Monica Coenraads Makes Forbes 50 Over 50 List

We’re proud to share that our founder and CEO, Monica Coenraads, has been named to the 2025 Forbes 50 Over 50 list in the Impact category—one of four designations that celebrate women driving meaningful change across business, science, politics, and culture.

This annual list recognizes 50 women over the age of 50 who are using their insight and influence to leave the world better than they found it. Monica appears in remarkable company alongside visionaries like Maria Shriver, Halle Berry, and biotech leaders including Yvonne Greenstreet (CEO, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals), Jane Grogan (Head of Research, Biogen), and Vicky Sato (Chair, Vir Biotechnology).

As Forbes notes, Monica’s leadership began in deeply personal territory. When her daughter, Chelsea, was diagnosed with Rett in 1998, she transformed heartbreak into action. Within a year, she co-founded the first organization devoted to advancing Rett research, with a clear and unwavering goal: cure the root cause. Since then, she’s catalyzed scientific breakthroughs, assembled a world-class staff dedicated solely to impacting Rett syndrome, and helped raise more than $123 million for curative approaches. RSRT’s early investments, guided by Monica's vision, laid the groundwork for every Rett Genetic Medicine program currently in development.

“She and the 49 other mission-minded innovators on this list are using their insights and influence to leave the world better than they found it.” — Forbes

This honor is a testament to the power of persistence, vision, and science-driven hope. Congratulations, Monica—and thank you to Forbes for shining a light on Rett syndrome and the people working to reverse it.