Women of Innovation Summit Showcases Leadership and Entrepreneurship Across Michigan’s Innovation Ecosystem

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Mar. 12, 2026) — Founders, investors, researchers, and ecosystem leaders gathered at the Graduate by Hilton East Lansing on March 10, 2026 for the Women of Innovation Summit, a half-day event hosted by the MSU Research Foundation, with support from Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and Lansing Regional SmartZone. Held during Women’s History Month, the event showcased how women leaders are advancing innovation across research, entrepreneurship, and industry.

The summit brought together leaders from across Michigan’s innovation ecosystem for a series of conversations focused on entrepreneurship, venture investment, and the leadership pathways shaping the next generation of innovators. Throughout the day, speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and access to capital in building a more inclusive and resilient innovation economy.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Anum Mughal, Placemaking Manager at the MSU Research Foundation, followed by a presentation from Lisa Prasad, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Henry Ford Health, and remarks from David Washburn, Chief Executive Officer of the MSU Research Foundation.

Keynote

Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff, President Emerita of Michigan State University and MSU Research Foundation Distinguished Professor, delivered the keynote address, Advancing Women’s Health Through Entrepreneurship. Drawing on her own career as a researcher, innovator, and academic leader, Woodruff reflected on the path from scientific discovery to real-world impact.

Her keynote highlighted how persistence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking can translate research discoveries into real-world solutions that improve health outcomes and expand opportunities for future innovators.

Founder Fireside Chat

A fireside conversation featuring Lindsay A. Joseph, Co-Founder and CEO of BedConnect, and Sunny Nadolsky, Founder and CEO of BridgeCare, examined the experiences of women building and scaling companies across health care, technology, and education.

Joseph, a former Detroit hospital CFO, founded BedConnect to streamline coordination between providers and post-acute care organizations. Nadolsky is a serial entrepreneur and venture partner at Sentiero Ventures who has built and exited multiple companies in education technology and digital health.

The conversation explored the realities of building high-growth ventures, the importance of resilience and leadership, and how mission-driven entrepreneurship can address complex challenges across industries.

Venture Capital Panel

A panel of venture capital leaders discussed how investment decisions are made inside venture firms and how investors can better support women-led innovation.

Panelists included Dawn Batts, Co-Founder of Commune Angels; Christina Drake, Partner at Renaissance Venture Capital; and Meagan Malm, Partner and Director of Operations at Michigan Capital Network. The conversation was facilitated by Lizzie Kettlewell, Venture Associate at the MSU Research Foundation.

Panelists explored the differences between angel investing and institutional venture capital, how investors evaluate emerging technologies, and the evolving venture landscape in Michigan. The discussion also addressed mentorship, leadership development, and the structural barriers that continue to shape participation in venture capital and high-growth entrepreneurship.

Speakers noted that while Michigan’s innovation ecosystem continues to grow, strengthening pathways for women founders and investors will remain an important focus in the years ahead.

Reflect & Connect

Following the lunch networking session, participants gathered for Reflect & Connect, a facilitated conversation designed to turn inspiration into meaningful dialogue.

Innovation leaders Rebecca Anthony, Midwest R&D Director at Fraunhofer USA; Kris McCarty, Founder and CEO of LYM Design; and Stefaney Norcross, Founder of Infinity Shampoo Bowl, shared short stories about turning ideas into real-world impact.

The session encouraged attendees to exchange experiences, explore potential collaborations, and reflect on how innovation journeys evolve through persistence, partnerships, and creative problem solving.

Strengthening Michigan’s Innovation Community

Throughout the summit, participants emphasized the importance of strong networks and cross-sector collaboration in strengthening Michigan’s innovation ecosystem.

Researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners engaged in conversations about leadership, mentorship, and how Michigan can continue expanding opportunities for founders and innovators across the state.

A Student-Made Michigan State pop-up shop featured products created by MSU student entrepreneurs, highlighting the growing pipeline of innovators emerging from the university community.

Collaboration and Connection

The summit concluded with informal networking sessions that allowed attendees to continue conversations sparked throughout the day and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

Events like the Women of Innovation Summit are part of the MSU Research Foundation’s broader effort to convene leaders from across research, industry, government, and venture capital to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in Michigan.

Three Key Takeaways from the Women of Innovation Summit

1. Women’s Leadership is Shaping Innovation: Founders, researchers, and investors are driving new approaches to solving challenges across health care, technology, and industry.
2. Access to Capital and Mentorship Matters: Panelists emphasized the importance of strong networks, mentorship, and investment pathways to help more women build and scale innovative companies.
3. Collaboration Strengthens Ecosystems: Bringing together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and industry leaders creates the relationships and shared insights that drive innovation forward.

To learn more about upcoming summits and events, visit msufoundation.org/events.