Bronwyn Bridges is the CEO and Co-Founder of PragmaClin, a MedTech company focused on improving how Parkinson’s Disease is assessed and managed. She grew up in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, a small community in Canada, where her early exposure to healthcare came through her mother, Patti, a long-term care nurse. Watching her mother work closely with patients planted the first seeds of empathy, responsibility, and service that would later define Bronwyn’s professional path.
Bronwyn Bridges | CEO and Co-Founder | PragmaClin
Today, she divides her time between St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Indianapolis, balancing the demands of leading a fast-growing healthcare company while completing her PhD in Pharmacy. Her journey reflects discipline, resilience, and a deep commitment to healthcare equity. At EliteX, we are proud to have Bronwyn Bridges as Cover Story of the edition: 10 Elite CEOs in 2025.
Bronwyn’s life took a defining turn at a young age when she found her grandfather after he had taken his own life. This experience deeply affected her and led to a diagnosis of PTSD. Rather than allowing this trauma to derail her future, she chose to transform it into purpose. That moment became a guiding force in her life, shaping her belief that access to timely and compassionate healthcare should never be a privilege. It also strengthened her resolve to advocate for mental health awareness and to build systems that support people during their most vulnerable moments.
“Resilience is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about staying connected to your ‘why’ and moving forward, even when the journey feels heavy.”
Her academic journey in pharmacy and healthcare research gave her the tools to turn that purpose into action. During her graduate studies, Bronwyn met Gord Genge, a Parkinson’s patient whose lived experience revealed critical gaps in neurological care. Their conversations highlighted a harsh reality – many patients were waiting years just to see a specialist. When the COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these delays, it became clear that the system was failing those who needed care the most. In response, Bronwyn and Gord co-founded PragmaClin in 2020, with a clear goal of transforming Parkinson’s care through technology.
Under Bronwyn’s leadership, PragmaClin developed PRIMS, a digital tool designed to modernize neurological assessments. The platform helps clinicians move beyond subjective evaluations by offering objective and continuous monitoring. This approach improves clinical insight while supporting doctors rather than replacing them. Bronwyn has been clear that technology should enhance human expertise, not override it. Her vision treats innovation as a support system for clinicians and patients alike, ensuring that care remains both effective and humane.
Building PragmaClin required difficult choices, especially when external pressures challenged the company’s mission. Some investors questioned whether Parkinson’s Disease was a large enough market and encouraged the company to pivot toward broader commercial opportunities. Bronwyn chose not to compromise. She remained focused on the real care gap that patients were experiencing and declined funding that would dilute the company’s purpose. This decision reinforced her belief that long-term impact matters more than short-term valuation. For her, success is measured not only by growth, but by the difference the company makes in people’s lives.
Her leadership style is rooted in integrity and empathy. She believes that keeping one’s word, even when it is inconvenient, builds trust and credibility. Empathy, in her view, is not a soft skill but a strategic strength. By centering Gord’s lived experience and listening closely to her team, Bronwyn has created a culture where people feel valued and empowered. She does not present herself as invincible. Instead, she leads with honesty, acknowledging challenges and encouraging open conversations around mental health and workload.
“Technology should never replace human care. Its true role is to support clinicians and help patients receive better, faster answers.”
Balancing a demanding PhD program with the responsibilities of a CEO has required discipline and structure. Bronwyn relies on clear goal-setting to manage complexity. She breaks large ambitions into achievable milestones and tracks progress carefully. This approach allows her team to stay aligned while keeping the long-term vision in focus. She believes that consistency in small actions is what ultimately leads to meaningful breakthroughs.
Trust plays a central role in how she fosters innovation. By delegating responsibility and allowing team members to own critical projects, she creates space for creative problem-solving. This trust was tested during periods of intense pressure, such as launching international clinical studies while preparing for major academic examinations. In those moments, Bronwyn learned that stepping back and relying on her team not only strengthened outcomes but also reinforced mutual confidence and growth.
PragmaClin’s expansion into international markets reflects Bronwyn’s global mindset. Through partnerships and accelerator programs, the company has entered multiple regions and learned from diverse healthcare systems. She views each market as an opportunity to understand different patient needs, regulatory environments, and cultural approaches to care. This openness to learning has helped PragmaClin remain competitive while staying aligned with its mission.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to Bronwyn’s leadership philosophy. She believes that varied perspectives lead to better solutions, especially in healthcare, where lived experience shapes outcomes. By building a young and diverse team, she encourages collaboration and challenges conventional thinking. This inclusive culture supports innovation while ensuring that solutions are designed for real-world impact.
Social responsibility is not separate from PragmaClin’s business model. The company exists to address the injustice of delayed diagnosis and limited access to specialists, particularly in rural and underserved communities. For Bronwyn, this mission is deeply personal and closely tied to her advocacy for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. These causes are not side projects but core motivations that inform every strategic decision.
Bronwyn stays motivated by staying connected to her purpose. She believes resilience is not about ignoring difficulty, but about acknowledging it and continuing forward with intention. By protecting her own well-being and encouraging balance within her team, she promotes sustainable leadership. She understands that long-term impact requires leaders who remain grounded and human.
“Purpose over profit is not a slogan for me. It is the compass that guides every decision I make.”
To aspiring leaders, Bronwyn emphasizes the importance of confidence, curiosity, and persistence. She encourages young professionals to celebrate small wins, seek out diverse perspectives, and stay true to their values. Looking ahead, her vision for the future includes expanding PragmaClin’s technology to other neurological conditions and contributing to a global healthcare system where no patient is left waiting without answers. Her journey stands as an example of leadership driven by purpose, empathy, and unwavering commitment to meaningful change.
