Xi Liu, Founder, Ferne Health

Empowering Conversations on Women’s Health

Around the world, Xi Liu (CMU 2015) sees the effects of stigmas that surround talking about women’s sexual health.

“The first time I heard about the HPV vaccine was actually in CMU,” says Xi, who grew up in China and lives in Indonesia. “Some of my friends were so excited to be able to get it for free from the Student Health Center. I didn’t even know what it was, so I saw the need to share information around topics like this.”

In 2020, Xi left her job as a product manager at Amazon to found Ferne Health, an online platform supporting sexual health with a focus on young Asian women, leaning on her Master of Integrated Innovation for Products & Services from Carnegie Mellon’s Integrated Innovation Institute.

Ferne Health addressed topics that Asian women often have trouble accessing. Xi’s team provided at-home testing kits to screen for sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer; information about safe sex and gynecological health; and support for other issues related to women’s sexual well-being.

The venture capital-backed startup offered services in Singapore and Indonesia and partnered with key hospitals and clinics to serve 15,000 women. This impact saw Xi recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Healthcare & Science honoree in the publication’s Asia 2021 list.

“I’m interested in opportunities to continue supporting issues like Ferne Health addressed,” she says. “I will continue bringing social impact to support women's rights, women's health and women's equality. I’ve lived in several countries, and you see how the culture changes. Women need this support.”

Story by Elizabeth Speed