At the InvestHer Summit, health-tech entrepreneur Leonora O’Brien shared her journey and advice for aspiring founders. Foundational in her entrepreneurial endeavor was O'Brien's extensive pharmacy experience that encompassed patient care, administration, and policy. Pharmapod, a platform that addressed a critical industry vacuum, was established by her in 2012. Toronto-based Think Research acquired Pharmapod's assets in 2021. O'Brien's entrepreneurial accomplishments include reaching the finals of the EY Ireland Entrepreneur of the Year competition in 2020 and participating in the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women program in 2017. She praised the Winning Women program, noting it "provides access to mentorship and structured workshops, giving participants opportunities to meet international women founders who are also scaling their businesses."
O'Brien also helped create the Founder Framework, a program that helps leaders become "high-reliability founders.” She emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences, advising, "Your energy is a critical part of your personal resilience and in turn, the resilience of your business. Things that chip away at your energy will chip away at your business resilience." O’Brien’s insights continue to inspire and guide new entrepreneurs, fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.
