Zane is a copywriter on the Strategic Communications Content Studio team. Two and a half years ago, he joined UCLA from an advertising agency because he believed in the brand’s mission and wanted to, “do more with creativity than sell cars and candy bars. ”He is the emcee for this event as well as an inquiring attendee. Fun fact: Zane used to perform improv at Westside Comedy in Santa Monica, which makes him uniquely qualified at telling bad jokes. 

Mary Osako is UCLA’s inaugural vice chancellor for strategic communications. In this role since September 2019, she oversees communications, media relations, brand marketing, the UCLA Content Studio and strategic insights, and helps maintain and enhance UCLA’s reputation as a world-class public research university.

Mary has more than 20 years of experience leading complex communications efforts at some of the most innovative Fortune 500 companies in the world, including as chief communications officer of Activision Blizzard; head of global corporate communications at Amazon; and vice president of corporate, international and public policy communications at Yahoo!

Mary serves on the board of directors of the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, is vice chair of the board of advisors for Haven Tower Group and is a PRWeek2021 Hall of Femme honoree. A Los Angeles native, Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a specialization in Asian American studies from UCLA in 1996.

As UCLA chancellor since 2007, Gene Block oversees the university’s three-part mission of education, research and service. He has defined academic excellence, civic engagement, diversity and financial security as top priorities for his administration.

Chancellor Block also holds faculty appointments in the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the UCLA College. An expert in neuroscience, his research has focused on the neurobiology of circadian rhythms.

Before becoming chancellor of UCLA, Block spent 29 years at the University of Virginia, where he was most recently vice president and provost. He has served on the executive boards of several leading organizations, including the Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and Association of Pacific Rim Universities. 

As director of executive communications at UCLA, Michael Emerson Dirda leads a team of writers and advisors who support Chancellor Gene Block and other campus executives in their internal and external communications efforts. An honorary Bruin since 2020, Mike previously worked as speechwriter to Chancellor Carol Christ at UC Berkeley and has also worked with Stanford, Yale, Penn State, Oberlin, NYU, Harvard, and the College Board. Outside of work he is an avid rock climber and plays on a nationally ranked ultimate Frisbee team.

Christine Simmons currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. She  is  responsible  for  the  day-to-day management and enhancement of the Academy’s internal organization and infrastructure,  and  is  leading the Academy’s first Office of Representation, Inclusion and Equity. Most recently, Simmons  was  a  key  member  of  the  team  that  created  Aperture  2025,  an  Academy  initiative  designed  to  expand diversity and inclusion standards within the organization. A proud UCLA graduate, she is completing her final year as an Alumni Regent on the UC Board of Regents. Her dedication to excellence and passion for giving back has earned her a number of honors, including the YMCA’s 2019 Brotherhood Award and being named to the LA Business Journal’s 2016, 2017 & 2018 list of 500 most influential people in Los Angeles.

Mary Osako is UCLA’s inaugural vice chancellor for strategic communications. In this role since September 2019, she oversees communications, media relations, brand marketing, the UCLA Content Studio and strategic insights, and helps maintain and enhance UCLA’s reputation as a world-class public research university.

Mary has more than 20 years of experience leading complex communications efforts at some of the most innovative Fortune 500 companies in the world, including as chief communications officer of Activision Blizzard; head of global corporate communications at Amazon; and vice president of corporate, international and public policy communications at Yahoo!

Mary serves on the board of directors of the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, is vice chair of the board of advisors for Haven Tower Group and is a PRWeek2021 Hall of Femme honoree. A Los Angeles native, Mary earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a specialization in Asian American studies from UCLA in 1996.

Nick Tran is the Head of Global Marketing for TikTok. In his role as TikTok's first head of global marketing, he is responsible for all aspects of TikTok's global marketing efforts, including brand strategy, media and advertising, social media, and co-marketing partnerships, campaigns and activations across all regions. Nick led TikTok's first global marketing campaign, "It Starts on TikTok," to celebrate the global TikTok community for propelling unique and inspiring content into memorable cultural moments and movements.

Before joining TikTok, Nick was VP, Head of Brand and Culture Marketing at Hulu. During his time at Hulu, he reinvented the brand and worked on memorable campaigns like "Better Ruins Everything," "Hulu Has Live Sports" (including the Tom Brady Super Bowl ad), and the "World Record Egg." Prior to Hulu he helped build the brand at Samsung Electronics, Stance, and Taco Bell in various roles including brand and culture, influencer and experiential marketing, social media and digital marketing.

In 2021, Nick was included in Forbes' CMO Next list and Adweek's Top CMOs List. In 2020, he was included in Fortune's 40 under 40 as well as AdAge's 40 under 40 list.

Amanda Savercool is the Director of Social Media at UCLA Strategic Communications. She’s worked at UCLA for more than five years, collaborating across the many departments and schools to integrate social media and grow the @ucla channels. Her previous experience in communications centered around the automotive industry —and a love for cars and going fast —until she jumped at the opportunity to tell stories in a fast-paced and meaningful way for the Bruins. Her love language is a Slack or DM containing a perfectly-timed gif or meme.