SCH’s Founders and Leaders Series Hosts Hologic Chief Operating Officer Essex Mitchell 

SCH Board of Trustees member Essex Mitchell P’39, P’36, P’32, the chief operating officer at Hologic, spoke to Center for Entrepreneurship Leadership (CEL) students as part of its Founders and Leaders Series on Thursday, February 12. 

His talk, “Finding the Gaps: How Hologic Helps Women Around the World Live Healthier Lives,” took students behind the scenes of the innovation happening in diagnostics and medical technology, which is transforming the early detection and treatment of diseases. 

Teacher Julie Knutson emphasized that CEL students study the power of opportunity seeking, creative problem solving, resilience, and resourcefulness every day. “Essex brought these concepts to life by sharing his career journey, demonstrating how an entrepreneurial mindset can be used to transform global healthcare for women," said Knutson

Students are living these concepts through their sophomore Capstone projects. Alana Houston '28, Lila Martin '28, and Alexandra Matson '28 founded the product Glow Guard, a UV-detecting smartwatch that can be used to protect children from overexposure to harmful UV rays during time outside. Epipen Guard, founded by Adam Lane '28, is a custom case with temperature control that helps to protect the pens and their effectiveness. 

“There are clear opportunities to right wrongs and deliver better care for all of the women in our lives,” said Mitchell. 

He emphasized the global disparity in access to preventative care for women. While screening guidelines and technology have significantly reduced mortality rates for breast and cervical cancer in certain countries, many nations still lack basic screening programs, leading to preventable deaths. 

In his talk, Mitchell challenged the notion that women’s health is a “niche” market, emphasizing that women make 80 percent of healthcare decisions for families, yet funding, innovation, and reimbursement rates often lag behind in areas affecting women most. 

“What we try to do is early detection, early treatment—that’s the focus of our entire company,” he said.

Mitchell joined Hologic in 2017 as the vice president of Sales and Commercial Excellence for the GYN surgical division. In 2020, he was promoted to division president and, since joining, has played a vital role in building the organization. 

“You can do well personally by doing good for other people—that’s the best virtuous cycle you can ever be part of,” said Mitchell.