Leka Hattori, a Brazilian global innovation leader, speaker, and entrepreneur whose unconventional journey from a professional kitchen in London to NASA’s innovation ecosystem has shaped her work in technology, education, and human potential, has been nominated for the Innovator of the Year award at the Influencer Magazine Awards 2026. The nomination recognises her extraordinary ability to bridge the worlds of culinary arts, technology, and education, creating pathways for people and communities to engage with global innovation. Since 2018, she has served as a Local Lead for the NASA International Space Apps Challenge in Brazil, helping build pathways for people and communities to engage with global innovation in a meaningful and accessible way.
Leka is also the creator of Hack@Schools, an education initiative that uses NASA open data and challenge-based learning to bring innovation into schools. The initiative has engaged more than 3,000 students, over 150 educators, and generated hundreds of projects, demonstrating the power of hands-on, challenge-based learning to inspire the next generation of innovators. Her work with Hack@Schools reflects her belief that innovation education should not be limited to elite institutions or privileged communities but should be accessible to students from all backgrounds, giving them the tools and confidence to tackle real-world problems.
Her work in innovation education continues to expand into new areas. Leka is also the creator of the Space Mining Challenge, an educational innovation initiative that extends her experience with challenge-based learning into the emerging space economy. Through this work, she continues to explore how real-world challenges can connect education, technology, and the future of innovation.
In 2026, Leka is also preparing the release of her first book, Da Cozinha à NASA: Uma Órbita Real, scheduled for late October. The book brings together the story of her unconventional journey from professional kitchens in London to NASA’s innovation ecosystem and reflects on the experiences that shaped her approach to innovation, reinvention, and human potential.
Leka has used her position within innovation ecosystems to expand access and create opportunities for others, including promoting greater gender equity through her work with the NASA Space Apps community. She understands that the innovation sector has historically been dominated by certain groups and is committed to changing that dynamic by actively supporting and mentoring women and underrepresented groups in technology and science. Her international experience includes NASA open-data initiatives, the Bold Community in Austria, the G100 Global Women Leaders network, and climate leadership work, all of which have contributed to her global perspective and her ability to connect people across borders and disciplines. Her unconventional journey has been independently featured by international platforms and communities. The Space Café Podcast featured her in a 69-minute international conversation exploring her journey from a professional chef in London to her leadership work within the NASA Space Apps Challenge and the global innovation ecosystem. Space Verse conducted an interview featuring her work and perspectives on innovation, education, and the space ecosystem, and the Bold Community has recognized her journey and contribution to global innovation. She was also invited to participate in “Building the Launchpad: Turning Gratitude into Opportunity,” a conversation developed for the launch of Shelli Brunswick’s book, What’s Space Got to Do With It? Out of This World Leadership, and she is a contributing author to Chapter Nine, “Gratitude: The Launchpad.”
Her journey from a professional kitchen to the world of space exploration is a testament to the power of curiosity, persistence, and the willingness to follow unconventional paths. She believes that innovation becomes truly meaningful when access to opportunity extends beyond those who already have a seat at the table, and she has dedicated her career to ensuring that more people, particularly young students and women, have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the innovation economy. Her nomination for the Innovator of the Year award at IMA 2026 celebrates her extraordinary contributions to education, technology, and community engagement, and her enduring legacy as a leader who uses her platform to lift others up and create a more inclusive and equitable innovation ecosystem for all.
