ASCEND
2nd Annual Career Navigation Summit
September 24–25, 2026
Virtual
ASCEND.
Your next level starts here.
Two days. Keynotes, panels, lightning talks, and an exclusive Day 2 experience — built for early-career, rising, and career-changing STEM professionals ready to lead, learn, and rise with intention.
Register Free — Day 1 Become a Sponsor
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We’re going live soon—are you in?

You are building a dynamic career in STEM and whether you are just launching, shifting directions, or leaning into new leadership potential, you should not have to navigate it alone.

The 2nd Annual AdaMarie Career Navigation Summit is a two-day virtual experience built for early-career, rising, and career-changing STEM professionals ready to lead, learn, and rise. Keynotes, panels, lightning talks, and an exclusive Day 2 experience — all designed to give you the clarity, tools, and connections to make your next career move with intention.

This is a career-defining two days built for professionals who are ready to ascend.

Day 1 — September 24 · Free & open to everyone

Day 2 — September 25 · Exclusive paid experience

Choose Your Experience
Choose Your Experience
Become a Sponsor
Become a Sponsor
Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a plaid blazer over a white top, smiling with her arms crossed.

WHO IS THIS FOR

Built for where you are. Designed for where you are going.

The AdaMarie Career Navigation Summit is for you if you are in the first zero to eight years of your STEM career or starting an entirely new chapter in one. If you are a student figuring out your first move. A recent grad navigating your first role. A professional ready to grow into something bigger. A career changer bringing experience from another field into STEM.

If you have ever felt like the rooms where opportunities are made were not built with you in mind, this one’s for you.

Students & recent grads
Figuring out your first move and want clarity on what comes next.
Early-career professionals
In your first few years and ready to grow faster and more intentionally.
Career changers
Bringing experience from another field and navigating a pivot into STEM.
Rising professionals
Ready to step into more visibility, influence, and leadership.

THE COMMUNITY AT A GLANCE

25K+
members in the AdaMarie community
64%
emerging leaders within their first 10 years of career growth
150+
STEM disciplines including biotech, engineering, finance, and energy
85%
of program participants left with greater confidence and career clarity
60+
universities represented at the 2025 summit

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Day 1
September 24, 2026
11 AM – 4:30 PM ET
Free & Open to Everyone
Keynotes
Opening and closing keynotes — speaker announcements coming soon.
Panels
What HR Actually Wants: The STEM Hiring Conversation You Never Got to Have
Working With AI: What It Means for Your STEM Career
Lightning Talks
A series of focused career workshops — tools you can put to work immediately.
Networking
Live networking with peers and experts invested in your growth.
Register free for Day 1
Day 2
September 25, 2026
11 AM – 2:30 PM ET
Paid Ticket Holders Only
Intimate Keynote
A smaller room, a closer conversation. Speaker announcement coming soon.
The Hot Seat
Real Advice for Real Career Challenges
Live, unscripted, and personal — bring your real career challenge and watch our experts respond in real time with direct feedback.
Lightning Talks
Two exclusive lightning talks curated specifically for the professionals in this room.
Closing
Closing keynote and AdaMarie send-off.
Secure your Day 2 ticket

What 2025 attendees had to say

Thank you so much for having this event! It was great connecting and learning from the speakers.
2025 Summit Attendee
Your positive attitudes were infectious and inspiring! I appreciate all of the advice and personal anecdotes that were given.
2025 Summit Attendee
I would love to get more involved in any way I can! Thank you for such an awesome summit!
2025 Summit Attendee
Be around for 20 more years.
2025 Summit Attendee
Day 1 is free. No reason not to.
Register Now

2026 SPEAKERS

Meet Our 2026 Speakers

Brooke Grindlinger
Day 1 Speaker
Brooke Grindlinger
Chief Scientific Officer, New York Academy of Sciences
Marie Libres
Day 1 Speaker
Marie Libres
Owner & Product Designer, Daughters Studio
Boomie Odumade
Day 1 Speaker
Boomie Odumade
Founder & Fractional VPE/CTO, TechBees
Victoria Farris
Day 1 Speaker
Victoria Farris
Founder & CEO, Farris Consulting
Dr. Carmen Banks
Day 1 Speaker
Dr. Carmen Banks
Senior Scientist, Root Applied Sciences & CEO, MelanInScience
More coming soon More speakers being announced. Stay close.
Follow AdaMarie on LinkedIn →

DAY 1 IS ALWAYS FREE.

Pick your path. Each tier is designed to give you more.

Day 1 Only
Free Access
$0
Always free. No ticket required.
✓September 24 · 11 AM – 4 PM ET
✓Opening + closing keynotes
✓HR + AI panels
✓Six lightning talks
✓Live networking
COMING SOON
Day 1 + Day 2
Summit Pass
$49
Early bird through August 31
$79 from September 1
✓Everything in Day 1
✓September 25 · 11 AM – 2 PM ET
✓Intimate keynote
✓The Hot Seat — live coaching
✓Two exclusive lightning talks
COMING SOON
⭐ Most Popular
APN Membership
$135
Full year of AdaMarie + both summit days
✓Everything in Day 1 + Day 2
✓Full year of APN membership
✓Private community + peer mentorship
✓On-demand resources + replays
✓Year-round events + expert sessions
Become a Member

INVEST IN ACCESS

Pay it Forward

Invest in the next generation of STEM leaders.

Every career is shaped by the people who showed up. Through the AdaMarie Pay It Forward Program, you can gift a summit ticket or AdaMarie Professional Network membership to a student, early-career professional, or mentee who is ready for their next step but may not have the resources to get there on their own.

You know what access means. Pass it on.

Gift Membership
Gift Membership


More sponsors
being announced
Become a sponsor
Show up for the next generation of STEM talent.
The AdaMarie Career Navigation Summit connects your brand directly with motivated, career-ready STEM professionals at the moments that matter most. Limited Flagship Employer Partner spots available.
Explore sponsorship →

2026 SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Brought to you by organizations invested in your growth.

ASCEND

2nd Annual AdaMarie Career Navigation Summit

Day 1 is free.
Day 2 is worth it.

September 24–25, 2026 · Virtual

Your next level starts here. Register for Day 1 at no cost, or secure your full access with a Summit Pass or APN Membership.

Register free — Day 1 Get your Summit Pass — $49 early bird Become an APN Member — $135

Early bird pricing available through August 31, 2026.

WE THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ASK

Frequently Asked Questions

For Attendees
Is this a career fair?
No — it is a two-day virtual experience built around programming, community, and career development. You will leave with clarity, tools, and connections — not just a stack of business cards.
Do I need to attend every session live?
Not at all. APN members get access to session replays after the event. Summit Pass holders have access to live sessions only — replays are an APN membership benefit.
I am a student or just starting out — is this for me?
Absolutely. The summit is designed for early-career STEM professionals including students, recent grads, and career changers. No years of experience required.
What is the difference between the Summit Pass and APN Membership?
The Summit Pass ($49 early bird / $79 after August 31) gives you both days live. The APN Membership ($135) includes everything plus a full year of AdaMarie community, resources, and events.
Will I be able to interact with speakers and employers?
Yes — panel sessions include live Q&A and the Day 2 Hot Seat is designed for direct, unscripted interaction with experts. Employers will also be available through expo booths and networking spaces.
What is the refund policy?
All ticket purchases are final. If you cannot attend live, APN members can access replays. For specific circumstances reach out to hello@ada-marie.com.
For Sponsors & Employers
What is the difference between this and a typical job fair?
More intentional and relational. Your organization gets visibility, a speaking opportunity, and direct access to a motivated audience — not a transactional resume drop.
What kind of talent will we connect with?
Early-career and career-changing STEM professionals across 150+ disciplines including biotech, engineering, data science, public health, and finance.
What does a Flagship Employer Partner spot include?
Brand visibility across both days, a featured speaking opportunity, job board placement, opt-in attendee leads, and a post-event performance report. Spots are limited.
Can we participate if we are not actively hiring?
Yes — the summit is a great opportunity to build brand trust and keep your pipeline warm. Showing up before you are hiring sends a strong signal about the kind of organization you are.
How do we get started?
Email partner@ada-marie.com or visit weareadamarie.com/adamarie-partnership-opportunities to explore sponsorship options.
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Pay It Forward
Join AdaMarie