Raising the Pink Ceiling

Cindy Whitehead is an American entrepreneur who built and sold two pharmaceutical companies. She subsequently founded The Pink Ceiling which invests in companies founded by, or delivering products for, women. The Pink Ceiling’s incubator – dubbed The Pinkubator – is based in Raleigh, NC. Cindy recalls her journey from working in Fortune’s most admired company to building Sprout Pharmaceuticals, creator of “female Viagra”. She shares her top tips on how to be successful as a female entrepreneur and founder. Tune in to the latest episode of Wonder podcast!

Wonder Women Entrepreneurs! This is the place to join conversations with thought leaders who amaze, astonish and inspire you. Listen each week as entrepreneur and host Kalika Yap explores the challenges, wisdom, and breakthroughs of extraordinary people. (An Entrepreneurs’ Organization production)

A self-made serial entrepreneur and vocal advocate for women, Cindy defies convention. In her industry, in her companies, and in her outcomes. Her work today in The Pink Ceiling/Pinkubator continues to break barriers by investing in and mentoring other women to get to the same outcomes. She’s on a mission to make women really rich. You cannot miss Cindy. Everything she touches turns pink.

Over a distinguished 24-year career in healthcare, in only the last 10 she has started and sold two businesses for more than $1.5B. First Slate Pharmaceuticals, which redefined long-acting testosterone treatment for men then Sprout Pharmaceuticals which broke through with the first-ever FDA-approved drug for low sexual desire in women — dubbed “female Viagra” by the media. After selling the company for $1B in 2015, she successfully fought to get the drug back and launch it on her own terms.

Cindy has made waves, and made her own success, creating mission-driven companies that deliver big. Her results have become a widely covered business success story featured in major media outlets. She is most proud of helping others take command. The profoundly positive impact those companies have made in people’s lives is what keeps her coming back for more.