Top 10 Women in Tech Groups and Resources in San Bernardino, CA in 2026

Table of Contents

• Navigate the Inland Empire Tech Scene
• CSUSB Women in Entrepreneurship & Tech
• Esri Women in GIS Awards and Geodesign Summit
• Inland Empire Women in Tech Network
• Kaiser Permanente Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives
• Girls Who Code San Bernardino Chapters
• AnitaB.org Virtual Career Fair and Grace Hopper Celebration
• San Bernardino County IT Department Recruitment
• SoCal Tech Forum Meetups in Rancho Cucamonga
• Loma Linda University Health Biomedical Tech Outreach
• Black Girls Code & Latinas in Tech IE Chapters
• Chart Your Course in San Bernardino Tech
• Frequently Asked Questions

CSUSB Women in Entrepreneurship & Tech

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) forms the intellectual and entrepreneurial heart of the Inland Empire's tech ecosystem. Its Women in Entrepreneurship & Tech initiatives create a critical pipeline from classroom to career, directly feeding the region's growing demand for skilled talent.

The anchor event is the "Defining the Future Conference" on April 15, 2026, which focuses on innovation, emerging technologies, and leadership. Beyond this annual gathering, the university fosters a year-round community through workshops and speaker series that connect students with local industry leaders from companies like Esri and Stater Bros. Markets. This practical bridge between academia and industry is a cornerstone of the IE's advantage.

Getting involved is straightforward: students connect through the CSUSB College of Business and Public Administration, while professionals can register for the Defining the Future Conference. The value is direct access to a local talent pipeline and a forum to shape the region's tech future. As local leader Kathy Bodor - recipient of the CSUSB Top Female Entrepreneur Award - noted on social media, her success was built on "persistence, self-taught expertise, and an unwavering belief" in rebuilding local industry through tech, a mindset actively cultivated here.

Esri Women in GIS Awards and Geodesign Summit

For women specializing in geospatial technology, data science, and mapping, Esri's headquarters in Redlands represents more than a major local employer - it's a global epicenter of innovation. The company actively champions women through its Women in GIS Awards and Scholarship Program for 2026, providing both professional recognition and financial support for advanced study in this niche field.

Furthermore, its campus hosts the Geodesign Summit from April 14-16, 2026, a premier event that attracts international experts to discuss designing future cities and systems with spatial technology. For women in the Inland Empire, this offers unparalleled access to global thought leadership without leaving the region, exemplifying the unique advantage of building a career here among world-leading tech communities.

Engagement is direct: professionals can apply for the Women in GIS Awards and Scholarships and register for the 2026 Geodesign Summit in Redlands. This represents the kind of specialized, high-impact opportunity that defines the IE's tech landscape. As noted in industry analysis, resources in 2026 are moving beyond simple networking toward "actionable acceleration," and Esri’s programs deliver exactly that - a clear pathway to expertise and leadership in a critical, locally-anchored technology sector.

Inland Empire Women in Tech Network

In a region defined by its geographic spread - from the warehouse districts of Ontario to the medical campus of Loma Linda - the Inland Empire Women in Tech (IEWIT) Network acts as essential connective tissue. This regional hub focuses on linking tech professionals across San Bernardino and Riverside counties, transforming the area's vastness from a barrier into a strength through hyper-local relevance.

The network facilitates candid discussions and resource sharing, moving beyond generic networking to build the authentic, personal connections crucial for career growth. Participants often highlight the value of "personal stories" in these forums for shaping the next generation of local STEM innovators. This focus on lived experience bridges the unique gap between logistics tech, healthcare IT, and public sector innovation that defines the IE's diverse economy.

Getting involved means engaging with events listed on regional platforms and through the Inland Empire's Business, Education & Workforce Journal. The value is a community that directly understands the local landscape. For those building foundational skills, affordable, local upskilling through providers like Nucamp - with bootcamps starting at $2,124 - can be a powerful first step before diving into this professional network, creating a complete on-ramp from education to community.

Kaiser Permanente Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives

As a healthcare giant and top Inland Empire employer, Kaiser Permanente’s internal diversity and inclusion initiatives represent a masterclass in structured corporate support for women in tech-adjacent fields. With women comprising 74% of its workforce and consistent placement on the Fair360 Top 50 Hall of Fame for diversity, its programs are deeply embedded in the organizational culture.

For women specializing in health informatics, data analytics, and software development for healthcare systems, this creates a prime local destination with clear career ladders. The company’s commitment is visibly championed, as seen in a social media post stating, "Women make up 74% of our workforce, and their leadership is vital." This mission-driven environment provides significant stability in a dynamic job market.

Getting involved means pursuing tech roles within Kaiser Permanente and actively participating in its internal employee resource groups (ERGs). The member value is profound: you gain access to a proven, large-scale framework for advancement and leadership development. This, combined with the Inland Empire's lower cost of living compared to coastal academic medical centers, offers a compelling blend of career growth and quality of life, turning a major employer's commitment into a personal career advantage.

Girls Who Code San Bernardino Chapters

Building the tech pipeline early is critical, and Girls Who Code provides that foundational on-ramp right here in San Bernardino. The organization maintains active clubs for grades 3-12 at schools and libraries across the county, having reached over 760,000 students nationwide by 2025. For high school and college-aged students, the virtual Fall Pathways Program offers flexible, asynchronous learning in web development, data science, and cybersecurity.

This program is specifically designed for accessibility, featuring project-based learning that allows participants to build community and connect with corporate sponsors at their own pace. As highlighted in their program FAQs, it creates "opportunities to build community through live events and interact with corporate sponsors," providing real-world exposure alongside technical skills.

Getting involved is straightforward: students and volunteers can find local clubs or apply for the Fall Pathways Program online. The value is barrier-free, early access to coding education and a supportive peer network that demystifies tech careers. Success stories are powerful testaments; one local participant, Jamila, used these resources to build a community app and eventually transition into a Product Manager role at a major fintech company. This showcases a direct, achievable pathway from a local club to a thriving career, turning early curiosity into professional momentum.

AnitaB.org Virtual Career Fair and Grace Hopper Celebration

While not based in the Inland Empire, the resources of AnitaB.org are indispensable for women in tech everywhere, providing a vital bridge to the national and global stage. Its Virtual Career Fair serves as a direct pipeline to opportunities with major tech companies, effectively mitigating the geographic isolation that can sometimes be felt in regional markets.

The pinnacle event is the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), with the 25th anniversary themed "Unbound" taking place in Chicago. For women building careers in San Bernardino, these virtual and national resources are an express lane to the broader industry, offering recruitment access and inspiration that fuels local ambition. As highlighted on their blog, the event is dedicated to "empowering the future of tech and bridging the gender gap."

Getting involved starts with becoming an AnitaB.org member to access the virtual fair and exploring scholarships to attend GHC. This aligns with the growing trend of virtual-first global summits, like the Women in Tech Global Conference 2026, that make high-level networking and learning accessible from anywhere. The value is clear: it allows you to scale your professional network far beyond the IE, gaining context, opportunity, and community that enriches your local career path with a global perspective.

San Bernardino County IT Department Recruitment

The County of San Bernardino represents a massive and often-overlooked segment of the Inland Empire's tech employer base. Its Innovation and Technology Department (ITD) is a growing hub for civic tech talent, frequently recruiting for critical roles like Senior Software Developer and IT Special Projects Manager. For women interested in making a direct impact on local government services - from public health data systems to logistics for county operations - this offers a stable, mission-driven career path.

These positions come with competitive Inland Empire salaries and benefits, and the public sector recruitment cycles are clearly defined, with multiple application periods ending in March 2026. This structured hiring process provides transparency and clear timelines for job seekers navigating the market.

Getting involved requires monitoring the San Bernardino County GovernmentJobs portal for active postings. The member value is twofold: meaningful work that serves your immediate community combined with the job security of the public sector. Furthermore, the region's comparatively lower housing and operating costs mean a public sector salary in San Bernardino offers a higher quality of life than it might in coastal Los Angeles, making it a strategically smart place to build a long-term career in civic technology.

SoCal Tech Forum Meetups in Rancho Cucamonga

In a region where professional connections can be fragmented by freeways and distance, the consistent, in-person gatherings hosted by the SoCal Tech Forum are a practical solution. Their monthly meetups and networking breakfasts at FoundrSpace Coworking in Rancho Cucamonga provide a central, reliable hub for the IE's tech community, with events scheduled through May 2026.

This regular cadence is invaluable for building the casual, repeated interactions that often lead to job referrals, collaborations on local projects, and a genuine sense of belonging. It directly addresses the common hurdle of "not knowing anyone in tech here" by creating a low-commitment, high-frequency opportunity to show up and connect.

Getting involved is as simple as finding and RSVPing to upcoming events on platforms like Eventbrite. The value is clear: proximity is power. By establishing a regular presence at a central Inland Empire location, you transform the region's sprawl from a networking challenge into an advantage, leveraging the area's lower operating costs and accessible communities to build a robust professional network close to home.

Loma Linda University Health Biomedical Tech Outreach

Recognized by Forbes as a top employer in California, Loma Linda University Health represents a world-class institution at the forefront of medical technology and research, right in the heart of the Inland Empire. The organization maintains a 75% gender balance and runs specific outreach programs designed to diversify its biomedical and technology workforce, creating unique opportunities at the intersection of data, tech, and healthcare.

For women interested in clinical informatics, research IT, and systems analysis, LLUH offers a mission-driven environment that prioritizes both innovation and community health. This commitment is underscored by their internal advocacy, as noted by the Institute for Health Policy and Leadership, which highlights the strategic "bonus in a diverse healthcare workforce."

Getting involved means exploring tech roles within LLUH and participating in their university-led outreach and networking events. The member value is multifaceted: you gain access to pioneering biomedical work within an acclaimed institution while enjoying the significant economic advantage of the Inland Empire. The lower cost of living compared to coastal academic medical centers allows for a richer professional and personal life, making this a strategic career destination for women in health tech.

Black Girls Code & Latinas in Tech IE Chapters

In a region as diverse as San Bernardino, demographic-specific chapters are vital for creating truly inclusive access to the tech industry. Groups like Black Girls Code and Latinas in Tech operate Inland Empire chapters dedicated to unlocking opportunities for what they describe as "talented engineers overlooked by larger platforms." They achieve this through local workshops, hackathons, and career fairs tailored to their communities.

These organizations move beyond general networking to provide culturally relevant mentorship, visibility, and targeted career advocacy. They ensure the growing tech tide in the IE lifts all boats by addressing unique cultural and professional challenges, fostering a critical sense of belonging that is often missing from broader tech spaces.

Getting involved means connecting through their national websites to locate Inland Empire chapter events and volunteer opportunities. The value is a powerful, supportive collective voice and support system. This community-focused approach aligns with other accessible pathways in the region, such as affordable upskilling through bootcamps like Nucamp (with programs from $2,124), creating multiple on-ramps that ensure women of color have the resources and network to thrive in the local tech scene.

Chart Your Course in San Bernardino Tech

The journey through San Bernardino’s tech landscape no longer requires navigating without a map. Each resource highlighted - from the corporate campuses of Esri and Kaiser Permanente to the civic tech offices of the County and the startup hubs in Ontario - serves as a clearly marked on-ramp, tailored to different destinations within the same thriving ecosystem.

The unique advantage of building your career here is the powerful blend of accessible community, major employer investment, and the space to build a rich professional life without the coastal cost. Whether your path begins with foundational skills from an affordable local bootcamp like Nucamp's AI Essentials (starting at $3,582) or through direct mentorship at a world-class institution like LLUH, the Inland Empire provides multiple, viable entry points.

In 2026, the path is paved. These groups transform the region's geographic sprawl from a challenge into your strategic advantage, offering the networks and opportunities to accelerate your career while enjoying the economic benefits of the IE. Your community, and your next exit, is waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions