Palo Alto University Brings Silicon Valley Leaders Together for President’s Circle Dinner

An evening of conversation brought together leaders in technology, philanthropy, and higher education to explore PAU’s vision for the next 50 years and the impact of behavioral science.

Palo Alto University (PAU) welcomed 47 guests from across Silicon Valley, including trustees, alumni, university leaders, faculty, and members of the technology, business, and philanthropic communities, for its President’s Circle dinner on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Mountain View. Attendees included individuals affiliated with the Children’s Health Council, Life Moves, Caminar, Ascend Ventures, Google, Samsung, Liquid AI, and Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund(SV2.

The President’s Circle dinner was an intimate gathering designed to connect supporters and community leaders with PAU’s work and invite their perspectives on the University’s future.

As PAU enters its next 50 years, President Farouk Dey shared the University’s vision, A future shaped by human understanding, and discussed the opportunities ahead for behavioral science as technology and societal changes continue to reshape how people live, work, and connect.

“PAU’s next chapter will be shaped not only by what happens in our classrooms, research labs, and clinics, but also by the people and partners who help us extend that work,” said President Farouk Dey. “Bringing together leaders with different perspectives gives us an opportunity to listen, exchange ideas, and explore how we can make a greater difference in people’s lives.”

The evening offered guests a closer look at that work through two areas of PAU’s mission: research that advances our understanding of people and clinical training that brings mental health care directly into communities.

Eleanor Palser, PhD, Assistant Professor and Director of Pediatric Behavioral Health, shared insights from her Affective Development Lab, where researchers are studying emotional development, autism, and neurodiversity. Her presentation encouraged guests to look beyond traditional assumptions about neurodivergent individuals and consider how a better understanding of their experiences and strengths can improve support for children and families.

PAU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Christie K. Chung, PhD, then highlighted how The Clinics @ PAU connect the University’s training mission with the mental health needs of the surrounding community. Through supervised clinical experience, PAU students provide services to individuals and families who might otherwise face barriers to care. At the Community Clinic, counseling sessions are offered on a sliding scale, starting at just $5 for qualifying clients.

Guests shared their enthusiasm for the opportunity to engage with PAU faculty Drs. Eduardo Bunge, Eleanor Palser, Mikael Rubin, and Aviva Wilcox and exchange ideas about PAU’s clinical services, research, and education. Conversations ranged from the growing importance of behavioral science to the ways research, education, and community partnerships can contribute to healthier, more connected communities. For Xiaotang Huang, PAU’s Director of Development, the themes discussed were central to various opportunities to engage with the university and share PAU’s story.

President Dey concluded the evening by inviting guests to engage, partner, and support PAU’s mission.

Learn more about how to support PAU here or contact our Director of Development, Xiaotang Huang.