Innovation Night

Martha holds a doctorate from Harvard University in Applied Mathematics (Computer Science) and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Smith College. She was the recipient of an Athena “Pinnacle Award” for Technology, a “Women Who Mean Business” award, recognition as an American Heart Association “Legendary Woman of the Heart,” recognition as a “Woman of Dedication” from the Salvation Army, a “Cool Woman” award from the Girl Scouts and a Founder’s Medal from the UC San Diego Rady School of Management. She is also a member of Sigma Xi, the San Diego Rotary Club 33, the Wednesday Club and the International Women’s Forum (The Trusteeship).

Currently, Martha is Principal at Gordion Knot, an advisory firm to emerging technology business in San Diego, and serves as a Director of Mundoval (NASDAQ: MUNDX). Formerly she was a Venture Partner with Windward Ventures, a firm that invested in early-stage Southern California technology companies. Previously, Martha was Co-founder and President and CEO of WaveWare Communications, Inc., which sold software for wireless handheld connectivity. Prior to that, Martha co-founded Pacific Communications Sciences, Inc., a San Diego wireless communications equipment company that was acquired by Cirrus Logic. Earlier, Martha led software development at Linkabit Corp. as Assistant Vice President. She served as Chairman of the Board of Netsapiens, Inc. which was acquired by Crexendo in June 2021. In addition, she served as Director of SpaceMicro which was acquired by Voyager Space Holdings in December 2021.

Martha and her husband, Dr. Edward Dennis, are active philanthropists in San Diego and have each demonstrated exceptional civic and charitable leadership through their ever-growing service, dedication and ability to inspire others to engage deeply with the organizations they support. They have been supporters of La Jolla Playhouse, where Ed has been involved in Board Leadership for more than three decades. Martha has been Chair or President of several boards and commissions including La Jolla Music Society, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the Bishop’s School, The Charter One Hundred, Athena, the City of San Diego Science & Technology Commission, the San Diego Telecommunications Industry Association and the Dean’s Council of Advisors of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. She is currently on the Board of Directors at the San Diego Symphony. She is also an Emerita Board Member of Harvey Mudd College, of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and of inewsource. In addition, she has been a trustee of the Tech Coast Angels, the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Foundation, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and the YMCA of San Diego County. She has been on the Advisory Board of CALIT2 and a member of Chairmen’s RoundTable.