SHEENA D. FRANKLIN

Sheena is a healthcare advocate and public policy champion. Before starting K’ept Health and the Velvet Lab Sheena excelled as a healthcare government relations professional (lobbyist) in Washington, D.C., where she represented major trade associations and Fortune 50 companies, such as Walgreens (Walgreens Boots Alliance) before the White House, Congress, CMS, and the FDA.

Her work has not only elevated the conversation around women’s health but has also earned her numerous accolades. Sheena has been recognized as an Alumni Trailblazer in Advocacy by The George Washington University, named a Company and Founder to Watch by the Washington Business Journal, and recognized as a Women’s Health Showcase company by Startup Health, and The Women’s HealthTech Company of the Year by Columbia University’s HITTLAB. Additionally, Kisaco Research recognized K’ept Health on their “The Leading 10 FemTech Companies Changing Women’s Health” list, highlighting her impact on closing health data gaps and advancing AI diagnostics for women.

Sheena continues her policy work through industry leadership roles as the Co-Chair of the Women’s Health Working Group and a member of the Healthcare in A.I. Working Group for the Consumer Technology Association; and a member of the Women’s High Tech Coalition, an advisory group to the Women’s High Tech Congressional Caucus. She has provided testimony and insights before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business and the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations – Women and Minority Health Innovation Gaps & Opportunities Congressional Briefing.

Sheena has a Master’s Degree from The George Washington University in Legislative Affairs with a concentration in Corporate Public Affairs, a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a minor in Political Science from Clark-Atlanta University, and a Certificate in Health Data Science from the Columbia Business School, Digital Health Program. Sheena lives in Alexandria, VA.

SELECT PROJECTS

01.K’ept Health2019
02.American Medical Association2021
03.Johnson & Johnson Innovation2022
04.Aspen Institute2024
05.The Velvet Lab2024

SELECT Speaking Engagements

01.Uniliver2019
02.U.S. HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE2019
03.IBM2020
04.Women In Retail2020
05.U.S. HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE2022
06.The Virtual Care Summit2023
07.The Aspen Institute2024

SELECT PODCASTS

01. The Health Disparities Podcast 2021
02. B-Time with Beth Bierbower 2022
03. Product in Healthtech 2023

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