Too often we define the Medtech sector by the number of dollars raised, IPOs helped or companies sold. But the focus neglects the very foundation of the sector: the people. Join the Medtech Talk Podcast each month to hear from entrepreneurs, investors and executives who spend their days developing the tools that make sick people well and health care more efficient.
Guest Bio:
Kate Garrett, Managing Partner, Sonder Capital
Kate is a managing partner at Sonder Capital and associate director of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship. Prior to Sonder Capital she was CEO of Ciel Medical, which she co-founded out of the Biodesign Innovation Fellowship. Ciel was acquired by Vyaire Medical in 2017, and Kate transitioned to vice president of Airway Technologies at Vyaire. Previously, she was a strategic marketing consultant at Acclarent and an R&D engineer at Pathway Medical. Kate has co-authored over a dozen patents and has received multiple honorary fellowships, including being one of the first recipients of the Ferolyn Fellowship. She is board director at BRIUS Technologies, Spirair, Ziteo Medical, Neptune Medical and a member of the Caltech Seed Fund Investment Advisory Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Olin College of Engineering and is a graduate of the Stanford Biodesign Innovation Fellowship.
Deborah Kilpatrick, Partner, Sonder Capital
Deborah Kilpatrick, Ph.D. is a partner at Sonder Capital in Silicon Valley investing in the medtech and healthtech landscapes. She is the former CEO and chair of Evidation Health, a technology company that pioneered the use of person-generated health data in real world evidence for global biopharma companies. Prior to Evidation, Deborah's operating experience focused on medical devices and molecular diagnostics in roles spanning R&D through commercialization, including multiple leadership roles at Guidant Corporation such as research fellow, director of R&D, and director of new ventures in its Vascular Intervention Division prior to its acquisition by Boston Scientific. Currently, she is a board director at Cordance Medical, Jupiter Endovascular, NextGen Jane, Sleep Number, and Sutter Health. She is a fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering and has been named to both the Digital Health Hall of Fame at UCSF and the College of Engineering Hall of Fame at Georgia Tech. Deborah is the co-founder of MedtechWomen and the MedtechVision Conference, now held annually in Silicon Valley. She is a proud "Triple Jacket", having earned her bachelor’s degree in science, master’s degree in science, and doctoral degrees in engineering all from Georgia Tech.
Moderator Bio:
Swaril Mathur, Vice President of Strategy & Growth, MicroTransponder
Swaril Mathur is a strategic growth leader with deep expertise in building and scaling transformative medical technologies through early-stage innovation, M&A, and go-to-market execution. Most recently, as vice president of business development at Axonics, she led M&A and strategic initiatives, including the company’s $3.7 billion acquisition by Boston Scientific. Prior to joining Axonics, Swaril drove early-stage innovation at Edwards Lifesciences as a member of the Advanced Technology group, and at Stanford University as a Biodesign Innovation Fellow. In these roles, she partnered with engineers and physicians to identify and address unmet clinical needs in cardiology and otolaryngology. She remains actively involved with Stanford Biodesign, currently co-teaching its Global Faculty Training program, which equips international leaders to support needs-driven healthcare innovation in their home countries.
Swaril began her career at Boston Consulting Group, supporting strategic transformations and business integrations for leading healthcare clients. She holds a master’s degree in bioengineering from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of California, Irvine.
