Innovators
LYNN M. BANASZAK
Innovation Expert I Speaker I Media Content Creator I Change Maker
Lynn has worked for more than 25 years driving progress and growth in economic development, civic, entrepreneurial, investment, academic and innovation communities. Building technology sectors.
Since 2013, she has led two prestigious Carnegie Mellon University innovation centers: The Disruptive Health Technology Institute and the Digital Transformation and Innovation Center managing $51 million of investment.
Previously, Lynn was the Chief Relationship Officer at the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse where she worked with 400 start-up companies and made investments for $18.7 million in 76 companies; leveraging nearly $1 billion in additional capital into the Pittsburgh region. She has helped raise more than $80M in economic development initiatives over the last decade and was a founding Director of the life sciences focused Accelerator Fund, LLC. Earlier in her career, Lynn helped create the Tissue Engineering International & Regenerative Medicine Society (TERMIS) and launched the TERMIS World Congress.
All of this work has been focused on leveraging AI and machine learning, robotics and autonomous technologies, manufacturing, and policy development or collaborative processes that are likely to improve quality of life for large populations.
Lynn is a national thought leader, that through board participation and more than 100 invited talks, has motivated, inspired and led varied groups of people to understand the importance of collaboration, innovation, community building and civic engagement.
Lynn is the producer and co-host of the nationally-ranked podcast, Innovation Unleashed. She is also the President of The Caileigh Lynn McDowell Foundation which was founded in 2016 to celebrate the life of her 17 year old niece Caileigh who passed away due to the catastrophic results of undiagnosed Crohn's Disease. The foundation works to transform political, social and economic systems and institutions to create a kinder, more equitable and just society for all.
DR. VONDA WRIGHT
Orthopedic Surgeon I Speaker I Author & Media I Change Maker
Dr. Vonda Wright is an orthopedic surgeon and internationally recognized authority on active aging and mobility. She specializes in sports medicine and currently serves as the inaugural Chief of Sports Medicine and Orthopedics for Northside Health System in Atlanta. An intra-preneur, Dr. Wright was the Inaugural Medical Director of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex a 158,000 sqft integrated sports medicine and performance joint venture between UPMC and the 5x Stanley Cup Campion Pittsburgh Penguins and the founding director of the Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes (PRIMA). Her pioneering research in mobility and musculoskeletal aging is changing the way we view and treat the aging process.
Dr. Wright cares for athletes and active people of all ages and skill levels from the Division I Georgia State Panthers, Pens Elite developmental hockey teams, University of Pittsburgh Division I athletes, World Rugby 7’s and Olympic track and field athletes and the Atlanta Ballet. She is a pioneering physician and thought leader for the new legion of E-Sports athletes.
Dr. Wright is a media content expert and regularly appears on national TV shows including “Dr. Oz,” and “The Doctors.” She is frequently quoted in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today and U.S. News & World Report, as well as in magazines such as Maxim, Prevention, Fitness, MORE, Runner’s World, Best Life, and Arthritis Today and numerous online publications. She proudly serves on the Sharecare Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Wright speaks worldwide and has authored five books; “Fitness After 40: How to Stay Strong at Any Age” and “Guide to THRIVE: 4 steps to Body, Brains & Bliss,” “Younger in 8 weeks,” an “A Parents Playbook for Raising Healthy Athletes,” and “Masterful Care of the Aging Athlete.” Dr. Wright earned her Masters of Science at Rush University, her medical degree from the University of Chicago, completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and her fellowship in sports and shoulder surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, 2x Stanley Cup champion, Peter Taglianetti and their blended family of 6 kids.
