Our Team

Medical and Science Committee

The Medical/Scientific Committee evaluates investment proposals based on clinical merit and market needs, and also contributes to March of Dimes’ understanding of needs in maternal and infant health to help us identify promising areas of investment.

George Saade
George Saade, MD (Chair)
Eastern Virginia Medical School                 
Dr. Saade is Chair of EVMS Obstetrics and Gynecology and Associate Dean for Women’s Health. He is a former President of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and a recipient of several research awards from the organization along with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
Emin Maltepe
Emin Maltepe, MD, PHD
University of California, San Francisco                  
Dr. Maltepe, Professor, Pediatrics, is neonatologist at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. He also serves as Director of Product Development for the Initiative of Pediatric Drug and Device Development (iPD3).
 
Irina Burd
Irina Burd, MD, PHD
University of Maryland School of Medicine                 
Dr. Burd is Chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at UM School of Medicine. She has published extensively on fetal brain development and high-risk obstetrics.
 
Rashmin Savani
Rashmin Savani, MD
University of Florida College of Medicine                 
Dr. Savani is Chair of the UF College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, and Physician-in-chief of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.
 
Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell, MD, MMP
University of Pennsylvania                 
Dr. Howell is Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, as well as a founding director of the Blavatnik Family Women’s Health Research Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
 

Investment Committee

The Investment Committee evaluates investment applications, reviews ROI potential, provides investment expertise, and assists in developing terms for investments of the Innovation Fund.

 
emma goltz
Emma Goltz (Co-Chair)
Emma is Vice-Chair of INSEAD Board of Directors. She has extensive non-profit board experience with deep expertise in fundraising and governance.
 
Fred Goltz
Fred Goltz (Co-Chair)

Fred is co-founder of Hattington Capital where he works on core strategies and aspects of its business. Prior to this, he was at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) in San Francisco, including several years running KKR’s mezzanine business.

 
Shannon Martin
Shannon Martin
Shannon is COO and co-founder of a venture capital and real estate investment firm, Bridstowe Capital. She spearheads strategic acquisition and management of portfolio companies.
 
Dana Martin
Dana Martin
Dana is CEO and co-founder of a venture capital and real estate investment firm, Bridstowe Capital. He has over a decade of experience in technology and supply chain.
 

If you're an early-stage company seeking funding, please submit this initial application form here.

If you're interested in learning more about our Innovation Fund, please reach out to Eric Schaefer at [email protected]. 

If you're interested in making a philanthropic contribution to our Innovation Fund, please reach out to Karyn DeMartini at [email protected].