Out to Innovate Summit for LGBTQ+ People in STEMM and allies

Out to Innovate Summit is a biennial cross-generational event that provides an educational and supportive environment for career development and enrichment for LGBTQ+ students, academics, and career professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) fields, allies, and community leaders. Established in 2010, this has become our signature event.

Out to Innovate Summit 2026: Innovating for Inclusion. March 7 at USC.

 

Register Now!

We are excited to officially announce that an "Out to Innovate Summit" will be taking place on March 7, 2026, at the University of Southern California University Park Campus in Los Angeles, CA. The theme is "Innovating for Inclusion". It has been far too long since we have convened our Out to Innovate Summit. This is an opportunity to support one another, our LGBTQ+ communities, and the STEMM community. We'd love to connect with new members and re-connect with long-standing members. 

Spread the word! Download a summit flyer to share or print.

 Draft Program

8:30 am

 Breakfast Buffet
9:00 am Welcoming Remarks
9:15 am Motivational Speaker - Kei Koizumi, MA,former WH Science & Technology Office
10:00 am Plenary One: "Sexual Identity and the Law" - Jennifer Pizer, JD (Lambda Legal), and Ilan Meyer, PhD  (Williams Institute)
11:00 am

Workshops

  • "Intersectional Identities – Drawing strength through invisible DEI on campus and the workplace" (Erin-Kate Escobar, MA)
  • "Writing CVs / Resumes in these Times" (Point Foundation)
  • "Speaking out - bringing tools of science to problems facing the community" (Jeremy Yoder, PhD)
12:00 pm

Lunch - Out and Accomplished Panel
1:00 pm

Keynote: "LGBTQ+ Healthcare: From Practice to Policy", Laura Taylor, MD (USC), Sofia Gruskin, JD, MIA (USC), Claire Lunde, PhD, PMP (AAAS Policy Fellow NSF)
2:15 pm

Plenary Two: "The Science around Sex and Gender" - Augustin Fuentes, PhD, Biologial Anthropologist, Princeton University, author of Sex is a Spectrum, Princeton Press

This plenary session is sponsored by Michael Nishimura in honor of Rochelle Diamond.
3:15 pm

Workshops

  • "Intersectional Identities – Drawing strength through invisible DEI on campus and the workplace" (Erin-Kate Escobar, MA)
  • "Writing CVs / Resumes in these Times" (Point Foundation)
  • "Speaking out - bringing tools of science to problems facing the community" (Jeremy Yoder, PhD)
4:30 pm

Reception at the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, featuring Out to Innovate history and Recognition Awardes (snacks and beverages included)
5:30 pm

Closing Ceremony and Community Appreciation
6:00 pm

Networking (dinner on your own; registration does not include dinner)

 

Registration

Registration is now live! Registration includes admission to all event programming and breakfast, lunch, reception snacks, transportation across campus from meeting site to One Archives. Registration does not include parking, dinner, lodging, travel. 

Live: Registration fees for in-person attendance at this event are:

 

Out to Innovate Member

 Non-Member*
Students $15 $50
Professionals $50 $100

*Join Out to Innovate to receive discounted registration!

Click here to register for the summit

Virtual:

All plenary sessions will be live-streamed, available at no charge to dues-paying Out to Innovate members. Log into your member profile on event day to watch each plenary session. No registration required.

Event Logistics

Lodging:

We are please to offer discounted room rates at $229/night for March 6-8 at the USC Hotel, conveniently located across the street from the USC University Park Campus.  This rate is a 37% discount off the current rate, and includes a complimentary upgrade to the executive level accommodations.  Overnight parking at the hotel is an additional $40. Reservations must be made by February 21. Register for accommodations on-line through the USC Hotel promotional booking site by following this link, or call 213 748-4141 and mention Out to Innovate for the discount.

Event Day Parking:

Parking on campus cost is not included in your event registration. Parking is available at the Figueroa structure and the Downey Way structure for $20/day. Metered street parking is also available, but may be limited.

Public Transportation:

USC is conveniently located between two LA Metro Lines and numerous bus stops.

  • Metro E Line (light rail): Expo Park/USC station
  • Metro J Line (Rapid Bus): 37th St/USC station

We are grateful to our 2026 Summit Sponsors: Point Foundation, David Bohnett, Michael NIshimura and other generous individuals

For more information about past events and links to photoalbums and conference videos, click on each event below:

  • Summit 2010: Inaugural event, hosted by the LGBTQ+ Community from University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, October 9, 2010. Keynote Speaker: Dean Hamer
  • Summit 2012: hosted by the oSTEM chapter at The Ohio State University, Columbus OH, October 13-14, 2012. Keynote Speaker: Nergis Malvavala
  • Summit 2014: Joint event with oSTEM 4th National Conference, hosted at the Georgia Tech Conference Center, Atlanta GA, November 8-9, 2014. Keynote Speakers: Lynn Conway, Tam O'Shaugnessy
  • Summit 2017: Danvers MA, March 4-5, 2017. Keynote Speaker: Victoria Orphan
  • Summit 2019: hosted by the USC Lambda Alumni at University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, March 16-17, 2019 . Keynote Speaker: David Bohnett
  • Summit 2020: Joint virtual event with the oSTEM 10th Annual Conference, November 12-15, 2020. Keynote Speakers: Mylene Dipenta, Sian Lewis
  • nanoSummit 2021: This virtual event celebrated the recipients of the 2021 Out to Innovate Recognition Awards, the 2020 Ben Barres Fellowships, and the 2021 Out to Innovate Scholarships.  Tonia Poteat, one of our first Out to Innovate Scholarship recipients, was our keynote speaker.