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.
Ms. Mansharan Seth
William J. Clinton Foundation
Director, Reproductive Maternal and Neonatal Health
Nada O. Hanafi, MSC. MPH
MedTech Strategy Advisors, LLC; Womens Health Advocates
Founder & Manager
NAKOUNE-YANDOKO Emmanuel
Institut Pasteur in Bangui, Central African Republic
Directeur General
Nazneen Damji
UN Women
Senior Policy Advisor, Gender Equality, Health, and HIV
Nicole Ertl
The University of Queensland
Research Fellow
Nigina Muntean
United Nations Population Fund
Chief, Innovation and Transformation Branch
Nirali Chakraborty, PhD
Metrics for Management
CEO
Nkem Chukwueme
Health Maxima
Managing Partner & CTO
Oriana Kraft
FemTechnology
CEO
Ozioma Uzodinma
The Synergist
Program Manager
Pauline Byakika-Kibwika
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Vice Chancellor
Peter Pacult, MBA
Avana Health
CEO and Co-Founder
Contribute to quarterly meetings, connect with others across the field, propose ideas for action and collaborate with others across the ecosystem to move them forward, and share work that is advancing progress.
