Building, Belonging & Applied Innovation - International Women’s Day 2026

​Building, Belonging & Applied Innovation
International Women’s Day 2026
Hosted by Hacker Dojo
Format: In-person only
Supported by the Women Techmakers and Technovation ecosystem, this event brings together community, expertise, and applied innovation in celebration of International Women’s Day 2026.
This is a community-centered, hands-on gathering designed to create real connection, practical exchange, and visible representation of women building across technology, maker culture, and applied innovation in celebration of International Women’s Day.
While the event highlights and uplifts women in tech and innovation, everyone is welcome to attend, including allies, supporters, students, and community members who believe in building more inclusive and collaborative ecosystems.
What to Expect
A thoughtfully curated and dynamic program featuring a fireside-style panel with technology experts and community leaders sharing real-world insights on building careers, products, and inclusive innovation ecosystems. The event also includes interactive showcases, women and small-owned business exhibits, and a dedicated networking mixer designed to foster meaningful connection, mentorship, and collaboration.

​Program Overview
1. Welcome
Opening remarks and framing of the evening’s theme: building skills, building networks, and building inclusive ecosystems.
2. Fireside-Style Panel Conversations
A focused conversation with technology leaders and innovators.
Expect honest discussion around career pathways, applied innovation, entrepreneurship, and the realities of building in today’s tech landscape.
3. Women & Small-Owned Business Showcase
Booths and tables featuring women-led and small-owned businesses, makers, technologists, and creators.
If you are interested in reserving a table and showcasing your work, please contact:
**[email protected]**
**[email protected]**
Please include both contacts in your inquiry as well as the best methods to contact you.
4. Networking Mixer
Dedicated time for informal conversation, mentorship exchange, collaboration opportunities, and meaningful connection within the Bay Area innovation ecosystem.
Community Showcase
A curated space highlighting applied projects, prototypes, products, and creative technology initiatives led by women and community builders.

Speakers:
Martina Dimoska, Eva Carrender, Andra Keay, Vida Vidyangi Patil, Nesh Chandarana, Revati Naik

​Martina Dimoska
Martina Dimoska is a space systems innovator, analog astronaut, and founder of the International Space Alliance working at the intersection of human spaceflight, global space collaboration, and emerging space technologies.

​Eva Carrender
Eva Carrender is a robotics educator, founder of Carrender Robotics, and board member at Hacker Dojo who has spent more than 25 years expanding access to hands-on STEAM and robotics education.

​Andra Keay
Andra Keay is the Managing Director of Silicon Valley Robotics and a global thought leader on robotics startups, commercialization, and the future impact of robotics on society.

​Vida Vidyangi Patil
Vida Vidyangi Patil is an author, innovation researcher, and startup mentor focused on human-centered emerging technologies including AI, robotics, and healthcare innovation.

​Dnyaneshwari “Nesh” Chandarana
Dnyaneshwari “Nesh” Chandarana is a cybersecurity product leader and Head of Product at Eos focused on securing AI agents and non-human identities in modern enterprise systems.

​Revati Naik
Revati Naik is the founder of GreyRobotics, a software engineer at Google Cloud working on networking infrastructure for AI systems, and an organizer with the Women in Robotics Bay Area community.