Annenberg Leadership Forum
The Annenberg Leadership Forum Mission
The Annenberg Leadership Forum is an integral part of Harvey Mudd College’s commitment to encouraging students to lead with integrity. Endowed through a generous gift from The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Fund for Leadership Development, this series brings to campus accomplished individuals who are recognized, world-class leaders in their fields of endeavor. The lectures provide an engaging forum for senior executives to address pertinent leadership issues and to share their insights with the HMC community.
2026 Leadership Forum
AI and Investing for Social Good
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Noon–1 p.m., Lunch and Learn
“Demystifying Venture: Funding, Growth and Leadership”
Presented by the Harvey Mudd College Annenberg Fellows, Joseph B. Platt Campus Center, Green Room.
5–6 p.m., Meet the Experts Reception
Shanahan Center, Caryll Mudd and Norman F. Sprague Jr. Courtyard.
6–7 p.m., Heather Lord, Kelly Graziadei and Chris Lee in Conversation with President Harriet B. Nembhard
Wayne ’73 and Julie Drinkward Recital Hall.
Forum Panelists
Heather Lord
Chief Innovation Officer
Kelly Graziadei
Co-Founder & General Partner, Perplexity Fund
Christopher F. Lee
Senior Partner, FAA Investments, and HMC Trustee
Past Annenberg Events
More“Why This Education Matters: Alumni Founders on Impact and Purpose”
A panel of experts discussed what it means to lead with purpose in an era of rapid technological change. With tech entrepreneurs and VC founders Josh Jones ’98, Nihal Mehta and Aileen Lee P’28.
“Building Connection in STEM: A Path to Collaborative Progress”
With Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, and Katie Shilton, professor in the College of Information at the University of Maryland, College Park.
“Entrepreneurship for Social Good”
With Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, and Ajit Singh, partner at Artiman Ventures.