Keiretsu Forum’s Women of Innovation: A Tribute to the Women Shaping Our Tomorrow

At Keiretsu Forum, we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to innovate. With over 100 events a year, we bring together visionary minds passionate about shaping the future. As part of our mission to build a more inclusive and thriving ecosystem, we recently launched the Women of Innovation campaign.

This initiative carries a deep purpose: to recognize the efforts of women entrepreneurs who are often overlooked despite their transformative contributions to industry and society. The women featured in Women of Innovation are leaders of groundbreaking change across diverse industries. They are solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges, reshaping narratives, and inspiring future generations. From life-changing technologies to impactful social enterprises, these trailblazers embody the power of perseverance, creativity, and bold vision.

Our commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs runs deep in our values. It’s a commitment to them and the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their success strengthens us all.

If you missed the social media coverage of the campaign, here’s a recap of their journeys, what they’re working on now, and the tangible ways they’re changing the world. Dive into their stories to learn more and celebrate the incredible achievements that define Women of Innovation.

 

The Power of Perseverance: Caitlin Cameron's Journey in Building Healthcare Innovation

Caitlin Cameron’s career is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and transformative leadership. As the CEO at CellNetix Pathology and Laboratories, Caitlin grew the team from a lean 13 to a powerhouse of 180 in just over two years. At Presage Biosciences, she raised $6.5 million in angel funding from 50 investors to bring groundbreaking cancer research to the market. Today, as the CEO of OtoNexus Medical Technologies, she is leading the charge on a cutting-edge diagnostic device that could revolutionize ear infection diagnosis.

Caitlin’s story teaches us that true growth demands more than hard work—it requires fearless commitment, innovation, and the audacity to take on big challenges.  

Here’s our post celebrating her journey.

 

Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: How Vanessa Barboni Hallik is Revolutionizing Fashion

From a young age, Vanessa’s mind buzzed with ideas to solve complex problems. After completing her academics, she joined Morgan Stanley, where she thrived in high-stakes leadership roles. But Vanessa wasn’t content with success in the traditional sense — she wanted to spark a revolution.

That opportunity came when she founded Another Tomorrow. As the CEO, she began to disrupt the fashion industry, pioneering a bold approach that merges sustainability with digital innovation. Vanessa has achieved global recognition through her work, appearing in Wallpaper's prestigious USA300 and Worth's Worthy100.

Here’s a look at her inspiring journey.

 

Jane Mosbacher Morris: Laying the Path for Ethical Supply Chains

Jane Mosbacher Morris’s story isn’t just about building a business; it’s about reimagining the impact business can have on the world. As the Founder and CEO of TO THE MARKET, she’s reshaping global supply chains by forging connections between companies and ethical, sustainable suppliers. Before setting up TO THE MARKET, Jane played critical roles in global policy and humanitarian work, driving initiatives as the Director of Humanitarian Action at the McCain Institute and the U.S. Department of State.

Through her journey, Jane inspires a shift in how we think about business and influence. She reminds us that every choice can drive meaningful change, from the products we buy to the partnerships we build. Her story challenges us to leverage our power to make a positive difference in the world, no matter how big or small.

Check out our post highlighting her incredible story.

 

Turning Frustration into Innovation: How Kim Lalande Built a New Vision in Hospitality

Early in her career, Kim was a jet-setter, moving from one exciting destination to the next, always with the help of concierge services that turned every trip into a curated adventure. But that all changed when her company temporarily moved her to San Francisco. Suddenly, Kim found herself in unfamiliar territory, and it became difficult to find a family-friendly neighborhood and adjust to a fast-paced urban life. This is where she saw an opportunity and founded KEY.co, a marketplace connecting travelers with handpicked local vendors who offer tailored services and unforgettable experiences.

Kim’s story reminds us that sometimes, the best ideas come from our own struggles. Please take a moment to celebrate her remarkable by checking out this post.

 

Colette Courtion: Leading Innovation in Women’s Health and Beauty

Colette Courtion’s journey is a fantastic example of vision and transformation. She sharpened her business acumen at Maveron LLC and Starbucks, experiences that fueled her bold leap into entrepreneurship. Her first venture, Calidora Skin Clinics, quickly became a dependable name in advanced skincare, setting the stage for JeNu Biosciences, where she introduced cutting-edge anti-aging solutions.

Colette’s commitment to creating effective, accessible health products continues with Joylux, Inc and Mommy Matters, brands that empower women and address intimate needs with science and empathy. Her career is a powerful reminder that resilience and bold ideas can create brands that make a genuine difference.

Here’s to the amazing journey she’s created.

 

Jean Anne Booth: Innovating the Future with Grit and Vision

With three decades in high tech, Jean Anne wasn’t content with simply moving forward; she wanted to break boundaries and make waves. She started her career at AMD, focusing on product engineering and marketing for nine years. In 2005, she took a bold leap, founding Luminary Micro and pioneering the world’s first ARM® Cortex™-M3-based microcontroller. Her next venture was UnaliWear, a groundbreaking company that empowered seniors to live independently and safely. She brought peace of mind and freedom to countless lives with smart wearables equipped with fall detection and medication reminders that work without smartphone integration.

Jean Anne’s story is a testament to the transformative power of grit and vision. She inspires us to push beyond limits, to dream bigger, and to create meaningful change.

Discover the story behind her incredible success.

 

Transforming Retail: Dr. Aytul Ercil's Journey of Innovation and Impact

Dr. Erçil’s journey is rooted in her dual passions: academia and the thrill of problem-solving. She started as a consultant, quickly advancing to research roles and ultimately becoming a founding partner of Vistek ISRA Vision, where her visionary work in pattern recognition technology made waves across the industry. In 2015, she took on a fresh challenge as CEO of Vispera Information Technologies, harnessing AI to turn inventory management on its head. Her solutions empowered retailers around the globe, equipping them with cutting-edge tools to conquer inventory inefficiencies.

Dr. Erçil’s story is a powerful reminder that with vision, perseverance, and a passion for innovation, one person can change the face of an industry—and inspire countless others to follow suit.

Here’s a tribute to her remarkable journey.

 

Driven by Purpose: Kristen Valdes and the Fight for Consumer-Centric Healthcare

Kristen Valdes’s journey teaches us a powerful lesson: transformation happens when passion meets purpose. As the founder and CEO of b.well Connected Health, Kristen is redefining healthcare by empowering consumers to take control of their medical care. Her dedication stems from her experience as the mother of a child battling a severe autoimmune disorder. This personal journey fueled her mission to give people the tools to manage their health effectively.

With over 20 years in healthcare, Kristen held pivotal roles, including Vice President at United Healthcare, where she led innovative Medicare Advantage plans and helped build one of the first C-SNP plans in the country.

We are proud to share her transformative journey.

 

Deborah Garner: Pioneering Women’s Healthcare Innovation with Vision and Determination

Debbie Garner’s resilience, visionary thinking, and bold leadership have reshaped the future of women’s healthcare. She began as a Financial Analyst and swiftly climbed the ranks at renowned firms like Renaissance Fund and Lehman Brothers. But a pivot into women’s health unlocked her true calling.

As the Women’s Health Product Manager at Eli Lilly, Debbie quickly ascended to senior roles, driving transformative advancements across the industry. A few years later, her leap into entrepreneurship at FEMSelect would become her crowning achievement. As co-founder, Debbie championed a minimally invasive solution for pelvic organ prolapse repair, offering a lifeline to countless women facing this condition.

Here's a glimpse into her game-changing journey.

 

Dew-Anne Langcaon is Transforming Senior Care with Innovation and Dedication

Dew’s academic excellence set the stage for her successful career—she earned top honors in accounting and business at the University of Hawaii before stepping into leadership roles in prestigious organizations like Deloitte & Touche and Hawaii Pacific Health. However, her true impact came when she turned her attention to eldercare.

In 2008, as the CEO of iHealthHome Inc., Dew led the development of a revolutionary SaaS platform designed to help professional caregivers monitor and communicate with the elderly. Today, as the CEO of Vivia Cares, Inc .Dew is improving senior care and creating better job opportunities for caregivers. Take a closer look at her inspiring path.

These are the ten stories we covered in Women of Innovation, but our journey of celebrating and empowering innovators is far from over. There’s more to come, more to be done, and more stories to uncover. Keep supporting us in our campaigns, and together, we will build a stronger and more inclusive ecosystem.


 November 20, 2024