Celebrate Women's History Month with Women In Bio as our Los Angeles and San Diego chapters come together for an exciting first-ever joint event! Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring trailblazing leaders in women’s health. We'll dive into the groundbreaking advancements in medical care, diagnostics, therapeutics, and investment opportunities that are shaping the future of women’s health. Don't miss out on this chance to gain invaluable insights into how innovation and strategic investment are transforming healthcare and improving outcomes for women nationwide!

Ticket includes appetizers and two drink tickets.

Program

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Check-in & Networking
6:00 p.m. – 6:20 p.m.  Welcome remarks 
6:20 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Panel Discussion
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Networking

Speaker Bios

Kristen Ellefson, Co-Founder & CEO of nurtur

Kristen Ellefson is the Co-Founder and CEO of nurtur, where she is pioneering the use of technology and AI to close critical gaps in maternal healthcare, particularly in the detection and prevention of postpartum depression (PPD). Her mission stems from personal experiences, witnessing close friends struggle with PPD without proper support, which revealed systemic inefficiencies in the current standard of care. Kristen is driven to deliver innovative, AI-powered solutions that provide personalized, scalable care to ensure every woman has access to the support she needs.

Varun Kapoor, MD, MBA, CEO & Co-Founder of Nura Health

Dr. Kapoor is an accomplished healthcare leader and entrepreneur who has leveraged his medical and business experience over 15+ years to help lead multiple organizations in the health technology, medical device, women's health diagnostics, and digital health space. He is the CEO & co-founder of Nura Health, an award-winning women's health diagnostics & precision medicine company focused on developing innovative tests and personalized tools for conditions such as endometriosis, infertility, and genetic disorders impacting quality of life and longevity in women. He is experienced in leading multiple medical device and digital health companies to develop new business units that fuse AI, diagnostics, and virtual care, leading to patient and clinician adoption of digitally enabled medical devices & clinical decision support tools that have positively impacted quality of care and health outcomes. He has a BS in integrative biology, a dual MD and MBA, and received a Cancer Research Training Award from the National Institutes of Health, completing research within the Gene Regulation section of the National Cancer Institute that led to authorship in a major publication on cancer biomarker mechanisms.

Debbie W. Lin, Life Science Investor, Moderator

Dr. Debbie Lin has over 20+ years of business leadership experience in multinational environments, having lived and worked in global executive positions in the US, Europe, and Asia. Debbie’s forte is new business model strategy, business development, venture capital in healthcare and medtech with a focus on scientific product development, value proposition refinement, and market access. As Executive Director for Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Debbie was accountable for digital health investments, board directorship and digital health strategy setting in North America. Previous to her role at the Venture Fund, she was Global Director of Corporate Development where she crafted new business models for healthcare in major global markets. She has also held operational roles in field based Health Economics and Medical Affairs working with national payers, regional providers and opinion leaders. She supported more than five drug launches and a variety of disease indications. Debbie is an adjunct faculty member at UCLA Anderson School of Business. She is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Caris Life Sciences, a precision oncology diagnostics company, and a Venture partner at T.Rx Capital. 

Vanessa Villaverde, MPA, MHSA, Senior Program Investment Officer at the California Health Care Foundation

Vanessa is senior program investment officer at the CHCF Innovation Fund, which invests in technology and service companies with the potential to significantly lower the cost of care or to improve access to care for Californians with low incomes. Before joining CHCF, Vanessa worked at health tech companies Caresyntax and Remedy Partners, where she developed value-based care programs and products. She worked at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for 10 years advising on innovative payment models, state Medicaid policy, and 1115 waivers. She has invested into health care companies through special purpose vehicles and Angel networks, created a nonprofit to further readiness for Black and Latino/x founders looking to fundraise, and served as a venture scout for Vamos Ventures, an LA-based and Latino/x-led VC fund providing capital to Latino/x and diverse teams in health care, wellness, workforce, fintech, and sustainability. Vanessa received a bachelor of law, jurisprudence, and social thought from Amherst College, a master’s in public affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a master’s in health systems administration from Georgetown University.

Annette M. Walker, MHA, President of City of Hope Orange County

Annette is the visionary president of City of Hope Orange County. She has gained a national reputation for her industry-changing insights, outstanding leadership, and keen abilities to bring people together and achieve extraordinary results. Annette has built her career on seeking innovative solutions, ensuring sound business strategies, and brokering agreements. She has a special talent for orchestrating ground-breaking partnerships, including two with Orange County’s largest real estate developers that led to greatly enhanced community services. Twice recognized as one of the most influential leaders in US healthcare by Modern Healthcare, Annette has been at the helm of many top organizations in her field. She considers her leadership at City of Hope among her most important roles as she is transforming cancer care for generations of patients in the nation’s sixth largest county.

Pricing Information

• Members/Guests: Free
• Non-members*: $20

*Interested in joining Women In Bio? Click here to learn more about WIB membership and gain access to our video library, mentorship opportunities, and more. 

Please read WIB's Code of Conduct, In-Person Event Waiver, and Refund Policy.

Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed. 

Maximum Capacity

100

Parking Information

Street parking and parking at the venue is available. We will validate parking if you park in the structure marked 'parking' on this map.