2025 Innovation Nexus Boot Camp Speakers & Mentors
Ryan Drant
Founder and Managing Partner
Questa Capital
Ryan Drant is the Founder and Managing Partner of Questa Capital, a healthcare-focused venture growth equity investment firm. From 1996 through 2015 Ryan was an investor at New Enterprise Associates, where he served as a general partner, Head of Healthcare Investing and a member of the NEA Management Committee. He represents Questa on the board of directors of ACTO, Aerin Medical, Avive, Calyxo, Cortica, Dispatch Health, Eko, Eximis Surgical, Intrinsic Therapeutics, Medrio, Ossio and PocketHealth. He has previously served on the boards of more than 30 private companies. Ryan also serves on the board of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) and is a four-time nominee to the Forbes Midas List of top venture capital investors. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Stanford University.
Britton Garrett
Founder and CEO
iO Urology
Britton Garrett is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 16 years of experience in medical technology in Urology, encompassing roles in both startups and major corporations like Medtronic. As the Founder and CEO of iO Urology, he spearheads the development of CarePath®, the digital front door for Urologic care at home. Expertise in team building and capital formation has been instrumental in advancing digital health solutions that enhance patient care and reduce healthcare costs. His leadership at iO Urology has earned the company recognition as a Showcase Presenter at the 2024 AUA Innovation Nexus Conference. iO Urology has recently competed its Series A financing and has multiple large strategics in the cap table.
Derek Herrera
Founder and CEO
Bright Uro
Derek Herrera is the Founder and CEO of Bright Uro, where he leads development and commercialization of the most advanced Diagnostic Sensors and Data Science for Urology. Before entering the Medical Device Industry, Derek served as a Marine Raider in the Special Operations community until he was shot and paralyzed from the chest down in 2012 while leading his team in Afghanistan. A graduate of the US Naval Academy and UCLA, Derek lives in San Clemente, CA with his wife, Maura, his twin boys, Hudson and Hunter, and his dog Donut.
Topher Kinsella, MD
Founder and CEO
Watershed Therapeutics
Topher Kinsella is a retired Trauma Surgeon and founding CEO of Watershed Therapeutics, a drug company for bladder therapies. He is co-author of Hidden Wombat: How Executives Innovate without the Waste of Money, Brains, and Time.
Gavin Leonard
Founder and CEO
MedTech Syndicates
As the Founder and CEO of MedTech Syndicates, Gavin set up the platform having seen firsthand that investing with clinicians who understood the unmet clinical need made a huge impact on the success of ventures. He believes that MedTech Syndicates is the missing link in the Venture Capital world and is building a truly global network of clinicians.
Chris Rowland
Founder and Managing Partner
KWGB Partners, LLC
Chris Rowland is a veteran MedTech executive with over 35 years of global leadership experience, including 15+ years as President and CEO. He has led startups, midsize and multinational companies through successful growth, turnarounds, international expansion, capital raises, and exits to acquirers like Covidien/Medtronic and Teleflex. A prolific inventor with over 20 patents generating $1B+ in revenue, Chris currently served as Chairman or Advisor to several innovative medical device companies. He is known for his hands-on leadership in commercialization, team building and strategic execution across the gastrointestinal, surgical and urology sectors.
Steve Ryan
Global leader, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Steve Ryan advises companies on venture capital, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate governance matters with a strong emphasis on representing private high-growth companies and venture capital investment firms. Steve focuses his work with venture-backed companies and founders to practically solve complex issues, develop strategies to navigate risks while achieving business objectives, and efficiently execute to drive results. He routinely serves as outside general counsel to clients, assisting them with board governance, evaluating and executing financing alternatives, securing and protecting intellectual property, stakeholder management and accessing specialized legal resources.
Dave Szabo
Founder and President
Remedy Medical Manufacturing
David Szabo, president and founder of Remedy Medical Manufacturing, is an experienced entrepreneur and corporate product development professional. Capable of mixing engineering problem solving with sales skills and financial discipline resulting in a well-rounded technical business professional. This mix of skills creates the ability to function effectively in roles from product support to executive management. Combined with broad medical device and medical simulation industry experience, direct and measurable impact on companies of all sizes is realized. David has direct product experience with wound management, women’s health, cardiology, and catheter manufacturing.