Lemonade with Ice Proudly Presents
EmpowerHER Summit 2026
EmpowerHER Summit was a powerful movement dedicated to uplifting and empowering young girls to dream bigger, aim higher, and lead with confidence.
Held in the vibrant community of Houston, this year’s summit brought together an incredible group of students, mentors, educators, and inspiring women leaders who are shaping the future across industries.
Step Back Into the Moments That Inspired Us
A Day of Inspiration & Growth
Through an inspiring keynote by Dr. Rachana Sutaria at X Factor MD Med Spa, the EmpowerHER Summit created a powerful space for young minds to explore their potential in the field of medicine. Attendees gained valuable insights into the journey of becoming a doctor—including the educational pathways from high school to college, the skills required to succeed, and the leadership qualities essential in healthcare. Her message emphasized the importance of resilience, confidence, and self-belief, leaving students motivated to pursue their dreams with purpose and determination.
Individuality and Authentic Thinking during AI Resolution : Hands-on Workshop
Andrea Sealy, Founder and Professional Coach at Agentia, led a dynamic and highly engaging interactive hands-on workshop for high school students at the EmpowerHER Summit. In today’s rapidly evolving AI-driven world, she emphasized the critical importance of individuality and authentic thinking over a one-size-fits-all, generic approach to success. Through real-world insights, thought-provoking discussions, and hands-on activities, Andrea encouraged students to embrace their unique strengths, perspectives, and voices as future leaders. She highlighted how creativity, self-awareness, and personal identity will be key differentiators in an increasingly automated world. Her session not only sparked meaningful conversations but also empowered students to think boldly about their future paths. Andrea Sealy’s hands-on workshop was a standout success, leaving a lasting impression on participants and reinforcing the summit’s mission to inspire confident, purpose-driven young leaders.
Navigating Early Careers: Lessons from Industry Leaders
The Career and Industry Focus Panel Discussion was a powerful and insightful session at the EmpowerHER Summit, bringing together accomplished leaders from diverse fields to share their journeys and expertise. The panel featured Nicole Wilson from the Translation Research Institute for Space Health, Nikki Jackson, Chief Information Officer at Liberty Bank, and Trang Le, Founder and Chef of Lena’s Asian Kitchen, with the session thoughtfully moderated by Tania Daniel. Each panelist spoke candidly about the challenges they faced early in their careers, the obstacles they overcame, and the resilience required to navigate their professional paths. They highlighted the importance of key qualities such as adaptability, continuous learning, confidence, and perseverance during the foundational years of one’s career. The discussion was highly interactive, with students actively engaging and asking meaningful questions, which the panelists addressed with practical advice and real-world insights. This session not only inspired attendees but also provided them with valuable guidance to confidently pursue their own career aspirations.
Innovation Marketplace
The Innovation Marketplace at the EmpowerHER Summit was a vibrant showcase of creativity, collaboration, and youth-driven ideas, featuring participation from students across schools in Houston. With nearly a dozen booths, students proudly presented their innovative projects spanning key areas such as environmental impact, community development, technology, and AI innovation. The marketplace created an engaging and interactive environment where attendees could explore ideas, ask questions, and connect directly with the young innovators behind each project.
The atmosphere was further energized with breakfast snacks and refreshing lemonade, generously sponsored by H-E-B. Led by dedicated youth volunteers, the event reflected strong leadership and teamwork. The Lemonade with Ice leadership team actively engaged with participants, evaluating each project based on creativity, impact, and presentation. At the conclusion of the session, standout innovations were recognized and awarded, celebrating the passion and ingenuity of these future changemakers. This dynamic experience highlighted the power of youth innovation and reinforced the importance of providing platforms where young leaders can shine.
EmpowerHER Summit 2026 : Innovation Marketplace Winners
2026 EmpowerHER summit winner, their idea was Environment Impact, which recycles the plastic for better environment. Community Impact Team Award Winner, their idea to build environment friendly toys made up of wool, thread. Very good for kids to play with a great idea for gifts to kids. Special thanks to Miss Mari Kottaka for sponsoring and supporting EmpowerHER Innovation Marketplace winners.
The Innovation Marketplace at the EmpowerHER Summit was a vibrant showcase of creativity, collaboration, and youth-driven ideas, featuring participation from students across schools in Houston. With nearly a dozen booths, students proudly presented their innovative projects spanning key areas such as environmental impact, community development, technology, and AI innovation. The marketplace created an engaging and interactive environment where attendees could explore ideas, ask questions, and connect directly with the young innovators behind each project.
Ice Venkatesh Receives Mayor’s Next Generation Award
Ice Venkatesh, founder of Lemonade with Ice, was honored with the prestigious Mayor’s Next Generation Award in Houston, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the community and her unwavering commitment to youth empowerment.
At the heart of her impact is her ability to bring people together—mobilizing passionate volunteers who share a common vision of creating opportunities for the next generation. This spirit of collaboration was clearly reflected at the EmpowerHER Summit, where Ice led the highly successful Innovation Marketplace. Under her leadership, students from across Houston showcased groundbreaking ideas in areas such as technology, AI, community impact, and environmental sustainability. She actively engaged with participants, encouraging them to think boldly, refine their ideas, and present with confidence. Supported by a dedicated team of youth volunteers, the event became a dynamic platform for creativity, learning, and leadership. Ice Venkatesh’s recognition is not only a celebration of her achievements but also a testament to the powerful community she continues to build—one that inspires young leaders to innovate, serve, and make a meaningful difference.
Relive the Inspiring Moments of EmpowerHer Summit 2026
The Innovation Marketplace at the EmpowerHER Summit was a vibrant showcase of creativity, collaboration, and youth-driven ideas, featuring participation from students across schools in Houston. With nearly a dozen booths, students proudly presented their innovative projects spanning key areas such as environmental impact, community development, technology, and AI innovation. The marketplace created an engaging and interactive environment where attendees could explore ideas, ask questions, and connect directly with the young innovators behind each project.
The atmosphere was further energized with breakfast snacks and refreshing lemonade, generously sponsored by H-E-B. Led by dedicated youth volunteers, the event reflected strong leadership and teamwork. The Lemonade with Ice leadership team actively engaged with participants, evaluating each project based on creativity, impact, and presentation. At the conclusion of the session, standout innovations were recognized and awarded, celebrating the passion and ingenuity of these future changemakers. This dynamic experience highlighted the power of youth innovation and reinforced the importance of providing platforms where young leaders can shine.
EmpowerHER Summit 2026 Program
EmpowerHER Event's Advisors And Sponsors
Share Your Feedback
Thank you for being a valued part of the Lemonade with Ice EmpowerHER Summit. Your presence, energy, and engagement made this event truly meaningful. We are committed to continuously growing and creating impactful experiences, and your thoughtful feedback plays a vital role in helping us do that. By sharing your insights, you are directly contributing to our mission of empowering and uplifting the next generation of young leaders.
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