For too long, menopause has been treated as a footnote in women’s health – under-discussed at work, under-prioritised in healthcare. Ann O’Neill is determined to change that. As founder and CEO of Adora Digital Health, she’s pioneering the use of conversational AI to give women the tools, knowledge, and confidence to navigate midlife health with clarity.

Since launching the Adora platform in 2024, Ann has implemented it into more than 35 companies worldwide, forged NHS partnerships in Scotland, and earned accolades including the 2025 Pitch in Parliament award for AI in Public Services. Her bold leadership is putting women’s health firmly on the agenda – not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of wellbeing and workforce equality.


What inspired you to launch Adora?

It came from my own experience of perimenopause – years of strange, unsettling symptoms with no clear answers. When I finally joined the dots, I realised millions of women were in exactly the same position: underserved, under‑diagnosed, and told to ‘just get on with it.’ I wanted to create something that offered women personalised support, backed by data, that they could trust.

How would you describe your leadership style?

Collaborative with a clear sense of direction. I like to set the vision and then give people the room to do their best work. Curiosity is a big part of it – I’d rather ask questions than pretend to have all the answers.  

Your biggest learning curve in health tech so far?

That healthcare doesn’t work at start‑up speed. You can’t ‘move fast and break things’ when people’s wellbeing is on the line. It’s about building trust, navigating red tape, and listening to clinicians and patients in equal measure.

A key turning point since starting Adora?

Realising the power of partnerships. Menopause care touches so many areas – from wearables to insurers to telehealth – that collaboration isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s essential.

How is Adora changing the conversation about menopause at work?

We’re helping take it out of the shadows. Our tools give women practical ways to track symptoms and manage their health, and we help employers move from token gestures to tangible, ongoing support. It’s about helping women thrive, not just cope.

How do you nurture team culture?

We hire clever and hardworking people who care about women’s health as much as they care about innovation. We keep our mission at the heart of everything and treat setbacks as part of the creative process.

Best advice you’ve been given?

Stay curious and keep listening – the best ideas often come from the edges.

A leader who inspires you?

Melinda French Gates, for turning influence into real change, and the women who quietly share their menopause stories so others won’t suffer in silence.

What keeps you grounded?

Feedback from women using Adora – it’s a daily reminder of why we do this. That, and family, friends, a windswept coastal walk, and a very strong cup of tea.

A book or podcast that’s shaped you?

How Women Rise (a book by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith) – a smart, unflinching look at the habits that hold women back, and how to move past them.  Very much needed over the past 5 years!

Learn more about the Adora Health platform here.