Presentation Summary
Years before she had any reason to care about kidney disease, Mysty Rusk felt compelled to help a professor bring a discovery out of the lab and bring an idea to life. Twenty-one years later, that same innovation not only became deeply personal — but grew into a billion-dollar “unicorn.” In this talk, Mysty shares a true story of serendipity, synchronicity, and the long road of innovation — revealing how persistence, partnership, and purpose can transform technology, touch lives, and ultimately make the world a better place.
Mysty’s Bio
Mysty Rusk is a Partner at AngelGen and a nationally recognized leader in innovation-based economic development. She has worked with thousands of startups and investors, helping communities unlock capital, expertise, and opportunity to grow strong local economies.
With a background spanning public service, economic development leadership, and startup strategy, Mysty has a unique ability to connect people and programs to create meaningful impact. She has led angel conferences across the U.S. and founded the San Diego Angel Conference. Mysty believes in the power of innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration to address real-world challenges and build thriving regional economies.
