Adam Milward

CEO and Co-Founder, Metadataworks (UK)

Adam is ex-IBM Top Talent and lead the data architecture team for the groundbreaking 100,000 Genome Project. Adam has lead and delivered national data and standardisation projects for NHS England, Health Data Research UK, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the UK Office for National Statistics. When he’s not making data FAIRer he spends his time surfing in the north sea.

Dr Amit Thakker

Executive Chairman, Africa Health Business (Africa)

A visionary entrepreneur and an industry captain, Dr. Amit N. Thakker, has been a groundbreaking pioneer in the integration of private sector within the healthcare system inAfrica. Dr Thakker actively supports governments, corporates, health organisations and development partners to foster effective public private partnership initiatives towards improved health outcomes.

He is the executive chairman of Africa Health Business, president of Africa Healthcare Federation, and the immediate past chairman of Kenya Healthcare Federation and has served as a director at LumiraDx, Seven Seas Technology, AMREF Flying Doctors. Action Aid and Ghanima Limited.

As an active member of several institutions including international business group YPO Gold (Nairobi Chapter), Dr. Thakker also chairs the University of Nairobi Alumni Medical Chapter and serves as an advisor to Asia Africa Investing & Consulting Ltd, Coalition for Blood in Africa (CoBA) and Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Dr. Thakker founded Avenue Healthcare, a Kenyan based integrated private health service provider in 1995 which led him to receive the “BestMale Entrepreneur of the Year” award by Rotary International in 1999. He also won the “Best CEO ” award by Titans Global in the Business and Professional services category in 2017 and proudly received the Chairman’s Award for Kenya Medical Association in 2004.

Africa Health Business is a health consultancy, advisory and investment firm that aims to improve access to quality affordable healthcare in Africa.

Andy Bleaden

Community Director, European Connected Health Alliance (UK)

Andy Bleaden works for ECHAlliance as the Communities  Director where he has developed and built a large network of over 75+ Global Digital Health Ecosystems, 12 thematic innovation ecosystems and grown a Membership Community of over 1000 Health organisations.

He has had a long career in both health and social care as well as funding going back over 30 years starting in the mental health field working with mentally disordered offenders, homeless young people, regeneration and economic development and then later in the field of social care, dementia and robotics.

Alongside this Andy has been an External Expert for the European Commission since 2013 assessing proposals and  reviewing projects. He has worked for the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) on  both Health and Manufacturing programmes. He has assessed proposals and reviewed projects for other funds such as  Urban Innovation Actions, Urbact and Innovative Medicines InitiativeHe brings a wealth of experience and skills in securing and management of strategic external funding, procurement, innovation funding and forming and development large and complex partnerships across Europe.

Ann Mond Johnson

CEO, American Telemedicine Association (USA) 

Ann Mond Johnson is CEO of the American Telemedicine Association, overseeing the only association focused completely on advancing the adoption of telehealth. Ann is a leading voice representing a healthcare platform that many see as one of the few bright spots in the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on federal and state policy initiatives needed to ensure permanent access to telehealth services, so that everyone has access to safe, effective, and appropriate care when and where they need it. With a diverse membership including leading healthcare delivery systems, academic institutions, technology solution providers and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances, the ATA is working to integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models. This year, the ATA launched the first-ever Telehealth Awareness Week, bringing together telehealth champions and supporters from every sector of healthcare to underscore the growing value of telehealth and its critical role in care delivery.

Anna Bondarenko

Managing Partner and Co-Founder, DeHealth, (France)

President of the international consortium “eHealth” which consolidates the best experts in the field of digital health and more than 15 mln patients. Public figure, philanthropist, and musician. Sophisticated business development expert with an approach of innovation appliance to grow and scale companies and highlight their market differentiation in Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, France, China and other regions. Actively cooperates with the public sector for its digitalization, especially in the healthcare field, by underlining the role of cybersecurity, personal data protection, and the introduction of new economic models.

Dr. Apostolia Karabatea

Project Manager, Gnomon (Greece)

Dr. Apostolia Karabatea holds both a BSc and a MSc in Physics, but also a PhD in Applied Physics, all from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. She is a certified IT Project Manager and also a certified Manager of Educational Units, from Panteion University in Athens. She worked at the Lab of Radiocommunication of Physics Department in AUTh, at “OTE” (Hellenic Organisation of Telecommunication) and T-Mobile (Los Angeles, San Fransisco), as a Designer and Task leader. On same time, she has been an external partner for the Medical School of AUTh on the field of Hygiene and primary care, but also for the WHO Europe on the training of medical staff regarding COVID-19. She is experienced on preparing proposals for national, European (Horizon) and international projects and also on managing research projects but also pre-commercial procurement projects (PCPs). Since 2021 she works for Gnomon Informatics SA as a Manager for National and European R&D projects mostly focused on the domain of e-health, interoperability and data management.

Bleddyn Rees

CHAIR, The Digital Health Society (UK)

Bleddyn is an experienced commercial and international healthcare lawyer with over 30 years’ experience advising on outsourcings, privatisations, complex contracting and projects. In healthcare he has advised on healthcare regulations, commissioning, procurement and contracting for healthcare services, partnerships, alliances and collaborations in the health and care sectors in the UK, Europe, Middle East and the US.

He has unique experience for a private sector lawyer having spent almost four years seconded to the Commercial Directorate of the UK Department of Health as General Counsel in the early 2000’s. Bleddyn has advised Health Ministers and through his secondment he has a detailed understanding of the NHS and the UK health sector.

Bleddyn is Deputy Chair of the European Connected Health Alliance and Chair of the Digital Health Society. Both these organisations are helping to transform health and care services internationally.  Bleddyn Chairs the Digital Working Group of All Policies for a Healthy Europe, a think tank set up by Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Philips and Randstad based in Brussels. He has a special interest in Digital Health, health data and Medtech.

Brian O’Connor

Chair, ECHAlliance (Europe)

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Brian developed his career as a consultant, manager and investor. He has worked in the UK, US and Hong Kong and has significant experience as a company director in a variety of industries.

He is currently providing strategic advice to Governments, International organizations and companies on the challenges facing healthcare in general and specifically on the Connected Health opportunity. He created the European Connected Health Alliance, a not for profit organisation which connects Governments, Industry,Research Institutes, Health Services, Patient Groups etc through a Global Network of Ecosystems.

He is Chair of a number of innovative companies and an investor in start ups.

George Margelis

Independent Chair, Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council (Australia)

George is a medical practitioner who has been deeply involved in technology for the last 30 years. Originally trained as an optometrist, he started tinkering with computers in 1981 when he bought his first PC, a Sinclair ZX80, before going back to medical school to complete his training at the University of Sydney. He was Chief Information Officer (CIO) of a private hospital group as well as managing an innovative software development team. George joined Intel in 2005, as healthcare lead and then Intel-GECare Innovations.

In 2013 he was appointed an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney with the TeleHealth Research & Innovation Laboratory (THRIL). In 2014 he was appointed to the IT in Aged Care Hall of Fame for his work in the use of technology in aged care. He was a senior adviser for HIMSS APAC in Australia in 2015 and helped HISA and the ADHA launch the CXIO Network in 2018. In 2019 he took on the role of Independent Chair of the Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council.

Helena Torras

Venture Partner, Hans(wo)menGroup (Spain)

 Helena Torras, Venture Partner at Hans(wo)menGroup. Investor and NED. As investor, deeply believes on supporting entrepreneurs on their journey, always putting people first. She promotes the innovative tech startup mindset to society. She belongs to the Governing Board of BarcelonaTechCity, the Ambassadors Council of The Collider (TechTransf initiative from the Mobile World Capital) and Ambassador at BHH, she serves as independent board director at Lucta and Mastertech 

Ilias Iakovidis

Adviser, DG CONNECT, European Commission (Belgium)

Ilias works on maximising the benefits of green digital transformation, in cooperation with several Commission services and external stakeholders. He also works on digitalisation for circular economy, e.g. on the digital product passport as introduced in the Eco-design for Sustainable Product Regulation. Ilias has initiated the European Green Digital Coalition that works together with the European Parliament Pilot project on science-based methods to estimate the net environmental impact of digital solutions and on guidelines for green digital transformation in different sectors. Before 2017 Ilias has contributed to the EU Agenda of eHealth and ICT for Active and Healthy Ageing for over 20 years. Areas he pioneered include digitally supported Integrated Care, ‘Virtual Physiological Human’, Personal Health Systems and Electronic Health Records.

Janette Hughes

Director of Planning and Performance, DHI, (Scotland)

Janette Hughes is Director of Planning and Performance for the Digital Health and Care Innovation centre in Scotland, she has nearly 20 years’ experience in working within this sector and set up the first Wellness and Health Innovation centre for Scotland in 2009. Janette has a first class honours degree in design, a post grad with distinction in technology and has recently finished an MPhil (which she undertook whilst working) on ‘How much evidence is needed to scale Digital Health’.

She has managed and directed a range of multi-million pound projects across the UK focussed on health and care and has also worked on the Smart Cities agenda. She sits on a range of advisory boards within the UK including the Scottish Technology enabled care steering group, the UK5G advisory board and chairs the rural centre for excellence. She has led a range of trade missions across the world and has undertaken numerous keynotes on the subject of Innovation for the Health and care sector, remaining committed in moving this sector forward.

Jon Warner

US President, ORCHA (USA)

Jon Warner is a respected business and expert in health and healthcare innovation having led several organizations and founded and led 3 startups (with 2 successful exits). Jon’s career started in the corporate world with Air Products and Chemicals, working in the US and across Europe before joining Exxon-Mobil. At Exxon, Jon worked in the UK, the US, Australia, and Nigeria, ending his career there as Deputy CEO.

Following his 15 years in the corporate world Warner founded and grew a management consulting business-The Worldwide Center for Organizational Development, which had 30 people carrying out a range of strategy assignments for large companies such as Kaiser-Permanente, HCA, Glaxo, Johnson and Johnson, The UK NHS, Roche, and United Healthcare. Much of this work focused on strategy, growth planning and building an innovative and agile or entrepreneurial/intrapreneurial culture.

Following his time as a management consultant Warner was CEO of 2 startups- Since his successful exit from the second of these, Warner has been working from a California base to mentor and invest in disruptive startup and early stage companies, especially in the area of technology deployment mainly in the health, healthcare and wellness space. Warner manages the deal flow into a Los Angeles based Healthcare investment fund-Adaptive Health Capital and is CEO of Silver Moonshots-a research organization and ‘virtual incubator’ for startups focused on the digital health needs of the 50+ population.

Warner’s career has included senior executive roles in marketing, business development, operations, logistics, finance, investment, human resources and engineering/technology.

Warner is a noted speaker at businesses and colleges across the world. He is also a prolific author having published several books, all concerning business, management, leadership, innovation and technology.

A native Englishman, Warner moved from the UK to Australia for 15 years before relocating to Los Angeles in 2004.  Warner is a graduate of the top 5 Warwick University in the UK, with a double bachelor’s degree in philosophy and politics and an MBA (with a finance specialism). Warner also undertook an uncompleted PhD in Psychology (with a specialism in Neuro-science). He is also an Adjunct professor at Redlands University.  He is married to psychologist, management consultant and author Anne Sandberg, and has four grown up children.

Julio Sánchez

Head of Innovation, CINFA (Spain)

Julio Sánchez is the Head of Innovation at Cinfa, the pharmaceutical laboratory with the greatest presence in Spanish households. He also manages the company’s new open innovation platform, CinfaNext, which seeks to analyse and identify innovative projects to respond to the health needs of people today and in the future.

Specifically, the laboratory has defined six main areas of work on which it is developing its innovation projects: longevity, chronicity, personalisation, self-management of health, natural solutions with scientific evidence and sustainability.

Julio has extensive experience in the pharma field as Business Unit Manager at Cinfa. He also has more than 10 years of experience in marketing, sales and finance in companies such as, PwC and SC Johnson, where he has held management positions for several European markets.

Kabir Kasargod

Senior Director, Qualcomm (USA)

Kabir Kasargod is a Senior Director at Qualcomm leading multi-device experiences across wireless platforms and ecosystems. Prior to this role, Kabir incubated a Healthcare initiative in Qualcomm’s Strategy & Business Development team. Prior to that, Kabir served as Senior Director of Strategic Operations at Qualcomm Government Technologies (QGOV). At QGOV, Kabir headed up QGOV’s Microelectronics initiatives, and QGOV’s Education team responsible for bringing Qualcomm’s latest commercial wireless knowledge to Government partners to help them leverage and stay on the commercial curve. Prior to joining QGOV, Kabir worked as the Director of Business Development at Qualcomm Life where he led software partnership initiatives and strategy related to mobile apps & services in healthcare. 

Before moving to Qualcomm Life, Kabir was the founder and lead of an entrepreneurial venture within Qualcomm Labs. Kabir also held positions in Product Management and Strategy within Qualcomm Internet Services prior to joining Qualcomm Labs. Prior to returning to Qualcomm, Kabir also worked in product management roles at Verizon Wireless and at Ericsson’s CDMA Infrastructure division. Kabir began his career as a Project Engineer at Qualcomm in 1998. Kabir holds a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University, a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Mumbai in India, and recent Certificates related to AI in Healthcare from MIT and Stanford University.

Karolina Mackiewicz

Innovations Director, European Connected Health Alliance (Finland)

Karolina Mackiewicz (MA Political Sciences, MA Futures Studies) has over 12 years of professional experience in international projects in the area of health and wellbeing.
She worked for the WHO European Healthy Cities network, leading the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and Urban Health in the Baltic Sea Region, and the Development Manager at MyData Global – an international non-for-profit advocating for a human-centric approach to personal data. When it comes to digital health, she is especially interested in how technology and data can support the sustainable health systems of tomorrow, health literacy and socio-economic determinants of health.

Karolina has developed and led numerous international projects and cooperated with the EC, OECD, World Bank and other key regional and national stakeholders.
Her professional mission is to bring bridges between the different sectors for a more just and sustainable future.

Kari Kohtamäki

Senior Advisor, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (Finland)

Kari has an extensive background in research and development of technologies for health and wellbeing. He currently works as Senior Advisor at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. This role involves building bridges between scientific research and the business community, as well as creating both national and international partnership networks for VTT in the healthcare sector. Kari has also been an active supporter of ECHAlliance since it was established.

Prior to joining VTT, Kari held various managerial positions in global medical device

companies for more than 20 years, most recently at GE Healthcare’s patient monitoring division. His international experience includes an assignment for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, focusing on industrial development in African countries.

Kari is based in Helsinki, Finland.

Martin Curley

Professor of Innovation, Maynooth University

Visiting Professor, University of Bath (Ireland)

Dynamic IT and Innovation and Research Director with a track record of building high performance innovation teams and consistently delivering a strong pipeline of compelling innovations and business value. Pragmatic leader with strong people management skills. Strong experience in advanced IT delivery innovation in multiple domains. Recognized as a leader in Open Innovation and highly sought after for participation in advisory boards. Frequent international keynote speaker on technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. Very strong track record in building networked organizations which deliver strong ecosystem based performance. Experienced CIO, CTO and awarded European CTO of the year in 2015.

Michael Peolsson

BSc, MSc, PhD, International coordinator, Programme officer, Swedish eHealth Agency (Sweden)

Michael Peolsson has degrees in nursing, biomedical engineering and a PhD in medical social sciences. He has worked in leading roles in university and research positions, innovation clusters, and recently at a govermental agency for ehealth. At the Swedish e-Health Agency, he is international coordinator and programme officer. Currently he leads an international benchmarking study on national digital health strategies. Secondly, he is task leader in the EU4health project “Towards the European health data space”, focusing cross-border sharing and use of secondary health data. He is also in the leading core group for the workstream “policy environment” in the Global Digital Health Partnership and in a WHO-europe working group on national digital health strategies.

Monica Povedano

Head of the department of Neurophisyiology, Bellvitge Hospital (Spain)

Medical Degree by the University of Barcelona in 1994; Title of specialist in Neurophysiology in 1998. Master in Research and Medical Sciences (Hospital Clínic, Barcelona) in 2012. Doctor
in medicine by the UB.
Awarded by the Barcelona Medical College in 2017 for the professional excellence activity; expert in neuromuscular diseases, awarded by the Neurology Spanish Society 2020 to the excellence in Neuromuscular disorders.Head of the department of Neurophisyiology in Bellvitge Hospital. Tutor of residents until 2019. Teacher in postgraduate course in EMG and neuromuscular disorders in The University of Barcelona Coordinator of the Motor Neuron Functional Unit of the Service of Neurology at the Bellvitge University Hospital, Institute of Biomedical Research of Bellvitge (IDIBELL) since 2011.
The motor neuron functional unit treats patients with ALS, SMA and other neurodegenerative motor neuron diseases. The multidisciplinary clinical team includes specialists in pneumology, neurology, rehabilitation, physical therapy, nutrition, psychology, social work and occupational therapy.

The unit led by Dr. Povedano is a reference center for motor neuron pathology in the autonomous community and the state (CSUR) and europe (ENR_NMD), and it is an expert center in intrathecal treatment of adult SMA. Dr Povedano is in the board of the European network TRICALS focus on the validation of ALS biomarkers, and new clinical trials. Clinical research of Dr. Povedano has been dedicated to: Personalization of ALS phenotypes, adapting validated tools such as the ALS-CBS test and possible interferences for cognitive deterioration in patients, and applying telemedicine, genetic and molecular studies. Characterization thefunctional alterations and application of therapeutic tools to minimize limitations related to swallowing and nutrition in specific subgroups of ALS Evaluation of the quality of life at advanced and terminal stages of the disease, studying the relationship between quality of life and disease progression as well as the impact of respiratory difficulties; and improving medical, personal and social environmental factors to minimize suffering. Analysis of environmental epidemiological risk factors in the pathogenesis of ALS Participation in the analysis of new putative biomarkers of diseases ALS /SMA in blood and CSF.

Dr Oriol Estrada Cuxart

Chief Strategy Officer, the Germans Trias Hospital in Badalona (Spain)

Graduated in medicine from the University of Barcelona in 1987. Specialist in internal medicine. His degree as a Ph.D. from the Autonomous University of Barcelona with a study on Clinical Innovation about Home Endovenous Treatment of Severe Infections. Diploma in Integrated Health Services Management from ESADE Business School in 2011. Since 2009 he has held various managerial responsibilities in health organizations. For the last two years, he has been responsible for health strategy and innovation at the North Metropolitan Territorial Area of the Catalan Institute of Health. He has managed the innovation strategy, leading more than 80 integration and innovation projects in an area that covers one and a half million inhabitants.

His focus of expertise is on clinical innovation, facilitating changes that will improve the healthcare system. In recent years, he launched a program of technological innovation focused on health professionals.

He is the author of several publications, communications, and guest lectures at national and international conferences (all in innovation, hospital management, internal medicine, hospital at home, and clinical management).

Rajendra Pratap Gupta

Chair, Health Parliament (India)

Rajendra Pratap Gupta (Rajendra) is a public policy expert who has been contributing to policy making for over a decade.

Rajendra has worked with some of the largest organisations across the world and was nominated to the Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum for 2012-2014 in recognition of his work. He has served at senior-most levels at fortune 20 & fortune 500 companies in India. Besides, he has been invited by global organisations like the United Nations, UNESCO, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Health Organization, World Economic Forum, ITU ( oldest UN body), United States of America, Govt. of Japan, Algeria, Finland & Bangladesh, and also by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Human Resource Development , Ministry of Labour and Employment & The Planning Commission – Government of India, for his views on diverse range of topics. He played an important role in drafting public policies and became the youngest person to draft the election manifesto of BJP . He also played a key role in drafting the BJP’s Lok Sabha Election Manifesto in 2014. He has played an important role in drafting the National Health Policy 2017, National Education Policy, the policy ( schemes ) for Building & other Construction Workers (BOCW) – Ministry of Labour & Employment & the State Health Policy for Uttar Pradesh. He is the founder of HIMSS India , Disease Management Association of India , Continua India , PCHA India and the Government Industry Dialogue Initiative. He was recognised for his contribution in 2012 by the sheriff of Los Angeles; named the ‘Thought Leader of the Year’ three years in a row by ICT Post; Featured amongst the ’25 living Legends of Healthcare in India’ and nominated to World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council. He has authored five best-selling books 1)Healthcare Reforms in India – Making up for the lost decades 2) Your Vote is Not Enough 3) Your Degree is Not Enough 4) Tough Choices & Hard Decisions- Rebuilding India : The Next 25 Years 5) Digital Health – Truly Transformational.

Currently, he divides his time between public policy work and consultancy / advisory roles across geographies.

Sara Secall

General Partner, Inveready (Spain)

Sara is responsible for building the Biotech Portfolio. Sara has an extensive international career in technology investing. She was involved in investing and exiting several Venture Capital investments while working for Chevron Technology Ventures, the corporate Venture Capital group based in California with USD 210 MM under management. Prior to joining Inveready, as Director of Spin Outs for the University of Barcelona, she was involved in starting and financing over 25 technology start ups and she negotiated numerous technology licenses, mainly in the biotechnology sector. She has worked extensively in the USA, Latin America and Europe. Sara holds a BS in Chemistry, MSc from Indiana University and an MBA from the London Business School.

Sergio Murillo Corzo

Minister for Social Action, Government of Biscay (Spain)

Sergio Murillo Corzo is Minister for Social Action of the Government of Biscay sin 2019.
Previously, he has been for 6 years the Director-General for Personal Autonomy Promotion, in
the Department for Social Action.
As Minister for Social Action of the Government of Biscay, he is responsible for the design,
implementation and management of public policies addressed to children, older people and
people with disabilities. Currently he is leading the Long Term Care transition plan in Biscay, as
key issue for the quality and sustainability of present and future public care systems.
He holds a Bachelor in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Deusto
(Bilbao), MSc in Management Development. He has a background in management of social and
health service centers, education centres and auditing services.

Tobias Silberzahn

Partner, McKinsey & Company (Belgium)

Tobias Silberzahn is a trained biochemist and immunologist and works as a Partner in McKinsey’s Berlin office where he is a member of the Healthcare and Innovation Practice. The focus areas of his work are healthcare innovation, health tech business-building and digital transformation.

Tobias leads the global Health Tech Network, a community of >1500 health tech CEOs/founders and 500 investors and corporate health tech leaders. As part of his work, Tobias co-publishes the “eHealth Monitor Germany”, an annual book about the digitization of the German health system.

Within McKinsey, Tobias leads the Health & Wellbeing program for employees, focused on sleep, nutrition, stress management and fitness, that was recently awarded the Brandon Hall HCM Excellence Award in Gold.

Tobias Silberzahn

Partner, McKinsey & Company (Belgium)

Tobias Silberzahn is a trained biochemist and immunologist and works as a Partner in McKinsey’s Berlin office where he is a member of the Healthcare and Innovation Practice. The focus areas of his work are healthcare innovation, health tech business-building and digital transformation.

Tobias leads the global Health Tech Network, a community of >1500 health tech CEOs/founders and 500 investors and corporate health tech leaders. As part of his work, Tobias co-publishes the “eHealth Monitor Germany”, an annual book about the digitization of the German health system.

Within McKinsey, Tobias leads the Health & Wellbeing program for employees, focused on sleep, nutrition, stress management and fitness, that was recently awarded the Brandon Hall HCM Excellence Award in Gold.

Victoria Betton

Director, PeopleDotCom (United Kingdom)

An author, podcaster and public speaker, Victoria Betton specialises in human-centred design, digital strategy and adoption which she delivers through her company, PeopleDotCom Ltd.

Victoria is a qualified social worker and coach with 20+ year’s experience in local government, third sector, digital health startups and the NHS. Her latest book, Towards a Digital Health Ecology – NHS Digital Adoption through the COVID-19 Looking Glass is her latest book (Routledge, 2022).

Yahel Halamish

 Investment Principal, Nina Capital (Spain)

Yahel joined Nina Capital in June 2020.
Nina Capital is a specialized venture capital firm investing exclusively in the intersection of healthcare and technology at the pre-seed and seed stages.
At Nina Capital, besides being an active member of the investment team, she is also in charge of Investors Relations and D&I in the fund, promoting an active approach to increasing diversity. Prior to joining Nina Capital, Yahel gained experience investing in a wide range of Alternative Assets such as private companies, VC/PE funds, and Hedge funds.
Yahel holds an MBA from IESE Business School, LLB and, BA in economics from the Hebrew University.

Zara Pons Vila

Collaboration Lead Scandinavia, EIT Health Scandinavia (Sweden)

Internationally trained biotechnology scientist and entrepreneur formed at the heart of Silicon Valley and currently innovation professional for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in Health (EIT Health), Zara was born in Mallorca, Spain. She studied Biotechnology and did her PhD in Biomedicine and pharmacology at the Rovira I Virigili University (Catalonia) and at Yale University (USA) resulting in more than 20 peer review papers, multiple presentation in international congresses, a patent and pilot clinical trial phase 3. She then moved to one of the top medical universities in the world, Karolisnka Institutet, home to the Nobel price awards were she did her postdoctoral training.

Soon after she joined EIT Health as a scientist and entrepreneur to support  the Nordic start-up ecosystem and shortly after stepped out of the position to become Strategy Manager and work linking the advanced innovation ecosystem in the Nordics with the rest of Europe. She set up the Swedish and French accelerator program, financed by Vinnova, the Swedish innovation agency to support Swedish startups in Digital Health and AI entering in the French market. Additionally she lead the Horizon Europe project for EIT Health in Innovation 4 Active and Health Ageing.

Currently she is partnership manager for EIT Health in the Nordics, working on establishing links and connections between the Nordics and Baltics to the different regions in Europe to guarantee that innovation happening in one side of Europe is implemented in other regions. She is also supporting projects applications, reviewing and building international consortium for the EIT Health partners. She is leading the EIT Health project aiming to promote the secondary use of data and samples for commercial purpose.

Zara, as part of EIT Health is really interested in the uptake of Digital Medical Devices, the creation of the European Health Data Space for secondary use for innovation and in new ways of delivering healthcare.