Leka Hattori has been awarded Innovator of the Year at the Influencer Magazine Awards (E3) on October 25, 2026. A Brazilian global innovation leader, speaker, and entrepreneur, she connects technology and education with a commitment to expanding access to opportunity. Her unconventional journey from a professional kitchen in London to NASA’s innovation ecosystem has shaped work that helps people and communities participate in global innovation.

Since 2018, Hattori has served as a Local Lead for the NASA International Space Apps Challenge in Brazil. She also created Hack@Schools®, an educational initiative that brings NASA open data and challenge-based learning into schools. Having impacted more than 3,000 students, the initiative has generated hundreds of projects and engaged educators in bringing innovation and hands-on learning into the classroom. It reflects her belief that innovation becomes truly meaningful when opportunities extend beyond those who already have access.

That connection between innovation and participation is central to her recognition as Innovator of the Year. Through her work with the NASA Space Apps community, Hattori has also promoted greater gender equity, using her position within innovation ecosystems to create opportunities for others. Her work links leadership in global innovation with practical pathways into it, from school-based learning to community engagement.

Congratulations to Leka Hattori on being named Innovator of the Year at the Influencer Magazine Awards (E3).