BioTools Innovator Live 2024
The goal of the BioTools Innovator webinar series is to provide the life science tools ecosystem and our portfolio companies with guidance from experts in areas that are specific to the strategic needs outlined in our discussions and surveys.
Our virtual webinars consist of panelists addressing key questions supplied in advance by the BioTools Innovator Accelerator, as well as a general discussion on the topic within the context of the evolving life sciences tools ecosystem. Our webinars are live-streamed on our YouTube Channel and LinkedIn, and are available for viewing on this page.
Webinar Library
2024 Webinar Schedule
*All webinars start at 9 AM PT unless otherwise noted. Webinars will be posted here, or may also be viewed on the BioTools Innovator LinkedIn page.
Aug
8
**By Invite Only Coming to Terms: Negotiating Term Sheets, SAFE Notes & Cap Tables
Perfecting Your Pitch Video
Co-founder and CEO of ImmersiveTouch, where we are reducing the standard 7-10 day 3D planning delivery down to just minutes. We are a pioneer in VR simulated surgical planning; the next dimension in personalized healthcare. ImmersiveTouch is highly differentiated with a large hospital base and patent portfolio. I’m responsible for running all facets of the business and have a proven executive management track record driving growth and innovation in healthcare. I am driven to improve healthcare economics and patient outcomes. I am an accomplished speaker, and a contributor to publications such as Forbes and Business Insider. Under my leadership ImmersiveTouch was awarded Best Video and Top 4 Finalist by MedTech Innovator, won the Center for Advancing Innovation Global Health Innovation Challenge; awarded Best Simulation Company in North America by Frost & Sullivan; listed in the 34 Virtual Reality Companies to Know by Built In; featured in Healthcare Tech Outlook ‘s Top 10 Medical Imaging Solutions Providers; named one of The 7 Virtual Reality Companies to Innovate Healthcare by Medical Design and Outsourcing; listed as one of The 9 Healthcare Companies Making Innovations in Virtual Reality by Touchstone Research; selected as one of the Top 10 Startups by HealthBox; and awarded Top Simulation Company by MedTech Outlook.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University, Mike went on to become a Nuclear Refueling Engineer for the Department of Defense’s submarine program.
Then, he and his wife relocated from Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA where he took an engineering position with Invetech, a Danaher company, and his wife, Dr. Leah Gordon, attended medical school.
While with Invetech, Mike worked as a senior mechanical engineer on a variety of projects supporting the development of diagnostic instruments, medical devices, cell and gene therapies, consumer products, and automation systems.
He currently operates his own consulting company, Michael Gordon, Inc, which specializes in the conceptualization, development and integration of novel technologies and biological workflows in the immuno-oncology/immunotherapy space.
I am the CEO and co-founder of Oxford Endovascular Ltd, a spinout from Oxford University.
The company is developing a revolutionary medical device to cure brain aneurysms; a life-threatening disease affecting 1 in 50 persons in a strongly growing market valued over $1 billion. In 2017 it won ‘Best Med-Tech Start-Up’ at the Oxford Bio Network awards, 1st place at the BioTrinity ‘Perfect Pitch’ competition, and an award at the ‘European Health Catapult’ finals.
I have nearly 30 years growing international businesses in large corporations & start-ups.
Experienced in strategic planning, execution, team building, gaining regulatory approvals & fundraising including winning a prestigious Horizon 2020 SME instrument grant amongst several others.
I mentor budding entrepreneurs, am a panelist at industry conferences and sit on the ‘Medfit’ steering committee in Paris, France.
Pricing Strategy
Accomplished business leader in life science industry with a track record of steady career progression and increasing general management responsibility. Six Sigma Black Belt with analytical problem-solving and a broad commercial perspective. Skilled in leading teams, managing change, and driving innovation.
I have worked for over twenty years in the life sciences industry in both operational and strategic roles. The market fundamentals are still attractive, yet turbulent. I bring flexible, strategic thinking to the table and a commitment to getting things done. I support business growth by helping to answer the recurring questions of where to play and how to win. On the tactical side, I make sure that the marketing and sell story is differentiated from competitors and compelling to customers.
During strategy development, I facilitate team alignment on the overall business direction and priorities. After the strategy work is done, then comes the tricky part: execution. As a team we look for opportunities, both organic and inorganic, to implement the strategy. This may include developing an investment plan, starting a new marketing initiative or executing a strategic partnership.
I am recognized for leadership in marketing and business development. Through practice and learning from my own mistakes, I have become a more attentive listener, better aware of my impact on others and adept at attracting and retaining talented people. In my opinion success in the life sciences market requires an understanding and mastery of the science, true credibility with customers and the courage to take risks on people and ideas.
I am interested in executive level opportunities where I can leverage my competencies, values and technical expertise.
Market Research and Analysis; Go-To-Market Strategies
Joined established boutique life sciences market research firm to build out its strategy consulting service offering. Support all aspects of consulting from lead generation, project pitching and negotiation, research and analysis, project management and presentation development.
Managing Partner, i5 BioPartners, National Governor At Human Rights Campaign.
Accomplished commercialization leader in the cell and gene therapy industry with a PhD in molecular medicine and a passion that lies at the intersection of science, business, and innovation. As a scientist turned commercial leader, I apply my strategic and scientific acumen to solve problems across functions of organizations and excel at taking that strategy and turning it into actionable plans and initiatives brought to realization.
Non-Dilutive Funding
Erik Pierstorff joined the U.S. National Science Foundation as a SBIR/STTR program director in 2019. Prior to joining NSF, he was chief of operations and led research and development at O-Ray Pharma, where he focused on integrating biology and biomedical engineering focused on drug development and sustained drug delivery for the treatment of hearing loss and other ear disorders. During his time working at early stage companies, he helped secure both angel investment and non-dilutive funding in the form of licensing and co-development deals. Additionally, Erik served as principal investigator on several Phase I, II and IIB SBIR grants from the National Institutes of Health and NSF. His research interests have focused on the intersection of the biotic and abiotic, spanning molecular and cell biology, materials science, gene therapy, nanomaterials and drug delivery. Erik has a doctorate in molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s in biology from Emory University.
Project Manager, BARDA Accelerator Network. BARDA focuses on the development of life science technologies for the country’s pandemic and emergency response.
Martis is a developmental neuroscientist with a strong background in neuronal development and regeneration. He earned his Bachelor of Science from San Diego State University and began his industry career at Illumina as a research associate in the high-throughput genomics services laboratory. Martis then earned his PhD from the University of California San Diego, studying transcriptional networks that control adult neurogenesis and brain patterning using flatworms as the model organism. Prior to joining EpiCypher in 2015, Dr. Cowles was a Ruth L. Kirschstein postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Eva Anton’s laboratory at UNC Chapel Hill where he studied developmental signaling pathways that underlie cortical stem cell function in the developing mouse brain.
Fundraising Strategy and Process: The Investors' View
Experienced AI and Biotech founder turned life sciences VC. Building something new with the incomparable platform of Insight Partners.
Business Development & Investment executive with strong scientific background. Have operational experience with large companies and start-ups in Business Development, Marketing, & Sales. Negotiated and executed numerous licensing and strategic partnership deals with C-level executives and senior management. Also negotiate MSAs and other commercial agreements. Grow revenues for biotech/pharma/CMO companies through sales, new market development, licensing, and strategic partnerships and alliances.
Knowledgeable licensing, strategy and business development executive with a demonstrated history of accomplishments in the life science industry. Skilled in Strategic Development, Business Development-Evaluations (including business case preparation and analysis), Technology Evaluations, Deal Negotiations and Team Leadership. Proven track record of enabling commercialization of high impact technologies, from discovery to market. Skill set shaped by training in science and business disciplines. Practical application strengths evolving from workplace influences including research, clinical, teaching, strategy, industry, academic, non-profit and international roles. Experience leading small to large cross-functional groups. Interests span corporate strategy & BD-Licensing or academic technology transfer office topics across a broad Life Science portfolio range.
As an executive leader in the life sciences, medical diagnostic and in-vitro diagnostics industries, I have developed a progressive career built on accomplishments in change management, strategic operations leadership, product innovation and bottom-line performance. My demonstrated leadership strengths are complimented by a proven background in driving cultural improvements and building and developing top-performing teams. Serving as an integral member of executive leadership teams with expertise in key management functions, including product development, RA/QA, channel management, commercial leadership, strategic and tactical marketing, R&D management and fiscal oversight. Based on my combined leadership and hands-on experience, I have the ability to grasp and convey complex technical and scientific information within a business environment.
Positioning and planning for M&A
Eric Hsu is a corporate and securities partner in the life sciences practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He represents emerging growth companies in areas such as medical devices, digital health, and biotechnology. Eric advises public and private companies on general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, public company reporting, strategic partnerships, venture capital financings, and private equity and debt financings.
During law school, Eric served as an extern with the UC Davis Technology Transfer Office, Innovation Access, where he performed threshold patent analysis and drafted contracts and licenses. He also assisted service members in the Armed Forces as an extern for the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General at Travis Air Force Base, and worked as an extern for Justice Nathan Mihara of the California Court of Appeal for the Sixth District on a wide variety of civil and criminal appeals.
Prior to attending law school, Eric worked in flu vaccine research and development for MedImmune Inc.
With over twenty years of experience in corporate finance, healthcare equities, corporate and business development, and external innovation and partnerships, I have a proven track record of driving over $2.5B in end-to-end transactions, sourcing novel technologies, and building and maintaining innovation networks. I have successfully led acquisitions, licensing deals, strategic investments, and collaborations in the medical device and advanced therapy sectors, delivering value to the company, the customers, and patients.
After working at 3 early stage, venture funded startups, I became passionate about commercializing new technologies and products through biotech startups. I leveraged this experience and founded Circulomics to use novel micro- and nanotechnologies to solve unmet needs in genomics research and clinical diagnostics.
Over the past 15 years of academic and startup experience, I’ve become fluent in many aspects of bringing a new technology to market such as:
- Leading R&D programs by identifying market needs and scientific challenges, inventing new technologies (7 issued patents, 2 pending applications), establishing and managing scientific teams, designing experimental studies, and writing/presenting research (38 journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations)
- Developing business plans by evaluating market opportunities, crafting commercialization strategies, and performing financial analysis to form a profitable business strategy that minimizes risks and resources and maximizes ROI
- Identifying, negotiating, and establishing licensing, research, and partnership agreements with industrial and academic partners to facilitate technology development, manufacturing, distribution, and commercialization
- Management of IP strategy including provisional and non-provisional patent filings, trademark filings, license negotiations, prior art and freedom to operate analysis, and drafting patent applications, claims and office action responses.
- Establishing and maintaining corporate infrastructure such as HR, accounting, benefits, IT, and ESO plans
- Fund raising through non-dilutive federal and state resources ($8M in NIH and MD state grants) and equity investors
Product Strategy and Roadmap: How to do more with less and avoid common pitfalls
Gavin is an electronic engineer by training who, over the past 25 years, has navigated his career into life sciences via the wireless communications and semiconductor industries. He has been with Pleno since its inception and leads product development activities as well as marketing and business development. Previously, Gavin worked at Illumina leading their software product marketing team after Illumina acquired Edico Genome in 2018 for $100 Million. At Edico, he was responsible for the startup company’s marketing, business development and corporate development activities. While at Edico, Gavin helped to set two Guinness World Records and spearheaded efforts to have their ground-breaking product, DRAGEN, be named The Scientist magazine’s number one innovation for 2014. Prior to that, he managed numerous high volume cellular products and software platforms at Broadcom after they acquired Zyray Wireless in 2004 for $100 Million. Gavin held key software development and later product marketing roles as part of the Zyray Wireless team that developed a 3G cellular processor. Gavin holds 10 granted US patents.
Dr. Li has extensive product development and business experience in large and small companies, where he has repeatedly contributed both as a technology inventor and as an effective team leader to commercialize technology-driven products. His past technical responsibilities included technical innovation, technology platform development, product design and testing, and manufacturing setup. His skills in solving complicated systems problems with simple and effective solutions have been instrumental for success both in technology and in business.
• Business leader with highly advanced technical background
• Effective cross-functional product commercialization team leader
• Repeatedly took product ideas from invention and product design to production
• Strong background in scientific instruments and systems design
• Productive innovator and prolific inventor with 33 issued US patents and more pending
Sunghwan brings over 20 years of expertise in the integration of microfluidics, optics, electronics, and micro/nano-fabrication for developing life science instruments and consumables. He invented the core technologies of the company when he carried out his thesis research project on the development of lab on a chip flow cytometer and cell sorter for various biomedical applications. As CTO of NanoCellect, he has led its R&D projects and product development, and intellectual property portfolio management. He also conducted many NIH SBIR projects as a PI at NanoCellect. He was selected for a Marylou Ingram Scholar of the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) in 2012 and recognized for his contribution to the field of cytometry. He received his Ph.D. from UCSD and a BS degree in Materials Science Engineering from Seoul National University.
Key competencies
• New & Emerging Market Analysis
• Strategic Alignment of R&D and Business Strategy
• Portfolio Management/KPI Development
• Project Management and Collaboration with External Partners
• R&D & IP Licensing Agreements
• Cross-functional Team Leadership
• Product Life Cycle Management & New Product Development
• International-, Startup- and Fortune 500 Work Experience
Telling Your Story: Brand Management & Marketing
Branden Morris, Senior Director of Marketing, has been telling stories of medical innovation and patient impact for nearly 20 years. He has built brands, launched products, and developed marketing teams at biotech companies large and small, across several therapeutic areas. Branden is passionate about continuing to grow the MedTech Innovator programs as the premiere life science accelerators in the world, so that our member companies can get novel therapies in the hands of clinicians and patients as efficiently and effectively as possible.
U.S. adults alone consume 14+ hours of media per day. Why should they listen to you? My passion is to help healthcare companies use storytelling to exit the all too common “sea of sameness” and make a meaningful mark in an industry that impacts us all.
I love the healthcare industry. It’s a fast moving, exciting and crowded space where traditional tech and medtech have become one, data is the new oil, and consumers increasingly hold the reins. It’s also incredibly complex, with stakeholders that span not only providers and patients but also regulatory, payer and policy audiences. I have years of experience building and sustaining winning brands – for both startups and established companies – with a deep understanding of the industry and how to navigate it.
My company Pazanga Heath Communications is the Navy Seal team of healthcare communications. We are senior led and senior driven. Our staff is steeped in healthcare with experience at the highest agency and in-house and levels, and also includes seasoned healthcare and medtech journalists. Who you see is who you get.
Our services cover a range of communications functions, from brand positioning, messaging and design to campaign execution across traditional and social media, digital marketing, events, KOL programs, patient advocacy and more.
I proudly lead the team as a trusted C suite advisor – offering our clients strategic thinking and communication programming designed to drive market adoption, sales growth and, when appropriate, successful exit strategies.
On a personal note, I am also a member of the board of the Orange County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. I am honored to be co-chairing the upcoming 2024 ASC Orange County gala. My goal is to raise an obscene amount of money for this organization, which has helped an untold number of people including my own family.
Nick Tippmann is a founder/operator turned angel/VC. He is currently the founder & GP of TipTop VC, an early stage firm backing the next generation of vertical SaaS+AI winners. Nick was previously CMO at vSaaS for Medtech, Greenlight Guru, and a judge and mentor for Medtech Innovator for over five years. He is currently based in Austin, TX with his wife and frenchie.
Shyam Natarajan is focused on improving clinical outcomes and patient care in urology and beyond. He leads a clinical-stage AI healthcare startup that is creating a more personalized future of prostate cancer care. Previously he led an NIH-funded lab focusing on image-guided cancer interventions at UCLA with a background in software engineering.
Hiring, Firing, and Inspiring: Making HR Decisions
Recognized effective leader, focused on achieving exceptional results in the public health sector. Experienced in managing executives, senior scientific staff and resolving complex scientific and regulatory issues. Extensive professional and volunteer experience focused on women’s health issues including rape crisis, risk reduction and contraceptive counselor. Accomplished facilitator with strong oral and written communication skills as demonstrated through national conference presentations and policy publications. Comprehensive knowledge developing regulatory science programs, business processes and project design criteria. Innovative strategic program management and planning experience in capacity and relationship building with diverse stakeholders. Over twenty years of healthcare experience, with high evaluations and performance awards.
A change catalyst and innovative problem solver, Karen Walker Johnson has a 35-year track record of driving organizational transformation in the healthcare industry. Having worked with Fortune 50 companies, her experience encompasses P&L management, market share growth, product development, hospital administration, health plan operations, and sales serving Medicare, Medicaid, Long Term Care, and Commercial populations.
As an established strategic leader, she pursues her passion for leadership development and positively impacting and improving the health status of vulnerable populations. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to drive innovation, market share growth (double-digit year over year), and superior quality outcomes as evidenced by achieving the coveted Medicare 5-star rating. While working as an executive at a private equity-backed company, she was responsible for developing innovative clinical care models and end-of-life programs.
Currently serving on public and private boards, she aspires to find additional board governance opportunities that leverage her expertise in growth, innovative transformation, health equity, and diversity and inclusion.
Reza Khorasaninejad (PhD) is the CEO and Founder of LEADOPTIK, a deep-tech startup based in San Jose, CA, pioneering next-generation imaging technology for accessing and diagnosing early-stage lung cancer. Prior to that, he was CTO and Co-founder at BRELYON Inc. and a former Research Scientist at Harvard, where he invented the first efficient meta-lens across the visible range, which was featured on the cover of Science Magazine and selected as a “Top Ten Breakthrough of the Year” by Science Magazine. Reza has over 110 scientific publications in flagship journals such as Science, Nature Photonics, and Nature Nanotechnology, and holds more than 30 patents.
Building Better Boards: How to Prevent a Bored Room
Brandon Bendes is co-founder and President of Woven Orthopedics and has dedicated his career to building businesses and guiding them through their evolving lifecycle stages. A former management consultant and venture investor, Mr. Bendes designs and implements strategies that drive growth as well as identifies, structures, and executes transactions to generate returns for shareholders.
Prior to co-founding Woven, Mr. Bendes was part of a family office that specializes in acquiring and managing businesses within the neuromusculoskeletal industry as well as a member of a large, public management consulting firm that advised healthcare companies and institutions on growth activities to prepare for subsequent exit. Throughout his career, Mr. Bendes has helped sell businesses to corporations such as Stryker, Zimmer, Stanley, Olympus, and Time Warner as well as middle-market firms seeking to acquire small tuck-ins. Mr. Bendes is also a former ice hockey referee for NCAA, the National Women’s Hockey League, and USA Hockey.
Mr. Bendes received his degree from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Dan brings over 40 years of leadership experience in Life and Health Sciences. He is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of seqWell, Inc, an NGS library kit company in the Boston area, where he joined in April 2021. Prior to seqWell Dan served as President and CEO of Gyros Protein Technologies AB from 2013 through its acquisition by Mesa Labs in 2019. Earlier CEO roles, all of which lead to successful exits, include Oncimmune (USA) LLC, a leading early cancer detection company along with Cellomics, Inc. and Assay Designs, Inc., having led both companies through acquisition by Fisher Scientific and Enzo Biochem, respectively.
Dan had a 17-year career at Perkin Elmer (now Revvity) and the Dupont Company in various commercial, operational, and business roles. He has degrees from Princeton University (A.B. in Biochemistry), The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health (M.H.S in Environmental Engineering) and Bellarmine University (M.B.A).
With over 25 years of experience in investing and leading in the healthcare sector, Renee Ryan is a passionate supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship that advances human health and well-being. Most recently, she was the CEO of Cala Health, a bioelectronic medicine company that develops wearable therapies for chronic diseases. She was responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and execution of the company’s mission to transform the standard of care for patients worldwide. Frequently, she stepped in to run key operational departments such as Manufacturing, Sales & Marketing and Customer Success.
She has a strong track record of finding and fueling innovation, both as an investor and as an executive. She has led or participated in many M&A transactions, venture capital investments, and strategic partnerships, creating value for the companies and the patients they serve. She has also built and managed high-performing teams, fostered a culture of collaboration and excellence, and established a reputation for integrity and leadership in the industry. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Georgetown University.
Innovative and strategic results-oriented leader with a demonstrated history developing emergent technologies and commercializing disruptive revolutionary life science and medical device products. 20+ years of executive and leadership experience developing solutions that allow customers to meet their research and commercial objectives. Dynamic team builder and leader for teams spanning multiple functions and locations including R&D, Innovation, Business Development, Corporate Strategy, Product Development, Intellectual Property Development, Program Management, Angel Investing, Fundraising, Startups, Expert Witness and Advocacy.
Customer Development strategies and execution: Tips and tactics for reaching your target audience
Pragmatic mad scientist accelerating discovery through automation.
Vice President, North America Life Science Sales and Field Marketing
Growth architect with 15 years of commercial experience and an unrelenting dedication to innovating, marketing, and selling solutions in the life science and diagnostics sectors. Unwavering commitment to delivering concrete results through translating strategies into tangible outcomes, leading successful change initiatives, and cultivating exceptional teams. Highly skilled at communication across all levels of the organization, building consensus, and inspiring strong followership aligned with the company’s goals.
Six years experience in molecular biology including cell line culture, primary neuron/astrocyte/microglia cultures, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry and ELISA as well as experience in RT-PCR and FACS.
Efforts contributed to publications in high impact factor journals in the field of pain (2 published, 1 in revision, 1 in preparation).
Comfortable working independently and as a team researching, designing and carrying out projects and inter-lab collaborations.
Supervised, taught and wrote protocols to help undergraduate students perform lab duties such as mice colony management, hippocampal neuron harvest, cell culture and PCR.
Pilots & Partnerships
Alex de Winter invests in life sciences tools and clinical diagnostic startups for Danaher Ventures. Prior to Danaher, he was a managing director at GE Ventures, where he invested in precision medicine startups like Labcyte, Raindance, Singular Genomics, Syapse, and Veracyte. Alex previously worked at Mohr Davidow Ventures, and was a research scientist at Pacific Biosciences and 454 Life Sciences.
Aziz Abadsafian finds startups and entrepreneurs creating innovations in biotech to solve individual and societal level problems. He is a molecular biology researcher and entrepreneur turned technology scout. He is experienced in molecular bio R&D, business development, product strategy, startup funding and business analytics. His research at UCLA focused on quantifying mutation frequencies of mutant tRNA synthetase and the effects of protein mistranslation on cells. He continues to have a passion for biology and bridges his background in CRISPR bioengineering with his experience in supporting early stage innovation.
Executive Coaching: How to be a better leader
Ari DeGrote partners with impact leaders to get out of their own way to live & lead from purpose in order to excel in what matters most, by adopting courageous curiosity & taking aligned action.
As a Coach and Product Leader, Diana Stepner elevates untapped voices in tech and product by building on a background of technology, business, and user experience. She fosters active listening, collaboration, and creating a space where learning happens. Colleagues describe her as inspiring, action-oriented, and forward-thinking. She thrives on building and facilitating communities, leading innovation efforts, and using qualitative + quantitive insights to establish goals and achieve growth. When coaching and mentoring, individuals refer to her vision, strength, and compassion.
Monica Smith is a trailblazing force in the field of mental resilience and emotional intelligence. As the esteemed Mental Resilience Coach for Pipeline Entrepreneurs, a prominent network of high-performing entrepreneurs in the Midwest, Monica brings a wealth of expertise to empower individuals to thrive in the face of challenges. She’s the visionary founder of Monica Smith Coaching, a coaching and counseling firm renowned for its impactful one-on-one emotional intelligence coaching, online mental resilience coaching program, and dynamic speaking engagements.
With a remarkable background as the former Assistant Psychology Professor and Director of Academic Enhancement at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Monica’s influence spans far and wide. She’s left an indelible mark by crafting the Emotional Intelligence (EQ) curriculum for Chesapeake Energy School of Business, setting the stage for future generations of leaders.
Monica’s journey is also woven with compassion-driven endeavors. As the former Founder and CEO of The Child of Divorce, a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of children of divorce, she has made a profound difference. Her literary contributions, including the acclaimed books “A Heart with Two Homes” and “Bounce,” stand as testaments to her commitment to healing and growth.
A proud holder of a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northeastern State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Liberty University, Monica’s academic foundation is rock-solid. As a member of the esteemed American Association of Christian Counselors, her dedication to holistic well-being shines through.
Monica’s dynamic presence has graced a diverse range of stages, from entrepreneur organizations and universities to corporations, chambers of commerce, and support groups. Her impact extends even further as a retreat speaker for Luminary Leadership Co., an organization dedicated to equipping entrepreneurs with leadership development and business clarity to achieve a life of freedom and prosperity. With a speaking style that is both engaging and transformative, Monica’s insights bring mental resilience and emotional intelligence within reach for all who seek to gain mental and emotional strength.
Executive Coaching: How to be a better leader
Ari DeGrote partners with impact leaders to get out of their own way to live & lead from purpose in order to excel in what matters most, by adopting courageous curiosity & taking aligned action.
As a Coach and Product Leader, Diana Stepner elevates untapped voices in tech and product by building on a background of technology, business, and user experience. She fosters active listening, collaboration, and creating a space where learning happens. Colleagues describe her as inspiring, action-oriented, and forward-thinking. She thrives on building and facilitating communities, leading innovation efforts, and using qualitative + quantitive insights to establish goals and achieve growth. When coaching and mentoring, individuals refer to her vision, strength, and compassion.
Monica Smith is a trailblazing force in the field of mental resilience and emotional intelligence. As the esteemed Mental Resilience Coach for Pipeline Entrepreneurs, a prominent network of high-performing entrepreneurs in the Midwest, Monica brings a wealth of expertise to empower individuals to thrive in the face of challenges. She’s the visionary founder of Monica Smith Coaching, a coaching and counseling firm renowned for its impactful one-on-one emotional intelligence coaching, online mental resilience coaching program, and dynamic speaking engagements.
With a remarkable background as the former Assistant Psychology Professor and Director of Academic Enhancement at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Monica’s influence spans far and wide. She’s left an indelible mark by crafting the Emotional Intelligence (EQ) curriculum for Chesapeake Energy School of Business, setting the stage for future generations of leaders.
Monica’s journey is also woven with compassion-driven endeavors. As the former Founder and CEO of The Child of Divorce, a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of children of divorce, she has made a profound difference. Her literary contributions, including the acclaimed books “A Heart with Two Homes” and “Bounce,” stand as testaments to her commitment to healing and growth.
A proud holder of a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northeastern State University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Liberty University, Monica’s academic foundation is rock-solid. As a member of the esteemed American Association of Christian Counselors, her dedication to holistic well-being shines through.
Monica’s dynamic presence has graced a diverse range of stages, from entrepreneur organizations and universities to corporations, chambers of commerce, and support groups. Her impact extends even further as a retreat speaker for Luminary Leadership Co., an organization dedicated to equipping entrepreneurs with leadership development and business clarity to achieve a life of freedom and prosperity. With a speaking style that is both engaging and transformative, Monica’s insights bring mental resilience and emotional intelligence within reach for all who seek to gain mental and emotional strength.