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SUMMARY:Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship - New Member Orientation
DESCRIPTION:Join us online every first Tuesday for a WTE New Member Orientation — learn about our community\, resources\, and how to thrive here!
URL:https://innovateorlando.io/event/women-in-tech-entrepreneurship-new-member-orientation-13/
LOCATION:FL
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SUMMARY:The Art of the Possible: Social Innovation\, AI & Cloud Tech for Impact
DESCRIPTION:Explore how AI\, social innovation\, and powerful partnerships can turn bold ideas into real-world impact with AWS's Kat Esser.\n\n\nWhat if the next big breakthrough isn’t just about what technology can do—but who it can empower? \nSome 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. \nAnd behind these breakthroughs are people who dared to ask: What if we approached this differently? \nJoin 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. \nWith 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. \nFrom 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. \nTogether\, 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. \nYou 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. \n\n\nWhat We’ll Explore\nThrough an engaging fireside conversation and live audience Q&A\, we’ll explore five dimensions of turning possibility into progress: \n✨ The Spark: Finding Your Opportunity to Make a Difference \nHow 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. \n💡 Building Solutions: Where AI\, Technology & Human Needs Meet \nDiscover 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. \n🤝 Scaling Impact: The Power of Unexpected Partnerships \nGreat ideas rarely scale alone. Explore how cross-sector collaboration\, strategic partnerships\, and innovation ecosystems can turn promising projects into sustainable\, far-reaching solutions. \n🚀 The Art of the Possible: Imagining What’s Next \nAs 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? \n🎯 From Inspiration to Action: Your Role in Creating Change \nYou 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. \nWe’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. \n\n\nWho Should Attend?\nThis conversation is for people who believe technology and entrepreneurship can—and should—make the world better. \nWhether 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. \nIt’s especially relevant for anyone interested in: \n\nAI\, emerging technology\, and innovation for social good\nSocial entrepreneurship and mission-driven business\nAccessibility\, inclusive design\, and expanding opportunity\nStrategic partnerships and cross-sector collaboration\nScaling solutions to complex societal challenges\nBuilding a career\, business\, or legacy that creates positive change\n\nCome curious. Leave with new possibilities\, new perspectives\, and one action you can take to create impact. \n\n\n\nMeet the Speakers\nKat Esser | Principal\, Global Impact Accelerators | Amazon Web Services (AWS)\nKat 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. \nAs 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. \nHer 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. \nDr. Sarah D. Matthews | Founder & Principal Scientist-Consultant | Health Communications Consultants\, Inc.\nDr. 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. \nWith 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. \nAs 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. \n\n\n\nAbout Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship\nUnapologetically 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. \nLearn more about us here.
URL:https://innovateorlando.io/event/the-art-of-the-possible-social-innovation-ai-technology-for-impact/
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SUMMARY:DevFest Hackathon 2026: Build\, Innovate & Connect
DESCRIPTION:🌴 About DevFest Florida Hackathon 2026\nBuild. Learn. Connect. Create something meaningful. \nJoin us for the DevFest Florida Hackathon\, November 6–8\, 2026\, bringing together developers\, designers\, data practitioners\, game creators\, students\, product thinkers\, storytellers\, and curious builders from across Central Florida. \nYou do not need to arrive with a team or a finished idea. Bring your skills\, your curiosity\, or simply your willingness to learn. We’ll help people meet\, form teams\, discover shared interests\, and turn ideas into prototypes. \nThis is more than a competition. It’s a community-powered weekend focused on learning\, collaboration\, responsible technology\, and building something together. \n📍 Event Locations\nFriday\, November 6 • 6:30–8:30 PM\nHackathon Social KickoffLocation coming soon \nMeet the community\, learn about the tracks\, share ideas\, and start finding potential teammates. \nSaturday & Sunday\, November 7–8UCF Downtown\n500 W. Livingston Street\nOrlando\, FL 32801 \nSaturday is where we learn\, plan\, and start building. Sunday is where teams finish\, present their projects\, and celebrate together. \n🚀 What You’ll Experience\nDuring the weekend you’ll have opportunities to experiment with AI\, Firebase\, Flutter\, Cloud\, WebXR\, communications technology\, data science\, game development\, web and mobile development\, and more. \nYou’ll also get hands-on workshops\, access to mentors and experienced engineering leaders\, team formation support\, networking with employers and community leaders\, and the opportunity to turn an early idea into something you can actually demo. \nBeginners and first-time hackers are welcome. \n🛠️ Hands-On Workshops\nSaturday will include workshops designed to give you practical ideas and tools you can immediately apply to your hackathon project. \nCurrent workshops include sessions around: \nWebXR + Real-Time Communications with Dwane Hemmings\, JavaScript Developer Advocate at Vonage \nAgentic Engineering with Will Gorman\, CTO at Nucleus Security \nFlutter\, Firebase & Gemini with Carol Bolger\, Flutter & AI Consultant \nAI-Assisted Architecture with Javiera Laso\, Lead Developer Consultant at Thoughtworks \nMore announcements are coming. \n🏁 Choose Your Track\n💻 Devs Track\nBuild useful software using APIs\, web or mobile applications\, cloud infrastructure\, machine learning\, AI\, and other technologies that solve real-world problems. \n🎮 Game Devs Track\nCreate playable prototypes and interactive experiences using programming\, art\, animation\, sound\, storytelling\, and creative experimentation. \n📊 Data for Good Track\nUse data\, analytics\, AI\, and visualization to explore community challenges including education\, accessibility\, civic engagement\, and other opportunities for positive impact. \n🏆 Build\, Present & Compete\nTeams will present their projects Sunday afternoon to a panel of judges. \nEach track will recognize: \n🥇 1st Place Team: $500\n🥈 2nd Place Team: $200\n🥉 3rd Place Team: $100 \nMore prizes and community partner opportunities may be announced as we get closer to DevFest. \n🙌 Everyone Is Invited\nDevFest Florida is for experienced developers\, first-time hackers\, students\, career changers\, designers\, project managers\, game creators\, data practitioners\, founders\, and people who are simply curious about building with technology. \nYou don’t need a complete team. \nYou don’t need a finished idea. \nYou don’t need to be an expert. \nBring a laptop\, a charger\, an open mind\, and come build with us. \n🌴 November 6–8\, 2026 • Orlando\, Florida \nLearn something new. Meet your people. Build something worth sharing. \nAgenda \n— \nHosted By \nJavier Carrion\, GDG Organizer \nHi everyone! My name is Javier\, but you can call me “Javi.” I live in Ocala\, known as “the Horse Capital of the World” and I’m actively involved in the Central Florida Development communities. As a Software Engineer (Web) at Design Interactive\, I work with cutting-edge human-system integration (HSI) technologies\, which means I get to play with devices like HoloLens and more. Fun Fact: I have a mixology certification from the city of Waterbury! 🍸 I’m excited to be a part of this amazing group and looking forward to connecting with all of you! 🚀 \nMichael Rosario\, GDG Team Lead Member \nAs an experienced software developer with over 19 years of experience\, I enjoy helping organizations with agile software development\, promoting cultures of innovation\, and creative business solutions. I enjoy helping organizations and software teams discover the craft of continuous improvement. I am always looking for opportunities to serve leaders and teams who want to create more value with integrity\, character\, and predictability. \nProfessional interests: AR/VR\, Web dev\, MAKERS movement\, Agile leadership\, Machine learning\, Cultures of Innovation\, Gaming & Game based learning\, Visual analytics \nChristi Kapp\, Founder & CEO \nChristi Kapp is a well-respected Management Consultant and Coach that has spoken at numerous professional conferences on topics ranging from business analysis\, to managing organizational change. \nChristi’s career has included management consulting\, executive leadership\, coaching and teaching in the hospitality\, training and technology industries. She has also managed performance\, as well as the professional development of staff engaged in development and delivery of complex information system solutions\, solution sales\, training\, and customer service. \nHer entrepreneurial background includes founding\, growing and selling TechKnowQuest\, Inc – one of the Orlando Area’s Fastest Growing Tech Companies in 1998 (1992 – 2000). While at TechKnowQuest\, she created custom courses for a number of clients and performed management consulting services. She has also performed coaching and consulting services through KnowledgeSpot\, Inc\, (2000 – 2007) and JustIntegration\, Inc. (founded in 2006). She was also co-founder of Art In Motion LLC Custom Motorcycles (founded in 2007)\, and is Owner/Innkeeper at Kapp and Kappy Bed & Breakfast (2016) \nShe is an accomplished author also. She has written several enterprise information technology books (Prentice-Hall)\, a UCF Master’s thesis on “Regional Readiness for Homeland Security Information Sharing”\, and in 2016\, wrote a book chapter titled “Soft Factors Enabling Innovation” in the Apple Academic Press series called Ecosystems and Technology: Idea Generation and Content Model Processing. \nShe has a B.S. Degree from the University of Rochester and a M.S. from the College of Health & Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida. \nKendra Kennedy\, GDG Organizer \nHello everyone! My name is Kendra Kennedy\, and I am a Software Engineer who specializes in eXtended Reality (XR) Development and dabbles in Web Development\, Mobile Development\, and a bit of Machine Learning. I have a deep love for learning and trying out new skills\, so when I’m not behind the keyboard I can be often be found taking acting\, dancing\, or media art classes from the nearby art center or martial arts\, yoga\, or one-off exercise classes at my local gym. I’m happy to be a part of such an awesome team and look forward to learning and creating with all of you! \nKayle Brown\, \n— \nPlatinums \nGoogle (https://about.google)\nGoogle organizes the world’s information and makes it universally accessible and useful\, supporting global developer communities with open tools\, platforms\, and resources across Android\, Google Cloud\, Firebase\, and AI. \nDataKind (https://www.datakind.org)\nDataKind brings together top data scientists\, AI engineers\, and mission-driven organizations to advance the “Data for Good” movement\, delivering innovative data-driven solutions to solve critical social and economic challenges. \nLATO AI (https://latoai.com)\nAI-driven business process automation and custom software solutions designed to help organizations streamline operations\, automate repetitive workflows\, and build intelligent systems. \nGold \nVonage (https://www.vonage.com)\nVonage provides cloud communications APIs that enable developers to easily integrate SMS\, voice calls\, video streaming\, two-way messaging\, and multi-factor authentication directly into their web and mobile applications. \nBronzes \nTEKsystems (https://www.teksystems.com)\nTEKsystems is a global business and technology services partner that helps organizations accelerate transformation\, build modern digital solutions\, and connect with top-tier technology talent across cloud\, data\, and software engineering. \nBuilding Our Tech (https://buildingourtech.org)\nBuilding Our Tech (BOT) accelerates economic mobility by providing approachable tech training\, mentorship\, and entrepreneurial resources. Driven by the conviction that local growth fuels national impact\, BOT connects talent with industry opportunities across Central Florida through hands-on bootcamps\, workshops\, and community partnerships. \nCommunitys \nJetBrains (https://www.jetbrains.com/)\nJetBrains make professional software development a more JetBrains creates intelligent developer tools\, including IntelliJ IDEA\, PyCharm\, and WebStorm\, empowering software engineers to write clean code\, automate routine tasks\, and build great software faster.productive and enjoyable experience. \nKodeco (formerly raywenderlich.com) (https://www.kodeco.com)\nKodeco (formerly raywenderlich.com) is a leading hands-on learning platform for mobile developers\, providing high-quality courses\, books\, and bootcamps across iOS\, Swift\, Android\, Kotlin\, Flutter\, and AI. \nPartners \nDataPsy Inc (https://www.datapsy.com)\nDataPsy is a consultative training company. We provide training and consulting services that help people energize their interactions with their teammates and customers to deliver product and service-based Xperiences. \nOrlando DevsGoogle (https://www.orlandodevs.com)\nGoogle’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Orlando Devs is the premier tech community for Orlando and Central Florida\, uniting thousands of software engineers\, designers\, and tech enthusiasts through meetups\, workshops\, and active collaboration to empower the local tech ecosystem. \n— \nComplete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-central-florida-presents-devfest-hackathon-2026-build-innovate-amp-connect/.
URL:https://innovateorlando.io/event/devfest-hackathon-2026-build-innovate-connect/
LOCATION:UCF Downtown\, 500 West Livingston Street\, Orlando\, FL\, 32801\, United States
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