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Boyds, Md. (12/29/2020) – Y. Michele Kang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cognosante LLC, has joined the ownership group of the Washington Spirit the club announced today.
A visionary in the field of health information technology, Michele founded Cognosante in 2008 to disrupt and challenge the status quo in the U.S. healthcare system. Leveraging a unique set of business, data and technical expertise in a fundamentally different way, Cognosante provides innovative solutions central to carrying out national healthcare transformation. Under Michele’s leadership, Cognosante has emerged as one of the most trusted partners of key federal and state health agencies, while growing rapidly over the past ten years.
To further her goal of transforming the healthcare system, Michele established Cognosante Ventures to fuel promising health IT startups. By investing in and mentoring these companies, Cognosante Ventures supports the development of technologies that will fundamentally change the way U.S. citizens experience healthcare.
Spirit Managing Partner Steve Baldwin had this to say: “I’m delighted to welcome Michele into our organization. She is one of the most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders in our area. Since founding Cognosante in 2008, she has built the leading healthcare-focused information technology firm in the United States. Michele is a brilliant, visionary executive and brings her incredible talent and expertise to our club. Tom Daschle introduced us following the 2019 World Cup and we immediately started working together to make this happen. Michele will make a tremendous impact for our players and our community and I could not be happier to have her join our club.”
“When I met the team after the World Cup, I knew I wanted to help lead this club,” said Kang. “I believe it is essential for successful women to take the lead in advancing other women, and I look forward to doing so for the women of the Washington Spirit. We are going to win on the field and off the field and I’m delighted to join our players, staff and my ownership partners in the pursuit of excellence.”
Michele has also established philanthropic initiatives that promote economic sustainability through entrepreneurship and increase opportunities for veterans, under-resourced young adults and disabled Americans. With a mission to promote the dignity of work, the Cognosante Foundation, established in 2012, focuses on supporting members from underserved communities as they pursue financial independence through meaningful careers. Michele is also actively engaged in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) studies and careers for girls and women.
In recognition of her entrepreneurial success and philanthropic efforts, she has received numerous accolades, including Palm Beach Atlantic University’s 2019 American Free Enterprise Medal, 2015 EY Entrepreneur of The Year® for the Washington, DC region, and the U.S. Award for Services. She was elected along with U.S. senators, high-ranking government officials, and top executives of Fortune 500 companies as an inaugural member of 100 Women Leaders in STEM in 2012 and one of the “Top 100 CEO Leaders in STEM” in 2016.
“Last winter, Steve arranged for Aubrey [Bledsoe] and I to have dinner with Michele,” said Spirit Co-Captain Andi Sullivan. “She shared her incredible personal story with us as well as her passion to develop and advance women leaders in business and the community. We see Michele joining us as the next step in our evolution to being the best club in the world, and my teammates and I are excited about the opportunity to work with her. She is inspiring.”
Prior to founding Cognosante, Michele served as Vice President and General Manager of Northrop Grumman’s Health Solutions division and as a management consultant helping global information, technology, and telecom companies formulate and successfully execute profitable growth strategies.
Michele is a member of the Board of Governors for the American Red Cross, a member of the Board of Directors for the Northern Virginia Technology Council, a Trustee on the Boards of the Washington National Opera and the Norton Museum of Art, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from The University of Chicago and a master’s degree in public and private management from Yale School of Management.
