On a recent episode of The Executive Room Podcast, our very own Mackenzie Andrews, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of NanoDropper, sat down with Kimberly Afonso to share the story behind NanoDropper’s mission—and the lessons she’s learned leading a purpose-driven healthcare company from the ground up.
Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 in healthcare, Mackenzie is at the forefront of commercialization and strategic growth at NanoDropper, a company reshaping the way patients receive eye care. What started as a student-led initiative at the University of Washington has grown into an award-winning medtech brand focused on access, equity, and innovation in ophthalmology.
From a Student Project to a Global Mission
NanoDropper was born out of curiosity and conviction. The team was inspired by an investigative article titled “Drug Companies Make Eye Drops Too Big and You Pay for the Waste”—a deep dive into how oversized eyedrops lead to medical waste, unnecessary cost, and even treatment failure. Mackenzie and her fellow researchers, then working in neuroscience, saw an opportunity to solve a problem that wasn’t being addressed.
Their flagship product, the NanoDropper adaptor, reduces drop volume from standard eye drop bottles—ensuring that more medication is absorbed and less is wasted. For patients managing conditions like glaucoma, this can mean the difference between affording life-saving medication or going without it. Since its launch in 2020, NanoDropper has helped thousands of patients improve treatment adherence while lowering costs and side effects.
Scaling with Purpose
In the conversation, Mackenzie opened up about the challenges of scaling internationally—especially in healthcare systems that differ structurally, culturally, and financially. “Most of the world doesn’t operate on value-based care,” she explained. “So we’re not just introducing a product—we’re introducing a new way of thinking.”
As NanoDropper expands into new markets like South Korea, the team is navigating not just regulatory requirements, but also how cultural expectations shape patient experience. In countries where patients place high trust in their doctors, there’s often less resistance to ineffective treatments—highlighting the need for both innovation and education.
Leadership That Evolves
For Mackenzie, leadership is a constantly evolving skill—one that requires humility, curiosity, and the ability to disagree productively. “It’s okay to make a decision not everyone agrees with,” she said. “But it’s equally important to recognize when something isn’t working, let go of ego, and pivot with grace.”
At NanoDropper, the leadership team leans on their core values—transparency, equity, integrity, and advocacy—to guide difficult decisions. These values are not only embedded into the company culture but also serve as a compass when navigating complexity, whether internally or across partnerships.
On Personal Branding and Being Human
Mackenzie also offered powerful insights on personal branding, especially for healthcare entrepreneurs. “People do business with people,” she shared. “If you can bring your full, human self to your online presence, you’ll build stronger, more authentic connections.”
Rather than over-curating their social media, Mackenzie and her co-founders focus on being relatable and honest—even on their personal accounts. That authenticity has helped grow a loyal community of advocates, many of whom are patients themselves.
Tune In
From rethinking medication delivery to redefining leadership in healthcare, Mackenzie’s story is a powerful reminder that real impact starts with small ideas and big purpose.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
