Welcome to Detroit International Women's Day Innovation Summit - "Break the Pattern in Michigan's Tech Ecosystem"
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Sign Up for Compass Detroit
"Break the Pattern"
Join us for Detroit International Women's Day Innovation Summit on Saturday, March 28th at Little Caesars Global Resource Center downtown for an energizing day of talks, workshops, and celebration dedicated to women in technology. Guided by Women Techmakers' 2026 global theme, "Break the Pattern," this summit will explore how women are disrupting traditional tech pathways, challenging systemic barriers, and creating new models for innovation—especially in AI, emerging technologies, and leadership.
Attendees will hear from local and international speakers about cutting-edge innovation, share bold strategies for dismantling outdated career trajectories in tech, and connect with peers who are equally passionate about championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted in partnership with Compass and GDG Detroit, this event is part of Women Techmakers' largest annual campaign and embodies the spirit of International Women's Day by spotlighting women's contributions and catalyzing conversations on transforming the technology landscape.
Expect a day filled with insightful panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking sessions, all designed to inspire participants to break free from limiting patterns, forge unconventional paths, and boldly reimagine what's possible when we challenge the status quo. We look forward to celebrating International Women's Day with you and fueling Michigan's tech community to shape a more inclusive, innovative tomorrow.
Breaking the pattern means creating new possibilities. Join us in Detroit as we rewrite the future of technology together.
#InternationalWomensDay #IWD2026 #BreakThePattern #WomenTechmakers #DetroitTech #WomenInTech #CompassDetroit #GDG Detroit
This is a hybrid event. Join the event virtually at https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-detroit-presents-detroit-international-womens-day-innovation-summit/
or in person at
Little Caesars Corporate Office - 2125 Woodward Avenue Detroit, 48201
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Agenda
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Speakers
Aditya Joshi - @ Walmart (Senior Software Engineer)
Aditya is a Senior Software Engineer at Walmart, where he specializes in architecting high-scale distributed systems. As a Google Developer Expert (GDE), he bridges the gap between enterprise-grade engineering and community innovation. A passionate advocate for open-source, Aditya has been an active contributor to the ecosystem, focusing on building resilient, scalable infrastructure and mento…
Afia Phillips - @ Little Caesars Enterprises (VP of Cybersecurity)
Afia Phillips is Vice President of Information Security/CISO at Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc., with additional responsibility of overseeing Information Security for all business units within the Ilitch-owned companies, from in-store systems and hardware to box office ticket sales, to network connected screens at venues across the organization’s restaurant, foodservice, sports, and entertainm…
Angela Richardson - @ Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) (Governance & Council Engagement Director)
Angela Richardson, CAE, is a strategic governance and programs executive with more than 20 years of experience leading national industry councils, executive peer networks, and board-driven organizations. She has facilitated high-trust national conversations for Fortune 1000 ESG, CSR, and social media executives, guiding dialogue on accountability, reputational risk, and long-term institutional…
Bandhan Kaur - @ Slalom (Data and AI Architect)
Bandhan Kaur is an award-winning Data and AI Architect with over four years of technical experience and eight years of leadership in tech equity and community organizing. Rising from a tech startup, she’s now in the corporate world at Slalom, where she specializes in transforming complex challenges into production-ready solutions. Recognized as a ""Technology Rising Star"" by Apple and Women …
Bryne Berry - @ Black Girls Do Science® (MSc Mechanical Engineer, Founder and President)
Bryne Berry holds both an M.S. and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in English, from the University of Iowa. She currently works as an engineer with GE Aerospace. While in college, she founded Black Girls Do Science to challenge stereotypes about who can be scientists and to inspire underrepresented girls in grades 4–8 to pursue STEAM fields. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Bryne…
Dan Rey - @ McDonald’s (Technical Product Analyst)
Dan Rey has spoken to tech audiences for over 10 years about careers, personal branding, community and supports several underrepresented groups as an ally or member.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stilldrey;
Dichondra Johnson - @ DRJ & Associates | University of Michigan (CEO/Founder | Doctoral Research Associate)
Dichondra R. Johnson, MBA, MPA, CBSP is an economic development strategist, entrepreneur, and doctoral business scholar with more than two decades of experience working at the intersection of community development, public investment, and entrepreneurship. She is the founder of DRJ & Associates, where she advises municipalities, nonprofits, associations, corporations, and small businesses o…
Donna Bell - @ Dunamis Charge (Chief Product Officer | Founder - The Executive Table)
Dr. Donna L. Bell is a technology executive, engineer, and leadership strategist with over three decades of experience leading innovation in the automotive and mobility industries. She currently serves as Chief Product Officer at Dunamis Charge, where she leads the development and commercialization of electric vehicle charging technologies supporting the transition to electrified transportatio…
Dr. Emily Jacobs - @ Empowered Moms (Founder)
Dr. Emily Jacobs is a board-certified doctor of nursing, author, and leadership coach helping high-achieving women break free from burnout and lead with clarity and purpose. She’s the founder of Empowered Moms, a national community supporting women through life’s biggest transitions in any season, as well as a sought-after event and workshop speaker featured on FOX2, CBS. As a 2x TEDX and Glob…
Gbemisola Esho - Google Developer Expert (Cloud)
Hoda Solati - @ BraunAbility (UX/UI Designer)
Hoda Solati is an award-winning and forward-thinking UX designer with expertise in innovative technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and robotics. Holding a Master’s in User Experience Design from the College for Creative Studies and an MFA in Animation from Art University, Hoda blends creativity, technology, and design to craft user-centered experiences.
Curr…
Ida Byrd-Hill - @ Automation Workz (CEO)
Ida Byrd-Hill, MBA, catapulted from a roach-infested Flint housing project to CEO of Automation Workz, a behavior insights firm that engineers corporate revenue and profits increases through culture audits, executive coaching and training of 17,000+ front-liners in AI/ Machine learning, cybersecurity, Data Analytics, IoT and Network engineering. Ida is best known for increasing Dr. Bronner’s r…
Jahsiah Kidd - @ General Motors (Digital Transformation Project Manager)
Jahsiah Kidd is an AI strategist, speaker, and engineer who helps people turn artificial intelligence into a real advantage. With a background in engineering, business problem-solving, and workflow optimization, he is known for breaking down complex concepts into practical strategies that drive productivity, innovation, and opportunity. His engaging talks empower audiences to move beyond casua…
Jenna Ritten - Chief Developer Advocate & Architect @ IBM Research (Summit Organizer & Founding Executive Director @ Compass)
Jenna is the visionary behind Detroit's Innovation Summit series and Founding Executive Director of Compass (Collective of Minority Professionals and STEAM Societies), the organization bringing together Michigan's diverse tech talent to combat brain drain and create local opportunities. As Chief Developer Advocate & Architect at IBM Research, she leads IBM's technical community while scali…
Julea Ferrara - @ J. Ferrara Consulting Solutions (CEO / Founder)
Midwest Latina Investor ~ Founder ~ Community Leader ~ RootIntelligence™ Architect 👩🏽💻🫚📶
Advancing Integrated Human Systems, Capital & Social Impact via AI-Enabled Multidimensional TechnologyJulea Ferrara is a Midwest Latina investor, founder, and community leader working at the intersection of technology, community ecosystems, and social impact innovation across Chicago, Mil…
Kendall Braxton - @ Braxton Management (CEO)
Braxton is a proud Detroit Native. She brings over ten years of administration and operations management experience. She earned her BBA from Eastern Michigan University and MBA at Wayne State University. She is an alumna of the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business Program. She founded her first business in 2014 and operated it for ten years. She is the CEO of Braxton Manage…
Lilah Kole - @ Agree Realty (Power Platform Developer + Project Manager)
Lilah Kole is a Power Platform Developer and AI implementation strategist who makes enterprise technology accessible, engaging, and actually fun to learn. Known professionally as a "tech diva" who bridges the gap between C-suite objectives and cutting-edge Microsoft solutions, Lilah specializes in Generative AI, Microsoft Copilot adoption, and Power Platform architecture. She is a Microsoft sp…
Marcela Billingslea Durini - @ Meta Platforms Inc (Messenger Gen AI Creations Team, Software Engineering Intern)
Marcela is a first-generation student, Guatemalan founder finishing her senior year at the University of Michigan, where she built UtzilCare. An NSF I-Corps validated clinic management SaaS for medical practices in Latin America, from scratch. She has interned twice at Meta, raised over $25K in non-dilutive funding before graduating, is an NCWIT Collegiate Award recipient, and is currently exp…
Nagham Alsamari - @ Imkan Leadership Development (Resilience and Leadership Trainer)
Nagham Alsamari trains resilience like a muscle, as a repeatable skill, not a personality trait.
She works with high-performing leaders who look fine on the outside but feel pressure running the show on the inside. Through her framework, Train Your Resilience Muscle™ (TYRM), she helps managers move from reactive survival mode to intentional resilience building.Nagham's journey fro…
Onorio Catenacci - @ TEKSystem (Technical Trainer II)
Onorio Catenacci has spoken at several conferences and user groups both in the Metro Detroit community and outside. Among other places Onorio has spoken are:
Detroit DevDayDetroit Tech Watch MeetupsPittsburgh Tech FestCodeStockAnn Arbor TechInclusiveElixirConf 2022LinkedIn: https://…
Rania Hoteit - @ ID4A Technologies, Watson Institute, Electus Global Education (Multi-award-winning Entrepreneur, Impact Leader, and Executive Advisor)
Rania Hoteit is a globally recognized, multi-award-winning entrepreneur, impact leader, author, and international speaker whose trailblazing leadership has been honored by the White House, United Nations, UK Houses of Parliament, and the Global CEO Excellence Awards. A catalyst for innovation and systemic change, she brings two decades of entrepreneurial experience and a proven track reco…
Rasheda Williams - @ Inspired Life Professionals (Founder & CEO)
Rasheda Kamaria Williams is an award-winning communications strategist, former journalist
and social entrepreneur known for her ability to elevate stories that inspire action and impact. With more than 20 years of experience shaping narratives in the corporate and nonprofit sectors, she has consulted national and global corporations as well as education- and youthcentered organiza…
Robin Kinnie - @ Audio Engineers of Detroit (President)
Robin Kinnie serves as President of Motor City Woman Studios, an audio post-production company and Audio Engineers of Detroit, an audio engineering trade school and recording studio. Her service for others extends to volunteering as an Advisory Board Member for Y Arts, Detroit PAL and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. She holds an undergraduate degree from the Eli Broad College of Bus…
Shalonda Owens - @ Livonia Public Schools (Principal)
Shalonda Owens is the principal of Cleveland Elementary within Livonia Public Schools. She has 15 years of leadership experience which includes Middle School Assistant Principal, as well as Upper and Lower Elementary Principal. Shalonda holds a Doctor of Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. In addition to being a school administrator, Shalonda is a certified life coach and th…
Sheneelia Logan - @ Detroit Edge (Founder/Owner)
Sheneelia Logan is the Founder and CEO of Detroit Edge, a housing initiative dedicated to developing modern, eco-friendly transitional housing and innovative pod-style communities in Detroit. Born and raised on Detroit’s east side, Sheneelia brings over 15 years of experience in property management and housing operations, along with a deep commitment to addressing housing instability and creat…
Shima Solati - @ BraunAbility (UX/UI Designer)
Shima Solati is an innovative and award-winning UX/UI researcher and designer at BraunAbility, where she focuses on enhancing accessibility through innovation and user-centered design. With a master’s degree in User Experience Design from the College for Creative Studies, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in design specializing in fashion and textiles, she brings a multidisciplinary a…
Suvaditya Mukherjee - @ Magnopus LLC (ML Engineer)
Suvaditya is a ML Engineer at Magnopus, currently pursuing a Master's degree at USC specializing in Artificial Intelligence. He also works at USC's Institute of Creative Technologies and School of Cinematic Arts, and is a Google Developer Expert for Machine Learning and Google Cloud.
LinkedIn:
