Brian DeMeulle, M.A.

Coming from a diverse background in technology, music, and philosophy, Brian has extensive experience in IT strategy, IT operating and funding models, organizational design, systems dynamics and thinking, improvisation, and social justice. Most recently, Brian served as Executive Director of Enterprise and Network Architecture and Infrastructure, and a LEAD Fellow, at the University of California, San Diego. In these roles he was responsible for a $40M+ annual technology operating budget, and facilitated workshops on a wide range of social justice topics. Brian sits on DEIB advisory boards for a national higher education organization, and a local non-profit, and continues to design programs and deliver training and facilitation within the DEIB space. He has extensive training in social justice, including the Social Justice Training Institute, UC San Diego LEAD Fellows, and elsewhere, and holds a DEI certificate from Cornell University.

Middle aged white man with short dark hair and a collared shirt

David Hutches, Ph.D.

An accomplished computer scientist and technologist, David has worked both in industry and in academia, from IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center, where he contributed to projects in software engineering, AI and distributed systems, to UC San Diego, where he served as CTO for the Jacobs School of Engineering for nearly two decades. In his most recent role as an Enterprise Architect, he designed and oversaw implementation of campus-wide systems and services, with an emphasis on data architecture and system integration.

David is a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and is deeply committed to the humane, sensible application of technology to solve urgent societal challenges.

Declan Fleming, M.B.A.

An experienced technology strategist and cloud expert, Declan has managed large and small infrastructure teams and has worked in industry, academic library and administrative IT settings. Declan is active in the technology and gender movement, and has attended the Ada Initiative Allies and Better Allies workshops. He also served on the UC San Diego Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, and has been involved in the campus Leaders for Equity Advancement and Diversity program for nearly a decade. He most recently served as Enterprise Architect and Director of Infrastructure at the University of California, San Diego.

Valerie Polichar, Ph.D.

With a strong background in data networking and university-compatible IT funding models, Valerie also holds a mediation credential and has experience helping warring teams come to functional resolution. She started UC San Diego’s research IT support program, one of the earliest research facilitation programs in the country. Valerie helped develop a campus data network sustainability model and often assists in facilitating discussion between technology and finance experts. Valerie most recently held the position of Senior Director of Academic Technology Services at the University of California, San Diego.