Helene Rutledge

Helene Rutledge is a strategic leader with 15+ years of experience in Innovation, R&D, and business transformation across Fortune 100 companies and dynamic start-ups.

Skilled in driving vision, strategy, and execution for innovation, product commercialization, launches, and M&As.

Expertise in building lean, profitable, and sustainable innovation ecosystems in various sectors like digital health, clinical nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products.

Combines technical knowledge as a chemical engineer with business acumen from an EMBA to deliver customer-centric solutions that accelerate speed-to-market, improve product quality, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Career highlights include founding Upgraid, merging with Mend Nutrition, creating digital health solutions, driving fundraising, restructuring innovation ecosystems, and streamlining product development at renowned companies like Avon, The Nature's Bounty Company, and GSK.

Educational background includes an EMBA in General Management from NYU Stern School of Business, BEChE in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from Manhattan College, and Digital Health Strategy business studies from Columbia Business School.

Previously held leadership roles such as President & COO, Chief Innovation Officer, VP of R&D, and Global Open Innovation lead at companies like Birthvue, New Avon, LLC, and GlaxoSmithKline.