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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.

    Jamie White

    iHS Strategies, LLC

    Founder and CEO

    Consulting and Professional Organizations

    Jeff June

    MedTech Innovator, Enterprise Singapore, American Heart Association, REALIZE @ University Lab Partners, I-CREATE (BARDA), Gener8tor, Matter Health, NSF, Gates Foundation (IEF commitee).

    CEO, Healthcare Investor, Accelerator Supporter, Ecosystem Citizen

    Incubators & Innovation Hubs

    Jeffrey G. June

    CEO, Director of Innovation, AI Product Lead, Investor

    Venture Capital (VC) & Private Equity

    Jenericah Gichuki

    APHRC

    Program officer

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Jennifer Bright

    ICHOM

    President & CEO

    NGOs & Nonprofits

    Jennifer Wirjosemito

    Director of Research Programs

    MedTech Companies

    Jerin Jose Cherian

    Indian Council of Medical Research

    Medical Scientist

    Government & Public Sector

    Judie Mbogua

    Science For Africa Foundation

    Senior Program OFficer

    NGOs & Nonprofits

    Judy Regensteiner, PhD

    Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado

    Professor of Medicine

    Academia & Research Institutions

    Julie Dethier

    BCG

    Partner

    Consulting and Professional Organizations

    Kanwal L Haq, MS

    TCY Women

    Founder

    NGOs & Nonprofits

    Karla Shepard Rubinger

    Rubinger Associates

    Partner

    Academia & Research Institutions

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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