A seasoned healthcare executive and entrepreneur, Natalie has a proven track record of scaling innovative solutions to meet urgent market needs. With a deep passion for improving access to care, Natalie’s leadership is shaped by both professional expertise and personal experience. As a mother and advocate for youth mental health, she is committed to building sustainable, impactful solutions that make a difference in the lives of families. Under her leadership, Fort Health has raised $16M in funding and is transforming how mental health care is delivered to children and adolescents across the country.
As a parent of five children between my partner and me, I have experienced firsthand the challenges families face in accessing and affording quality mental health care. These challenges have become even more urgent as we’ve seen the mental health crisis among children and adolescents escalate in recent years.
The idea for Fort Health was born out of personal experience and conversations with my dear friend, a pediatrician, who ultimately left her practice. She shared with me the immense pressure she faced daily, trying to diagnose and treat children’s mental health issues within 15-minute appointments—without the training or resources she needed. It was heartbreaking to hear her describe how she felt unprepared for the reality that mental health had become the most common presenting issue in her practice.
The statistics paint a stark picture: 75% of children diagnosed with a mental health condition are diagnosed by their primary care provider, yet most pediatricians lack reliable referral partners for specialized care. Additionally, many pediatricians have never had formal training in child and adolescent psychiatry. This gap in our healthcare system leaves pediatricians overwhelmed and families struggling to find the help they need.
At Fort Health, we built our model to address these critical gaps. Our goal is to be a seamless, "snap-fit" solution for pediatricians—offering a warm handover for families in need, providing access to care within one week, and keeping pediatricians informed with clinical progress updates throughout the treatment journey. By bridging this gap, we are not only supporting children and their families but also empowering pediatricians to deliver the comprehensive care their patients deserve.
Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and every family deserves access to timely, effective, and compassionate mental health support. That’s why we’re building Fort Health—to be a trusted partner to pediatricians and a lifeline for families navigating these challenges.
We recently raised an additional $5.5M (for a total of $16M) which was no small feat in today’s challenging environment, particularly as a female founder navigating a market where less than 2% of venture funding goes to women-led startups. At Fort Health, this achievement reflects not only the strength of our mission but also the strategic approach we took to identify the right partners and demonstrate our value.
This funding round was led by Vanterra and Twelve Below with participation from inside investors and True Wealth—a firm dedicated to supporting female founders. True Wealth understands that diverse founders bring unique perspectives to solving complex problems and are committed to leveling the playing field in venture capital. Having them as a partner is both a validation of our business model and a sign of a broader shift in the investment landscape.
Fundraising in today’s environment has required a disciplined approach, clear communication, and an unwavering focus on building a sustainable, impactful business. Here are a few principles I’ve leaned on, inspired by industry thought leaders like Sarah Guo and Packy McCormick:
By staying focused on profitability and meaningful impact, I’ve been able to build investor confidence in Fort Health, even in a challenging environment. For me, fundraising is not just about securing capital—it’s about forming partnerships with those who share our mission and believe in our ability to deliver transformative results.
To other female founders, I’d say this: while the environment may be tough, there are investors out there who are looking for bold ideas and diverse leaders. The journey isn’t easy, but if you’re solving a problem that truly matters, the right partners will see the value in what you’re building. And to the broader venture community, I’d challenge you to recognize that investing in female founders isn’t just about equity—it’s about smart business. The future of innovation depends on it.
As the CEO of Fort Health, one thing I’ve reflected on is the importance of being even more judicious with the terms of our fundraising early on, particularly in protecting our cap table. In the early stages of building a company, it’s easy to focus solely on securing capital to accelerate growth and achieve milestones. While that’s critical, I’ve learned just how essential it is to think long-term about the structure of the cap table and the implications of every deal.
Cap table discipline isn’t just about equity percentages—it’s about maintaining flexibility and control for future growth. Early decisions can have a ripple effect on the company’s ability to attract later-stage investors and retain key talent through equity incentives. If I could go back, I would have been more deliberate about balancing the immediate need for capital with preserving equity to ensure that both the team and the mission are best served as we scale.
That said, fundraising is always a learning experience, especially in today’s challenging environment. Each round has been an opportunity to refine our approach, align with the right partners, and build a foundation that will support Fort Health for years to come. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and deeply grateful to the investors who believe in our mission, but I carry this lesson forward to ensure that we continue building with discipline and purpose.
I truly believe that no one builds something great alone—it’s the collective wisdom and support of a strong community that helps make the impossible possible. From the very beginning, connecting with other founders, advisors, and mission-aligned individuals has provided not only critical insights but also the support needed to navigate the inevitable challenges of building a business.
Being part of forums like the NY Founders Club and female-focused groups such as 10th House has been transformative. These communities have given me access to hundreds of CEOs and founders who are navigating similar journeys. The collective learning within these groups have been invaluable. I’ve gained insights on everything from scaling operations to managing teams during tough times—all from people who have been in the trenches and understand the complexities firsthand.
At the same time, I believe there’s an opportunity to create even deeper connections, especially among female founders. While conferences and events are great for initial networking, it often takes time to move beyond the polished conversations of “crushing it” or “my round was oversubscribed” and get to the deeper, more honest dialogues. The ones where we admit, “This is really hard,” or “Here’s what I’m struggling with.” Those are the conversations where the most meaningful learning and support happen, and they are vital for scaling a business in a sustainable way.
If there’s one “secret” to my success, it’s that success is built on discipline, continuous learning, and meaningful connections—not just one thing, but a combination of habits and mindsets that work together.
I start my day early, waking up at 5:30 a.m. to set the tone. I work out every day, stay super disciplined about what I eat, and incorporate supplements to keep my energy and focus sharp. Physical and mental health are the foundation for everything I do, so I prioritize them consistently.
I’m also deeply committed to learning. I read widely on diverse topics, including decision-making, culture-building, and leadership. These insights help me think differently and continuously refine how I lead Fort Health. Structurally, I rely on a disciplined operating model—a blend of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and “Big Rocks.” This framework ensures that my team and I stay aligned, focused on priorities, and relentlessly execution-oriented.
Networking has been another crucial piece. I’m not afraid to reach out for help or ask for advice from others who’ve been where I’m heading. Equally, I believe in giving back by offering something valuable in return, such as introductions to investors or sharing insights from my journey. Helping others in this way creates a virtuous cycle of mutual support and opportunity.
Success isn’t about any one thing—it’s the result of creating habits that build momentum, constantly learning, and surrounding yourself with the right people. These practices, combined with a clear sense of purpose, have been instrumental in helping me lead Fort Health and grow both personally and professionally.
Two women I deeply admire are Kerry Rupp and Sara Brand. They are trailblazers in the venture capital world, having established one of the first female-focused VC funds, True Wealth Ventures, which is dedicated to supporting female founders. What makes their story particularly inspiring is the sheer perseverance it took to get there. As many female founders experience, fundraising took longer than anticipated as the concept of a fund focused solely on female founders was still considered unconventional.
What stands out most to me is their courage and determination. Several years ago, they were the only two female general partners in Texas, a state with a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem yet strikingly few women deploying capital Despite these odds, they not only succeeded in creating a groundbreaking fund but also set an example for what leadership, inclusivity, and resilience look like.
Kerry and Sara have paved the way for female entrepreneurs and funders, proving that investing in women isn’t just good for equity—it’s good for business. Their work has inspired countless female founders, myself included, and it’s a reminder of how important it is to create opportunities for others, even when the path forward isn’t clear. They’ve shown that real change is possible, and I’m grateful for their leadership and vision.
Without a doubt, my family—are the one thing I can’t live without. During the week, I’m constantly in decision-making mode, managing the fast-paced demands of running a company and leading a team. But on the weekends, my family provides me with a space where I can step out of that role and simply *be myself*.
My family has this incredible way of grounding me. Their love, humor, and perspective remind me of what truly matters. Whether we’re having a lazy morning together or just talking about the little things in life, they bring me back to center. My family’s unconditional support allows me to recharge and reconnect with who I am outside of work—something that’s vital for my well-being and for staying energized as a leader.
They remind me that I don’t always have to be a decision-making, type-A machine. Sometimes, just being mom, partner, and myself is enough. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
Outside of AI, one of the most exciting trends in 2024 is the growing focus on integrating mental and physical health care, particularly through collaborative care models. This approach is redefining how healthcare providers deliver services, making mental health a core part of primary care rather than a separate, siloed system.
In pediatric care specifically, we’re seeing a shift toward models that embed mental health professionals directly into pediatric practices, creating seamless collaboration between providers and ensuring children and families get timely, comprehensive care. This trend addresses one of the biggest barriers in mental health today: access.
It’s an exciting development because it aligns so closely with our mission at Fort Health. By making mental health care more accessible and integrated into families’ existing healthcare experiences, we can help more children earlier in their journey, creating better outcomes and a more sustainable system overall. This shift is about meeting families where they are and breaking down the walls that have historically separated mental and physical health—and it’s a transformation that I believe will have a lasting impact.
