For Cassandra Hui, entrepreneurship wasn’t a lifelong ambition—it was a necessity. When her mother and both of her sisters were diagnosed with cancer, she experienced the overwhelming challenge of navigating treatment options. “My mom was told to get her affairs in order, that there were no other options. Decades later, both my sisters—diagnosed at the same age as my mom—had completely different treatment journeys, based on what they were able to access,” she shares.

Frustrated by the complexity of the healthcare system and the lack of patient-friendly resources, Cassandra set out to build Heal Mary—an AI-driven platform that simplifies clinical trial matching for patients and caregivers. “I realized that clinical trials and emerging treatments were incredibly difficult to find and understand. Most of the available information is designed for clinicians, not patients,” she explains.

While she had the technical background to develop the platform, launching and scaling a business—especially in the highly regulated healthtech space—came with its own set of barriers.

Breaking Barriers in Healthtech

As a woman in tech, Cassandra faced the same biases that have long made it more difficult for women founders to secure funding, build networks, and scale. “Less than 3% of venture capital goes to women-led businesses. Fundraising was an entirely different experience for me than for many of my male peers,” she explains.

The complexity of healthcare regulations added another significant challenge. “There’s no clear roadmap for a company like Heal Mary. Every new milestone—whether it’s entering a new market, securing funding, or improving our technology—required a deep understanding of compliance, something I had to learn on the go.”

But the biggest challenge was proving that patients and their families could play a more active role in seeking treatment options. “A lot of people in healthcare assumed that patients wouldn’t want to take charge of their own searches, but we saw the opposite. Families are desperately looking for information, but the system isn’t built to serve them.”

Cassandra knew her vision was strong, but building a company in healthtech meant constantly having to prove its value—to investors, to industry stakeholders, and to the people she hoped to serve. Seeking support, she found The Forum.

How The Forum Changed the Game

Intrigued by The Forum’s approach to supporting women entrepreneurs, Cassandra applied for The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch. “I went in looking for funding, but I came out with so much more.”

Cassandra gained access to invaluable mentorship, strategic guidance, and a network of industry experts. “I met specialists in life sciences who provided strategic advice, investors who actually understood the challenges of healthtech, and a community of women founders who shared their experiences.”

One of the most impactful connections Cassandra made through The Forum was Dr. Alexandra Greenhill, a mentor who continues to be a guiding force in her entrepreneurial journey. “Having someone who deeply understands both technology and healthcare has been game changing. She helped me navigate regulatory challenges, refine our business model, and think more strategically about long-term growth.”

Beyond mentorship, the visibility from The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch led to new opportunities, partnerships, and funding prospects that helped Heal Mary expand its reach

Woman in black is speaking into a mic on stage and gesturing with her free hand

The Forum’s Impact: Educate, Activate, Elevate

Designed to support women entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, The Forum’s programming enabled Cassandra to tap into education and community that would be pivotal to her growth.

Educate: The education she received through The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch helped Cassandra refine her business strategy, pitch effectively, and navigate the complexities of healthtech regulations.
Activate: By leveraging The Forum’s extensive network, Cassandra connected with investors and secured funding, as well as key strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations.
Elevate: The exposure from The Forum helped amplify Heal Mary’s mission, leading to more visibility within the healthcare ecosystem and expanding its user base to over 30,000 patients annually.

Scaling a Mission-Driven Company

Today, Heal Mary partners with over 100 nonprofits and serves thousands of patients worldwide. Cassandra continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital health, integrating new AI-driven features that make clinical trial searches even more intuitive and accessible.

“What started as me helping friends of friends has turned into a platform that’s changing lives,” she reflects. “Heal Mary is now being used to connect patients to clinical trials for cancer, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and more. Our goal is to continue making the process easier, faster, and more transparent for families in need.”

Cassandra credits The Forum for helping her build confidence—not just in her business, but in her ability to lead it. “The Forum believed in me before many investors did. They saw the potential in Heal Mary before the rest of the industry caught up.

When you’re building something innovative, it’s easy to feel isolated. The Forum connects you to people who understand your challenges, believe in your vision, and are willing to open doors for you.”

A Lifelong Network of Support

Thanks to the mentorship, funding, and strategic connections she gained, Cassandra scaled Heal Mary from an idea to a company that is transforming patient access to treatment worldwide.

For women entrepreneurs considering The Forum, Cassandra has one message: “Take the leap. You won’t regret it. You don’t know who you’ll meet or how it will shape your business. The Forum is more than a pitch program—it’s a lifelong network that will help you navigate every stage of your journey.”