The Art of the Possible: Social Innovation, AI & Technology for Impact
What if the next big breakthrough isn’t just about what technology can do—but who it can empower?
Some of the most exciting innovations happening today aren’t simply creating new products or disrupting industries. They’re expanding access to healthcare, reimagining education, making communities more inclusive, and creating opportunities that didn’t exist before.
And behind these breakthroughs are people who dared to ask: What if we approached this differently?
Join Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship (WTE) for a fireside chat, featuring Kat Esser, Principal of Global Impact Accelerators at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and hosted by WTE Advocacy Chair, Dr. Sarah Matthews, in a candid conversation about the intersection of entrepreneurship, emerging technology, collaboration, and social impact.
With more than two decades of experience advancing social innovation across healthcare, accessibility, education, and global development, Kat has helped bring together entrepreneurs, corporations, governments, and communities to tackle complex challenges and turn ambitious ideas into scalable solutions.
From helping social entrepreneurs harness cloud and AI technologies to developing inclusive initiatives that have expanded across entire regions, Kat’s work demonstrates what becomes possible when innovation is grounded in human needs—and supported by the right partnerships.
Together, we’ll explore what it takes to recognize opportunities others overlook, build solutions that matter, and bring people together to create impact far beyond what any one organization could accomplish alone.
You don’t have to be a social entrepreneur to be a changemaker. You just have to recognize where your ideas, expertise, and influence can make a difference.
What We’ll Explore
Through an engaging fireside conversation and live audience Q&A, we’ll explore five dimensions of turning possibility into progress:
✨ The Spark: Finding Your Opportunity to Make a Difference
How do innovators recognize unmet needs, discover their purpose, and identify opportunities to create meaningful change? Hear how Kat’s journey across industries and sectors shaped her approach to social innovation.
💡 Building Solutions: Where AI, Technology & Human Needs Meet
Discover how entrepreneurs and organizations are using emerging technologies to tackle challenges in healthcare, education, accessibility, and beyond—and why inclusive design can unlock better innovations for everyone.
🤝 Scaling Impact: The Power of Unexpected Partnerships
Great ideas rarely scale alone. Explore how cross-sector collaboration, strategic partnerships, and innovation ecosystems can turn promising projects into sustainable, far-reaching solutions.
🚀 The Art of the Possible: Imagining What’s Next
As AI reshapes what’s possible, where are the biggest opportunities to democratize access, expand opportunity, and create positive change? And how do we ensure the next wave of innovation doesn’t leave people behind?
🎯 From Inspiration to Action: Your Role in Creating Change
You don’t need a massive budget, a groundbreaking invention, or a nonprofit to make an impact. Explore practical ways to use your skills, connections, influence, and ideas to advance innovation and expand opportunity in your own work and community.
We’ll close with live audience Q&A and the WTE Founder’s Five, our signature rapid-fire questions exploring innovation, leadership, technology, and the future.
Who Should Attend?
This conversation is for people who believe technology and entrepreneurship can—and should—make the world better.
Whether you’re a startup founder, technology professional, corporate innovator, executive, investor, community leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, you’ll find fresh perspectives on how to turn your ideas and influence into meaningful impact.
It’s especially relevant for anyone interested in:
- AI, emerging technology, and innovation for social good
- Social entrepreneurship and mission-driven business
- Accessibility, inclusive design, and expanding opportunity
- Strategic partnerships and cross-sector collaboration
- Scaling solutions to complex societal challenges
- Building a career, business, or legacy that creates positive change
Come curious. Leave with new possibilities, new perspectives, and one action you can take to create impact.
Meet the Speakers
Kat Esser | Principal, Global Impact Accelerators | Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Kat Esser is a social innovation leader with more than two decades of experience connecting technology, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration to address complex societal challenges.
As Principal of Global Impact Accelerators at Amazon Web Services, Kat works at the intersection of emerging technology and social impact, helping mission-driven innovators and entrepreneurs leverage cloud and AI capabilities to advance solutions in areas including healthcare, education, accessibility, and global development.
Her career spans public- and private-sector innovation, including initiatives serving underserved healthcare populations and collaborative programs designed to make communities more accessible. Her work on inclusive tourism in the Caribbean helped establish a model that expanded across multiple islands, demonstrating the potential of partnerships to create scalable, lasting impact.
Dr. Sarah D. Matthews | Founder & Principal Scientist-Consultant | Health Communications Consultants, Inc.
Dr. Sarah D. Matthews, MPH, MS, PhD, is the Founder and Principal Scientist-Consultant of Health Communications Consultants, Inc., a woman-owned boutique firm specializing in interdisciplinary consulting, evaluation, and workforce development.
With a PhD in Modeling and Simulation from the University of Central Florida, Dr. Matthews applies systems thinking and data-driven strategies to strengthen organizational leadership, capacity building, and innovation through equity-centered approaches.
As WTE’s Advocacy Chair, she helps lead conversations that connect technology, entrepreneurship, and advocacy to practical opportunities for meaningful change. Sarah will guide this inaugural Founder’s Fireside Chat, bringing her expertise in systems-level problem-solving and collaborative innovation to the discussion.
About Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship
Unapologetically ambitious, we rise by lifting others. Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship is a community of high-performing, non-conforming women working in technology, start-ups, venture capital, entrepreneurship, economic development, & business support organizations. Our mission is to resource women in tech and entrepreneurship with near-peer mentorship, educational opportunities, and a support network. Connect with us for inclusive, dues-free monthly events.
Learn more about us here.