This annual event brings together trailblazing founders, investors, and industry leaders during one of the most influential weeks in the global biotech calendar. This invite-only gathering spotlights women who have built breakthrough ventures by navigating scientific, regulatory, and operational hurdles with resourcefulness and grit. Far from survival stories, these journeys offer bold new models for capital-efficient innovation in healthcare. Join us for a candid, high-impact conversation on what it truly takes to build transformative biotech without big capital—and why this moment demands our attention. Connect with visionary operators, executives, and founders shaping the next era of healthcare innovation.

Note: Light refreshments and two drink tickets will be provided for all attendees.

Program

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Check in and networking
6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.  Panel discussion
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Q&A and networking

Speaker Bios

Elena Cant, CEO & Co-Founder of DetellaDx, Moderator

Elena is the CEO & Co-Founder of DetellaDx, a UW spinout advancing a platform to detect ovarian cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. An experienced biotech operator, former COO, ex-McKinsey consultant, and Chicago Booth MBA, she has deep experience scaling scientific organizations through growth and financing. Elena serves on the Board of Trustees of PNRI, previously served on the public board of Societal CDMO, and chairs Executive Women In Bio San Francisco Bay Area. She has been recognized with the HBA Rising Star and MM&M Hall of Femme awards.

Judy Chou, PhD, President & CEO of AltruBio

Judy is the CEO and President of AltruBio, Inc., which is a clinical-stage biotech company in San Francisco. Before taking on her current roles, Judy headed the global Biotech organization at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, overseeing Bayer’s biotechnology pipeline and product portfolio over 3+ billion net revenue & 2000+ employees. Judy is well recognized by the biomedical industry for her leadership and has received the Most Influential Women in Business Award by the San Francisco Business Times and the Top 20 Women in Biopharma by Endpoints News in 2025. Judy also serves as the Board of Directors of Akero Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKRO) and California Institute of Regenerative Medicines (CIRM); and the Advisory Board members of UC Berkeley Engineering School and Silicon Valley Women in Engineering. Before joining the industry, Judy was a research faculty member at Harvard University Medical School. She obtained her PhD from Yale University and completed her post-doctoral training at the Max-Planck Institute in Germany.

Katharine Korunes, PhD, Senior Manager of Client Services at Eva Garland Consulting

Katharine is a Senior Manager of Client Services at Eva Garland Consulting, a consulting firm that helps businesses secure and manage funding, primarily through non-dilutive sources like grants and government contracts. Katharine is an expert in securing non-dilutive funding for life science companies, with a focus in technology assessment, product development, proposal preparation, gap identification, and strategic planning. She has contributed to hundreds of grant proposals to agencies like NIH, NSF, DoD, ARPA-H, ED, and ACL, as well as private foundations.

Ashley Zehnder, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Fauna Bio

Ashley has been recognized for her work by the San Francisco Business Times Women Who Lead in Life Sciences and by the Wave Summit as an Emerging Woman Founder in Bio. She has spoken at numerous events promoting the use of AI and novel genomics in drug discovery and mentors early-stage founders through her work with On Deck Longevity Biotech and Nucleate Bio. She is a boarded avian veterinarian, and her prior research focused on translational science, earning a PhD in cancer biology from Stanford. Her research spans more than 20 peer-reviewed publications, including Cell, Nature, and Nature Medicine.

Pricing Information

• Members: Free
• Non-members*: Free

*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.

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

Parking Information

Parking for a fee is available in the Moscone Center garage immediately adjacent to the venue. It is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Public Transit Information    

The nearest public transport option is the Montgomery BART/Muni station.

Accessibility Accommodations    

The venue is accessible.

Sponsors