For Heinz alumni: Heinz College Bay Area Reunions, January 21, 2026

Forward this message for Heinz Bay Area Alumni
Dear Heinz College Bay Area Alumni,
If you haven’t already registered, it’s not too late! Members of the Heinz College faculty and staff are bringing our celebration of milestone reunion classes to the Bay Area for our second annual Bay Area Reunions on the Road event.
We are excited to recognize alumni from graduation years ending in 1 and 6, but all Heinz College alumni and guests are warmly welcome, regardless of graduation year.
Please join us for any or all of the sessions below.
RSVP here

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### Event Details

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Sens
4 Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level
San Francisco, CA 94111

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### 5:30 – 6:15 PM

The Dual Role: Navigating Data and Cyber Leadership
Mahesh Ayyala, Chief Information Security Officer and Data Officer at Hidden Road, leads both data and cybersecurity for a global financial technology organization balancing innovation with protection. With experience building enterprise programs across security, data governance, and AI, Mahesh will share practical insights on the challenges and opportunities of holding both roles simultaneously.

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### 6:30 – 7:15 PM

Can Generative AI and Copyright Coexist?
Join Professor Michael D. Smith for a timely and thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of generative AI and copyright law. Following his recent testimony before the U.S. Senate, Mike will share insights from his empirical research and discuss how the unchecked use of copyrighted content to train generative AI models poses risks to creators, distorts market dynamics, and threatens long-term innovation. Drawing on his engagement with Congress, he will explore the urgent need for policies that support both technological progress and a sustainable creative economy.

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### 7:15 – 8:30 PM

Alumni Reception
Reconnect and network with fellow Heinz College alumni over hors d’oeuvres and beverages.