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About Us

The Innovation Equity Forum (IEF) was launched in 2023 through a partnership between the Gates Foundation and the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health. It was created to confront a long-standing gap: the underinvestment and underrepresentation in women’s health research and development (R&D).

The IEF brings together a global community of over 250 stakeholders committed to advancing women’s health.

Our membership includes philanthropists, venture capitalists, biopharmaceutical companies, women’s health startups, regulators, researchers, and patient advocates. Together, this diverse group is committed to advancing a more equitable, coordinated, and innovation-driven ecosystem for women’s health R&D.

The IEF was established to

Convene

key global players and decision-makers in women’s health innovation

Mobilize

transformational efforts through a shared understanding of critical R&D priorities

Catalyze

cross-sector, multinational partnerships that overcome structural barriers and drive progress

In 2023, the IEF published the Opportunity Map, a foundational resource to identify gaps, align priorities, and build momentum for transformative action in women’s health R&D.

Since then, the Forum has met regularly to strengthen accountability and impact, launching a 2024 Progress Report to track advancements across the ecosystem and forming dedicated working groups to translate insights into impact. The Innovation Equity Forum is building a movement to elevate women’s health as a global innovation priority.

Our Members

Explore the organizations who are members of the Innovation Equity Forum below.

    Abbey Kocan

    Bay Area Global Health Alliance

    Deputy Director

    NGOs & Nonprofits

    Alyson McGregor

    University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville

    Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Development

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Amanda Cordova-Gomez, PhD

    Independent Consultant

    Consulting and Professional Organizations

    Amanda Shea

    Clue by Biowink GmbH

    Fractional Chief Science Officer

    Startups & Innovators

    Amanda Shea, PhD

    Clue by BioWink GmbH

    Fractional Chief Science Officer

    Startups & Innovators

    Amira Kebir, PhD

    University of Tunis

    Associate Professor

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Andrew Storey

    Impact Nexus Africa

    Director, Strategy and Partnerships

    NGOs & Nonprofits

    Anita Gupta, DO, MPP, PharmD, FASA

    John’s Hopkins School of Medicine

    Anesthesiologist, Pain Physician

    Multilateral

    Anna Bode

    Kearney

    Principal

    Consulting and Professional Organizations

    Ashley Ward, PhD

    Duke University

    Director, Heat Policy Innovation Hub

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Bethanie Thomas

    Camber Collective

    Partner

    Consulting and Professional Organizations

    Birikty Hagos

    Ministry of Health

    Reproductive, Family Planning and Adolescent Health Advisor

    Government & Public Sector

IEF membership is maintained at the individual level and members act as individuals, not as organizations. Representation on this list is illustrative of the kinds of organizations represented but does not necessarily imply official engagement.
Get Involved
We invite you to join us in this growing movement—to help shape the future of women’s health R&D, unlock new funding, strengthen advocacy, and accelerate the development of bold, equitable solutions.

The Women’s Health Opportunity Map is just the beginning. It serves as a launchpad for deeper collaboration, shared advocacy, and increased investment in women’s health innovation.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a Forum member or simply staying informed, we welcome your ideas, expertise, and energy. Let us know how you’d like to engage with the IEF.

Get Involved
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