Alternative Investments

Life Science Investors discuss how they evaluate life science investments. Asif Ali, MD is a Houston-based cardiologist and medtech strategist whose work spans clinical care, research, and healthcare innovation. He holds leadership roles at Houston Cardiology Consultants, McGovern Medical School, University of Houston Medical School, Cena Research Institute, and Cena Consultants, where he advances inclusive research, digital health adoption, and patient-centered care models. Dr. Ali is a national speaker and advisor to emerging health technology companies, with a focus on equitable human centered innovation. He is a member of the health technology advisory group for the Center for Health Technology and Innovation at the American Heart Association AI and digital wearables. Stuart Bracken serves as Managing Director, Northeast Georgia Health Ventures. Previously, Stuart was co-founder and CEO of Bioscape Digital, a Healthcare Technology company focused on improving patient experience, outcomes and referral management. Previously, Stuart was an early employee at Firethorn Holdings (acquired by Qualcomm). Stuart began his career in New York City, leading fund audits and concurrently running a hedge fund that generated a 33% IRR to its Limited Partners. Stuart holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Information Systems and a Master’s in Accounting from Wake Forest University as well as an MBA from The Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Stuart is a recipient of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 under 40 award, a finalist for Business Person of the Year for Atlanta and a Kauffman Foundation Life Science Ventures Summit Scholar. Navin Govind is a serial entrepreneur, venture partner at Evidence Ventures, startup advisor, author of several original papers in peer reviewed journals, holds multiple patents and serves as a speaker, faculty member, and advisor on digital health innovation. Navin has worked at the intersection of technology, medical device and software platforms to evidence best-in-class clinical solutions working with clinician leaders, providers and global clients. As an advisor at the American Heart Association's Health Technology Business Innovation team, Navin is deeply involved in strategic workforce collaboration initiatives to bring science based; advanced AI enabled deep learning solutions to lower the burden of chronic disease, cost of care and better health outcomes. Liz Leykam, CFP® is a Banker in the Phoenix office of the J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where she advises founders, executives, and multi-generational family offices. She partners with clients to design and implement comprehensive wealth strategies aligned with their personal, family, and enterprise objectives. Liz joined the J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Chicago in 2019, where she worked with some of the most sophisticated institutions and families in the United States. In 2022, she relocated to Phoenix to expand her practice with founders, executives, and high-net-worth individuals navigating the complexities of building, scaling, and transitioning privately held enterprises. Her advisory work spans tax and estate planning, investment management, banking, and credit solutions, delivering the full breadth of the firm's capabilities to help clients preserve, grow, and transition wealth in alignment with their objectives.