The most powerful innovations often begin with a personal struggle, a moment when the system fails you, and you decide to build something better.
In this episode, Dr. Amy Divaraniya, Founder & CEO of Oova, shares how she transformed her own challenges into a platform redefining women’s health. With a Ph.D. in genetics and genomics and years in data science, she built Oova to give women the data they need to make confident, informed choices about their health.
Her journey from scientist to CEO is a story of courage, innovation, and purpose proving that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about building what’s missing.
Tune in to learn how purpose drives innovation, why belief is a founder’s best strategy, and what it takes to change systems from the inside out.
Key Takeaways:
- Purpose as a Compass – Staying anchored through uncertainty and change
- Innovation Through Insight – How lived experience can drive new solutions
- Leading with Courage – The power of conviction in mission-driven work
- Empowering Women – Transforming healthcare through access and advocacy
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[00:59] Meet Dr. Amy Divaraniya
[02:08] The Journey to Founding Oova
[03:25] Challenges in Women's Healthcare
[07:35] Navigating the Startup World
[13:49] Building Relationships and Networking
[19:21] The Value of Fractional Work
[20:16] Discovering Leadership and Problem-Solving
[22:03] Navigating Pregnancy and Entrepreneurship
[26:27] Building a Supportive Company Culture
[32:44] Introducing Ova and Its Mission
[33:41] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts -
Lightning Round
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You by Lydia FenetQ: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats by John F. KennedyQ: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: ResilientQ: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: Prioritizing working outQ: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé -
Quotes
I truly believe this technology needs to exist and that every woman should have access to it.
Amy Divaraniya
If I have to convince you this is a problem, you’re not the right partner for me.
Amy Divaraniya
I didn’t set out to be a founder. I’m a scientist at heart, and this company was born from necessity.
Amy Divaraniya
Your gut is always right. The faster you learn to trust it, the better off you’ll be.
Amy Divaraniya
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About
Dr. Amy Divaraniya is the CEO and Founder of Oova, a leading women’s health platform known for its physician-backed fertility and perimenopause at-home hormone monitoring. Oova, which she founded after her own experience with infertility, empowers people to take control of their hormone health from their first period and to their last and beyond.
Since founding Oova, Dr. Divaraniya has led groundbreaking research in the field of hormone health, leveraging her background as a data scientist. Prior to Oova, Dr. Divaraniya worked for industry leaders like Roche and Bristol Meyers Squibb, analyzing molecular networks, driving discoveries in common diseases, and publishing research in personal genomics and biomarker discovery.
She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Temple University, her Masters of Science in Bioinformatics from New Jersey Institute of Technology, and her Doctor of Philosophy in genetics and genomics sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.