Company: Koa Health, Boston, MA
Company Description: Koa Health is the leading global provider offering evidence-based, personalized, integrated solutions and services that deliver mental health for everyone. Available to more than 3 million users worldwide, Koa Health's digital-first solutions address a vast spectrum of mental health needs – from improving wellbeing to supporting treatment for the most prolific disorders.
Nomination Category: Thought Leadership Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Thought Leader of the Year - Business Products
 Nomination Title: Jennifer Gendron, Chief Commercial Officer
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 87 words used.
Jennifer Gendron has more than a decade of experience in global health and wellbeing SaaS solutions for employers and health plans. Prior to joining Koa Health as Chief Commerical Officer, she most recently served as Head of Development, Innovations for the EX® Program, a digital tobacco cessation solution. She has also held leadership positions with Virgin Pulse, MeYou Health and E4 Health. Jennifer Gendron’s expertise in high-growth technology is complemented by 10 years of experience as a provider in clinical behavioral health and in behavioral health academia.
- Outline the nominee's thought leadership achievements since July 1 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 248 words used.
In her journey from social worker to clinician to a leader in the health technology space, Jennifer Gendron’s education and experience have come together in her current role as Koa Health’s Chief Commerical Officer. A leading global provider offering evidence-based, personalized, integrated mental health solutions and services, Jennifer is helping to make the company’s vision of mental health for all a reality.
Jennifer is the driving force behind the Koa Health commerical team, having started the team from the ground up when she joined the company last year. She has also brought in several women leaders across largely male-dominated roles and initiated a diversity and inclusion initiative within Koa Health’s culture and ethics committees.
Her ability to uncover employers’ and health plans’ concerns and needs led Koa Health to change its product roadmap. Jennifer identified that burnout was a major workforce problem tied to mental health, leading to the development of burnout resources and content within Koa Foundations, Koa Health’s flagship product. She also recognized the need do more than simply provide tools and resources for employees to make an impact on mental health in the workplace. Her idea to implement manager and employee training to create a culture where it’s ok to not be ok inspired Koa Health’s wraparound service, which is designed to empower organizations to effectively rebuild their culture around mental health.
In 2022, Jennifer Gendron was named to Fast Company’s Impact Council. Jennifer also secured the company a WELCOA Well-being Trailblazer award this year.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 13 words used.
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2020 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Shifting from the female-dominated mental health industry to the traditionally male-dominated sales and technology industries, Jennifer Gendron is paving a new path for women in leadership. While Jennifer is not the only female leader in the industry, her education and experience in the mental health field make her especially unique in her role as Chief Commercial Officer at Koa Health.
Mental health often gets left behind in innovation. Many tech-forward companies are built around a business nucleus. Jennifer is well-versed in health and wellbeing, bringing a medical nucleus to Koa Health.
A former clinician, Jennifer cares deeply about mental health and is a driving force in the company’s vision of mental health for all. Her clinical and organizational knowledge has been integral to Koa Health’s mission to combine evidence, technology and user-centered design to create simple, personalized and accessible support across the mental health continuum.
Jennifer’s clinical experience plays a pivotal role in ensuring Koa Health’s products and services can support the largest portion of the population—the ‘missing middle.’ Her expertise in treating this population is guiding the company’s efforts to support those who need the resources and encouragement to learn the behaviors and personal tools that support good mental health before they reach a more critical tipping point.
In other words, Jennifer is a key player in Koa Health’s innovative approach to helping people who need more than deep breathing exercises and guided meditations, but don’t need (or want) acute care or therapy, while still being clinically effective.
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