MODERATOR

Stephen Lee

Founding General Partner at Carbide Ventures

Founding General Partner at Carbide Ventures, Stephen brings deep expertise in AI-enabled B2B software and venture strategy. His background includes leadership roles at Treasure Data and Microsoft, and successful investments with exits to Google, IBM, and GE.

PANELIST

Leland Ellison

Founding Member and Simulation and Modeling Lead at Pacific Fusion

Leland Ellison is the Simulation and Modeling Lead at Pacific Fusion and a member of the company’s founding team. Pacific Fusion is developing a novel fusion reactor technology aimed at delivering safe, scalable, carbon-free electric power. The company has secured over $900 million in capital commitments and is targeting a demonstration of net facility energy gain by the end of the decade.

In his role, Leland leads the development of physics modeling tools that inform the design of fusion targets and the surrounding chamber environment. His work spans large-scale physics simulations as well as AI models that accelerate design cycles and improve predictive accuracy.

Leland began his career in physics as an undergraduate researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder and earned his Ph.D. from the Princeton Program in Plasma Physics. He later joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he helped develop cutting-edge physics codes for some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, contributing to the first laboratory demonstration of fusion ignition. He also spent time at Sutter Hill Ventures as a research associate, supporting early-stage startups and gaining perspective on innovation at scale.

A proud Tri-Valley resident, Leland enjoys exploring the local hills on his road bike and refueling at the area’s many outstanding restaurants.

PANELIST

Nikesh Kotecha

Head of Data Science at Stanford Healthcare and Adjunct Professor at Stanford Medicine

Mr. Nikesh Kotecha is an accomplished Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Immunity, Transplantation, and Infection Operations at Stanford Medicine. With a comprehensive career spanning academia, industry, and non-profit sectors, Mr. Kotecha brings extensive expertise from basic research to clinical application in healthcare.

Currently, he serves as the Head of Data Science at Stanford Healthcare (SHC), where he is responsible for establishing and leading a team dedicated to developing and deploying AI-guided models into clinical and operational workflows.

He remains actively involved in the community, collaborating with community cancer clinics and the StartX accelerator, further demonstrating his commitment to advancing healthcare innovation. He welcomes discussions on strategy, operations, data science, advising, investing, and incentive alignment within the healthcare landscape.

PANELIST

Dr. Dyrell Foster

President of Las Positas College

Dr. Dyrell Foster has been an administrator in the California Community College system for over 20 years. He is a student-centered leader, with a proven track record of advancing educational access, equity, student retention, and success. He is collaborative in his approach to implementing institutional practices, behaviors, and policies that provide a positive climate on campus and effectively addresses the diverse needs of students.

As President of Las Positas College, Dr. Foster is committed to providing strong leadership with a high degree of integrity, passion, and commitment to fully serving our students in a growing and supportive community. Dr. Foster is passionate about cultivating effective partnerships and promoting innovative approaches to enhancing student success outcomes for the students at Las Positas College.

Being the first in his family to attend college, Dr. Foster received his Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern California, his Master of Science in Counseling: Student Development in Higher Education from California State University, Long Beach, and his Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavioral Science from the University of California, Davis, where he served as co-captain of the UC Davis Aggies football team.

He and his wife, Tami, have two young children, Maylea and Daylen.

PANELIST

Cindy Gonzales

Deputy Director of the Data Science Institute at LLNL

Cindy Gonzales is a data science leader and researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where she serves as the Deputy Director of the Data Science Institute and the Group Leader of the Intelligent Detection, Exploitation, and Analysis (iDEA) Group within the Global Security Computing Applications Division. Since joining LLNL in 2016, Cindy has brought a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to fostering inclusive scientific communities.

With a master’s in data science from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s in Statistics with a minor in Psychology from California State University, East Bay, Cindy completed both degrees while working full-time at the Lab through LLNL’s Education Assistance Program. Her research focuses on applying machine learning techniques to automatic target recognition and object detection in unconventional data sources, including overhead and radar imagery, as well as medical datasets.

As a Principal Investigator and Data Scientist, Cindy’s work is at the intersection of advanced computer vision, artificial intelligence, and national security. She has led multiple research efforts addressing complex detection challenges in imagery analysis, cloud detection, and semantic segmentation. Her contributions have extended to mentoring the next generation of data scientists through her role as Co-Director of LLNL’s Data Science Challenge, an immersive two-week program for university students tackling real-world problems.

Cindy is also a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM, formalized by her certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University in 2022. She is recognized not only for her technical acumen but also for her efforts to build supportive and equitable environments in science and technology.

Outside of work, Cindy is an avid long-distance runner and a proud mother of two young children, embodying the balance between professional excellence and personal dedication.

2026

Startup Tri-Valley AI Summit

The Startup Tri-Valley 2026 AI Summit Is Here!

AI and the Autonomous Economy: What’s Real, What’s Next

Presented by Sandia National Laboratories and Hosted by Patelco Credit Union

August 12, 2026 | 4:30 – 7:30pm | Patelco Credit Union Headquarters | Dublin, CA

The Tri-Valley AI Summit returns this year with the theme, “AI and the Autonomous Economy: What’s Real, What’s Next,” presented by Sandia National Laboratories and hosted by Patelco Credit Union, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and civic leaders to explore how artificial intelligence is driving the autonomous economy today and what it might bring in the future.

The program begins with a lively networking reception featuring wine tasting by Las Positas Vineyards.

Following the reception and welcome there will be two dynamic panel discussions will featuring AI pioneers who will first explore what is real in autonomous AI and what to expect.

Connect with the Tri-Valley artificial intelligence scene.

More than 150 AI entrepreneurs and professionals attended the 2025 Tri-Valley AI Summit.

Event Schedule

The AI Summit is designed to give busy professionals actionable insights they can immediately apply in their work, along with meaningful opportunities to connect with like-minded peers.

This year’s program, AI: The Catalyst for Change in Industries – A Spotlight on AI in Energy, Health, Education, National Security, and More, is tailored to deliver high-value, relevant content across a range of sectors.

You’ll find a snapshot of the agenda to the right (or below), highlighting key sessions and discussion topics.

4:30 PM

Wine & Conversation Experience

Enjoy passed appetizers and drinks from the bar while diving into lively discussions during networking.

We’re also thrilled to offer a special wine-tasting experience, sponsored by presented by our Experience Sponsor, Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association. Guests can savor pours from Las Positas Vineyards—the perfect pairing for an evening of great conversation and connection.

5:15 PM

Opening Remarks

Yolanda Fintschenko, Executive Director, i-GATE Innovation Hub

Welcome Address

Sherry Hu, Mayor of the City of Dublin

Kal Majmundar, Chief Technology Officer, Patelco Credit Union

Amanda Dodd, Director, Computation and Analysis for National Security Center, Sandia National Laboratories

5:30 PM

Panel Discussions with AI and Industry Leaders

6:45 - 7:30 PM

Closing Remarks and Networking

Speakers, Panelists and Moderators

SRIDHAR KALAGA

Director, Enterprise AI & Agents

Snowflake

CHUN JIANG

CHIEF OF STAFF TO GROWTH

Miro

BHASKI DEVERAJ

FOUNDER & CEO

Humaniti Inc.

AMANDA DODD

Director of Computation and Analysis for National Security

Sandia

MAYANK THAKUR

FOUNDER & CEO

Neuron ERP Solutions

ANURAG GURTU

CO-FOUNDER & CEO

Airrived

FAQs

Who Should Attend?
Technologists, investors, and business professionals working in industries that intersect with AI, particularly those with entrepreneurial ambitions, a passion for innovation, or interest in responsible AI.

Why Should I Attend?
This summit is designed to provide valuable insights, spark inspiration, and foster meaningful networking opportunities for, empowering you to take your AI initiatives to the next level.

How can I contact the organizers with any questions?
Please complete our contact form.

How do I register for the summit?
Head over to our Eventbrite.

2026 Sponsors & Affiliates

We are honored to partner with individuals and organizations in the Tri-Valley who have demonstrated their commitment to creating an AI hub in the region.

Host

Presenting Sponsor

Experience Sponsors

Photos From Our Previous Summit

2026 AI Summit Organizers

Bhavani Palukuri

Vice President Enterprise Architecture & AI Innovation, Patelco Credit Union

Matthew Meyer

Strategy and Partnership Development, Sandia National Laboratories

Kaustubh Sarnaik

Vidhya Govindan, AI Collective – Tri-Valley

Yolanda Fintschenko, Ph.D.

Executive Director, i-GATE Innovation Hub
Director, Startup Tri-Valley and Daybreak Labs

Felicia Escover

Economic Development Manager, City of Dublin

Rhonda Franklin

Economic Development Analyst, City of Dublin

Location

Patelco Credit Union HQ will host the Tri-Valley AI Summit at their headquarters in Dublin, CA.

3 Park Place, Dublin CA 94568

Connect with the Tri-Valley startup ecosystem

Let's Get Started