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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.

    Elaine Nsoesie

    Boston University School of Public Health

    Associate Professor

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Elizabeth (Beth) Garner, MD, MPH

    KNI Women's Health Consultants

    CEO

    Consulting and Professional Organizations

    Elizabeth Garner

    Sena Therapeutics

    CEO

    Biotech Companies

    Elizabeth Long, MPH

    Task Force for Global Health

    Public Health Advisor

    NGOs & Nonprofits

    Elizabeth Onyango

    Global Network of People Living with HIV

    Activist

    Advocacy Group

    Emilia Caro

    Women in Global Health

    Magister

    Advocacy Group

    Emma Hietaniemi

    UNFPA

    Innovation Specialist

    Multilateral

    Emmy Kageha Igonya

    African Population and Health Research Center

    Medican Anthropologist Researcher

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Erica Coppel

    Gates Foundation

    Senior Officer

    Foundation/Philanthropy

    Erika Miller

    CRD Associates

    Partner

    Advocacy Group

    Fatou Wurie

    Youterus Health

    Founder & CEO

    Startups & Innovators

    Félicité Djoukouo

    Association des Acteurs de Développement (ADEV)

    Exécutive Director

    Civil Society or CBO

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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