Building Businesses & Investing in the Consumer Health Space
Hosted by Wharton Alumnae Founders & Funders Association
Join us for a panel discussion, light bites, express acupuncture treatments, ear seeding and more!
MEET THE PANELISTS:
Erin Lambroza is the Principal in L Catterton’s Growth fund, and is responsible for overseeing its Frontier Accelerator strategy. Frontier is an investment platform that writes $2 million to $10 million equity checks into early-stage health & wellness businesses. Since joining, she has led investments into four companies including WTHN, Alice Mushrooms, Stripes Beauty, and Cionic. She serves in Board capacities on WTHN, Alice, and Stripes Beauty,
Michelle Larivee is the Founder and CEO of WTHN, on a mission to make acupuncture accessible to all in order to unlock better health and quality of life for our clients. With 3 studios in New York City (soon to be 4!), and holistic at-home products sold globally, WTHN is fueling a radical shift in healthcare that promises a future of preventative care, a more seamless integration of Eastern and Western medicine and affordable, holistic options. WTHN offers personalized treatment plans including acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine and acupressure tools that treat concerns—from stress + anxiety, pain, digestion to fertility—at their root. Prior to WTHN, Michelle spent 12 years in the healthcare and emerging markets space as an investment professional and management consultant. She has structured over $5B in debt, equity and blended finance transactions. Michelle received her MBA from the Wharton School, MA from Penn’s Lauder Institute and BSFS from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. She has been recognized as a pioneer in the wellness space, featured in publications including NY Times, Vogue, Well+Good, and Forbes for her groundbreaking approach to holistic health.
Matt Axelrod is the Founder and CEO of Bulldog Medical, a virtual oncology practice that cuts the time to diagnosis from months to days. Bulldog Medical’s board certified oncologists, nurse practitioners, and nurse navigators perform the work-up and diagnosis for suspected cancer patients referred by primary care physicians. Matt has held commercial and operational leadership roles at venture backed health-tech companies including Cota (oncology real world evidence), Imagen (AI for radiology), and Phosphorus (genetic testing). He also serves as an independent consultant for private-equity backed healthcare companies
MEET THE MODERATOR:
Neda Talebian Funk is the Founder and Managing Partner of Long Run Advisory & Venture Studio, where she partners with early and growth-stage consumer brands to provide strategic guidance, founder and operational support, and investment expertise.With a background in building and scaling businesses across health & wellness, retail, and e-commerce, Neda has launched and advised numerous consumer brands. Prior to Long Run, she co-founded Woodley + Lowe, a Gen Z-focused apparel brand, and FITiST, the first multi-studio fitness membership platform. She has also served as a strategic advisor and consultant to leading consumer brands and startups, including Lively, Nike, and WeWork.