Innovation Ecosystems

Ilene Fischer is the founder and CEO of Sophia Network, LLC, a consultancy specializing in innovation, organizational transformation, and disruptive change. She previously served as Managing Director of the Tom Peters Company and as a partner at Peter Senge's Innovation Associates, experiences that shaped her approach to helping leaders navigate complex strategic change. Fischer advises executive teams through mergers and acquisitions, rapid growth, organizational redesign, and innovative product launches across industries including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotech, digital health, consumer products, government, and non-profits.

Prior to founding Sophia Network, she launched WomenLEAD, an online mentoring platform advancing women's careers. The venture was named a MassChallenge finalist and received the Verizon Powerful Answer Award. She also served as CEO of WEST, where she expanded the organization's revenue and membership while championing women leaders in STEM. A longtime advocate for women's advancement, Fischer founded one of the first battered women's shelters in the United States in 1976 and led the Northeastern Pennsylvania chapter of NOW, focusing on ERA ratification.