The companies helping shape Orange County's innovation economy understand that breakthrough ideas don't succeed in isolation. They succeed through collaboration, leadership, and a shared commitment to advancing innovation. That same commitment is reflected in the organizations partnering with the Greater Irvine Chamber to present Innovator's Journey on Thursday, Sept. 10, hosted at Karma Automotive Executive & Design Headquarters in Irvine.
Presented by Hoag, the Greater Irvine Chamber's premier innovation event is supported by Leadership Sponsors Cityside Fiber andWeShare, and Business Sponsor University of California, Irvine.
Additional organizations participating through table sponsorships include Apexia, Edwards Lifesciences, FivePoint, Modern Woodman - Jonathan Obest, LA Times Studios, Parker Aerospace, Sunstone Management, Video Resources, Inc., and Virscend University.
Designed for CEOs, founders, investors, entrepreneurs, and senior executives, Innovator's Journey will feature keynote speaker Errol Arkilic, Chief Innovation Officer at UC Irvine and Executive Director of UCI Beall Applied Innovation. He will explore the complete innovation lifecycle—from breakthrough discovery and commercialization to market adoption—and why market risk often outweighs technology risk when bringing new ideas to market.
Marcus McCammon, President of Karma Automotive, will deliver a signature executive address on how leadership, vision, and strategic execution continue to drive innovation within one of Southern California’s most forward-thinking automotive companies.
Coffaro will moderate an executive panel featuring Janelle Brunette, Chief Operating Officer of Octane and incoming Chief Executive Officer, Octane; Ryan Honary, Founder and CEO of SensoRyAI; Thomas Katavic, Head of Digital at Hoag; and Sarah Liang, Partner, Global Responsible AI Leader, and Americas Digital Risk Emerging Technology Solutions Leader at EY. Together, they will discuss how leaders across the innovation ecosystem are transforming breakthrough ideas into real-world impact across entrepreneurship, responsible AI, digital transformation, healthcare innovation, and emerging technologies that are reshaping industries and creating competitive advantage.
Attendees will also have a rare, firsthand opportunity to experience next-generation artificial intelligence during a live autonomous robotics demonstration from Field AI. An on-stage Executive Conversation between Coffaro and a senior Field AI executive will explore how breakthrough technologies move from research and development to commercially viable solutions that improve business operations and redefine what’s possible through autonomous artificial intelligence.
Innovator’s Journey will be held Thursday, Sept. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Karma Automotive Executive & Design Headquarters, 9950 Jeronimo Rd., Irvine.
Registration includes an executive networking reception, a chef-curated plated lunch, and complimentary parking.
Regular Admission: $260 Members | $305 Non-Members
At-the-Door Registration: $265 Members | $330 Non-Members
Advance registration is recommended.
To register or learn more about sponsorship and expo table opportunities, contact events@irvinechamber.com.
