Catalyst Capital Symposia

Galentine’s Day

Date:
2/13/2025 1:30 PM
-
8:00 pm
Location:
10918 Technology Pl, San Diego, CA 92127

Join us for Galentine’s Day, a celebration of trailblazing female founders! This event highlights dynamic women entrepreneurs who are making waves in their industries, sharing their inspiring journeys, and showcasing their innovative businesses.

Celebrate and support these incredible leaders while connecting with a community of innovators and changemakers. Come for the stories, stay for the connections, and leave inspired by the power of women-led innovation!

Pitch application deadline: January 20, 2025

Register

Pitch Deck Help?

Are you a California startup developing a device, therapy, or diagnostic?

You may be eligible for 16 hours of complimentary Pitch Deck Consulting.

Agenda

1:30 PM

Check-in / networking

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Fueling the Future: Investing in Women-Led Innovation

  • Moderator: Livia Han - Co-Founder at Compass, Community Builder, Author of LIVTOSHARE, Women’s Health x AI Newsletter
  • Panelists:
    • Leah Villegas - Managing Partner, Aquillius Ventures
    • Nonna Titulauri - VP of Deal Sourcing at Simon School Venture Fund at the University of Rochester, NY
    • Su Chuen Foo - Associate, Investments at Avivar Capital
    • Athena Shea - Healthcare Investor, B Capital
    • Renee T. Williams, PhD MBA - Managing Partner, Williams Biotech Consulting
    • Melissa Montan - SVP, HSBC Innovation Banking
    • Libia F. Scheller, PhD, MBA - Founder & CEO, M.I.A.M.I. AI Ventures

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Her Vision, Her Venture: Women Founders on Innovation

  • Moderator: MyPhuong Le - Founder and President of Aquillius
  • Panelists:
    • Olivia Rutman - Founder and CEO, Kids Care Finder
    • Kate Lynch - Co-Founder & CEO of NeoLaunch
    • Cheryl K. Goodman - Co-Founder, AskTuring.ai
    • Beth J. Hoffman, Ph.D. - Founder and CEO, Origami Therapeutics, Inc.
    • Meg Ferrigno, PhD - CEO, MoonPads
    • Jessica Zoraida - Founder CEO, MBA, Enrolled Agent, Company: Big Picture Results Inc.

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Break

4:45 PM - 6:45 PM

Startup Showcase

6:45 PM - 8:00 PM

Networking, Happy Hour, Startup Market

Prizes

1st place winners will receive the following prizes:
  • $20k in office/lab space
  • Digital Marketing and Branding Services (worth $5,000)
  • $25k custom UX design package from the largest femtech incubator in the US
  • Exploratory biostatistics package: 3 reports
  • Membership to Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange
  • Regulatory kit and Regulatory strategy consulting (Medical Device only)
  • $5,000 Legal fees
  • Two months campaign on startup program
  • 3-day ticket to the upcoming 2025 RESI Conference
  • Contingent Permanent Placement ($5,000 off); Retained Search services ($5,000 off)
  • $5,000 of tax services

Learn from Subject Matter Experts

Livia Han

Co-Founder at Compass, Community Builder, Author of LIVTOSHARE, Women’s Health x AI Newsletter

As a Founder, GTM leader and community builder, Livia has firsthand experience building and scaling healthcare solutions, including co-founding Compass, a mental health platform focused on personalized care navigation. Her experience expanding into Life Sciences at a Series D scale up, combined with her active role fostering connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and healthcare leaders through her newsletter LIVTOSHARE and organization of over 100+ community events, gives her unique insight into the challenges and opportunities in healthcare innovation and the women's health ecosystem.

Leah Villegas

Managing Partner, Aquillius Ventures

As the Managing Partner at Aquillius Ventures, I oversee the investment strategy, portfolio management, and deal sourcing of a leading VC firm that focuses on early-stage startups in the biotech, medtech and agtech sectors. I also serve as the Vice President at the Aquillius Innovation Hub, where I manage the operations, financial planning, and business development of the firm. Additionally, I am a board member of Microtek, Inc., a microelectronic manufacturing company that provides innovative solutions for the medtech industry. I hold an MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado Denver and a certificate from VC University, where I learned the latest trends and best practices in the VC field. I am proficient in investment analysis, data analysis, and SWOT analysis, and I have a passion for finding and supporting disruptive and scalable businesses that can make a positive impact on the world. I value collaboration, diversity, innovation, and social responsibility, and I seek to work with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and partners.

Nonna Titulauri

VP of Deal Sourcing at Simon School Venture Fund at the University of Rochester, NY

Nonna Titulauri is a 2nd year MBA student at Simon Business School, University of Rochester and was recently named Rogue Women’s Fund Student Fellow. Prior to her studies at Simon, Nonna delivered marketing performance analytics to J&J Pharmaceutical brands on their cancer treatment info-sites through her work with IPG Mediabrands. Nonna holds B.S in Biochemistry from San Francisco State University and MS in Bioinformatics from NYU where she conducted research on plant genetics and 3-D printed protein. At Simon, Nonna helps Seed to Series B startups across a variety of sectors raise capital and connects their founders with Simon student community to help develop students’ due diligence skills and prepare them for their future roles in finance post Simon. During her free time, Nonna loves to bring her schoolmates together for events focusing on ESG topics and train with her friends for 10K runs in upstate NY

Su Chuen Foo

Associate, Investments at Avivar Capital

Su is an impact investor dedicated to harnessing capital to foster healthier, just, and more inclusive communities. At her current role, she leads/supports evaluation of investment opportunities in private funds, startups, and intermediaries on behalf of mission-focused institutional investors to drive impact in health, education, housing, and climate. In past roles, she has helped organizations execute impact measurement and fund development initiatives. Su is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion both within the workplace and in outdoor spaces. She serves as a Board Member of Changing Tides Foundation, a global nonprofit committed to empowering women to protect the planet. When not at work, Su enjoys surfing, hiking, reading, and spending time with her two dogs.

Athena Shea

Healthcare Investor, B Capital

Athena is a Healthcare Investor based out of B Capital’s San Francisco office, where she focuses on opportunities in Digital Health and Healthcare IT. She has dedicated time to sectors including, but not limited to, women’s health, new models of care delivery, the intersection of healthcare and fintech, revenue cycle management, and real-world evidence. Athena is a New York native that graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Policy Analysis and Management with a concentration in Healthcare Economics.

Renee T. Williams, PhD MBA

Managing Partner, Williams Biotech Consulting

Renee founded and is Managing Partner of Williams Biotech Consulting, which is a boutique firm offering business development, M&A, and strategy services, and currently serves on the Board of Directors and Advisor Board for three companies.  Previously, as Vice President of External Strategy for Genetic Medicines at Eli Lilly and Company, she actively shaped the scientific direction by executing 30+ transactions in under 24 months for 9 modalities in 6 therapeutic areas within the US, EU, and APAC.  Renee started her career at Janssen as a chemist where she built from inception the analytical capabilities and standard operating procedures for two discovery laboratories within the RNA Therapeutics function.  Upon transitioning into the business unit, she served as Global Lead of Business Strategy and Operations for the Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area.  Early in her career, she taught and created new curriculum for chemistry programs at the high school, university, and adult levels.  Renee holds a dual MBA from the SC Johnson School of Management at Cornell University and Smith School of Business at Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada); a PhD and MS in Chemistry with expertise in mass spectrometry and separation sciences from the University of California, Riverside and California State University, Los Angeles, respectively; and a BS in Chemistry with a minor in African-American Studies from University of California, Irvine.

Melissa Montan

SVP, HSBC Innovation BankinG

Melissa is an SVP with HSBC Innovation Banking, HSBC’s startup and VC banking arm. Melissa focuses on SoCal innovation, supporting the local venture ecosystem with banking solutions, debt, connectivity and more. Prior to HSBC, she worked in venture capital, supporting founders in the Clocktower Ventures and M13 portfolios. She is passionate about making a positive impact on the world through supporting incredible entrepreneurs.

Libia F. Scheller, PhD, MBA

Founder & CEO, M.I.A.M.I. AI Ventures

Dr. Libia F. Scheller is a renowned entrepreneur, health futurist, & leader in biotech & pharmaceuticals. She holds a BS in Genetics from Yale University School of Medicine, a PhD in Immunology from the University of Maryland, & an MBA in International Management of Science from Basel, Switzerland. Her postdoctoral work at the Naval Medical Research Institute focused on vaccine development, and she has pursued advanced training in Oncology Nutrition, AI in Healthcare & the impact of Quantum AI in healthcare Dr. Scheller achieved two successful biotech exits early in her career before transitioning to leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry, including positions at Sanofi-Aventis and Bayer Healthcare, as the Global Oncology Head of Strategic Alliances. She also is an advisor & serves on multiple biotech boards & actively invests in innovative technologies. M.I.A.M.I. AI Ventures provides business development and access to capital for startup companies focusing on HealthTech, diagnostics, & longevity medicine. Passionate about innovation, she leverages her expertise in emerging technologies, including cognitive and quantum AI, to shape the future of healthcare.

Olivia Rutman

Founder and CEO, Kids Care Finder

Olivia Rutman spent 15 years in the banking industry with Wells Fargo before taking the leap of faith to leave to start her own tech company. In banking, Olivia held a number of different roles across in sales, leadership, and enablement, and is well versed in both Retail and Commercial Banking. Half of her banking career was spent on a sales enablement team, helping solve complex problems, and building tools, trainings, and communications for a large organization. That experience, coupled with her struggles as a working mom to find childcare and other activities for her kids, gave her the skills and passion needed to launch Kids Care Finder, a revolutionary childcare platform helping make life much easier on parents and care providers.

Kate Lynch

Co-Founder & CEO of NeoLaunch

Kate Lynch is a deep tech entrepreneur and futurist with a focus on the convergence of deep tech, the future of on-Earth and off-world infrastructure, negotiation, geopolitics, and finance. Her technical focus has been in aerospace, AI, blockchain, and novel forms of compute. The core of what Lynch does is centered around building positive technology that enhances humanity. She is also co-creator of the Female Investors Club.

Cheryl K. Goodman

Co-Founder, AskTuring.ai 

Cheryl K. Goodman is a prominent technology executive and innovator with an impressive career spanning multiple sectors of the tech industry. As co-founder of AskTuring.ai, she has established herself as a key player in AI technology development, creating secure and customized AI solutions for businesses. Her entrepreneurial journey includes founding FindGood. tech, an AI Workforce Training and Consulting firm, where she serves as CEO. Goodman is also the host of the "Mind the Machine" podcast, a platform where she explores technological advancements and their impact on human society. With previous leadership roles at major companies like Qualcomm and Sony Electronics, Goodman has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive innovation. She is the author of "How to Win Friends and Influence Robots," a bestselling book that aims to simplify AI for non-technical professionals. As Vice Chair of Startup San Diego, she actively contributes to fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her unique combination of corporate experience, technological expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit positions her as a thought leader in the rapidly evolving world of technology and artificial intelligence.

Beth J. Hoffman, Ph.D.

Founder and CEO, Origami Therapeutics, Inc.

At Origami Therapeutics, Dr. Hoffman is creating a new approach to discovering curative medicines for neurodegenerative diseases, leveraging her experience from 20 years of CNS drug discovery and from discovering transformational therapies for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Prior to Origami, she was a Research & Development executive at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Amgen and Eli Lilly & Co. She made major contributions to >30 programs that advanced to clinical trials and to four marketed drugs for CF (Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symdeco, Trikafta). Dr. Hoffman received her A.B. in Molecular Biology from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the Johns Hopkins University. She was Chief of the Molecular Pharmacology Unit at the National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD and was awarded the Prize of the Anna Monika Foundation for depression research. Dr. Hoffman serves on the Board of Directors for Biofrontera Inc. (NASDAQ: BFRI), the Scientific Advisory Board for the Tau Consortium of the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, the National Board of Trustees for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) and the Scientific Advisory Board of Vigil Neuroscience (NASDAQ: VIGL).

Meg Ferrigno, PhD

CEO, MoonPads

Meg Ferrigno,PhD is the founder of MoonPads, a certified B Corp dedicated to addressing period poverty and promoting environmental sustainability. MoonPads produces compostable, organic cotton pads and tampons designed to provide accessible, people+ planet friendly solutions for menstruators worldwide. Selling on a buy 1, give 1 model aimedat eradicating period poverty, MoonPads has partnered with organizations and institutions to make sustainable menstrual health products more widely available, including initiatives with universities and nonprofits. Committed to both social and environmental impact, MoonPads not only reduces waste but also empowers individuals by fostering awareness about menstrual equity and sustainability.

Jessica Zoraida

Founder CEO, MBA, Enrolled Agent, Company: Big Picture Results Inc.

Jessica Zoraida is a seasoned Latina entrepreneur who actively empowers marginalized people especially women through employment, mentorship, service to community and regular programming that simplifies financial topics so that fear and confusion are eliminated, making way for empowerment and success. Her story is one of overcoming adversity throughout her life - Bronx born, poor, first to go to college, navigated a11 year career in Corporate Banking, 15 years as entrepreneur and is an active member and volunteer in women centric organizations.

Today, Jessica is CEO of Big Picture Results Inc., an Accounting and Tax company that helps growing companies bring more to the bottom line, is a speaker and subject matter expert, and investor in women/PoCowned companies. An avid traveler, active and living joyfully, she walks the walk and is eager to share strategies and tools that allow us to live our best life as entrepreneurs.

MC/MODERATOR

Priscilla Luckhurst

Investor and Financial Advisor

Priscilla Luckhurst is an Investment Manager, Fiduciary, and Accredited Angel Investor. She's an Investment Associate at Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 firm that provides financial services. She's a Investment Fund Manager at the San Diego Angel Conference Fund VI and is also active with Gaingels and NuFund. Priscilla holds her Masters Degree in Finance and MBA from the University of San Diego. Priscilla is an excited business owner and a former Senior Personal Banker at Wells Fargo.

STARTUP SHOWCASE

Sanna Gaspard, PhD
CEO and visionary
Rubitection delivers and improves access to affordable, AI powered portable solution for skin health assessment and management, empowering caregivers to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance care quality based on data driven care plans.
Xina Quan
Co-founder & CEO
We make wearable blood pressure monitors that are comfortable and easy to use. Our first product is FDA-cleared to continuously and non-invasively monitor the blood pressure of critically-ill infants. This is a safer and less expensive alternative to today's standards of care of invasive arterial catheters and inflatable cuffs.
Rachel Kuperman
CEO
Eysz brings specialist level care to the primary care setting decreasing wait times to see specialists by > 90%.
Sofia Carvalho
CEO
SecretBox revolutionizes medication adherence and safety by providing an AI-driven monitoring system with a patented reusable smart bottle that ensures controlled dispensing of medications. By integrating real-time compliance tracking, video verification, and seamless healthcare system compatibility, SecretBox reduces medication misuse, enhances patient safety, and lowers healthcare costs, creating a healthier world one dose at a time.
Sydney Chasin
CEO
Chasin' Dreams Farm is reinventing American junk food by creating indulgent, nostalgic snacks that are clean-label, better-for-you, and planet-friendly. We solve the problem for families seeking snacks that deliver on taste and texture without compromising on health, using corn-free, seed oil-free, non-GMO, and gluten-free ingredients, hero-ing US grown, regeneratively farmed sorghum. With our bold flavors, sustainable practices, and commitment to empowering women, we provide a snack experience parents trust, kids love, and consumers feel good about choosing.
Nancy Schoenbrunner
CEO
AmplifiDx delivers rapid, affordable, and highly accurate molecular diagnostics at the point of care, empowering timely treatment decisions. Our innovative platform combines multiplexed testing with a simple, low-cost workflow, addressing critical needs in women's health and underserved settings. By improving diagnostic access and reducing delays, we aim to transform patient outcomes globally.
Shalini Gupta
Founder and CEO
Asima Simplifies Liquid Biopsy Workflows for Doctors, Patients, Labs & Payers Enabling their Widescale Adoption
Elaina McAdams DNP, RN, MBA, NEA-BC,FACHE
CEO
CAUHEC Connect streamlines clinical placements by providing a tech-driven marketplace that directly matches students with preceptors, ensuring fair compensation, seamless scheduling, and scalable workforce development. By eliminating inefficiencies in clinical education, we empower academic institutions to expand enrollment capacity and healthcare providers to build a stronger, more sustainable workforce.
Jennifer Schlegel
CEO/Founder
119 addresses a gap in current healthcare solutions by providing a personalized response system for individuals with recurring medical events who don't always need emergency assistance. Unlike traditional medical alert systems, which focus on automatic 911 calls, 119 guides bystanders through a tailored response using audio prompts, reducing unnecessary ER visits. This prevents costly and avoidable medical bills, benefiting both patients and insurance companies. With over 129 million Adult Americans affected by chronic conditions, 119 improves patient empowerment, reduces healthcare costs, and enhances safety and independence for users and their families.
Dr. Valérie Léveillé
CEO
NexPlasmaGen wants to bring to market its cold plasma medical device platform technology to destroy cancer cells in the tumor bed after the solid tumor is removed by the surgeons to significantly reduce reoperation rate and cancer recurence. This has the potential to improve greatly the quality of care and patient quality of life while reducing hospital costs due to cancer recurrence.

JUDGES

Dr. Julie Ducahrme

CEO, JD Consulting Solutions

Dr. Julie Ducharme is a dynamic leader, keynote speaker, national best-selling author, professor, and serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in empowering others. She is the visionary behind the Lead and Empower Her SHE Talks movement, a nationwide women’s empowerment conference that provides women with platforms to speak, write, and inspire others. As the founder of JD Consulting, she helps businesses scale and increase brand visibility through creative, viral marketing campaigns. Dr. Ducharme is also deeply committed to education, actively shaping future leaders as a professor and championing youth as the future of this world. With her focus on leadership, business strategy, and female empowerment, she is a sought-after speaker, advisor, and thought leader, working to inspire and empower through her ventures and publications.

Daniela Di Iasio

Venture Partner, Maximus

Daniela is dedicated to empowering early-stage startups by providing strategic insights, funding guidance, and hands-on mentorship. With a deep understanding of business development and scaling operations, she helps founders navigate the complexities of growing their businesses in highly competitive markets. Passionate about identifying disruptive startups with high growth potential, she works closely with them to refine their business models, develop scalable strategies, and secure the necessary resources to thrive. Her mission is to bridge the gap between visionary founders and the capital and networks they need to succeed. She is a hard-working, dynamic, and determined person who strongly believes in transparency, clarity, loyalty, and competence, and she has based her professional career on these values.

Kadambari Beelwar

Healthcare Industry Expert

Kadambari Beelwar, CEO, Truss Health has managed digital health technology group at Stanford Children’s Medical Health growing their telehealth program by 4000%. Her efforts earned Stanford Children’s Medical Health, eHealthcare Leadership award for “Best Overall Digital Patient Experience”. Her previous experience includes Kaiser Permanente where she led KP’s biggest technology acquisition with Group Healthcare that included 55+ clinics in Washington state, Maui Memorial and Emory Healthcare partnership with Kaiser Permanente. She has also earned her master’s in electrical engineering and executive master’s in business administration from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania.

Athena Shea

Healthcare Investor, B Capital

Athena is a Healthcare Investor based out of B Capital’s San Francisco office, where she focuses on opportunities in Digital Health and Healthcare IT. She has dedicated time to sectors including, but not limited to, women’s health, new models of care delivery, the intersection of healthcare and fintech, revenue cycle management, and real-world evidence. Athena is a New York native that graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Policy Analysis and Management with a concentration in Healthcare Economics.

Kristen Schultz

Founder and CEO, Woodland Strategic Advisors

Kristen Schultz is the founder and CEO of Woodland Strategic Advisors, a boutique strategy consulting firm focused on advancing innovation, growth and financial sustainability in women’s health. With 20 years of experience in healthcare consulting, nonprofit leadership, and operational transformation, Kristen specializes in helping mission-driven organizations achieve operational excellence and lasting success. Previously, Kristen served as Chief Strategy & Operations Officer at Planned Parenthood of Illinois, leading the operations of 18 health centers and telehealth platforms. During her tenure she drove substantial growth in revenue and patient access, leading to the largest patient increase of any state in the U.S. during the loss of federal abortion protection. Kristen spearheaded initiatives to improve health equity, clinical quality, and financial viability. Kristen also has extensive experience in healthcare consulting from her time at Deloitte, where she led complex strategy projects for Fortune 500 companies, focusing on long-term growth strategies, healthcare service expansion, and the development of innovative operating models. In addition to her professional roles, Kristen served on the board of BetterHealth, contributing to governance, strategy and technological advancement for Planned Parenthood affiliates nationwide. Kristen earned an MBA and an MPP from the University of Michigan, and a BA in Gender Studies from the University of Southern California. Kristen lives in the Chicago area with her husband and three children. She is driven by a passion for health equity and organizational impact, leveraging her skills to empower mission-driven organizations to navigate challenges, innovate effectively, and thrive in the ever-evolving healthcare ecosystem.

Jessica Zoraida

Founder CEO, MBA, Enrolled Agent, Company: Big Picture Results Inc.

Jessica Zoraida is a seasoned Latina entrepreneur who actively empowers marginalized people especially women through employment, mentorship, service to community and regular programming that simplifies financial topics so that fear and confusion are eliminated, making way for empowerment and success. Her story is one of overcoming adversity throughout her life - Bronx born, poor, first to go to college, navigated a11 year career in Corporate Banking, 15 years as entrepreneur and is an active member and volunteer in women centric organizations.

Today, Jessica is CEO of Big Picture Results Inc., an Accounting and Tax company that helps growing companies bring more to the bottom line, is a speaker and subject matter expert, and investor in women/PoCowned companies. An avid traveler, active and living joyfully, she walks the walk and is eager to share strategies and tools that allow us to live our best life as entrepreneurs.

Melissa Montan

SVP, HSBC Innovation Banking

Melissa is an SVP with HSBC Innovation Banking, HSBC’s startup and VC banking arm. Melissa focuses on SoCal innovation, supporting the local venture ecosystem with banking solutions, debt, connectivity and more. Prior to HSBC, she worked in venture capital, supporting founders in the Clocktower Ventures and M13 portfolios. She is passionate about making a positive impact on the world through supporting incredible entrepreneurs.

Sonja Nakasian

CEO & Co-founder, Epiveris

Over a decade of experience in the sciences including epidemiology, data science, statistical programming, pharmacovigilance and drug safety, medical device research, infectious disease surveillance, immunology laboratory research, as well as direct patient care. Epidemiology experience in academia (University of Utah, University of Pittsburgh, Harvard School of Public Health), Allegheny County health department, multiple start-up companies, pharma/biotechnology companies (Amgen, Sanofi, Regeneron, Roche), healthtech (lunit.io), medical devices (Johnson & Johnson), and consulting. Spent many years working and studying in Europe (Bamberg, Halle, Leipzig, Madrid, and Munich). Currently a co-founder of two AI-driven products in the life sciences: a predictive analytics SaaS platform designed for pharma and biotech companies in market access, and a collaborative (open science) research tool aimed at enhancing the quality and rigor of observational research studies.

Beata Mierzwa

Postdoctoral Researcher at UC San Diego & Founder of Beata Science Art LLC

Dr. Beata Mierzwa is a cancer researcher and founder of Beata Science Art, which aims to share the beauty of science through art, fashion, and interactive media. After having worked on cytokinetic abscission during her PhD, Beata's current research at the University of California San Diego focuses on understanding mechanisms of cell division and the p53 pathway to improve cancer therapy. Beyond her academic career, Beata explores various approaches to visual science communication, using hand-drawn illustration, science-themed clothing, and a cell biology video game titled Microscopya to communicate science inside and outside the scientific community. Through her AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadorship she aims to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM and empower our next generation of creative scientists. For more information, please visit www.beatascienceart.com or follow @beatascienceart on social media.

Vidya Venkatesh

Chief Product Officer/Co-Founder of stealth mode Longevity company 

Vidya is a health/biotech product and commercial strategy executive with 15+ years of experience building,launching and scaling products across GRAIL, Exact Sciences, Genomic Health and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Her mission and passion has been centered around leading the development of innovative products and their go-to-market strategies to improve patient outcomes on a global scale.

She is currently the chief product and strategy officer for a stealth mode longevity startup, with a mission to democratize HealthSpan testing and services with personalized care pathways, for all. Vidya is deeply passionate about supporting female founders and in addition to being an active mentor to several female founders, she is an LP in the Portfolia FemTech fund and the Neythri Futures Fund.

Joe Gatto

Managing Partner, SeedFolio.vc

Joe is the managing partner at SeedFolio, a seed-stage VC focused primarily on life sciences. Prior to SeedFolio, he was the founder and CEO of StarMine which he grew until a successful exit.

Olga Grygoryan, MBA

CEO & Founder, Sybil Health

Olga Grygoryan is the Founder & CEO of Sybil Health, bringing over 18 years of leadership and technical expertise in IT, AI, and data science, with hands-on experience at leading biopharma and medical device companies like Medtronic, Amgen, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Committed to innovation in women’s health, she harnesses data-driven personalization and empathetic design to transform hormonal healthcare. Her mission is to deliver impactful solutions that address mid-life hormonal shifts, bridging critical gaps and ultimately redefining women’s health through technology.

Libia F. Scheller, PhD, MBA

Founder & CEO, M.I.A.M.I. AI Ventures

Dr. Libia F. Scheller is a renowned entrepreneur, health futurist, & leader in biotech & pharmaceuticals. She holds a BS in Genetics from Yale University School of Medicine, a PhD in Immunology from the University of Maryland, & an MBA in International Management of Science from Basel, Switzerland. Her postdoctoral work at the Naval Medical Research Institute focused on vaccine development, and she has pursued advanced training in Oncology Nutrition, AI in Healthcare & the impact of Quantum AI in healthcare Dr. Scheller achieved two successful biotech exits early in her career before transitioning to leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry, including positions at Sanofi-Aventis and Bayer Healthcare, as the Global Oncology Head of Strategic Alliances. She also is an advisor & serves on multiple biotech boards & actively invests in innovative technologies. M.I.A.M.I. AI Ventures provides business development and access to capital for startup companies focusing on HealthTech, diagnostics, & longevity medicine. Passionate about innovation, she leverages her expertise in emerging technologies, including cognitive and quantum AI, to shape the future of healthcare.Dr. Libia F. Scheller is a renowned entrepreneur, health futurist, & leader in biotech & pharmaceuticals. She holds a BS in Genetics from Yale University School of Medicine, a PhD in Immunology from the University of Maryland, & an MBA in International Management of Science from Basel, Switzerland. Her postdoctoral work at the Naval Medical Research Institute focused on vaccine development, and she has pursued advanced training in Oncology Nutrition, AI in Healthcare & the impact of Quantum AI in healthcare Dr. Scheller achieved two successful biotech exits early in her career before transitioning to leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry, including positions at Sanofi-Aventis and Bayer Healthcare, as the Global Oncology Head of Strategic Alliances. She also is an advisor & serves on multiple biotech boards & actively invests in innovative technologies. M.I.A.M.I. AI Ventures provides business development and access to capital for startup companies focusing on HealthTech, diagnostics, & longevity medicine. Passionate about innovation, she leverages her expertise in emerging technologies, including cognitive and quantum AI, to shape the future of healthcare.

Lindsay Anh Hoang

CEO, Jana Care Inc

Dr. Anh Hoang-Lindsay is the CEO of Jana Care Inc, a pioneering developer of at-home, self-administered blood testing technologies for heart disease and chronic kidney disease management. The platform enables patients to self-administer blood tests at-home and allows clinicians to review the test results remotely as needed. Outside of Jana Care, Anh is a part time faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT)’s Catalyst Program, a member of the board of directors of MassMedic, and serves as an advisor/board member to several early stage companies, research institutions, and venture capital funds. Anh completed her doctorate degree (Ph.D) in material science engineering from Vanderbilt University and her postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Hospital as an Executive Committee on Research fellow.

Vrinda Agarwal

VC Investor

Vrinda Agarwal is a VC investor based in San Francisco, focused on early stage B2B investing. With a background spanning venture capital, technology product strategy, and investment banking, she brings expertise in helping startups navigate growth and scale. Prior to her career in venture capital investing, Vrinda worked in Product Strategy & Finance at Google, and in investment banking at Goldman Sachs.

Vrinda received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She holds dual degrees in Political Science and Development Economics from UC Berkeley, where she graduated as departmental valedictorian. Passionate about mentorship and building inclusive ecosystems, she actively supports emerging entrepreneurs and women in business.

Jami DeBrango-Palumbo

CEO of SIH Consulting LLC

Jami DeBrango-Palumbo, CEO of SIH Consulting LLC, is a visionary healthcare executive, author, industry strategist, and expert in operationalizing strategy, with over 25 years of global leadership in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and molecular diagnostics. She has held progressively senior roles at Idec Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Genentech, Roche, and Foundation Medicine, and is currently serving as EVP at Harbinger Health, where she is driving strategic workforce planning and ensuring scalable organizational and operational frameworks to enhance efficiency, foster innovation, and drive operational impact.

Jami has played a pivotal role in the global launch of industry-defining therapies, including Rituximab®, Avastin®, Herceptin®, and Tamiflu®. Her expertise in precision medicine, next-generation sequencing, and strategic workforce planning has consistently driven the advancement of cutting-edge treatments and reshaped the landscape of personalized healthcare.

Her leadership is rooted in a commitment to people and processes, mentoring emerging leaders, nurturing organizational cultures, and fostering innovation within high-performing teams. Known for turning strategy into execution and operational excellence Jami thrives in guiding teams through complex challenges and scaling transformative ideas into industry-defining solutions.

Jami has recently been recognized as a finalist for Women of Influence in Science by the San Diego Business Journal and has received several leadership awards throughout her career, further highlighting her dedication and contributions to the healthcare and science industries. She is also the founder of "Strength in Heels®", a trademarked movement and author designed to inspire resilience and empower leadership. Additionally, she co-founded Kristin’s Fund, a 501c(3) nonprofit dedicated to combating domestic violence, turning personal adversity into a global force for positive change.

She also serves as Advisory Board Member at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), since 2011, and is passionate about expanding healthcare access and advancing global health equity.

Jami is a highly sought-after industry expert, mentor, and advocate, her career is a testament to bold, courageous leadership, transformative execution, and an unwavering commitment to advancing science for the benefit of patients worldwide.

Livia Han

Co-Founder at Compass, Community Builder, Author of LIVTOSHARE, Women’s Health x AI Newsletter

As a Founder, GTM leader and community builder, Livia has firsthand experience building and scaling healthcare solutions, including co-founding Compass, a mental health platform focused on personalized care navigation. Her experience expanding into Life Sciences at a Series D scale up, combined with her active role fostering connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and healthcare leaders through her newsletter LIVTOSHARE and organization of over 100+ community events, gives her unique insight into the challenges and opportunities in healthcare innovation and the women's health ecosystem.

Judges

Dr. Julie Ducahrme
CEO, JD Consulting Solutions
Daniela Di Iasio
Venture Partner, Maximus
Kadambari Beelwar
Healthcare Industry Expert
Athena Shea
Healthcare Investor, B Capital
Kristen Schultz
Founder and CEO, Woodland Strategic Advisors
Jessica Zoraida
Founder CEO, MBA, Enrolled Agent, Company: Big Picture Results Inc.
Melissa Montan
SVP, HSBC Innovation Banking
Sonja Nakasian
CEO & Co-founder, Epiveris
Beata Mierzwa
Postdoctoral Researcher at UC San Diego & Founder of Beata Science Art LLC
Vidya Venkatesh
Chief Product Officer/Co-Founder of stealth mode Longevity company 
Joe Gatto
Managing Partner, SeedFolio.vc
Olga Grygoryan, MBA
CEO & Founder, Sybil Health
Libia F. Scheller, PhD, MBA
Founder & CEO, M.I.A.M.I. AI Ventures
Lindsay Anh Hoang
CEO, Jana Care Inc
Vrinda Agarwal
VC Investor
Jami DeBrango-Palumbo
CEO of SIH Consulting LLC
Livia Han
Co-Founder at Compass, Community Builder, Author of LIVTOSHARE, Women’s Health x AI Newsletter

Sponsors

Startup Market

Innovative products from local founders

The Startup Market is a unique marketplace designed to promote local startups. The market provides founders with the opportunity to showcase their products and to sell directly to consumers.

Interested in a booth at the symposium?

Catalyst Capital Symposia

IMPACT

Activating Startups

Catalyst Capital Symposia is a platform connecting founders and funders to catalyze innovation.

This monthly forum provides a unique opportunity for participants to gain valuable insights into emerging sectors and disruptive technologies that have the potential to revolutionize human health, the environment, and society.

Through engaging discussions, informative panels, and interactive workshops, aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs and investors can learn about essential concepts, strategies, and best practices directly from industry experts.

By engaging the venture and startup ecosystem, the symposia encourages investors to be activists and empower startups with cutting-edge technology.
BECOME AN
INVESTOR-ACTIVIST

Investing in Startups

Stay ahead of the curve by joining us at the Catalyst Capital Symposia, where you can gain valuable insights into emerging technologies, spanning various industries, from tech and healthcare to sustainability and beyond.

Join the ranks of investor-activists who not only provide financial backing but also lend their expertise, networks, and influence to nurture startups, catalyzing a collective effort towards a brighter, more innovative future.


FUNDRAISING
&
RESOURCES

Startups: Apply to Pitch

Are you ready to supercharge your innovative startup? Don't miss this golden opportunity to bring your vision to life!

Pitch your startup to an audience of industry experts, colleagues, and seasoned investors to gain valuable insights and feedback, forge strategic partnerships and connections, secure vital funding for your pioneering project, and elevate your startup to the next level!

Apply to pitch at one of the upcoming symposiums.
SPONSOR

Connecting with Potential Customers

Position your organization as a corporate sponsor and connect with a deeply engaged audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts.

Sponsorship at Catalyst Capital Symposia provides a range of advantages, such as heightened brand visibility, lead generation, networking opportunities, thought leadership, and early access to emerging technologies.

To explore the ways in which your company can benefit from sponsoring our event, reach out to us for more information.
SPONSOR

Be a Champion of Women's Health

Want to make an even bigger impact? Consider becoming a sponsor for Casino Night! As a sponsor, you'll receive prominent recognition at the event, on our marketing materials, and across our digital platforms. Sponsorship packages offer a unique opportunity to align your brand with a cause that resonates with so many.