Inga Bergen combines high-tech with empathy in healthcare

Challenges I've overcome – and what I've learned

"For a long time, I felt like I had to tone it down to be taken seriously – especially when I spoke about emotion, vision, or transformation. What I've learned: your energy and your clarity are your superpowers. Don't shrink. Take up space."

My tips for women in healthcare

"Trust your instincts – they're more informed than you think. Say yes to rooms you're not ready for yet. Build your own table if you’re not invited to one."

Why networks are important

"I love being part of communities that break silos – where public health meets tech, where design meets care. And I deeply value safe spaces for female founders and rebels with a cause."

How I see the future of the healthcare industry

"We'll stop treating symptoms and start building health. Prevention will be the new prescription. AI will help us personalize care, but the real shift will be cultural: more responsibility, more participation, more empathy."

Qualities I call essential for success in the healthcare industry

"Courage. Empathy. The ability to hold complexity and still move forward. And a strong stomach for systems that move slower than your vision."

My advice for building a strong professional network

"Be human. Be curious. Follow up. And: invest in others without expecting immediate returns. Relationships grow in unexpected ways if you nurture them authentically."

Best advice I ever received

"If it doesn't exist – build it."