The Institute for Women Entrepreneur Excellence, a Maryland nonprofit established in collaboration with the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, has named Indian American biotechnology leader Dr. Arti Santhanam as chair of its board of directors for the 2026–2027 term.
In her new role, Santhanam leads a nine-member board tasked with expanding mentorship, breaking down barriers for women founders, and increasing access to capital across Maryland’s business ecosystem as the nonprofit aims to build long-term support for diverse, scalable startups.
“As IWEE continues to expand its reach and impact, I look forward to working with my fellow board members to strengthen the organization’s foundation, support its strategic priorities, and help ensure more entrepreneurs have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed,” Santhanam stated.
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Santhanam brings more than 20 years of experience in biotechnology, venture development, and tech commercialization to the post. She is the founder of Applied Neurons and previously served as executive director of the Emerging Technology Centers in Baltimore.
Her public sector background includes over nine years at TEDCO, where she held several key roles including executive director of the Maryland Innovation Initiative and manager of the Life Science Investment Fund. Earlier in her career, she worked as a life science analyst for the Maryland Venture Fund and chaired the Women In Bio DC/Baltimore chapter.
Additionally, as a childhood cancer survivor, Santhanam founded a metastatic breast cancer research program while serving on the board of METAvivor Research and Support, Inc.
Rooted in a strong academic tradition from India, Santhanam earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bangalore University before completing a Master of Science degree at the University of Madras. She later moved to the United States for advanced studies, earning a PhD in microbiology and molecular genetics from Rutgers University.
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Founded in 2022, IWEE works to empower women entrepreneurs through cohort-based programs, targeted workshops, and strategic ecosystem engagement.
A core element of the institute’s model is its partnership with four of Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Each institution provides a professional representative to serve on IWEE’s board to assist with curriculum development, policy guidance, and community outreach.
Working alongside IWEE interim executive director Teresa Payne-Nunn, Santhanam will focus her tenure on strengthening the institute’s reach and institutional foundation, furthering its mission to drive sustainable business growth for women across Maryland.