Medtech Leaders to Tackle AI, Capital, and Geopolitical Crises at VISION 2026

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – June 01, 2026 – As the medical technology sector grapples with a confluence of economic pressures, rapid technological shifts, and global instability, industry leaders are set to convene this fall to chart a course forward. MedtechWOMEN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing female leadership in the field, has announced its MedtechVISION 2026 Annual Conference, taking place on September 15 at the Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park, California.

Under the theme “The Breakthrough Imperative: Winning in an Ever-Changing Landscape,” the exclusive event, limited to 280 attendees, aims to provide a critical forum for navigating the most significant challenges reshaping the industry. The agenda reflects a sector at an inflection point, forced to innovate not just in its products, but in its very operations.

“Capital discipline, the rapid integration of AI, geopolitical uncertainty and workforce challenges are reshaping how medtech companies operate and compete,” said Yvonne Bokelman, Executive Director of MedtechWOMEN, in the official announcement. “This year’s MedtechVISION is an opportunity to engage and learn from those who are having great success navigating all of these changes.”

Navigating a New Era of Constraint and Complexity

The conference theme speaks to a new reality for medtech. The era of easy capital has given way to a period of stringent “capital discipline,” where every investment is scrutinized and a clear path to profitability is paramount. This financial pressure is compounded by supply chain volatility fueled by geopolitical tensions, forcing companies to rethink global strategies and build greater resilience into their networks.

Simultaneously, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but an immediate operational necessity. Companies are moving beyond isolated pilot projects to embed AI and data analytics across their enterprises to enhance efficiency, manage costs, and accelerate development. This technological arms race is unfolding alongside significant shifts in where healthcare is delivered, with the growth of ambulatory surgical centers and other non-traditional sites demanding new commercial and clinical strategies.

MedtechVISION 2026 is designed to address these interconnected challenges head-on, offering a platform for leaders to share strategies for mastering what organizers call a “permanent state of constraint” and accelerated change. The dialogue aims to move beyond simply acknowledging the problems to forging actionable solutions for sustained growth.

Leadership in the Crucible: Voices Shaping the Future

Headlining the conference are two women who embody leadership in this complex environment, each bringing a unique and powerful perspective. In an executive interview, attendees will hear from Martha Aronson, who was recently appointed President and CEO of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. As one of the few women leading a publicly traded medtech company, Aronson’s insights are particularly salient. Her extensive career includes senior leadership roles at Ecolab, Hill-Rom, and nearly two decades at Medtronic. Her experience guiding large, global organizations through periods of transformation will provide a high-level strategic view on building resilient organizations and driving growth at scale amidst the very complexities defining the industry’s current moment.

Providing a vital, complementary perspective is the inspirational patient keynote, Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell. A board-certified family medicine physician and nationally recognized health advocate, Dr. Curry-Winchell brings a dual lens as both a clinician and a patient who survived a near-death experience during childbirth. That harrowing experience became the catalyst for her widely viewed TEDx talk, “Do No Harm,” which has ignited crucial conversations about the maternal health crisis in America. Through her “Beyond Clinical Walls” podcast and social media platforms, she reaches millions monthly, empowering patients by translating complex medical information into actionable advocacy tools. Her presence at MedtechVISION underscores a fundamental truth: for all the talk of capital and code, the ultimate measure of success in medtech remains the patient.

Fostering Innovation Through Diversity and Mentorship

Underpinning the conference is the core mission of its host, MedtechWOMEN. Founded in 2010, the organization is committed to creating a future where the industry’s leadership reflects the diversity of the patients it serves. This commitment is woven throughout the event, most notably in the presentation of the Ferolyn Powell Leadership Award.

The award honors the legacy of Ferolyn Powell, a revered figure who, as President and CEO of Evalve, shepherded the revolutionary MitraClip® device from a concept into a global commercial success that has transformed cardiac care. Powell was equally known for her dedication to mentoring and opening doors for the next generation of leaders. The award recognizes individuals who embody her spirit of integrity, patient-centered innovation, and commitment to mentorship. Nominations are open until June 19, 2026, following in the footsteps of recent winners like Virginia Giddings of Edwards Lifesciences (2025) and Deborah Kilpatrick of Evidation Health (2024). The award serves as a powerful reminder that breakthrough technologies are driven by visionary and principled leaders.

The conference's planning and execution are also guided by prominent female leaders, with the planning committee co-chaired for a second year by Sheila Shah, Managing Director and Partner at L.E.K. Consulting, and Angela Frederickson, Founder and Principal RAQA Consultant at SPARQ Compliance.

The Breakthrough Imperative: From AI Hype to Patient Impact

The “Breakthrough Imperative” is not merely about surviving the current landscape but about actively winning in it. A central part of this involves translating the hype around technologies like AI into tangible benefits for both businesses and patients. The discussions at MedtechVISION are expected to delve into the practical applications of digital health, focusing on how companies can leverage data to improve everything from R&D pipelines to post-market surveillance, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

The event’s robust support from a wide array of industry giants underscores its importance. Platinum Sponsors Medtronic and Abbott, along with Gold Sponsors Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, and Terumo Blood & Cell Technologies, are among the many organizations investing in this critical dialogue. This broad coalition of sponsors and partners, including DeviceTalks and MedTech Innovator, signals a collective recognition that the challenges ahead require industry-wide collaboration.

As September 15 approaches, the gathering in Menlo Park represents more than just an annual conference. It is a strategic summit for an essential global industry at a pivotal moment, where the imperative to break through old models and embrace a new, more dynamic future has never been more urgent.