‘Right on plan’: Digital Health KC enters next growth phase, elevating Liz Shaffer to president

The first few years of Digital Health KC were about activating the ecosystem, said Liz Shaffer, noting the organization was propelled forward by its co-founder and longtime leader Dick Flanigan’s vision and strategy — pointedly growing the industry advocate to become a catalyst within the larger nexus of human and animal health. 

“What we’re going to see over the next couple of years is a continuation of that vision, but also listening,” said Shaffer, who on Tuesday was officially announced as the new president of Digital Health KC. “It’s not about where Digital Health KC wants to take this organization. It’s about what our ecosystem needs to be successful and keep this flywheel spinning.”

Shaffer succeeds Flanigan, who co-founded the organization alongside startup and philanthropy executive Maria Flynn after she recruited him to the effort — now an initiative within BioNexus KC. Flanigan, a veteran healthcare and tech leader, is expected to transition into a role on the BioNexus KC Board of Directors and will continue his work on the Digital Health KC Advisory Board and as a senior advisor for the organization.

Dick Flanigan, Digital Health KC, opens the Lumi Awards ceremony in 2025 during Digital Health Day at The Abbott in Kansas City’s East Crossroads; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland

The initial idea — to advance Kansas City as a regional leader in life sciences innovation — first took shape in spring 2022, and Digital Health KC publicly launched in May 2023 as an initiative of BioNexus KC. It has since identified more than 130 digital health companies in the Kansas City region.

Shaffer joined Digital Health KC as program director in March 2024 — playing a pivotal role in not only building and expanding the organization’s programming, as well as recruiting the members of its current advisory board. She also helped grow Digital Health KC’s network of investors active in the region to 160, surpassing an original goal of 100, the organization said.

From its inception, Digital Health KC planned for Flanigan to establish the organization and eventually transition leadership to a successor, Flanigan said, noting Shaffer joined with this long-term plan in mind — helping position the organization for its next phase of growth.

“When we hired Liz, we hired her with an eye on leadership potential, leadership interest and demonstrated leadership characteristics,” Flanigan said. “A year in, there was no doubt she was incredibly capable. This is right on plan. It’s exactly what we structured the organization to do, and I’m excited for where we can take this going forward.”

Digital Health KC will continue its mission of supporting the Kansas City region’s digital health companies, founders and the entire ecosystem, said Dennis Ridenour, CEO of BioNexus KC.

“Digital Health KC is a core part of how BioNexus KC brings the region’s health innovation community together, and Liz has been central to its growth,” he noted. We have full confidence in her leadership, and we’re glad to welcome Dick to the BioNexus KC Board, where his experience will help guide our broader work in life sciences.”