Women's Brain Health Initiative

What Women's Brain Health Initiative does

Women's Brain Health Initiative (WBHI) is a Canadian and U.S. registered charitable foundation founded in 2012 by Lynn Posluns, headquartered in Toronto with a secondary office in Los Angeles. The organization addresses the fact that approximately 70% of Alzheimer's sufferers are women by funding sex and gender-specific brain aging research and delivering evidence-informed prevention education to women, caregivers, students, and young adults. Its program portfolio spans the Mind Over Matter multimedia magazine, the BrainFit Habit Tracker mobile application (free, English and French), the Brainable curriculum for grades 5-8 students, Memory Morsels recipes, the Mind Matters caregiving publication, the Care Collective caregiver support resources, the BrainSuite Social Cabinet youth program, and the WBHI Think Tank content hub.

WBHI's technology footprint is deliberately lightweight: a Squarespace-hosted website, a free mobile habit-tracking app, and digital content distribution (Think Tank blog, video library, email newsletter). The organization does not develop proprietary scientific software or hardware; its "technology" is largely content IP and digital distribution channels. Programmatic differentiation rests on the trademarked Six Pillars of Brain Health framework and on a network of scientific and medical advisors rather than on software moat. As of April 2024, WBHI had invested over $3 million in brain health research, primarily through a research partnership with Brain Canada.

WBHI's business model is a non-profit donations-and-sponsorship model. Revenue comes from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (notably RBC, BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank, TD, Canada Life, Deloitte, PwC, Eli Lilly, and others), membership contributions, the Hope-Knot jewelry line (proceeds fund research), and nominal shipping fees on free magazine orders. The organization is governed by Founder/President/Board Chair Lynn Posluns, supported by an Executive Director (JoAnne Korten) and a Board of Directors and Officers drawn largely from Canadian financial services and academic medicine. Operations are supported by a small core team of 1-10 employees supplemented by volunteers and the BrainSuite Social Cabinet.

Name

Women's Brain Health Initiative

Legal name

Women's Brain Health Initiative

Website

https://womensbrainhealth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women's Brain Health Initiative is a Canadian and U.S. charitable foundation founded in 2012 that funds sex and gender-specific brain aging research and delivers prevention education, caregiver resources, and youth programs to women, caregivers, students, and young adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Brain Health Education and Research

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthy Aging & Longevity Lifestyle Coaching (HSADAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mind-Body Wellness Coaching (Holistic/Integrative) (HSADAGAG), Student Wellness & Prevention Programs (Substance Use, Sexual Health, Bullying) (EDAJAIAG), Virtual Preventive Care & Wellness Coaching (incl. lifestyle medicine) (HLALADAK), Community Health, Health Promotion & Behavior Change (SBCC) (BPADAIAL)

Keywords

• Women's brain health education
• Brain aging research funding
• Caregiver support resources
• Brain health prevention programs
• Nonprofit health foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: WBHI is a Canadian and U.S. registered charitable foundation (Canadian Charitable #80099 3206 RR0001; 501(c)(3) tax-exempt). Donations are tax-deductible under Canadian and U.S. tax law. The organization receives donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partners and sponsors support WBHI's mission through financial contributions. Partners include major financial institutions (RBC, BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank, TD), healthcare companies, and other corporations interested in women's health and diversity.
3. Membership Program: WBHI offers a membership program for individuals who want to support and engage with the organization's mission. Members receive updates, resources, and opportunities to participate in WBHI activities.
4. Shipping and Handling Fees: While Mind Over Matter and Mind Matters magazines are provided free of charge, WBHI requests nominal shipping and handling fees to cover delivery costs (Ontario: $8 + $1/extra copy; Canada excluding Ontario: $8 + $2/extra; USA: $16 + $2/extra; International: $24 + $2/extra).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

WBHI is a non-profit charitable foundation that delivers evidence-informed preventative brain health education and funds sex- and gender-specific brain-aging research targeting women, caregivers, and families. Its core offerings are free educational resources spanning a multimedia magazine (Mind Over Matter), a habit-tracker mobile app (BrainFit), a school curriculum (Brainable), a recipe resource (Memory Morsels), a caregiver publication (Mind Matters), caregiver support (Care Collective), a young-adult ambassador program (BrainSuite), and an online content hub (WBHI Think Tank), supplemented by research grants and public awareness events.

Product overview

Women's Brain Health Initiative operates as a multi-platform educational organization offering evidence-informed prevention solutions and research funding for brain-aging disorders affecting women. The portfolio centers on the Mind Over Matter multi-media program and magazine, complemented by the BrainFit mobile habit tracker app, Brainable education program for middle school students, Memory Morsels recipe resource, Mind Matters caregiving publication, Care Collective caregiver support resources, BrainSuite youth engagement initiative, and the WBHI Think Tank information hub. The organization also sells Hope-Knot jewelry to fund research. Together these products create a comprehensive ecosystem addressing brain health education across the lifespan—from youth education through adult prevention to caregiver support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mind Over Matter®: A multi-media program on the evidence-based Six Pillars of Brain Health that combat brain-aging diseases, highlighting unique risks to women, and providing helpful tips to caregivers.
• Brainable®
• BrainFit
• Memory Morsels®
• The Care Collective™
• BrainSuite®
• Mind Matters®
• The Hope-Knot Project®
• WBHI Think Tank™
• Women's Brain Health Summit®

Products and services

• BrainFit Habit Tracker Mobile App Mobile habit-tracker application that empowers users to engage in brain-boosting activities and enhance their overall well-being and cognitive fitness; available in English and French on iOS and Android, entirely free to use.
• Mind Over Matter Magazine and Multimedia Program Flagship multimedia program and quarterly magazine covering evidence-based Six Pillars of Brain Health, highlighting unique risks to women and providing helpful tips to caregivers. Distributed free of charge with shipping fees by region.
• Mind Matters Magazine Groundbreaking caregiving-focused publication blending inspiration, practical advice, heartfelt storytelling, and community connection while addressing the emotional, mental, and practical challenges caregivers face.
• Brainable Education Program Education program for students in grades 5 through 8 on the best ways they can protect their brain health, supplementing the middle school health and science curriculum.
• Memory Morsels Resource providing delicious brain-healthy recipes, superfoods, brain health tips (morsels), and supporting information to help keep the brain functioning optimally.
• The Care Collective Resources and supportive materials designed to help care partners navigate the physical and mental challenges of unpaid caregiving, addressing caregiver burnout and providing practical guidance.
• BrainSuite Social Cabinet Youth engagement program of young adults (roughly ages 18-35) actively engaging and empowering their peers to prioritize and protect their brain health through innovative outreach initiatives, social activities, and educational campaigns.
• WBHI Think Tank Largest online resource of brain health information specific to women and caregivers, offering scientific, everyday, and caregiver-focused articles categorized into Caregiver Information, Everyday Information, and Scientific Information.
• The Hope-Knot Project Icon designed exclusively for WBHI by jeweller Mark Lash to remind wearers of their connection to cognitive thought; multiple designs available and proceeds from each Hope-Knot sold support sex and gender brain-health research.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70% of Alzheimer's sufferers are women, highlighting the critical need for gender-specific brain health research and education
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerRBC, including RBC Wealth Management, has partnered with WBHI on initiatives including sponsoring Canada's first Women's Brain Health Summit. RBC Dominion Securities advisor Lauren Irwin also chairs WBHI's BrainSuite Social Cabinet.
• BMO (Bank of Montreal)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBMO is listed as a corporate partner supporting WBHI's mission to protect women's brain health.
• Brain CanadaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor research funding partner that has collaborated with WBHI to invest over $3 million in brain health research. Also supports the Book Club program by providing free Mind Over Matter magazines to participating clubs.
• Canada LifecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a corporate sponsor supporting WBHI's mission.
• CIBCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with executive Nancy Bramm serving as Secretary on WBHI's board. CIBC supports diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• CineplexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a corporate sponsor supporting WBHI.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm listed as partner supporting WBHI's initiatives.
• PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional services firm listed as corporate partner.
• ScotiabankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting WBHI's mission.
• TD BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as corporate partner.
• Eli LillycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company listed as partner, potentially supporting research initiatives related to brain health and Alzheimer's.
• IndigominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanada's largest book retailer. Founder Heather Reisman serves on WBHI's Honorary Board of Directors.
• Mark LashcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewelry designer who created the Hope-Knot symbol exclusively for WBHI. Proceeds from every Hope-Knot sold support sex and gender brain health research. Mark Lash serves on WBHI's board.
• MedtronicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical technology company listed as corporate partner.
• Home InsteadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior care services provider supporting WBHI's caregiver-focused initiatives.
• HUB InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance brokerage listed as corporate partner.
• MediSysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare services provider listed as corporate partner.
• OtsukaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company listed as partner supporting WBHI.
• Crowe SobermanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting firm listed as corporate partner.
• Richardson GMPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWealth management firm listed as partner.
• WeirfouldsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLaw firm listed as corporate partner.
• Mercedes-BenzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive brand listed as corporate sponsor.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HealthyWomen: US-based nonprofit providing women-specific health education and policy advocacy; mirrors WBHI's "evidence-informed education for women" value proposition across general health rather than brain health specifically.
• Society for Women's Health Research: US nonprofit that funds and advocates for sex-based biological research across conditions including brain health; operates a similar model of research funding plus public/clinical education with an explicit women-focused lens.
• Women's Brain Foundation: Switzerland-based nonprofit explicitly focused on sex- and gender-sensitive brain research and precision medicine; the closest direct peer and namesake in women's brain health, competing for the same donor and research-attention pool.
• BrightFocus Foundation: US nonprofit that funds research and runs public education on Alzheimer's, macular degeneration, and glaucoma; comparable donor-funded research-plus-education playbook with a clearly branded disease/condition focus.

Broad incumbents

• Dana Foundation: US private philanthropic foundation supporting brain research and public education; highly comparable model pairing brain-research grants with public-facing education content.
• Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation: New York-based nonprofit funding translational drug research in Alzheimer's and related dementias; comparable donor-supported research-funding model serving the same research investigator pool that WBHI grants to.
• Alzheimer's Association: Largest US-based nonprofit funding Alzheimer's research and providing education/support; comparable to WBHI in mission and education-heavy programming, but operates at vastly greater scale and is not women-specific.
• Alzheimer's Research UK: UK-based research and public-awareness charity focused on dementia and brain health; comparable model of research funding paired with consumer education campaigns, though larger and not women-focused.

Emerging players

• Women's Health Research Institute: Academic-affiliated nonprofit advancing women-specific health and sex-differences research; narrower scope than WBHI but directly comparable mission of funding sex/gender-disaggregated research with education as a secondary function.

Regional players

• Baycrest (formerly Baycrest Centre): Toronto-based academic health sciences center specializing in aging and brain health; WBHI's founder previously chaired its Women of Baycrest affiliate, and both organizations serve the same Toronto dementia/aging research and caregiver community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/memorymorsels
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYJTR8hPzQOLNC4k1x0xKpw
• Facebookfacebook.com/womensbrains
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/womens-brain-health-initiative
• Instagraminstagram.com/wbhi_canada
• Pinterestpinterest.com/wbhi_canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Women's Brain Health Initiative