Cindy Whitehead

Cindy Whitehead is a leading women's health advocate and entrepreneur. With a 22-year track record in healthcare, Whitehead is best known for building and selling pharmaceutical businesses that deliver industry record-setting returns. She co-founded and led Sprout Pharmaceuticals as Chief Executive Officer. In 2015, the company broke through with the first ever FDA-approved drug, Addyi, for low sexual desire in women - dubbed "female Viagra" by the media. The New York Times called it "one of the most intriguing new pharmaceuticals in a generation." Sprout was sold for a $1B upfront payment.Cindy is a serial entrepreneur having previously co-founded, led operations and successfully sold Slate Pharmaceuticals. Slate commercialized the first FDA approved long acting testosterone in the field of sexual medicine.

Her career has also included time at Elan Pharmaceuticals, Dura Pharmaceuticals and Merck.

Entrepreneur Magazine featured Cindy on the cover of their 2016 "Women to Watch" feature. Her breakthrough work has been featured across all major media outlets: The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Financial Times, CNBC, CBS, Fox, Yahoo, etc. She has spoken at the Fast Company Innovation Festival, Fortune's Next Gen Most Powerful Women Summit, Chicago Ideas Week and others. She is actively involved in mentoring young entrepreneurs including her work on the board of advisors at the NC State Poole College of Management.

Cindy has just announced the launch of her next venture, The Pink Ceiling, a strategy and investment firm to propel innovations that break through for women. Already, she has invested in and is guiding Undercover Colors, a company with a wearable nail technology that detects if date rape drugs are present in a drink. Whitehead sits on the company's board of directors.