Dr. Ru-fong Joanne Cheng is Deputy Director of the Women’s Health Innovations team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A physician with experience in both biopharma and public health, she leads efforts to advance scalable, science-based innovations that improve women’s health globally. Her work focuses on reproductive and maternal health, novel delivery systems, and public-private partnerships that translate research into accessible solutions. Dr. Cheng brings a global perspective on how innovation, equity, and implementation intersect to drive lasting impact.