Twentyeight Health Appoints Warby Parker's Mara Castro as COO to Drive Growth in Women's Telehealth Services
In a significant move towards expanding women's healthcare access, Twentyeight Health has appointed Mara Castro as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). Known for her pivotal role at Warby Parker, where she was one of the first hires, Castro's extensive experience is expected to propel the digital-first women's healthcare provider during a crucial time in the market. Founded to offer convenient and affordable reproductive and sexual care, Twentyeight Health has rapidly increased its footprint, now serving women's healthcare needs in 43 states and counting. As Telehealth services become increasingly vital, Castro’s considerable skills in scaling businesses and enhancing customer experiences will be instrumental.
Mara Castro joined Twentyeight Health at a moment when demand for online sexual and reproductive health services has surged significantly. Her previous work at Warby Parker included maintaining an impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) of above 80 and developing a customer experience team that grew from just one individual to over 800 employees. Having been a strategic advisor to Twentyeight Health since 2018, she is well-acquainted with the ins and outs of the organization and its mission: to make reproductive health services accessible and stigma-free.
"Throughout my 15+ year career, I've assembled and led high-performing teams to drive profitable growth at venture-backed startups that transformed them into household names," Castro commented regarding her new role. She stated that her focus will be on enhancing customer-centric operations to ensure that even the most underserved communities receive effective healthcare solutions. With a commitment to approachability, her goal is to help Twentyeight Health reach women who have faced barriers in accessing essential services.
The announcement of Castro's addition follows a period marked by unprecedented growth for Twentyeight Health. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the company has reached notable milestones, including raising $10 million in Series A funding. Led by Seae Ventures and supported by other investors, this funding boosts the company’s total to $25 million. Additionally, traffic on their website has spiked due to increasing public interest in their services.
Furthermore, the company has developed beneficial partnerships with major Medicaid insurers like AmeriHealth, Molina, and Aetna Better Health® of Illinois. These collaborations allow Twentyeight Health to offer services at little to no costs for many users, many of whom earn less than $20,000 per year. Services such as treatment for yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and bacterial vaginosis are now available at no cost to eligible members, with plans to extend these to all users soon.
In line with their efforts to advocate for women's healthcare, Twentyeight Health recently implemented a Student Advocacy Program at New York University (NYU). This initiative aims to empower students to lead discussions on accessible reproductive and sexual healthcare through various platforms, including events and social media. Plans are already in place to replicate this program across college campuses nationwide.
"At Twentyeight Health, our belief that all women should receive the essential care they need, regardless of geography, income, race, age, or coverage status, informs everything we do," commented Bruno Van Tuykom, CEO and Co-Founder of Twentyeight Health. He highlighted that Castro's extensive experience in scaling startups and delivering excellent customer care will be pivotal as the company enters a new growth phase.
The offerings of Twentyeight Health include telehealth consultations that cover 93% of women in the U.S., alongside direct shipping for multiple birth control options, abortion pills, emergency contraception, herpes treatments, and various healthcare products like menstrual supplies and prenatal vitamins. The company plans to broaden its services even further in 2025, demonstrating a commitment to addressing women's health needs effectively.
For more information about Twentyeight Health's expansive range of services and educational resources related to sexual health, visit their official website at www.twentyeighthealth.com.