Lauren Foster

A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY. Lauren Foster has consistently overcome obstacles and delighted in proving naysayers wrong. Her latest venture, Afynia Laboratories—a FemTech company focused on filling gaps in women’s health—represents the culmination of a lifelong journey marked by resilience, self-discovery, and an unquenchable thirst for new experiences.

Growing up in Montreal, Lauren’s early years were challenging. With a conservative family and an authoritarian father, she found solace in sports, particularly hockey, where she could escape and be herself. Academically gifted but often bored in school, Lauren left home at 17 to play junior hockey. She eventually chose to pursue academics over sports, earning early admission to university. She studied human biology, moved through her undergraduate training, worked for the federal government, and later became a Professor at McMaster University.

Despite her professional success, Lauren had always struggled with her identity. After two marriages and two children, she realized she was beginning to emulate her father. Seeking her true self, she separated from her spouse and eventually transitioned, despite immense fear and anxiety. “I had to come to terms with the fact that I’m not responsible for my parents’ happiness,” she says. The support of her children, friends, and students was pivotal in her journey. “The students have been my biggest defenders and supporters, along with my children.”

DRAWING FROM LIFE LESSONS. After a brief retirement, Lauren was approached by a former student and friend, Jocelyn Wessels, with the idea of forming a company. This led to the creation of Afynia Laboratories in 2021. The company aims to develop products addressing chronic pelvic pain, menstrual pain, and infertility caused by endometriosis. In the early phases of bringing their product to market, Afynia has already begun to make a significant impact. “Patients, when they get the results from our lab test, break down and cry because it’s validating. For the first time in years, somebody has actually listened to them,” she says.

Lauren admits to having anxiety about how she would be perceived as a transgender person in the business world after years in the relatively “protected space” of academia. However, her fears were largely unfounded. “For the most part, people have been very supportive. I realized it’s more about bringing the passion for what you’re doing,” she explains.

Lauren’s personal experiences have deeply influenced her approach to business. She shares how family counseling, prompted by her late son’s struggles with addiction, taught her the importance of authenticity. A pivotal piece of advice came from Scotty Bowman, coach of the Montreal Canadiens, who emphasized the psychological edge in success. “You never quit. If you want to do something bad enough, you’ll find a way to do it. Whether it’s in business or science, I must figure out a way to make sure that, nine times out of ten, I come out of that corner with the puck.”

CREATING A LASTING LEGACY. Lauren’s vision for Afynia is to empower women to take control of their health. She wants to enable them to test themselves at home, ensuring they receive early and accurate diagnoses. “If I can walk off this planet having done that, I’m a happy person,” she says. “I don’t even need to be known as the person that did that. I just need to know that I myself contributed to that. That’s all the recognition I need.”

Lauren’s journey of self-discovery and transition also brought its own set of challenges. “I used to think that if I had the courage to stand up and do this at an earlier age, I could have saved myself and others a lot of pain. But it was the journey that made me the person I am today.” For young entrepreneurs, Lauren advises listening hard to your inner voice. “Know what drives you and what makes you happy. You’re going to get all kinds of advice, but you have to find what works for you. At every step, I’ve had people tell me what I was planning to do wouldn’t work. I’ve delighted in proving them wrong.”