As we approach the end of 2021, I find myself reflecting on how fortunate my family and I were to stay healthy and what an amazingly rewarding year it has been for me professionally.

I’ve always been passionate about growing purposeful companies; and 2021 was rich in purpose for me! My clients’ and advisees’ missions include combating misinformation; creating more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces; treating chronic diseases; helping people learn new skills; helping independent music artists build thriving businesses; helping older adults use technology to stay safe, independent, and connected; empowering people to live happier lives by developing a healthier money habits, and more.

I’m proud to work with 6 women and 5 people of color who are all founders and CEOs of their companies and leaders in their industries. My clients started their current companies when they were between their 20s and their 70s, with most in their 40s and 50s. It's never too late!

Their products range from a wide variety of B2B/B2C web and mobile apps, a game, several multi-sided marketplaces, a tele-health/virtual care solution, and several machine learning and computer vision applications.

I also dove into the field of prescription digital therapeutics. Never heard of em? Neither had I! Think: mobile apps to treat various medical conditions, that go through clinical trials, get FDA approval, and can be prescribed by doctors and paid for by insurance companies. Prescription digital therapeutics will be a critical component for treating chronic diseases, which account for almost 90% of US health costs.

Some highlights of my engagements this year included helping a client close a first venture capital round, helping a client prepare for technical due diligence as they approach an exit, helping a client design a new architecture and devise a plan to break apart their monolithic legacy application into micro-services, helping several clients manage technology leadership and vendor transitions and find talent, and launching four MVPs.

Also, in May, I co-founded a medical cannabis technology company whose mission is to help people heal themselves. In the last 6 months, we filed a provisional patent application, built a product (I started coding again!), and landed a first paying customer!

In 2022, I’m looking forward to another year of purpose, expecting to pursue two full patent applications, both involving medical applications of machine learning (one for myself and one for a client), pursue an NSF SBIR Phase 1 grant involving computer vision, kick off at least one SOC 2 compliance initiative, build a software product following FDA CGMP guidelines for medical devices, launch several MVPs, and bring my own venture out of stealth.

I wish you all the best in the coming year!