Midwest Women in Digital Health
This year, PACE Healthcare Capital’s annual Women in Digital Health gathering expands beyond one city—bringing together founders, operators, investors, and healthcare leaders from across the Midwest.
Building on insights from PACE’s recent Midwest tour, this convening will spotlight the leadership, companies, and capital shaping the future of digital health in the region. The day will explore how innovation scales responsibly from the Midwest, with particular attention to AI adoption, healthcare systems, and durable growth.
What to Expect
Perspectives from founders, operators, investors, and institutional leaders
Practical conversations on scaling teams, products, and partnerships in healthcare
Insights into AI adoption and digital transformation from those implementing at scale
Time for structured discussion and informal connection
This is not a pitch event. It is a working convening designed for thoughtful exchange among women building and backing healthcare innovation.
Keynote
Dr. Helene Gayle
Physician, Global Health Leader, and Civic Executive
Dr. Helene Gayle is a nationally and globally recognized leader at the intersection of public health, healthcare systems, and social impact. Her career includes senior leadership directing HIV/AIDS programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serving as CEO of CARE, and leading the Chicago Community Trust as President and CEO. She has also worked closely with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dr. Gayle brings a rare perspective on scaling healthcare innovation, building systems that endure, and translating advances in technology and policy into real-world impact—particularly relevant as the Midwest deepens its role in digital health and AI-enabled care.
Keynote
Dr. Helene Gayle
Former President, Spelman College
Former President & CEO, The Chicago Community Trust
Former President & CEO, CARE USA
Former Leadership, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Speakers (Alphabetical)
Diane Bouis
Acting CEO, Microvascular Health Solutions; TLDR: Board Member, BioMEMS Diagnostics
Katie Brenner
Exited Founder; Board Member
Anne Fulenwider
Co-founder and Co-CEO, Alloy Health
Michelle Hoffmann
Executive Director, Chicago Biomedical Consortium
Jared Josleyn
Head of EDGE (Emerging & Disruptive Growth), Sanofi
Julia Monfrini Peev
Founder and Managing Partner, PACE Healthcare Capital
Helen Park
Director, AI Strategy & Operations, AbbVie
Vanessa Rollings
Senior Advisor, PACE Healthcare Capital
Elizabeth Shaffer
Program Director, Digital Health KC
Lauren Streicher
Clinical Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northwestern University