Gennev reposted this
After nine extraordinary years, I’m winding down my chapter as Founder & CEO of Gennev — and, most recently, as President of Unified Virtual Care, following Gennev’s acquisition by Unified Women's Healthcare. Gennev was the first company to unapologetically lead with menopause. What began as a bold idea quickly turned into a movement — one that challenged stigmas, elevated women’s health, and proved that yes, talking about hot flashes on stage, in boardrooms, and across dinner tables was not only okay, it was necessary. Together, we built something meaningful. We created a new category in healthcare. And in doing so, we caught the attention of one of the nation’s largest women’s health companies. Our acquisition by Unified Women’s Healthcare was not just a milestone — it was validation of a vision that started with a small but mighty team determined to make menopause mainstream. It also set a precedent that a women's health startup can successfully exit. To my team: thank you for trusting me with your careers, your time, and your talent. You brought our mission to life — day in and day out — with purpose, heart, and hustle. To our investors: thank you for taking a bet on us — not just financially, but on the conviction that women’s health is worth investing in. You saw the vision before the world caught up. To my husband, family, and friends — especially my husband — thank you for the patience, the pep talks, the therapy walks, the late-night “is this worth it?” chats, and the love that made it all possible. The other day a friend asked about my top 3 learnings from this chapter of life, and this is what I told her… 1. Stay optimistic, but real. It helps fuel the fearlessness you’ll need to make bold decisions and put yourself out there. It also helps sustain through the sleepless nights and tough times. 2. Be curious. When I was stuck, I’d reach out to customers to keep me focused on what mattered most. I called on mentors to reshape what’s important vs urgent. And, I tapped my long-time network to help me see the broader world and gain perspective on my part within it. 3. Be human. There is nothing more gratifying and challenging than the people who joined and departed my team and circle of supporters. More than anything on this journey, these people perpetually reminded me of who I am and where I was going. Leaving something you’ve poured your heart into is never easy. But it’s the perfect time to take a breath, cheer on a business that is growing faster than ever before, and rekindle my love for white space. I’m a builder at heart. I love big, bold challenges. And I know my next one is out there — ideally with more in-person time, creativity, and possibly a passport stamp or two. Onward ✨