From Campus to Industry: The Expanding Impact of AI 

Join us for an evening of conversation, insight, and Illini connection.


Date: October 27, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Location: National Public Media, 200 West 41st Street, 7th Floor, New York City

Reserve your spot today!

$10 for all, limited time only!

In a recent Forbes feature, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was spotlighted as
the AI powerhouse of the Midwest—its Research Park a launchpad where global innovators like NVIDIA, Capital One, and Synchrony are redefining what’s possible. From labs to boardrooms, Illini are shaping how artificial intelligence transforms business, culture, and communication. To explore this evolution, the University of Illinois NYC Alumni Club presents a conversation with Illinois alumni who are driving AI’s impact across industries—from media and marketing to technology and entrepreneurship.


Event Theme: “AI, Authenticity, and the Human Edge”
Artificial intelligence is accelerating change across every field—but how do we preserve human creativity, trust, and connection in the process? This discussion brings together alumni leaders using AI to make storytelling smarter, data more meaningful, and organizations more
responsive. Together, we’ll explore how Illini innovation continues to push boundaries—responsibly.


Panelists
Scott Davis (’91 LAS)
SVP, NPR Corporate Sponsorship, National Public Media 


Scott Davis leads NPR’s corporate sponsorship team, helping brands connect authentically with
audiences through the power of public media. With over 30 years in broadcast and digital
media, he has built partnerships that fund NPR’s journalism and storytelling nationwide. Scott also serves on the University of Illinois Department of Political Science Board of Visitors and is a devoted runner and lifelong Illini fan.


Scott Slattery (’02 LAS)
EVP, Daniel J. Edelman Holdings


Scott Slattery is an award-winning communications strategist who has helped shape brand narratives for SC Johnson, Unilever, AB InBev, and AstraZeneca. Based in New York City, Scott has led creative campaigns at global agencies including Edelman, Weber Shandwick, and Dentsu. His recent work with Ziploc earned six Cannes Lions, including a Grand Prix for Connected Commerce.


Jeet Raut (’12 LAS)
Co-founder and Executive Director, New York Blockchain Council


Jeet Raut is a serial entrepreneur and AI innovator who has co-founded and led ventures in blockchain, education, and AI-driven healthcare. His previous company, Behold.ai, pioneered the use of artificial intelligence in diagnostic imaging. A graduate of Illinois and Columbia, Jeet now guides organizations on emerging technology strategy and governance.


Dr. Jay Yogeshwar (MBA ’99 Gies)
CEO, Awardos Corp.


Jay Yogeshwar is an Emmy-winning engineer and AI/ML pioneer with over 25 years of
experience leading digital transformation in enterprise and media. As CEO of Awardos, he
develops on-premise AI solutions that help regulated industries harness institutional knowledge securely. Jay previously led global technology alliances for Hitachi Vantara and holds over 20 patents in media innovation.

Thomas (Tom) Isaac (MBA ’22 Gies)
Sr. Cloud Solution Architect, Microsoft (Healthcare & Life Sciences)


Tom Isaac brings over 25 years of IT experience, now focusing on helping healthcare
organizations adopt AI responsibly. At Microsoft, he works with clients to implement AI applications leveraging large language models (LLMs) and medical AI innovations to improve patient outcomes. A recent Gies MBA graduate, Tom is passionate about the intersection of technology, ethics, and healthcare transformation. 

Discussion Highlights:

  • Search and Discovery in the AI Era: How algorithms are reshaping how we find, trust and engage with information.
  • The New Value Equation: Why creativity, strategy, and authenticity matter even more when automation scales.
  • Personalization vs. Privacy: How AI-driven insights can strengthen trust—or erode it—depending on how they’re used.
  • AI and the Future of Work: How Illini across industries are embracing AI as a co-pilot, not a replacement.