Catalyzing Capital, Innovation, and Impact to Advance Women's Health | Global Conference 2026

Why It Matters

The shift from awareness to coordinated investment and policy action promises to unlock research, new products and system-level reforms that can reduce costs and improve long-term health outcomes for women. Broad public-private momentum raises the prospect of faster commercialization and wider access to evidence-based care.

Summary

At the Global Conference panel, leaders from government, industry and philanthropy—including Dr. Jill Biden, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos, Merck’s Kalan Taylor Clark and entrepreneur Afton Vatcherie—marked the one-year anniversary of the Women’s Health Network and announced it now includes 170 organizations. Biden highlighted a $1 billion White House-era commitment to women’s health research and exposed longstanding gaps such as male-centric trials and neglect of menopause. Ramos described California’s cross-sector effort to halve maternal mortality by year-end and championed a life-course approach linking pregnancy complications to long-term cardiovascular and metabolic risks. Panelists said philanthropy, private industry and public policy are converging to catalyze funding, innovation and scaled solutions for women’s health today.

Original Description

Watch all 2026 Global Conference session replays: https://milkeninstitute.org/events/global-conference-2026/program

This session highlights the rapidly expanding investment landscape in women’s health, and announces the Milken Institute Women’s Health Network funding initiatives designed to channel more—and more diverse—capital into this underserved market. Leaders across finance, philanthropy, and industry, together with celebrities, will examine and share emerging opportunities, as well as their own commitments, that are reshaping the sector. Their participation and contributions will underscore the cultural and economic momentum driving women’s health forward.

Esther Krofah

Executive Vice President, Health, Milken Institute

Jill Biden

Former First Lady of the United States; Chair, Milken Institute Women's Health Network

Diana Ramos

California Surgeon General

Kalahn Taylor-Clark

Vice President and Head, Social Impact and Sustainability, Merck

Afton Vechery

Founder and CEO, Era Women's Health