Keep Wonder Alive: Help Power 10 Years of Impact Into the Future

For ten years, I’ve poured my heart, soul, and every ounce of courage into building Wonder Women Tech — a global ecosystem dedicated to innovation, belonging, and impact. www.wonderwomentech.com

From humble beginnings in my living room with a handful of volunteers, Wonder Women Tech grew into a movement that has reached people across the world — from Long Beach to London, from classrooms to corporate boardrooms. We’ve showcased thousands of speakers, empowered countless students, innovators, and leaders, and created spaces where people from every background could see themselves in the future of technology, leadership, and humanity.

This year marks our 10-Year Anniversary — a milestone that should be filled with joy and celebration. But instead, I’m facing one of the hardest moments of my life and leadership.

The Truth Few Founders Share

Before Wonder Women Tech, I created EqualityTV, a multimedia platform centered on representation in media. Long before that, I launched social innovation campaigns like the I Am Equality Photographic Campaign, Love, Hugs & Inspiration, and for nearly twenty years I’ve opened my home during the holidays to cook full meals for strangers — because no one should ever feel alone.

Community, purpose, and impact have always been my North Star.

I didn’t start Wonder Women Tech because it was trendy, or because it fit neatly into a corporate diversity box. In fact, when I began, I didn’t even know what “DEI” meant. I simply wanted to create access, visibility, and opportunity for people who were being left out of the conversation.

Over the years, I’ve endured bullying, harassment, betrayals, threats, legal battles, burnout, and heartbreak — all while showing up for the mission.

Then the pandemic hit. The political landscape shifted. And suddenly, everything changed.

Funding disappeared. Partnerships dissolved. And after a decade of service, I found myself in survival mode.

The Reality

On October 27th, 2025, our Public Storage unit in Long Beach, California was broken into and completely ransacked.

Everything we had accumulated over ten years — Wonder Women Tech event supplies, equipment, AV gear, banners, art, archives, and personal belongings — was stolen and ransacked.

Among the items taken were also deeply personal belongings including family mementos, holiday treasures, art, and even old personal laptops and drives.

In one night, we lost nearly everything that represented a decade of work, love, and legacy.

Now, after pouring every resource into making Wonder Tech Fest possible — we are not only rebuilding financially, but also physically.

In 2024 and 2025, I lost 100% of our government and grant funding. Corporate partners who once championed this work have gone silent. Emails went unanswered and promising partnerships ghosted.

I’ve been told to “sunset” Wonder Women Tech.

And yet — I’m still here. Because this work is not just a job — it’s in my DNA.

I’ve had to sign up for rent and utility assistance this year and had my car repossessed. I’ve been on food stamps while still building stages for others to shine.

It’s humbling. It’s heartbreaking. But it’s real.

And through it all, I’ve kept building, pivoting, believing — because I know that what we’ve created matters.

Why I’m Asking for Help

Events like Wonder Tech Fest cost six to seven figures to produce every year.

Despite a decade of proven impact and global recognition, we’ve lost nearly all corporate and government funding this year. We are still $23,600 short of closing out our 10-Year Anniversary milestone and rebuilding what was stolen.

Your contribution today will help us:

Rebuild the essential equipment and materials lost in the storage break-in

Pay final event and production expenses from Wonder Tech Fest 2025

Fund our 2026 programs: Future Forward Summits, Wonder Interactive, Wonder Labs, Hiring Humans Workforce Development, and more...

Continue offering free and subsidized opportunities for students, job seekers, and community innovators

It’s not easy to ask for help. As a founder and leader, I’ve always believed I had to have the answers. I’ve tried to carry it all — silently, gracefully.

But I know better now. None of us were meant to build alone.

So I’m asking you — my community, my friends, my peers, my fellow dreamers:

Will you help me keep Wonder alive?

Your Support Keeps the Wonder Alive

Your contribution will go directly toward:

Rebuilding what we physically lost in the storage theft including event materials, technology, interactive and branded items, and more.

Covering final bills, production and AV costs for Wonder Tech Fest

Supporting the Hiring Humans Career Fair and Future Forward Summit series

Providing free and subsidized tickets for students and community members

Sustaining our innovative programming year-round

Every dollar — whether $25 or $5,000 — helps us cross the finish line and celebrate a decade of innovation, impact, and community.

How You Can Help

Together, we can prove that grassroots outreach and community can still fund what matters — that purpose and people will always rise above politics and trends.

Final Words from My Heart

I’ve spent nearly two decades building movements that put love, belonging, and humanity at the center.

I’ve done this work through heartbreak, loss, and faith.

And even now — when the ground feels unsteady — I still believe that this decade of Wonder is a future worth fighting for.

If you’ve ever been touched by Wonder Women Tech, inspired by our mission, or believe that community still has the power to change the world — please, stand with us.

Together, we can Keep Wonder Alive.

GIVING TIERS AND RECOGNITION:

The Spark Giver - $25: Help us light the spark of Wonder. Your gift supports basic event essentials and reminds us that small acts build big movements.

The Dream Sustainer - $100: Fund marketing materials for rebuilding what was stolen. You’ll be listed on our Digital Wall of Wonder as a supporter.

The Innovator’s Ally - $250: Sponsor one student, emerging leader, or community innovator to attend Wonder events on a scholarship. You’ll receive a personalized thank-you from the WWT Team.

The Impact Builder - $500: Funding goes towards replacing technology and high ticket items lost in the storage theft. Includes name recognition on our social media page.

The Wonder Warrior - $1,000: Funding goes towards our AV costs. Includes logo/name recognition on digital sites, online community, and personal thank you letter.

The Vision Guardian - $2,500: Help us keep the Wonder alive! You’ll be acknowledged during a future Wonder or Future Forward program as a sponsor. Includes logo/name recognition on stage signage and online.

✨ The Legacy Leader - $5,000+: Your contribution helps fund the 2026 programming. Includes a personal thank-you from Lisa Mae and name recognition on the main stage of any event of your choosing. Includes logo/name recognition on Main Stage signage and online. We'll also invite you to be a podcast guest for a future show! We will also do a special social media post in your honor!

The Patron Luminary — $10,000+: You are helping sustain Wonder Women Tech into its next decade — ensuring our mission and movement endure. You’ll receive a personal thank-you from Lisa Mae and the WWT Team, 2026 recognition as a Patron Sponsor, social media post in your honor, and a place in the story that will continue lighting the way for generations to come. We'll also invite you to be a fireside chat guest for a future event! Includes logo/name recognition on Main Stage signage and online.