Introduction
The gender gap in Latin American startups remains a challenge, with only 37% having at least one woman in C-Level positions and just 14% having female CEOs, according to the Startups Salaries in LatAm 2024 study.
However, the positive news is that this trend is gradually changing, thanks to new generations of women taking leadership roles in Latin American startups. Notable examples include Julieta, Catalina, and Macarena, winners of the Latam Health Champions 2025, who earned the right to participate in the “Mission Boston” event aimed at opening opportunities for health technology developers in our region.
Profiles of Female Leaders
Julieta Luz Porta, CEO of SphereBio
Julieta Luz Porta, a commercial engineering graduate and CEO of SphereBio, leads a team of scientists and oncologists developing nanovehicles to signal the immune system to attack cancer cells. They are currently testing this technology on aggressive cancers like colon, pancreatic, and melanoma, with plans to expand to infectious and autoimmune diseases such as HIV.
Thanks to recent technological advancements, their signaling technology has garnered attention from prestigious hospitals like Harvard’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham. Julieta emphasizes the strong scientific arguments supporting their work, which has earned trust from many.
At 27, Julieta acknowledges facing challenges as a young woman in leadership but remains confident that results will speak for themselves. She likens her role to a football team’s defensive tactician, assembling top talent and communicating their story to garner support.
Through a business and science program, Julieta led the project, despite facing prejudices. She seeks funding and partnerships to navigate clinical trials, grateful for the Latam Health Champions recognition that opened doors to this mission.
Catalina Isaza Falla, CEO of Innmetec
Catalina Isaza Falla, an industrial design engineering graduate and CEO of Innmetec, shares that her project originated from a collaboration between two Colombian universities—one medical and the other engineering and administrative.
In 2014, Catalina began working with this research group and later developed one of the materials now promoted during her master’s studies. This material uniquely resembles bone and integrates with it, addressing issues in pediatric patients requiring repeated surgeries due to heavy metal implants causing harm.
At 33, Catalina reflects on her growth from a technical expert to a business leader. She emphasizes the importance of equity in education, encouraging more women to pursue STEM careers and leadership roles. Her experience in Boston through Latam Health Champions has been instrumental in consolidating her position in a challenging field for women.
Macarena Silva Maldonado, CEO of Ari Health Design
Macarena Silva Maldonado, 26, leads Ari Health Design, born from the Ari-test device—a self-administered tool for detecting HPV in women, developed during her thesis in 2022.
Macarena aimed to empower women’s health by reviewing medical devices and noticed a lack of Latin American patents, opting to create her own solutions instead of importing advancements from the US or China.
Despite risks and fears, Macarena remains determined to succeed. She prioritizes having her product in women’s hands for self-examinations over academic publications. She believes Latin America has abundant talent but struggles to establish itself globally, a challenge she’s learning to overcome.
Her product nears clinical validations, and the Latam Health Champions experience has been invaluable. This trip exposed her to prominent researchers, startup programs, and the world’s leading health innovation ecosystem.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current gender gap in Latin American startups? Only 37% of startups have at least one woman in C-Level positions, and female CEOs represent just 14%.
- Who are some notable female leaders in Latin American startups? Julieta Luz Porta (SphereBio), Catalina Isaza Falla (Innmetec), and Macarena Silva Maldonado (Ari Health Design) are examples of successful female leaders.
- What challenges do these women face in their roles? They encounter prejudices and must balance technical expertise with business acumen while managing personal lives.
- How have the Latam Health Champions impacted these leaders? The recognition has provided opportunities for networking, funding, and exposure to the global health innovation ecosystem.
