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 students, academics, and career professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) fields, allies, and community leaders who support the LGBTQ+ community. Established in 2010, this has become our signature event. All are welcome to participate in the program.

For those members who cannot join us in person, join us for the live-streamed plenaries and keynote. Registration is not required for this. Simply log into your Out to Innovate member account, and locate the link to the summit inside your profile.

"Out to Innovate Summit" took 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.

Program | Download the full program PDF | Access the mobile-friendly 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" - Agustín Fuentes, PhD, Biological 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)

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

Location:

USC Tutor Campus Center (Ballroom), 3607 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089.

Event Day Parking:

Parking on campus cost is not included in your event registration. Parking is available at the McCarthy Way structure, 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, Terry Demby, Rochelle Diamond, Amy Ross, Christine Bland, and other generous individuals.