American investor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Michele Kang was born and raised in South Korea. She immigrated to the US as a student to fulfill her American dream. Throughout her career, she has built enterprises that defy the existing norm and, by leveraging her triumphs, has concentrated on assisting others in realizing their American aspirations.
About Michele Kang and her achievements
Kang founded Cognosante and serves as its CEO. A trailblazer in the realm of health information technology, she established Cognosante to upend the American healthcare structure. Cognosante has expanded quickly under Kang’s direction and become a reputable supplier of cutting-edge health technology solutions for important state health initiatives, federal health agencies, and military and intelligence organizations.
Kang graduated from Yale School of Management with a master’s degree in public and private management after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from The University of Chicago.
After the Washington Spirit won the league in 2021, Kang became the first woman of color to own a National Women’s Soccer League franchise in 2022. She assumed this position with a strong will to advance the League by guaranteeing parity in sponsorship, media, infrastructure, and ownership diversity in addition to developing a championship team. Kang was chosen as one of the Sports Business Journal’s 2022 Power Players in Women’s Sports. She has emerged as a major global voice for establishing fair compensation for women and men playing soccer.
Michele Kang’s diverse roles
To expand on her groundbreaking contributions to women’s sports and health, Kang makes investments in startups that defy expectations. She founded Cognosante Ventures to support and advise digital health startups that have the potential to significantly transform how people get healthcare. Kang further backs female-led sports companies, such as Just Women’s Sports, the top media outlet devoted just to women’s sports. Kang is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is particularly interested in giving those who are far too frequently shut out of corporate America meaningful professions to increase opportunity for everyone. Cognosante provides a range of internship and funding opportunities that are restricted to HBCU students, first-generation college attendees, and female STEM professionals.
Employing Americans with disabilities, one of Cognosante’s fully-owned companies provides full-time work and benefits. Kang has created a creative and welcoming work environment, and as a consequence, Cognosante has earned the designation of Great Place to Work.
Kang poses with American Veterans in remembrance of the American soldiers who helped protect her homeland during the Korean War. She has proudly supported The Chosin Few, a membership group made up of veterans, wives, and lineal descendants of The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, one of the deadliest engagements of the Korean War. She also backs groups that work to end female veterans’ homelessness and to help injured veterans and their caregivers find jobs.
Her present roles as a Trustee on the boards of the Washington National Opera and the Norton Museum of Art reflect her longstanding passion for the arts. She has also held positions with the Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.
Michele Kang’s recognitions
Kang has won many honors in recognition of her groundbreaking entrepreneurial efforts and charitable endeavors. The 2023 Horatio Alger Award will go to her. She was named a 2022 Junior Achievement of Greater Washington Hall of Fame Laureate. She was awarded the U.S. Award for Services as well as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year® for the Washington, DC area. In addition to U.S. senators, senior government officials, and CEOs of Fortune 500 businesses, Kang was recognized as one of the Top 100 CEO Leaders in STEM in 2016 and as the first member of 100 Women Leaders in STEM in 2012.
Michele Kang’s leadership style
- Empathetic leadership with a patient-centric focus
- Fostering a culture of agility and adaptability
- Championing ethical technology use
- Encouraging intrinsic motivation through purpose-driven work
- Investing in continuous learning and development
The narrative of Michele Kang is one of leadership, inventiveness, and vision. She has shown how technology can be used to address some of the most important issues facing healthcare through her work with Cognosante. Her experience serves as a testament to the power of driven, visionary people to change industries and enhance lives. Kang’s contributions to the field of healthcare technology will surely leave a long impact, especially as Cognosante grows and evolves under her direction.