About the Ingeniera Foundation
Before there was a conference, there was a group chat.
A handful of Latinas in engineering, scattered across companies, cities, and time zones, who needed somewhere to say the quiet things out loud: Why do I feel like I don’t belong here? Is it always this hard? Does it get better?
It got better. And then they built a place for everyone else to find out.
Our Story
In 2019, the Ingeniera Foundation started as a community a digital space where Latinas in engineering could connect, share, and simply exist without having to explain themselves. No agenda. Just belonging.
What happened next surprised everyone. The community grew fast, and with it came a clear signal: people weren’t just looking for connection. They were looking for an opportunity. For mentors. For someone who’d been where they were and made it through.
In 2020, International Latina Engineer Week (ILEW) was born a week-long event designed to bring that community together in one space to learn, network, and celebrate. What started as a virtual gathering during a global pandemic became something none of us expected: an international movement.
Today, ILEW reaches hundreds of attendees across borders every October. Latinas from across the U.S., Latin America, and beyond come together — in person and online — to invest in themselves and each other.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Representation is not enough on its own. Seeing someone who looks like you matters, but only if the systems around you also give you a real chance. We work on both.
Community is infrastructure. The loneliness that many Latinas in STEM experience isn’t a personal failing it’s a structural gap. We fill that gap on purpose.
Investment beats inspiration. Motivation is free. Scholarships, mentorship, career connections, and real professional development are what actually change outcomes. We invest.
This space belongs to everyone who builds it. ILEW was created by Latinas. It grows because allies, advocates, and partners show up alongside us. We welcome that.
HOW WE WORK
Our programs are designed to meet Latinas in engineering at every stage of the journey — not just the beginning.
ILEW Conference brings the global community together every October for sessions, workshops, and networking that cross borders and industries. It’s part celebration, part professional development, entirely community-built.
Mentoring Program runs six months and pairs early-career Latinas with engineers and leaders who’ve navigated the same terrain. Mentors don’t just advise they walk alongside.
Scholarships exist because financial barriers end too many engineering careers before they begin. We award scholarships annually to Latina students pursuing engineering degrees, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Career Resources & Industry Connections link our community with companies that are genuinely committed to recruiting and retaining Latina talent not just checking a box.
For full program details, visit our Mentoring Program, Scholarships, and Partnerships pages.
MEET THE TEAM
The Ingeniera Foundation runs on the energy of a volunteer team of engineers and professionals who give their expertise, time, and care to make this community real. Every event, scholarship, and mentor match pass through these hands.
📧 Reach the team at info@ingenierafoundation.org
GET INVOLVED
There are a lot of ways to show up for this community.
Attend ILEW — Join us every October for the conference. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, there’s always something new.
Volunteer — Our team is volunteer-run. If you have skills to contribute and want to build something that matters, we’d love to talk.
Sponsor — Companies that invest in ILEW invest in the pipeline of Latina engineering talent. Learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Mentor — If you’re a few years into your career and want to give back, the mentoring program is where that happens. Applications open annually.
Stay connected — Follow us on Instagram @ingeniera.fund and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on ILEW 2026, scholarships, and community news.