The Red Thread: Connecting What Isn’t Obvious
The hidden patterns and overlooked connections shaping women's health, equity, and leadership. Now in its second year, the WiLD Norway Summer Summit brings together leaders, scientists, decision-makers, and change agents to make the invisible visible — and turn that clarity into action.
📅 June 4, 2026
📍 Oslo Forskningsparken – Forum / Glassgangen + Toppsenteret
🕧 12:00–21:00
PROGRAM OVERVIEW (Subject to change)
12:00 – 12:30 Registration
12:30 – 13:00 Opening of Summit
SESSION 1 · 13:00 – 14:30
The Innovation Value Chain in Norway: Closing Gaps to Benefit Women
Moderated by Frode Nakkim · Partnered by LMI
Where does Norway's innovation chain — from funding & research to clinical trials & market access — break down? When systems fail, innovation stalls, investments drop, & studies halt. Women are disproportionately affected, making this an essential start to our political debate.
KEYNOTE · Bente Mikkelsen: "The state of the world for women and women's health — and how the Nordics have the opportunity to lead on health and equity."
FIRESIDE CHAT 1 · WHY INVESTING IN WOMEN'S HEALTH IS INSEPARABLE FROM INDUSTRY & WORKING LIFE
Michael Engsig - CEO of Nykode
Malin Frithiofsson - CEO of Daya Ventures
Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg - Seniorrådgiver, Legemiddelindustrien
FIRESIDE CHAT 2 · HOW NORWAY CAN CLOSE THE GAPS: CLINICAL STUDIES, STRATEGIES, AND INCENTIVES
Ole Johan Borge - Direktør offentlig sektor, Norges forskningsråd
Hanne Haslene-Hox - Seniorforsker, SINTEF
Bente Mikkelsen
SESSION 2 · 14:30 – 15:15
Politisk samtale (på norsk)
Moderated by Alfred Bjørlo
NORWAY’S PLAN TO ADDRESS GAPS IN WOMEN’S HEALTH, RESEARCH INVESTMENT, AND INDUSTRY REPRESENTATION
Margrete Hagerup, Høyre
Representative TBA, Arbeiderpartiet
Representative TBA, Senterpartiet
Representative TBA, Fremskrittspartiet
BREAK & NETWORKING
15:15-16:00
SESSION 3 · 16:00 – 17:30
The Female Body Isn't a Variant — Rethinking Women's Health Through Biology
Moderated by Chelsea Ranger · Sponsored by Igaidi & Medistim
Sex-specific biology shapes disease risk, diagnosis, and treatment in profound ways. Persistent gaps in research and clinical frameworks have left many conditions underrecognised and undertreated. Four presentations show what emerging science is revealing — and what it will take to turn that knowledge into better care.
Dr. Gry Dahle - “Female Participation in Clinical Trials: Patients & PIs”
A very low percentage of clinical trial participants are female, and the number of female PIs is also low. Can the results be reliably extrapolated to female patients?Prof. Dr. Claudia Barth - “Mapping The Female Brain Across Menopause: A Spotlight on Brain Health and Disease"
Menopause is one of the most profound brain transitions in a woman’s life—but science has barely caught up. Decades of overlooking female biology have left critical gaps in how we understand its impact on brain health, depression, and Alzheimer’s risk. New large-scale brain data is changing that, revealing menopause as both a vulnerable window—and a powerful opportunity for intervention that we can no longer afford to ignore.Dr. Eystein Sverre Husebye - Autoimmune disease is women's health
Description TBADr. Siri Kløkstad / CMedical - "Hot Flashes & Cold Facts: The Truth About Menopause"
A myth-busting session on menopause — cutting through misconceptions with clinical evidence.
BREAK & NETWORKING
17:30-18:15
SESSION 4 · 18:15 – 19:15
Equity in Action: Authentic & Inclusive Leadership
Moderated by Gry Strand Festervoll · Sponsored by BMS
KEYNOTE · Caroline Farberger: "How organisations can strengthen culture
and impact through genuine, empathetic, equity-driven leadership."
Evening Reception
Join us at Toppsenteret for drinks, dinner, and conversations.
19:15 - 21:00
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. Gry Dahle is a Consultant in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Oslo University Hospital, with extensive experience at the intersection of clinical practice and medical research. Her work focuses on improving patient outcomes through evidence-based care and advancing standards in cardiovascular treatment. She brings a critical perspective on representation in clinical trials and leadership in research, highlighting how gaps in participation shape the quality and equity of healthcare.
Prof. Dr. Claudia Barth is a neuroscientist and professor of neurobiology of hormonal transitions at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and senior researcher at Diakonhjemmet Hospital in Oslo. Her work focuses on how hormonal changes across the life course shape brain health and risk for psychiatric and neurological disorders. By integrating clinical, preclinical, and computational research, she brings a leading perspective on the intersection of women’s health, brain science, and systemic research gaps.
Caroline Farberger is a former CEO and board executive and one of the most compelling voices in the Nordics on leadership, change, and inclusion. She has led major organizational transformations while navigating her own personal journey. As the first senior business leader in the Nordics to speak openly about her gender transition, she brings a rare and powerful perspective on authenticity, trust, and inclusive leadership.
Registration & Tickets
Member & Academic
350 NOK
General Admission
750 NOK
The WiLD Norway Summer Summit 2026 is a ticketed event. We expect limited capacity and encourage early registration to secure your spot.
*Academic tickets require valid proof of academic status.
*Invoices are issued approx. 2 weeks before the event & must be paid prior to attendance. Tickets are non-refundable.
WANT VISIBILITY AT THE SUMMER SUMMIT?
If you are a women's health startup or non-profit, you are welcome to exhibit at our event:
PACKAGE:
One roll-up / banner in Glasgangen in the Oslo Science Park
Central Visibility during all Networking Sessions
Cocktail table
One admission ticket
PRICING:
STANDARD: For Startups, SMEs <25 employees & non-profits: 3 000 NOK
CORPORATE: Corporate & industry organisations: 5 000 NOK
Email Mariann@WildNorway.org to book your space. Are you already a sponsor of Wild Norway? Contact us for your free spot!
Register Below
This event is made possible through the support and sponsorship of:
Event & Cancellation Terms:
Cancellations must be made lastest 2 weeks before the event to avoid fees. All those who do not attend without cancelling by the deadline will be charged a 350 NOK no-show fee.
Please note that anyone with overdue invoices will not be admitted to program activities. Make sure your account is up-to-date before the event.