Executive Panel: Healthcare Innovation

Carter Dredge

Executive Director

Intermountain Health Institute

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carter-dredge-bb7b2ba?

Carter Dredge is a nationally recognized healthcare innovator and transformational leader. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Intermountain Health Institute, where he collaborates with global thought leaders to develop breakthrough solutions to complex healthcare challenges.

Named one of Modern Healthcare’s “Top 25 Innovators,” Carter was the first American admitted to the executive doctorate in business program at the University of Cambridge. He has held leadership and advisory roles across healthcare service organizations, insurance companies, and multiple start-ups, several of which he co-founded.

Deeply committed to innovation, equity, and leadership development, Carter is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute and an active member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

James Hotaling

Associate Vice President of Research Innovation & Translation

University of Utah

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-hotaling-6300ba53?

Dr. James Hotaling is a board-certified urologist and Associate Professor of Surgery (Urology) at the University of Utah, where he serves as Director of Men’s Health and Male Infertility. A leader in both academic medicine and innovation, he has built one of the region’s most successful male infertility and men’s health programs.

Dr. Hotaling holds a degree from Dartmouth, completed stem cell research at Duke during medical school, and earned an MS in Clinical Epidemiology while in residency at the University of Washington. He also founded the Surgical Population Analysis Research Core (SPARC) and co-led the DELPHI data science initiative, positioning him at the intersection of surgical care and big data analytics.

With extensive experience in commercialization, Dr. Hotaling has helped launch, operate, and fund early-stage medical device and biotech companies—successfully exiting two ventures. He holds multiple patents, has licensed technologies from the University of Utah, and works closely with faculty to bring research breakthroughs to market. In his current role as Associate Vice President for Research Innovation and Translation (AVPRIT), he leads efforts to accelerate innovation across the university’s research community.

Nikolas Mark

General Partner

Intermountain Ventures

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickolas-mark-aa7b6415a?

Nickolas Mark is a healthcare industry leader and venture investor dedicated to solving some of the field’s most complex challenges. He is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Intermountain Ventures, where he partners with early-stage innovators, entrepreneurs, and mission-driven organizations to advance transformative healthcare solutions.

Before founding Intermountain Ventures, Nickolas held senior leadership roles at a global investment firm managing over $50 billion in assets and served as a senior advisor at top consulting firms. His work has focused on innovation strategy and growth for Fortune 500 companies and global health organizations.

Nickolas brings a relentless focus on creating meaningful, measurable, and positive impact across the healthcare landscape. His commitment to supporting bold ideas and breakthrough solutions continues to drive change in the future of health.

Gina Zanik

Executive Director

Rare & Undiagnosed Network

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-zanik-b40781103?

Gina Zanik is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Rare and Undiagnosed Network (RUN), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with rare and undiagnosed diseases. Motivated by her own experience and that of her three children—each living with chronic, invisible, and undiagnosed conditions—Gina advocates for families through genomic knowledge, community, and resources.

Before her healthcare advocacy work, Gina spent over a decade in the entertainment and sports industries, including roles with NBA and NFL agencies. She has held leadership positions in organizations like the Utah Rare Disease Advisory Council, Undiagnosed Disease Network International (UDNI), and RARE-X, and co-founded the international Undiagnosed Rare Disease Day (Undiagnosed Day).

A published writer and public speaker, Gina has received the Rare Voice Award and the Rare Champion of Hope – Advocacy Award. Through RUN, she continues to lead national awareness campaigns, including the NBA’s initiative to raise awareness for rare diseases.