Cindy Eckert

Serial entrepreneur Cindy Eckert is widely recognized for her significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry. She founded Sprout Pharmaceuticals, a company best known for developing and launching "Addyi," the first FDA-approved drug aimed at enhancing female libido. In 2015, Eckert sold Sprout Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion, only to re-acquire it two years later to launch the drug on her own terms. Before Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Eckert established Slate Pharmaceuticals, a company that brought innovation to long-acting testosterone treatment.

In 2016, Eckert expanded her entrepreneurial endeavors by founding The Pink Ceiling, an investment firm that focuses on companies either founded by women or geared towards women. Through this platform, Eckert has invested in startups such as Undercover Colors, Lia Diagnostics, Intuitap, and Pursuit. In addition, The Pink Ceiling runs the "Pinkubator," a Raleigh, North Carolina-based incubator that offers mentorship and investment opportunities to female-centric entrepreneurs.

Eckert's business acumen and passionate advocacy for women have led to her recognition as an influential figure in her industry. She has been a central figure in public discussions and debates concerning "Addyi," a product marketed as "female Viagra." In recognition of her work, North Carolina State University awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2021. That same year, she joined fellow judges Katie Couric, Andrea Brimmer, and Brandice Daniel on Ally Financial's "Daring to Disrupt" contest, a new program to elevate and advance women’s entrepreneurship.

Her results became a widely covered business success story and were featured in major media outlets: The New York Times, Associated Press, Financial Times, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, CNBC, CBS, Fox, Yahoo, and the cover feature of Entrepreneur Magazine. Eckert has been an invited speaker at Fortune's Most Powerful Women, Fast Company Innovation Festival, SXSW, and Inc. Women about what it takes to achieve breakthrough business success. For all of her accomplishments, she is most proud of the profoundly positive impact that her products have had on people's lives.