Eller Partners Summit Highlights the Power of Experiential Learning and Industry Collaboration

The Eller College of Management Partnerships Office brought together students, faculty, corporate partners and community leaders for the third annual Eller Partners Summit on May 6 at the Arizona Sands Club. The event celebrated the collaborations and experiential learning opportunities helping shape the next generation of business leaders. 

Centered around the theme “Bridging business, talent, and innovation,” the evening focused on how organizations are navigating today’s rapidly changing business environment through data, strategy and innovation. Attendees spent the evening networking with industry and academic leaders, exploring student immersion learning projects and engaging in conversations about the future of business and leadership. 

The summit featured two panel discussions with leaders from across industries. The first panel, Turning Data into Decisions, explored how AI and the growing availability of data are changing the way organizations make decisions. Moderated by Nicolas Jarrige, vice president of R&D, Advanced Systems at NXP Semiconductors and Eller Executive in Residence, the panel included Eller Dean and Halle Chair in Leadership Karthik Kannan, Lori Taplin of Banner Health and Michael Chian of Honeywell. 

The second discussion, Strategy in Times of Uncertainty, focused on leading through economic shifts, rising costs and changing global dynamics. Moderated by Anastasiya Ghosh, associate dean of partnerships at Eller, panelists included Danny Seiden of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Josh Benveniste of Alkeme Insurance, Jason Fletcher of Komatsu and Erik Bakken of Tucson Electric Power. 

Throughout the conversations, panelists emphasized that being data-driven is about more than just having access to information. It requires organizations to build cultures willing to act on insights and adapt in real time. Speakers also highlighted that while AI continues to transform business operations, human judgment and critical thinking remain essential. For students preparing to enter the workforce, panelists reinforced the importance of being able to turn insights into meaningful action. 

One of the highlights of the evening was the student immersion learning showcase competition, where teams presented projects developed in partnership with industry and community organizations. The showcase gave attendees the opportunity to see firsthand how students are applying classroom knowledge to real-world business challenges. The winning team was the group that partnered with Tucson Loves Music, recognized for the strength of both their project and presentation. 

The night also included an awards ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations making a lasting impact through their partnership with Eller and commitment to student success. 

Banner Health received the 2026 Partner of the Year award for its continued collaboration and support of experiential learning opportunities for students. 

Senior Director of Transformation at Honeywell Aerospace, Neelashki Mohta, was recognized as the 2026 Ambassador of the Year for her leadership and dedication to strengthening connections between industry and higher education. 

Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems, Seokjun Youn, received the 2026 Faculty Advisor of the Year award for his commitment to mentorship and immersive student learning experiences. 

Student award winners were also recognized throughout the evening, reflecting the impact of Eller’s immersion learning model and the opportunities it creates for students to gain hands-on experience before entering the workforce. 

The 2026 Eller Partners Summit highlighted the strength of Eller’s partnerships and the meaningful collaboration happening between students, faculty and industry leaders to help prepare students for the future of business.