Meet Madison Campbell of Leda Health

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Campbell.

Hi Madison, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In 2016, I was sexually assaulted right in my dorm room. After it happened, I didn’t feel safe leaving my dorm room, and I didn’t want to be touched by anyone – not even medical professionals. I kept to myself – not telling family, friends, or police what happened. I soon realized I was not alone in my experience – over 75% of survivors choose not to report their assaults.

Understanding the ineptitudes of our current sexual assault care system and the fact that it’s not set up for all survivors, I wanted to do something to revolutionize the landscape of sexual assault prevention, care, and healing. In 2019, I co-founded Leda Health to help other sexual assault survivors navigate their healing journeys. Leda health provides accessible, scalable, and trauma-informed resources to those who need them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life as a female entrepreneur and CEO can be challenging – I’ve experienced sexism and constantly feel that I must prove myself in ways that male founders don’t. Society doesn’t always support women who don’t pursue the safe route and want to shake up the status quo. I know that making a real change means creating some positive chaos, so I’m willing to take risks to accomplish my mission.

Since I am a sexual assault survivor, I know what it feels like to be in the shoes of the survivors we’re helping and the challenges that come with being a survivor. I constantly grapple with my trauma while helping other survivors navigate their journeys. Still, I find purpose and passion in making a difference in survivors’ lives and seeing how our services impact their healing.

We received criticism in the early stages of building our company, but we’ve never shied away from it. Instead, we grew a thick skin. We view constructive criticism as a vital tool for helping us understand how we can make Leda Health better. Since then, we’ve added new holistic services in tandem with our tests to ensure we provide a complete suite of services to survivors. We also created an online sexual assault examiner map of 3,000 nurses in the U.S. with forensic training to ensure that survivors can easily access the hospital resources closest to them.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Leda Health is a healthcare company serving survivors of sexual assault, aiming to break cycles of sexual violence. Our mission is to empower all survivors, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and those of marginalized identities- their loved ones, and the communities in which they live by transforming the landscape of sexual assault prevention, care, and healing. Our services include an Early Evidence Kit for DNA collection, STI testing, Plan B, a mobile application, a 24/7 Care Team for guidance around the clock, virtual Healing Circles, workshops, and an exam location map. Through these services, Leda Health centers survivor needs, ensuring that all people who’ve experienced sexual harm are given the options and autonomy they deserve.

What was you like growing up?
I was pretty outgoing and creative growing up. I had a lot of different interests, like opera, singing, and theater, and my family nurtured everything I did. I wasn’t the most popular or well-liked kid at school, but my home life was supportive and stable. One of my goals as I got older was to work as an epidemiologist at the CDC. I also wanted to study viruses in space – and while I eventually did a TEDx Talk on the topic, I never pursued that goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leda.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ledahealth/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ledahealth/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LedaHealthCo