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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.

    Ashley Ward, PhD

    Duke University

    Director, Heat Policy Innovation Hub

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Bethanie Thomas

    Camber Collective

    Partner

    Consulting and Professional Organizations

    Bianca Serio

    Live UTI Free

    Patient Advocacy Specialist

    Advocacy Group

    Birikty Hagos

    Ministry of Health

    Reproductive, Family Planning and Adolescent Health Advisor

    Government & Public Sector

    Bishakha Mona, PhD

    Science Philanthropy Alliance

    Foundation/Philanthropy

    Brittany Barreto, PhD

    FemHealth Insights, FemTech Focus

    FemTech Consultant, Speaker, Author

    Consulting and Professional Organizations

    Catherine Kyobutungi

    African Population and Health Research Center

    Executive Director

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Christian Tidona

    BioMed X AG

    CEO

    Incubators & Innovation Hubs

    Christina Holloway

    UraSure

    Founder & CEO

    MedTech Companies

    Christine Hepburn

    Reprobiogen

    National Business and Marketing Manager

    Biotech Companies

    CINTIA CEJAS, MSc

    INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS AND HEALTH POLICY

    COORDINATOR IN THE CENTER FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND INNOVATION IN HEALTH POLICIES

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Claire Zhang

    Decheng Capital

    VC Investor

    Venture Capital (VC) & Private Equity

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.
Join the IEF
Join the IEF community to learn, connect, contribute, and champion progress in women’s health innovation.

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. 

Join the IEF
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