

Change Agents on the Front Line: The Critical Role of Academic Innovation Leadership
Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured Tom Andriola, Vice Chancellor of Information Technology and Data and Chief Data Officer at UC Irvine; James DeVaney, Special Advisor to the President and Founding Executive Director of the Center for Academic Innovation at University of Michigan; Phil Regier, University Dean for Educational Initiatives and CEO of EdPlus at Arizona State University; Suzanne Dove, AVP of Strategy & Innovation and Executive Director of the Badavas Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning at Bentley University; and Anne Keehn, CEO at Quantum Thinking.
The session explored the essential role of academic innovation leaders in guiding higher education institutions toward resilience and relevance during times of rapid change. The speakers discussed strategies for fostering innovation, leveraging technology, and preparing institutions for an uncertain future. They shared effective leadership practices that drive institutional transformation and ensure long-term success even amid evolving challenges.