Mariana Gaspers: Where Strategic Leadership Meets Healthcare Innovation

As healthcare systems worldwide strive to improve patient outcomes while managing rising costs, the industry increasingly relies on leaders who can bridge technology, business strategy, and human-centric care. Today's most influential healthcare executives are not only responsible for organizational performance but also for fostering innovation, building resilient teams, and creating solutions that make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.

Among these forward-thinking leaders is Mariana Gaspers, CEO and Co-founder of Level, whose career reflects a unique blend of strategic expertise, operational excellence, and purpose-driven leadership. Born in Brazil to a German father and a Brazilian mother, Mariana moved to Germany at the age of 14, where she completed her education, earning a degree in Economics. After returning to Brazil in 2012, she further strengthened her academic foundation by completing two master's degrees.

Mariana began her professional journey at Ascential Plc. as an Analyst and rapidly progressed to Financial Director before becoming CFO for Latin America. Guided by an inspiring mentor early in her career, she developed a leadership philosophy that extends beyond financial performance to encompass people, strategy, and long-term business value. She later joined Twilio, where she led Go-to-Market operations across Latin America before expanding her responsibilities to Europe, Asia, and eventually global teams of more than 300 professionals. Working across diverse cultures reinforced her belief that empathy, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are as critical as technical expertise.

Seeking to create a more meaningful impact, Mariana transitioned into healthcare by joining HiLab as COO, leading a significant business turnaround. The experience also reshaped her personal perspective, reinforcing the importance of balancing professional ambition with motherhood. Today, as CEO and Co-Founder of Level, she combines her expertise in finance, technology, and business strategy to advance healthcare through data intelligence, guided by a simple yet powerful belief: exceptional leadership is about connecting people, ideas, and purpose to create lasting impact. Let’s read.

Throughout your career, what core values have shaped your leadership philosophy and influenced the way you make decisions?

Authenticity has always been the foundation of my leadership. Early in my career, I believed leaders had to fit a certain image, but I eventually realized that genuine leadership comes from being true to yourself. I also believe people - not technology - create transformation. AI and data are powerful, but human judgment, empathy, and collaboration drive meaningful outcomes. Integrity is non-negotiable; I never promise what I cannot deliver and believe in being transparent when things don't go as planned. Finally, I approach every challenge with optimism, viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn, grow, and build stronger teams.

As CEO of Level, what inspired the company's vision, and what milestones have defined its growth journey?

I joined the company as COO when it was still NeuralMed and later helped transform it into Level, where I now serve as CEO and Co-founder. Our vision has always been to improve healthcare through clinical data intelligence, enabling faster, smarter, and more sustainable decision-making. One of our defining milestones was entering Brazil's public healthcare sector and securing a major contract focused on improving lung cancer care. The most rewarding achievement, however, has been seeing patients benefit from timely treatment because our technology helped connect critical data with clinical decisions.

I Believe Data-Driven Healthcare Will Make Quality Care More Accessible, Sustainable, And Impactful For Society

Which healthcare trends do you believe will have the greatest impact over the next decade, and how is Level preparing for them?

Healthcare's future will be driven by connected data and intelligent decision-making. While the industry generates enormous amounts of information, much of it remains fragmented. I believe AI will enhance - not replace - healthcare professionals by enabling faster, evidence-based decisions. At Level, we are building solutions that transform clinical data into actionable insights for hospitals, healthcare providers, and public institutions. Our goal is to improve operational efficiency while ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time. Ultimately, I believe data-driven healthcare will make quality care more accessible, sustainable, and impactful for society.

How do you cultivate a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth within your organization?

I believe transparency is the foundation of high-performing teams. I openly share both successes and challenges because people perform better when they understand the company's direction and purpose. I encourage collaboration by involving employees in discussions and ensuring they understand the reasoning behind key decisions. While not every decision can be collective, everyone deserves to feel heard and valued. I also promote continuous learning by encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and accountability. My goal is to create an environment where people are empowered to grow professionally while developing confidence as individuals.

As one of Brazil's Influential CEOs, what legacy do you hope to leave, and what advice would you offer aspiring women leaders?

I want my legacy to be measured by the positive impact we create through better healthcare decisions. If Level helps make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and sustainable through data intelligence, I will consider that a meaningful achievement. Personally, I hope to demonstrate that empathy, authenticity, and strong business performance can coexist. My advice to aspiring women leaders is simple: never try to fit someone else's definition of leadership. Stay authentic, remain curious, embrace challenges, and keep learning. Most importantly, remember that resilience is built through every obstacle you overcome.

Mariana Gaspers, CEO & CO-Founder, Level

Mariana Gaspers is the CEO and Co-Founder of Level, a Brazilian healthtech transforming healthcare through clinical data intelligence. With a background in economics and global leadership experience across finance, strategy, and technology, she has led multinational teams before transitioning into healthcare. She is recognized for authentic leadership, innovation, and advancing data-driven patient care.