Anula Jayasuriya is a successful venture capitalist whose background combines deep business, scientific and medical knowledge with broad clinical, industry, entrepreneurial, and investment experience.
Anula founded EXXclaim Capital, an early-stage venture fund focused on catalyzing innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in Women’s Health, and co-founded EILSF, the first Indian fund focusing health care. She sits on several private biotech boards and on the board of the public company, LCTX.
Previously, Anula was an investor at Skyline Ventures and TVM, VP Business Development at Genomics Collaborative Inc., and Vice President, Global Drug Development at Hoffman-La Roche.
Anula received her BA from Harvard summa cum laude, and an MD and PhD from Harvard Medical School. She interned in Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and earned an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School.
Jennie Martel is an experienced leader with expertise in brand protection strategy and operations across numerous industries in the Consumer Goods, Industrial, and Travel & Hospitality sectors. By procuring, leveraging, and enforcing intellectual property assets globally, she drives innovation and protects new and iconic brands, large and small retailers, and consumers. Her efforts create infinite value for businesses in the form of reputational harm avoidance, risk mitigation, and product sell-through.
Ms. Martel leads Global Brand Protection at Colgate-Palmolive Company. In her capacity as Chief of Global Brand Protection, she is committed to ensuring that people around the world have uninterrupted access to safe personal care products. Before joining Colgate-Palmolive, she led the trademark, copyright, and anticounterfeiting functions for Stanley Black & Decker.
Ms. Martel is frequently recognized for her work with honors, including the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center’s public appreciation for her proactive efforts to safeguard consumers during a worldwide pandemic; awards, including two Colgate Chairman awards; speaking opportunities, including INTERPOL’s “Unity for Security – Responsibility for a Safer World”, the official launch in Abu Dhabi of seven global projects; and participation in high-profile teams and boards, including Stanley’s Emerging Markets Council, a prominent board that developed strategy and oversaw the sale and distribution of hand and power tools into emerging markets.
Ms. Martel serves on the Board of Directors for Watkins-Conti Products, Inc., the Executive Board of Directors of the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC), and the IP Advisory Board - a board jointly created by Homeland Security Investigations and IACC - as Personal Care Industry Leader and Co-Chair of the International Engagement and Operations Committee.
John H. Marmaduke graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with his Bachelor Degree in Finance. Joining Western Merchandisers upon graduation, he rose to President of Hastings Entertainment, a WM subsidiary, in 1976 and President & CEO of WM in 1982. WM was acquired by Wal-Mart in 1990 with John assuming twin CEO roles. In 1994 Wal-Mart sold Western Merchandisers. Hasting grew to 129 stores with 4,500 associates. It was acquired by Draw Another Circle in 2014. He has too many accolades to list including the honor of being inducted into the Variety Home Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2011. Mr. Marmaduke has extensive knowledge in retail and distribution of consumer goods and we are honored to call him a team member. He has served on many Boards throughout his career and is currently an active board member for the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation, Amarillo Museum of Art, Ascension Academy, Catholic Foundation of Texas Panhandle and now Watkins-Conti Products, Inc. where he is also a private investor.
Ross Watkins graduated from Texas Tech University in 2001 with his bachelor’s degree in marketing. Upon graduation, he joined a fortune 500 metals and recycling company and shortly secured the largest exclusive scrap metal management contract in the history of the company which encompassed 176 locations in 14 countries. In 2005, he transitioned into the oil and gas and commercial real estate industry where he managed 454,000 square feet of commercial real estate and assisted in both drilling 44 wells and managing 120 producing oil and gas wells. Watkins’ passion led him back to the metals industry where he founded RAARE Metal Concepts in 2010 which now extends its operation through 33 states and multiple countries. Watkins’ next venture began in 2015 with Big Box Waste, a waste disposal company which currently operates in the North Texas and South Texas regions. In 2017, founded Dimensional Asset Solutions which utilizes proprietary technology in 3D Imaging and Facility Integration. With his expertise in strategy and negotiations, Ross brings knowledge, experience and credibility that few others can deliver.
With a global mission to improve women’s quality of life through accessible healthcare optimization products, Allison Watkins-Conti is an award-winning entrepreneur with a background in marketing and advertising. In 2015, through her own anecdotal experience, Allison conceived a solution for an issue that affects one in three women worldwide. She designed, patented, engineered, and manufactured a solution that is now in the FDA approval process, and has multiple other products in the pipeline.
Phil Jones, MD, is a retired urologist and active biotechnology investor based in Norman, Oklahoma, with diverse business interests including medical, biotech, energy, ranching, and real estate ventures. He co-founded Norman Urology Associates and has served as president of the Norman Physician Hospital Organization and the Oklahoma State Urologic Association. He also chaired the Strategic Planning Committee as a Board Member of the Norman Regional Hospital Trust Authority. Dr. Jones served as the lead angel and a board member of Selexys Pharmaceuticals, acquired by Novartis Pharmaceuticals in 2016, which developed a promising treatment for sickle cell anemia. He currently serves on the boards of Thetherex Pharmaceuticals and Paratus Diagnostics, and he is chairman of the board of Linear Health Sciences. On a daily basis, Dr. Jones operates a land and cattle business with his wife, Cathleen Jones who is a practicing attorney, and their two sons.
Dr. Brucker specializes in urology, urogynecology, and surgery, and helps to manage bladder problems, incontinence, urinary tract infections, pelvic organ prolapse, and other conditions. In addition to treating patients, he conducts research on incontinence, the effects of multiple sclerosis and neurologic disorders on the bladder, and treatment of people with overactive bladder and benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate. He has received a grant from the Allergan Foundation to continue our research on incontinence. This funding also enables Dr. Brucker to train future leaders in the field.
Dr. Brucker was selected by Super Doctors for a “Rising Star” distinction in the New York Metro area and by The Leading Physicians of the World for a “Top Urologist” award.
Greg is an experienced intellectual property litigator with over a decade of experience in protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights in federal courts across the country. He regularly represents some of the world’s largest consumer-products and technology companies in patent litigation matters in disputes involving flagship products with billions of dollars in annual revenue, and has secured millions of dollars in jury awards for patent holders for violations of their intellectual property rights.
Mr. Chuebon has litigated patents in a broad range of technologies, including mobile devices, software, wireless communications, motherboard chip-sets, e-commerce, GPS/geolocation, peer-to-peer networks, power-over-Ethernet systems, secure communication protocols, data backup/recovery, data compression, and numerous standards-based technologies. He also advises clients on intellectual property issues related to various investments, mergers, acquisitions, and other transactional matters.
Ms. Drexler also has extensive management experience. She founded and ran Amira Medical until its sale to Roche Diabetes Care. She managed a variety of functions across the company at LifeScan and executed the sale of the company to Johnson & Johnson. Most recently, Ms. Drexler was the CEO of Sandstone Diagnostics, a life science tools company focused on increased access to high quality diagnostic testing.
A Guest Lecturer at Stanford University in Medical Device Design and Mobile Health curriculums, Ms. Drexler also provides team support and mentoring for the Stanford Biodesign Fellowship and StartX, an off-campus Stanford Accelerator.
Peter Manilla received his BS in biology from Youngtown State University and his MSc in Biotechnology from the Johns Hopkins University. He has over 30 years of experience in regulatory affairs and has worked at the US Food and Drug Administration, several pharmaceutical and biopharma companies and the Department of Defense in various regulatory positions. He has been instrumental in the development of several vaccine, drug and medical device products. Peter is Regulatory Affairs Certified (RAC) and is a good manufacturing practices certified professional (GMPCP).
Major Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (Ret.) is the Founder and CEO of John Daly - Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation which provides mental, physical, and wellness support to our nation's children and America's veterans. Major Pulido has a degree in Military Science, Marketing, and Criminal Justice and a masters degree in Logistics Management/Human Relations. He attained the rank of Major in his 19-year military career and on May 16, 2005, he was medically retired from the United States Army. For his service and sacrifice, Major Pulido has been awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Service Commendation and Achievement Medals.
Dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance sector of medical device and pharmaceutical industry from startup to full-scale manufacturing operations. Skilled in project management, regulatory, quality management, audit, resource & budget management, sourcing, and supplier management. Have a comprehensive knowledge of 21 CFR (820, 314, 601), EU regulations, Health Canada MDR, Australian TGA regulations, ASEAN, ISO 13485 & ISO14971, IMDRF, and ICH.
Nicole is an accomplished Marketing and Branding Executive with a proven track record in creating and executing successful marketing strategies through research, analysis, and creative campaigns.
Her specialties include digital and traditional marketing projects, brand management, creative content, design, social media and relationship cultivation. In addition to all things creative, Nicole has a continued fascination with female empowerment and mind/body holistic wellness as well as a passion for animal advocacy.
Brooke joined Watkins-Conti Products in 2016 as our bookkeeper, providing monthly general ledger bookkeeping and financial preparation. She holds a degree in accountancy from Western Governors University and has over 10 years of experience in the field. Brooke was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma and has three children. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, hiking, camping, and traveling.
Bill has been shooting both video and photography for more than 20 years. He is very passionate about his work and is continually sharpening his skills and knowledge of his trade. Born in Africa, he has travelled all over the world capturing the beauty of people, places, landscapes, and even animals. Perfection is unattainable, but Bill is willing to work hard to make sure the product produced is the best he can create. Bill is a joy to work with, never taking things too seriously and and always with a smile and some humor. He has a wonderful imagination, perfect in the creation of film.
Oklahoma doctor David Kallenberger specializes in infertility at the INTEGRIS Bennett Fertility Institute in Oklahoma City. Practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Kallenberger is also the program director for the Fertility clinic. As an OB/GYN in Oklahoma City, OK, Dr. David Kallenberger treats conditions affecting the reproductive system in women across two specialties: obstetrics & gynecology.
Obstetrics is the field that provides care for women before & during pregnancy, while gynecology provides care for female health in a non-pregnant state. OB/GYNs can take care of a wide range of illnesses, & may function as primary care physicians for women.
Dr. Amna Choudry, MD, MPH is an Oklahoma Native and a graduate of Oklahoma City University with her BA in Political Science and BS in Biology. She graduated Medical School at the University of Oklahoma, and earned her Masters Degree in Public Health at Columbia University in New York City. She completed her Residency in Family Medicine in Baltimore at the University of Maryland. She now resides and practices Family Medicine in the greater Washington DC area. Dr. Choudry sits on the Board for The Madison of D.C., a woman’s social and philanthropic organization that fundraises for Suited For Change. Suited for Change is a local DC organization that empowers women by increasing their employment and job retention through mentoring, provides leadership development, career training, and more. Dr. Choudry is looking forward to Yōni.Fit providing patients an improved Quality of Life with a conservative treatment that is lower risk than surgery.
Dr. Hurst has been in academic research most of his professional career. He served as Assistant Professor, later Associate Professor at the University of Alabama in Birmingham from 1972 until 1983, then moved to the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center in the Department of Urology as Professor. His areas of research have been the molecular pathology of benign bladder disorders, particularly interstitial cystitis, and genitourinary cancers. Recent research has been directed at targeting micrometastases, which are the cancer cells that spread early but remain dormant for a time. He is currently am Director of Basic Research for the Department of Urology.
- Dr. Darren Goff, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Mercy Clinic OBGYN Plaza with Mercy Hospitals