend to the arts and sciences, and to those with creative vision working to develop the next generation of breakthroughs in technology, engineering, math, and medicine.]
Bio coming soon.
» sdbj.com
Bio coming soon.
HOST COMMITTEE
Travis Alegria – Branch Sales Manager, Sharp Business Systems
Michalyn Andrews – CEO/Co-founder, Provenance Bio
Dan Bradbury – Managing Member, BioBrit, LLC
David A. Brenner, M.D. – President and Chief Executive Officer, Sanford Burnham Prebys
Jennifer Cayer – Chief Business Officer, Pulmocide
Ann Chaplin – General Counsel, Qualcomm
Stephan Coleman – Market Managing Director, Institutional Asset Management, PNC Bank
David Crean – Managing Partner, Cardiff Advisory, LLC
Matt D’Alessandro – Senior Vice President, Corporate Banking, PNC Bank
Ed Dennis – Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and the Graduate Division Chancellor I Endowed Chair School of Medicine, UCSD
Susan Dubé – Board Member, La Jolla Playhouse
Ray Flores – Military and Veterans Affairs Officer, County of San Diego
Jeff Friedman – Managing Partner, Friedman Bioventure
Jenni Friedman – Managing Partner, Friedman Bioventure
Deb Hart – Head of Investor Relations, Maravai LifeSciences
Greg Horowitt – Director of Innovation & Design, UCSD
John Jarvis – Executive Vice President, Hughes Marino
Bryan Knox – General Manager, Catalent
Colleen Kollar Smith – Executive Director, Campus Performances and Events, UCSD ArtPower
Mike Krenn – President and CEO, Connect
Christopher Lee – Associate Vice Chancellor, University of California San Diego
Courtney Liddy – Managing Director – Wealth Management/Private Wealth Advisor, The Liddy Group
James Mackay – President and CEO, AristeaTX
Hala Madanat – Vice President of Research and Innovation, SDSU
David Marchesani – Founder and CEO, Iapetus Capital, Inc.
Chris Montgomery – Seamont Group Consulting
Juli Moran – San Diego Office Marketplace Leader, Deloitte
Tom Murphy – Partner, Calibre One
Inanc Ortac – Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, DevaCell
Joseph Panetta – President and CEO, Biocom California
Christina Romeo – Small Commercial Sales Manager – Los Angeles, The Hanover Insurance Group
Ivor Royston – President and CEO, Carson Royston Group
Tim Schoen – CEO, BioMed Realty
Trent Selbrede – General Manager, Marriott/Residence Inn La Jolla
Natalie Sherod – Risk Advisor, CPCU, CRM, CIC, Cavignac
Scott Stanton – Member, Mintz
Michael Sullivan – Partner, Latham & Watkins
Kelly Thomson – Regional Managing Director, Ascent Private Capital
Erin Trenda – Litigation Partner, Cooley
Mary Walshok – Co-Founder, Connect & UC San Diego Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Programs (Retired), UCSD
Nicola Wilkins-Miller – Director of Philanthropy, Scripps Research
