Why this persona fits the audience
She founded a Boston medtech software startup with exactly three people total: herself, a clinical cofounder, and a full-stack engineer. The team is working with hospital pilots, reviewing clinical workflows, and iterating on a regulated product in active development.
- Age: 38
- Location: Boston, MA, USA
- Occupation: Founder & CEO, medtech software
- Income: $120k founder salary plus equity
- Education: M.D., MPH
- Company size: 3
- Years in role: 2
“We're not just building software; we're building trust, one validated workflow at a time, to ensure patients get the safest, most effective care possible.”
Agnes Stokes, 38, is the Founder & CEO of a nascent medtech software company based in Boston. Her journey into entrepreneurship was a natural progression from her dual passions for clinical medicine and public health, underscored by her M.D. and MPH degrees. After years practicing medicine and witnessing firsthand the systemic inefficiencies and potential patient safety risks inherent in fragmented clinical workflows, Agnes felt compelled to create a technological solution. She co-founded her startup two years ago with a clinical collaborator and a skilled full-stack engineer, forming a lean, focused team of three. Their current efforts are centered on developing a regulated software product designed to streamline critical patient care pathways. Agnes is deeply immersed in the practical realities of this endeavor, spending a significant portion of her time engaging with hospital partners for pilot programs. These engagements are not just about showcasing their technology; they are intensive observational periods where Agnes and her team meticulously analyze existing clinical workflows, identify pain points, and gather crucial feedback. This data is then fed directly back into the product development cycle, driving iterative improvements. Agnes's leadership style is characterized by a strong sense of accountability and an unwavering commitment to evidence-based decision-making. She navigates the complex regulatory environment with meticulous attention to detail, understanding that patient safety is paramount and non-negotiable. Her income as a founder is modest, reflecting the early-stage nature of the company, with her primary financial focus being on the company's runway and future growth. She lives a relatively frugal lifestyle, prioritizing her work and personal well-being through consistent running and mindful living. Agnes is driven by a profound desire to make a tangible impact on healthcare delivery, believing that well-designed technology, rigorously tested and thoughtfully implemented, can significantly enhance patient outcomes and clinician experience.
Background & daily life
A day in their life
A typical Tuesday begins with a 6 AM run, followed by reviewing overnight data from a hospital pilot. By 8:30 AM, she's at the office, often in a virtual meeting with her clinical cofounder to discuss feedback from a recent user session. The late morning is dedicated to refining the product roadmap, ensuring it aligns with regulatory requirements and upcoming pilot milestones. Lunch is usually a quick affair at her desk while reading industry news. The afternoon involves a deep dive into a specific workflow challenge with the full-stack engineer, followed by a planning session for an upcoming investor update. She often wraps up work around 7 PM, reviewing emails and preparing for the next day.
Lifestyle
Agnes maintains a disciplined routine, often starting her day with a run along the Charles River before heading to her Cambridge office. She lives alone in a functional, minimalist apartment, prioritizing practicality and quiet over elaborate decor. Her income is primarily reinvested into the company, with personal spending focused on essentials and occasional travel for conferences or public health initiatives. Socially, she connects with a tight-knit circle of friends, many of whom are in healthcare or tech, and enjoys quiet evenings or weekend hikes.
Work life
Her days are a whirlwind of strategic planning, clinical workflow analysis, and regulatory navigation. Agnes spends significant time in pilot programs with hospitals, meticulously observing how clinicians interact with existing systems and her team's nascent software. She's deeply involved in iterating on the product based on this direct feedback, working closely with her clinical cofounder and engineer. The pressure to demonstrate tangible patient safety improvements and secure future funding is constant, requiring her to balance scientific rigor with the demands of a fast-paced startup environment.
Relationships
Agnes maintains a close, professional relationship with her two cofounders, relying on their distinct expertise. Her family, though geographically distant, offers emotional support. She has a small group of trusted friends from her medical residency and MPH program who understand the pressures of her field.
How they decide
Agnes is a highly analytical and evidence-based decision-maker. She meticulously researches options, consults with her cofounders and trusted advisors, and weighs potential risks and benefits against her core values of patient safety and scientific integrity. She is not impulsive and prefers to have data to support her choices, especially when it concerns product development or clinical impact.
How they sound
Speaks with a clear, measured cadence. Her tone is professional and articulate, often using precise medical or technical terminology when discussing her work. She avoids hyperbole and focuses on factual reporting, but her passion for patient safety and innovation comes through in her earnestness. She's direct but always polite, and rarely uses slang.
Personality traits
- methodical
- detail-oriented
- purpose-driven
- calm under pressure
- collaborative
- principled
- forward-thinking
Goals
- Successfully launch the regulated medtech software product.
- Achieve significant, measurable improvements in patient safety outcomes.
- Build a sustainable company culture grounded in scientific integrity.
- Contribute meaningfully to the advancement of health IT.
- Secure Series A funding within the next 18 months.
Problems & frictions
- Navigating the complex regulatory landscape for medical devices.
- Securing consistent, high-quality data from hospital pilot sites.
- Balancing rapid product iteration with the need for robust validation.
- Managing the financial runway of a pre-revenue startup.
- Ensuring alignment between technical development and clinical needs.
Values
- patient safety
- accountability
- evidence
- rigor
- impact
Interests
- running
- public health
- documentaries
- health policy
- clinical trial design
Media habits
- Stat News
- NEJM
- The Lancet
- Axios Health
- podcasts on health tech innovation