Dr. Irene O. Aninye is the Chief Science Officer for the Society for Women’s Health Research, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing women’s health through science, policy, and education. Aninye steers SWHR’s portfolio of scientific programs to increase awareness and investment in research on biological sex differences and health conditions that disproportionately or uniquely affect women. She convenes expert working groups and meetings to identify strategies that address persistent gaps in women’s health care and research, translating recommendations into science-based and patient-centered policy solutions. Dr. Aninye has led the development of white papers, health care roadmaps, patient toolkits, clinical education materials, and calls to action for women’s cardiovascular health, autoimmune diseases, menopause, Alzheimer’s disease, HPV, and endometriosis, among other areas. Prior to SWHR, Aninye worked at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, specializing in research capacity building and evaluating STEM research and training programs for universities and funding agencies. With a PhD in Molecular and Integrative Physiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Aninye’s research background is in endocrinology and metabolism – investigating sex steroid hormones and their receptor-mediated actions in development, reproduction, and disease. She has a passion to diversify the face of STEM and involvement of underrepresented groups in the sciences, providing scientific and leadership training across all career stages and serving on advisory boards for the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, National Health Council, and World Economic Forum’s Global Alliance for Women’s Health.

As the Science Policy Fellow, Nitzan supports the Women’s Health Dashboard by exploring research, care, and policy gaps in the United States related to depressive disorders in women. A freshly graduated Doctor of Medicine (MD), Nitzan is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with a focus on Women’s and Reproductive Health.

Prior to her MPH studies, Nitzan’s academic and professional journey reflects her commitment to advancing health equity, particularly for women and children. Nitzan worked as a Medical Affairs Student Associate at a start-up bio-tech firm, facilitating the integration of FDA-approved diagnostic tools into clinical practice. She also conducted cancer research as a research assistant at Meir Medical Center, where she studied the effects of anti-inflammatory substances on colorectal cancer cells. During her time in her clinical rounds, and as a medical assistant at a fertility clinic, she gained experience in patient care and education, deepening her interest in women’s health and wellbeing.

In addition to her professional work, Nitzan has been actively involved in social impact initiatives, including providing mental health support for children and teenagers and promoting innovative approaches to primary care. She is passionate about leveraging her diverse experiences to tackle complex health challenges through research and policy solutions.

Liisa Galea is the Treliving Family Chair in Women’s Mental Health and Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Ontario and a Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a position she took up after 25 years as a Professor at the University of British Columbia. She leads the Women’s Health Research Cluster (>800 members worldwide). Dr. Galea is a world-renowned expert in sex hormone influences on brain and behaviour in both health and disease states, with a focus on dementia and stress-related psychiatric disorders. Dr. Galea is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, International Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS) and the Kavli Foundation. She has won multiple awards including the Mortyn Jones Prize (2022), NSERC Discovery Accelerator Award (2x), Vancouver YWCA Women of Distinction award winner and Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada (2025). She has outstanding metrics (H index=86 (google), >210 papers, >20000 citations). Dr. Galea is the Principal Editor of Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology (IF8.303), the Past President of Organization for the Study of Sex Differences (2024-2026) and co-Vice-President of Canadian Organisation for Sex and Gender Research. She serves/has served on advisory boards provincially (UBC (Centre for Brain Health, Institute of Mental Health, UBC Health), BC Support Unit), nationally (CIHR (University Delegates Advisory Committee, CAN – advocacy and EDI), and internationally (Steroids and Nervous System (Italy), Sex and Gender Differences in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD Association US), Women’s Brain Foundation (Swiss); IRTG (Germany), Ann Bowers Women’s Brain Health Initiative (US)). Liisa serves/served on editorial boards (Hormones and Behavior, Endocrinology, Psychoneuroendocrinology, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Neuroendocrinology, Neurobiology of Stress, Neuroscience, eNeuro), committees (EDI, Awards, Advocacy for national and international societies) and peer review panels (NIH, Wellcome Trust, CIHR, Brain Canada, NSERC).

Kamili Wilson is a dynamic senior executive with dual expertise in aging services leadership and women’s health innovation. She brings unique insight from 18+ years of executive experience in aging services to address critical gaps in women’s midlife health support. Currently she serves as SVP of New Affiliate Integration Services at AARP while leading groundbreaking initiatives in menopause education and support as the founder of Claret Circle.

She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she earned a B.A. in English Literature. She previously served on the Board of Directors for the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM). In 2023, she completed several years of board service with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), for which she received the Edithe J. Levit Distinguished Service Award. Ms. Wilson is also a former executive board member for the Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation (ARHC) and a former member of DoSomething’s Corporate Advisory Board.

Miltenberger provides oversight of SWHR’s government relations, communications, and advocacy functions. A member of SWHR’s senior team, she is responsible for helping to drive SWHR’s policy agenda, build relationships with key stakeholders and policymakers, and guide activities to improve women’s health through science, policy, and education.

Previously, Miltenberger served as the assistant director of government affairs for the American Association for Dental Research (AADR), where she was responsible for developing and implementing AADR’s federal policy agenda, spanning federal budget and appropriations issues, international scientific collaboration, scientific workforce matters, and tobacco policy.

Prior to AADR, Miltenberger served as a senior manager for advocacy at AcademyHealth, where she supported efforts to raise the visibility and promote the value of health services and systems research.

Miltenberger received her master’s degree in global communication, with a concentration in public diplomacy, from The George Washington University. She received her ABJ in public relations and her BA in international affairs from the University of Georgia.