KIM AZZARELLI, JD
MIT Media Lab Director’s Fellow & Founder of Seneca Women
Kim Azzarelli is a powerful leaders and advocate for women’s advancement. She holds degrees from Cornell University and Cornell Law School. Azarelli is the co-founder of Seneca Women, a global leadership platform accelerating women and girls through events and partnership. She has also served as Chair of Cornell Law School’s Advisory Council and is the co-author of Fast Forward: How Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose.
With a corporate, law, and philanthropy background, Kim has held a wide variety of leadership roles at companies like NewsWeek, Goldman Sachs and Avon, where she worked on initiatives to empower women globally. Azzarelli is a nationally recognized leader in gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
ANGELA BELCHER, PHD
James Mason Crafts Professor of Biological Engineering, MIT
Dr. Angela Belcher is the MIT James Mason Crafts Professor of Biological Engineering, Materials Science and the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. She completed her B.S. in Creative Studies and Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry at UCSB. Belcher worked at University of Texas at Austin until 2002, when she joined the MIT team. From 2019 to 2023 she was head of the MIT Biological Engineering Department.
She now performs extensive research on biomaterials and nano-structures with MIT Biological Engineering. Dr. Belcher led an influential women’s cancer initiative at MIT to improve screening and diagnosis with an array of innovative technologies.
SANGEETA BHATIA, PHD, MS
John J and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology and of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Director, Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Biomedical Engineer, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Department of Medicine
Dr. Sangeeta Bhatia received her BS from Brown University, MS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Harvard Medical School. After completing her degrees, she held a tenured position at UCSD, and launched multiple biotechnology companies to improve the health of humans.
She is a renowned professor at MIT in the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) and the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES). Dr. Bhatia received the Lemelson-MIT Prize (The Oscar for Inventors) and the Heinz Medal for trailblazing intentions and advocacy for women in STEM. She is a renowned biomedical engineer, professor, and entrepreneur known for her pioneering work in nanotechnology tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, addressing complex human health challenges like cancer, infections, and liver disease.
SUSAN BLUMENTHAL, MD, MPA
Former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General; First Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health, Rear Admiral, USPHS (ret.); Clinical Professor, Tufts and Georgetown University Schools of Medicine
Dr. Blumenthal has served for over 20 years as a lead Federal health official, in the administrations of four U.S. Presidents. She served as the country’s first Deputy Assistant for Women’s Health, was the Assistant Surgeon General of the United States and a Senior Global Health Advisor at HHS. Dr. Blumenthal was the Chief of the Basic Prevention and Behavioral Medicine Research Branch and Head of the Suicide Research United at the NIH.
She is well known for her extensive work exposing women’s health inequities and driving innovative initiatives to advance the health of women. She is a strong advocate for accelerating research on sex differences, and moving women’s health to the top of the United States’ healthcare agenda. Dr. Blumenthal has also focused on several other global health initiatives, including pandemic responses, violence, obesity, and HIV/AIDS. She is a true pioneer in the government, using information technology to solve pressing health issues across the globe.
CANAN DAGDEVIREN, PHD
Associate Professor, MIT Media Lab, LG Career Development Professor of Media Arts and Sciences
Canan Dagdeviren received her PhD in materials science and engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she researched multi-functional cardiac vessel stents, wearable blood pressure sensors and stretchable skin sensing bio-patches. Her postdoctoral research was completed at MIT David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research to create brain injectrode to deliver drugs on demand and electrically modulate neural activity for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Dr. Dagdeviren joined MIT in 2017 to lead the Conformable Decoders research group at MIT Media Lab. The group creates mechanically adaptive electromechanical systems for energy harvesting, sensing and actuation to form beneficial signals. Her groundbreaking work includes the development of a wearable ultrasound breast patch—a non-invasive, portable device enabling continuous breast tissue monitoring, vital for early detection and a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer.
JESSICA FEDERER
Strategic Advisor to The WHAM Investment Collaborative; Chair NYSE Health of Women Investor Summit; Former Bayer Chief Digital Officer
Jessica Federer is a global leader in digital health and biotechnology. She serves on both publicly listed and private company boards, including Sage Therapeutics and Aspivix in women’s health. She is a board member of Angelini Ventures, which also invests in women’s health. Previously, Jessica was the Chief Digital Officer for Bayer AG, and held leadership roles across the global life sciences company.
She sits on the Yale Ventures Blavatnik board and Yale IRB, and chairs the NYSE Women’s Health Investor Summit, convening diverse investors to accelerate progress. She recently received the Rock Health “Icon” award for using technology to advance equity and impact. Federer is a well-known leader at the intersection of investment, technology and life sciences.
RACHEL FIELD, PHD
Senior Associate, Engine Ventures; Co-Founder, Sensory Cloud
Dr. Rachel Field completed her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University and an SB in Mechanical Engineering from Harvard University. Field co-founded Sensory Cloud, an influential company pioneering discoveries on respiratory therapies and controlled olfactory signal delivery.
She now works as a Senior Associate for Engine Ventures, a venture firm investing in early stage startups to facilitate breakthroughs in science and engineering. Dr. Field provides unique perspectives from both the founder side and the investor side of health business and innovation. With her strong background in entrepreneurship and venture capital, she is dedicated to fueling innovation and helping early stage startups grow across the technology and consumer sectors.
ANGELIKA FRETZEN, PHD, MBA
Technology Translation Director & Chief Operating Officer, Wyss Institute, Harvard University
Dr. Angelika Fretzen serves as Chief Operating Officer and Technology Translation Director at the Wyss Institute, where in 2022 she founded the Women’s Health Catalyst to innovate approaches for studying female biology. In 2024, she received the Joseph B. Martin Dean’s Leadership Award for the Advancement of Women’s Careers at Harvard Medical School. Before joining Wyss, Angelika spent two decades in the pharmaceutical industry, including leading the pharmaceutical development of Linzess™ at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. She also served on the Board of Bridgewell, an important human service organization in Massachusetts. A chemist by training, Angelika completed her undergraduate studies in Germany, earned her PhD in Switzerland, and conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard. She holds an MBA from Suffolk University and was named one of Mass High Tech’s “Women to Watch” in 2013.
Angelika has a deep understanding of disease research and technology development relating to conditions primarily affecting women. Her work has outstanding potential to create transformative change in the health of women.
PAULA HAMMOND, PHD
Institute Professor and the Vice Provost for Faculty at MIT
Paula Hammond received her B.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT, and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech. She is now the head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Institute Professor at MIT, and a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. She performs groundbreaking research using electrostatics and self-assembly polymers to create drug delivery systems. She is also a board member and co-founder of LayerBio, INc., advising partner of Catalio Nexus Ventures, a member of the Boar of Alector, Inc., the scientific advisory board of Camden Partners LLC, and the boards of Focal Medical and Senda Biosciences. Dr. Hammond serves on nonprofit boards for Burroughs-Wellcome Fund and the MIT Engine.
Dr. Hammond has received a multitude of honors throughout her prestigious scientific career, including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Margaret H. Rousseau Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement by a Woman Chemical Engineer. She was elected into the National Academy of Science, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine and the Class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
CHRISTINA ISACSON, PHD
Partner, Lightstone Ventures
Dr. Christina Isacson is a prominent leader in health and technology, and is well known for her expertise driving innovation and leading impactful strategic business initiatives. She received her B.S. in Biology and Business from McGill University and her PhD in neuroscience from Tufts University. Christina was a founding team member and CBO at Magenta Therapeutics, principal at Third Rock Ventures, held operational roles at Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and held venture roles with BU’s Technology Development Fund and Accelerator Corp (Fund I).
Christina uses her science background as a fundamental component to her 20 year career in the business sector. She is now a partner at Lightstone Ventures, where she focuses on investments in the biopharmaceutical industry. Christina is dedicated to advancing healthcare quality by leveraging technology to transform the landscape.
KETKI KARANAM, PHD, MS
Vice President Ventures, Translational Sciences, UPMC Enterprises
Dr. Ketki Karanam has over 10 years of experience in life sciences investing and entrepreneurial roles. She completed her PhD in the Department of Systems Biology at Harvard University and her MS at the Indian Institute of Science in Biological Sciences (Molecular Biophysics). Her scientific research has focused on immunology, digital health and genomics.
Ketki has held several leadership and operational roles in health and health-tech, including holding a position as Vice President on the venture innovation team at PureTech Health, General Manager of Europe’s venture accelerator program Gold Track, and Vice President of Discovery Portfolio Strategy and Operations. Her extensive experience in venture creation and biology earned the 40 Under 40 Healthcare Innovation Award in 2016.
VANESSA KIRSCH
Founder-in-Residence & Senior Partner, New Profit; Director’s Circle, MIT Media Lab
Vanessa Kirsch is a powerful social entrepreneur. She founded New Profit, a venture philanthropy fund with a mission to promote new generations of social entrepreneurs promoting education, democracy and economic mobility. Vanessa is now a Founder-in-Residence and board member of the venture. Earlier in her career, Vanessa launched Public Allies, a national youth service and leadership organization fighting for diversity and equity.
Vanessa is also a board member for Beloved Community Center and Libertarian Venture, focusing on justice and reconciliation. She also serves on the board of advisors of Tisch College of Civic Life and has joined MIT Media Lab’s Director’s Circle. Vanessa has been honored several times for her impactful work, including being chosen by The NonProfit Times “Power and Influence Top 50” list, and for Boston Magazine’s “Most Powerful Boston Philanthropists.”
CAROLEE LEE
CEO and Founder, Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM)
Carolee Lee, a visionary entrepreneur and global health leader, is the founder and CEO of WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters). Renowned for her innovative approach to advancing women’s health worldwide, Lee was named to TIME100’s Most Influential People in Global Health.
Founded in 2020, WHAM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revolutionizing women’s lives and the global economy through increased awareness and funding for women’s health. Led by a board of 25 influential businesswomen, WHAM commissioned the RAND Corporation to produce The WHAM Reports, groundbreaking studies quantifying the substantial economic benefits of investing in women’s health research.
Prior to her transformative work in women’s health, Lee was the founder and CEO of Carolee Designs, a globally recognized brand acquired by Luxottica. Her leadership extends beyond the business world. She has served on numerous high-profile boards, including The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, DSW, and the Museum of Arts and Design. Currently, Lee is a board member of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, The Women’s Health Advisory Board at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and The Women’s Leadership Board at The John F. Kennedy School of Government.
DAVA NEWMAN, PHD
Director, MIT Media Lab; Apollo Professor of Astronautics
Dr. Dava Newman, Director of the MIT Media Lab and former NASA Deputy Administrator, is a true pioneer in science and technology. She holds the Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics chair at MIT, is the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology faculty member, and has been a faculty leader in Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT’s School of Engineering for 29 years. Dr. Newman is known for her groundbreaking work at NASA, where she developed the visionary Human Journey to Mars plan, and for her innovations in wearable tech such as the BioSuit™.
She is driving revolutionary advancements that are reshaping the future of healthcare. Her leadership at the Media Lab continues to push boundaries in AI, biomedical engineering, and beyond, making her the perfect guide for exploring the intersection of research, innovation, and women’s health.
ERICA OLLMANN SAPHIRE, PHD, MBA
Professor, President & Chief Executive Officer, La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Erica Ollmann Saphire, PhD, MBA, is the President and CEO, as well as a professor at La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Throughout her career, Dr. Saphire had her sights firmly trained on research areas with the greatest global scientific and public health impact. She has spearheaded several international multidisciplinary consortia that successfully addressed the urgent need for effective vaccines and antibody therapeutics against viral threats such as COVID-19, Ebola, and Lassa. Recognizing the need to close the research gap in women’s health, Dr. Saphire recently launched an institute-wide initiative to uncover sex-based differences in the immune system and how these foundational differences can be applied to improve the lives of both women and men. Among many other awards and honors, Dr. Saphire’s work has been recognized at the White House with the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering.
KIM SLATER
Chief of Staff, MIT Media Lab
Kim comes to the Media Lab from Draper, where she led the Innovations division in Commercial and Civil Space Programs. Previously, she was a payload developer for the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where she designed and escorted dozens of experiments aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle and International Space Station. In this role, she also met increasing commercial space demands by expanding customers destined for the International Space Station Low Earth Orbit missions, as well as for sub-orbital and parabolic flight missions.
In addition to a wealth of technical and programmatic experience with space-flight systems, Kim spearheaded a 50-state Science, Technology, Engineering and Match education and Space Station awareness campaign and helped apply Draper technologies to climate, sustainability, and other social impact programs. She received her engineering degree from Tufts University, where she specialized in human-machine interface design.
EDWIDGE THOMAS, DNP
VP of Clinical Solutions, Northwell Holdings; Adjunct Faculty Member, Columbia University School of Nursing; Managing Director, 1804 Third Place, LLC.; Nurse Practitioner, Sun River Health
Dr. Edwidge Thomas is an accomplished healthcare development leader. completed her undergraduate degree at Rutgers University, before going onto received her MSN and DNP from Columbia University School of Nursing. She has previously served patients as the Clinical Lead of Mount Sinai Hospital Performing Provider System and the Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Practice Affairs at NYU College of Nursing.
Dr. Thomas has been a key advisor to major hospitals and universities on preparing the workforce for healthcare delivery challenges. She emphasizes the importance of “triple aim goals” to focus on clinical outcomes, enhancing patient experiences and reducing costs. She now works as a nurse practitioner at Sun River Health, is VP of Clinical Solutions and Northwell Holdings and works as an adjust faculty member at Columbia University School of Nursing.
MISTI USHIO, PHD
Managing Partner, Digitalis Ventures
Misti Ushio has over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and early-stage life science company industries. She completed her B.S. from Johns Hopkins University in Chemical Engineering, and her Ph.D. from University College London in Biochemical Engineering. Dr. Ushio previously held management roles at Merck & Company, developing vaccines and Columbia University, managing science and engineering portfolios.
She was also the former CEO of Tara Biosystems, developing 3D tissue models for drug development and novel heart medicines. Dr. Ushio also served as the Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director of Harris & Harris Group, advising life sciences companies on translating science into business. She has also served as a Director on the boards of public and private life science companies, and in 2018 was named one of Fast Company’s Top 100 Most Creative people in Business. Now, Misti is a Managing Partner at Digitalis Ventures.
CISSY YOUNG, PHD, MBA
Partner, Catalyst Advisors LP
Dr. Cissy Young has a unique set of experiences from scientific training to early stage company formation to high level business strategy and development. She completed her B.A. at Brown University in Biology, Ph.D. from Columbia University in Cancer Biology and MBA from Pennsylvania State University.
After completing her studies, she set off with an entrepreneurial spirit, pitching her biotech company ideas from life sciences inventions. Dr. Young previously worked as the Director of Business Development for TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals, the Director of Strategy and Business Development at Cerulean Pharma, Managing Director at Russell Reynolds Associates and Chief People Officer at Valo Health. Now, as a partner at Catalyst Advisors LP, she combines her rich scientific and business backgrounds to advance health innovation.
KATE ZERNIKE
Investigative Reporter, The New York Times
Kate Zernike is an award-winning journalist and author, working for The New York Times. Zernike graduated from the University of Toronto and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She previously worked as a reporter for The Boston Globe, where she exposed the deep-rooted discrimination faced by female scientists at MIT in her book, The Exceptions. Kate shone light on these remarkable women who have redefined what’s possible in science and health.
Kate has a rare gift for uncovering the untold stories behind scientific breakthroughs. She has been a trailblazing New York Times investigative reporter since 2000 and won a Pulitzer Prize for her group’s work on al-Qaeda before and after the 9/11 attacks.