Whitney Slightham, CEO
Whitney founded Mesa Marketing, a life sciences communications firm supporting Pre-Seed and Seed stage biotech and medtech startups scale. She has overseen hundreds of projects helping organizations communicate complex scientific information, build public trust and expand impact. Previously, as director of communications at Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Whitney led global communications reaching more than 600 million people and earned multiple national awards from the Public Relations Society of America.
Whitney is also the co-founder and CEO of Ateleva, Inc., a Flagstaff-based medical device startup developing a minimally invasive technology to re-inflate collapsed lung segments in critically ill and surgical patients. She led the company from concept through intellectual property development, clinical positioning, and early commercialization strategy. Whitney guides cross-functional teams of clinicians, engineers and regulatory experts, navigating complex clinical and regulatory environments while advancing patient-centered innovation.
Whitney’s commitment to community engagement is evident through her board service with Moonshot Arizona, Flagstaff Gravity Lab, and Three Trails Health, where she contributes strategic leadership to advance economic development, youth engagement, and sustainable health initiatives. She actively mentors young women pursuing careers in science, healthcare, communications, and entrepreneurship, providing guidance through teaching, public speaking, and professional mentorship. Whitney combines visionary leadership with dedication to community and mentorship, fostering innovation, collaboration, and opportunities for others to succeed while building organizations that create tangible positive impact.
