[Connect / Innovate / Lead / GIVE BACK]
be part of history
At the IPN Summit, discover how to launch your career, scale your business, and accelerate your journey alongside top Ismaili leaders from around the world shaping the future.
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When?
JANUARY 02-04, 2026
Thousands of Professionals.
1 HISTORIC VENUE.
COUNTLESS POSSIBILITIES.
1 HISTORIC VENUE.
COUNTLESS POSSIBILITIES.
WHERE?
Ismaili Center
Houston, TX
Houston, TX
The IPN Summit is designed for individuals at every stage of their career, from students and recent graduates to entrepreneurs to C-suite executives. Wherever you are in your professional journey, this event provides the connections, inspiration, and tools to help you take the next step.
From emerging trends to industry-shaping insights, summit offers a rich selection of sessions designed to inspire, inform, and connect. With multiple specialized tracks, there’s something for every professional—no matter your background, goals, or area of expertise.
Panel Discussion
Women in Tech: Challenges and the Path Forward
Hear from women leaders on breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations in tech.
Presentation
Run Baby Run
Think you’ve got what it takes to lead from the front? This session breaks down how anyone with passion and grit can launch a successful campaign for elected office.
Presentation
Reframing Allyship and Solidarity: How We Shift To Deepen Our Connections
Explore transformative approaches to allyship that build authentic, lasting solidarity across diverse communities.
Panel Discussion
How to Create or Transform Your Company Culture
Unlock the secrets to designing a vibrant, inclusive culture that attracts talent and fuels innovation.
Panel Discussion
Fast-Track to the Buy-Side
Mapping the journey from investment banking to PE, VC, and hedge funds.
Panel Discussion
Pivot with Purpose
Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to assess, prepare for, and confidently navigate a transition into a new role or industry by identifying transferable skills, reframing their experience, and building a strategic action plan.
Panel Discussion
Beyond Business Cards: Networking that Works
Participants will learn how to nurture and sustain professional relationships built through networking, and how to leverage them for mutual growth and opportunity. Key takeaways: 1) how to leverage your existing network / partnerships 2) how to actually network / how to reach out to people without spamming them 3) how to understand how to read / shortlist people
Networking
Marketing Networking Event
Connect with fellow marketers, founders, and professionals in an interactive networking hour designed to spark collaboration, share ideas, and build lasting industry relationships.
Keynote
Sales-Driven Growth Incentives
Sales incentives and compensation design are often overlooked, yet they are powerful levers for driving growth. In this expert-led talk, Salima Mawani, Sr. Director of Global GTN at Salesforce, shares how well-structured incentive systems motivate teams, align strategy, and unlock sustained revenue impact.
Round Table
Technologies in Healthcare - A Human Centered Approach
This session will explore the principles of human-centered AI and its growing role in tackling today’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Participants will examine key ethical considerations, including strategies for ensuring equity, transparency, and patient trust in AI-driven systems. Through real-world examples, the discussion will highlight how human-centered AI can be thoughtfully integrated into clinical workflows to enhance patient experiences while also supporting provider well-being.
Panel Discussion
Beyond the Bottom Line
Discover how private sector pros are redefining success by diving into nonprofits, elections, and civic boards—unlocking new ways to create impact that money can’t measure.
Panel Discussion
Bootstrap, Borrow, or Blow Up: How Founders Really Fund Their First Year
live, podcast-style panel featuring founders who have taken very different paths to fund their first year, from personal credit and SBA loans to accelerators, and venture capital. We’ll unpack the real-world fundraising stories, trade-offs, and lessons learned that aren’t often shared on stage. The session will include a 40-minute moderated panel discussion, live audience Q&A, and optional networking before or after
Panel Discussion
From Idea to Pre-Seed $$$$
This will be a 90-minute session during which founders will learn how to craft a clear, compelling pitch and navigate the pre-seed fundraising process. We’ll open with a 30-minute talk by Aliya Lakhani from Precursor Ventures covering what early stage investors look for, how to shape your story, and how to prepare for meetings. Next, we’ll host two engaging 30-minute panels: Investor Panel: Hear directly from VCs about how they evaluate teams, markets, and opportunities in today’s pre-seed environment. Founder Panel: Learn from entrepreneurs who recently raised their rounds on what worked, what didn’t, and how they turned “no’s” into “yes’s.
Presentation
Frontiers of Tech - AI Foundation Models
This session explores the transformative power of large-scale AI foundation models—versatile systems trained on massive datasets that serve as the backbone for a wide range of applications across industries.
Panel Discussion
Women in High Leadership Roles
Women leaders share experiences of rising into senior roles in tech and business, including challenges faced and strategies that helped.
Round Table
AI for Societal Good
Join Rumi Chunara and Nabeel Gillani on topics such as how to use AI for good, build equity in society, and discuss what skills do we need to break into this technological advance
Featured Experiences
Brain Dates
Connect one-on-one or in small groups for focused, peer-to-peer conversations around topics that matter most to you.
CEO Roundtables
Exclusive, closed-door sessions for C-suite leaders to exchange insights, tackle challenges, and shape the future together.
Ismaili Center Tours
Experience guided tours of the Ismaili Center, exploring its unique architecture, cultural heritage, and community significance.
Resume Workshops
Get personalized guidance from career coaches and industry professionals to refine your resume, highlight your strengths, and stand out to employers.
Singles Event
Connect with like-minded Ismailis in a relaxed setting designed to spark meaningful conversations and new relationships.
Tech Hackathons
Put your skills to the test in a fast-paced, collaborative challenge designed to solve real-world problems with impact.
Airfare ✈️
Airports
We recommend flying into either George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
Friday Arrivals
Complimentary shuttles will run from both airports to the Summit venue every hour throughout the day.
- If you’re attending sessions such as the College Student Bootcamp or AI Bootcamp, we recommend booking a flight that lands before 11:00 AM CT on Friday to give you enough time to check in and settle before sessions begin.
Sunday Departures
Shuttles will run hourly back to both airports. For the smoothest experience, we recommend scheduling your return flights for 6:00 PM CT or later on Sunday as programming wraps up at 5:00 PM.
Hotel 🏨
We’ve secured a room block at Tru by Hilton for Summit attendees, with additional partner hotels available nearby.
Booking details, rates, and reservation links will be shared shortly.
Stay tuned for updates—and get ready for an energizing and impactful weekend!
This isn’t just a conference, it’s a defining moment for Ismaili Professionals around the world. Whether you're a student exploring your path, a young professional building your career, a founder scaling your business, or an executive shaping your industry, this Summit is designed for you.
You'll connect with Ismailis across industries, generations, and continents; making this an unmatched opportunity to expand your network and build meaningful relationships. Through powerful keynotes, hands-on sessions, and curated experiences, you’ll gain real-world insights, mentorship, and strategies to grow your career or business. With a cross-industry lens, you'll hear from innovators, creatives, operators, and changemakers: all under one roof.
[FAQ]
Questions Answered
Is financial assistance available?
Financial assistance is available for the cost of the program fee, travel and accommodations. Please email ipnsummit@ipnonline.net with any questions or to inquire about financial aid options.
When and where will the IPN Summit take place?
IPN Summit will take place in Houston, Texas from January 2 - 4, 2026 at The Ismaili Center Houston.
Is there a dress code for the event?
The dress code is business professional. We encourage attendees to dress with confidence and professionalism, as first impressions are essential.
Can I volunteer during the summit?
We’d love your support! Volunteer opportunities will be announced soon; stay tuned for more details.
Can I apply or nominate someone to speak at the summit?
Yes! We welcome speaker applications and nominations from individuals with relevant experience or insights. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, please email us at ipnsummit@ipnonline.net.
Is the event in-person or virtual?
IPN Summit will be held in-person in Houston. Virtual attendance will not be available.
How do I register, what’s included, and are there student discounts?
You can register online at IPNonline.net or by clicking the “Get A Ticket” button on this site. All ticket levels include meals, transportation, and access to keynotes, plenaries, and networking events. Discounted rates are available for college students, visit IPNonline.net for full details.
When should I arrive in Houston?
We recommend arriving at least one day before the Summit begins to allow time for check-in and any pre-event or welcome activities.
Will there be parking or hotel options available?
Yes. Paid parking and discounted hotel rates will be available for attendees. More details, including booking links and travel information, will be posted soon.
What is the refund policy?
Full refunds are available within 15 days of your ticket purchase. No partial refunds will be issued. For requests, please email ipnsummit@ipnonline.net.
