Virginia (Ginna) Santy

Virginia (Ginna) Santy is Director of Research for X Genesis, a startup studio devoted to combining entrepreneurship and social good. In her role, Ginna leads a research team in conducting primary and secondary research to inform market-driven solutions to the world's wicked problems. She is responsible for creating unique methods combining theories, paradigms, and tools such as design and systems thinking to facilitate innovation and problem-solving. She presents at conferences on entrepreneurial approaches to problem-solving in various industries such as health, water, aging, and city planning and design. In addition to her work at X Genesis, Ginna is a researcher and thought leader in the areas of research design and processes in support of entrepreneurship, vulnerable populations, and re-conceptualizing the relationship between data and design to facilitate women’s economic well-being. A former professor, she has presented her research on women and work around the world and worked with a variety of clients to implement programs supporting women’s needs in the public and private sector. Her research on women and leadership in the workplace won her the Researcher of the Year Award from the Organization for Research on Women and Communication. Ginna also co-founded Women in Kind, the first coworking space in Colorado designed for women, and negotiated a successful sale of that business in 2019. She has consulted with the cities of Denver and Reno on designing spaces and policies to support women’s economic success, serves on Denver’s Women’s Commission, and is a recognized leader in the business community. She was honored as Change-Maker of the Year in 2018 and Top 25 Women in Business in 2020 by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Last but not least, Ginna is the mother of a warrior-hearted daughter.