Why We Built Coach Cara
At WellSaid AI, we combine compassion, expertise, and innovation to create solutions that empower older adults to live healthier, more vibrant and independent lives.
What Drives Us at WellSaid AI
At WellSaid AI, we’ve all experienced the challenges of helping aging parents. Our team includes healthcare professionals—nurses, doctors, and executives—and dedicated volunteers who have worked closely with older adults. We've connected with seniors and their families, often navigating the stresses of declining memory, physical decline, emotional strain, and financial burdens together.
In every conversation, one truth stands out: THERE IS ENORMOUS VALUE IN PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING HEALTH RISKS, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE. Supporting physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while identifying risk factors early, can delay or even prevent the challenges of aging.
The Inspiration Behind WellSaid AI
Our team previously pioneered the use of voice technology to monitor patients with chronic illnesses in their own homes. After helping hundreds of thousands of older adults, we shifted our focus to aging, determined to help seniors stay healthy, active, and independent.
We found that traditional healthcare often falls short, and older adults eagerly embrace technology—when it’s designed with their needs in mind. This led us to combine decades of expertise to create an innovative solution: Coach Cara.
Who We Are
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Randall Williams, MD
Co-Founder & CEO
Dr. Williams is a physician, serial entrepreneur, and graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He’s a pioneer in applying artificial intelligence and voice technology to the health needs of seniors and holder of several patents. In 2004, he founded and built Pharos Innovations, building one of the early successes in patient engagement and remote monitoring.
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Michael Taylor
Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer
Michael is a seasoned healthcare and machine learning executive. Previously, he was General Manager at IBM Watson and responsible for IBM Watson Health’s global provider business. He also was a Partner at Accenture, where he ran the Population Health Management Consulting practice, and has operated multiple private equity and venture backed companies.
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Karen Williams, BSN
Co-Founder & Chief Experience Officer
Karen brings over 30 years of senior care experience as a nurse and adult child of aging parents. She’s a graduate of the University of Minnesota. In addition to leading customer experience, she also heads up all content development and ensures that everything WellSaid does is delivered with the same care we would want for our own loved ones.
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Matthew Wright
Lead Systems Engineer
Matt has built software in the electronics, manufacturing, telecom, and financial services industries over the past 20+ years. He is a graduate of Northwestern University (B.S. Mechanical Engineering) and DePaul University (M.S. Software Engineering). He also has extensive experience as a Senior Connections volunteer, visiting and helping homebound senior citizens weekly,
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Jim Evans
Strategic Advisor
Jim is an experienced entrepreneur and graduate of Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. His 20 years of healthcare and executive experience includes business unit GM for McKesson, EVP at Pharos Innovations, and the founding of Socrates, an AI and analytics company. Jim is a former Naval submarine officer.
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Pete Haas
Voice UX & Product Advisor
Pete is a veteran in voice and conversational AI. His work developing applications for intelligent voice assistants has earned him recognition and multiple awards in the industry. He’s built voice applications, bots, and natural language models that currently helping millions of people have customized, enjoyable experiences that help them accomplish their goals.
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Laurie Nelson
Strategic Advisor
Laurie is the Global Senior Project Manager for Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. Since 2012, she has been an active volunteer at Covenant Living, a retirement community in Northbrook, IL, where she runs a Computer/ Tech Help Drop-in Center. Along with being a key advisor, Laurie is a guest writer for our newsletter.
WellSaid AI in the News
WellSaid AI Awarded Prestigious NIH Funding To Study Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
In partnership with a large national insurance carrier, WellSaid AI will be enrolling older adults and their informal caregivers in a study of how conversational agent technologies, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant devices can be used to identify and track important aspects of memory and brain function. This research is part of the National Institute on Aging's (NIA) strategic plan to support the development of innovative strategies and therapies to prevent, diagnose, and treat dementia. WellSaid.ai has developed technologies to monitor, assist, or maintain daily functioning of older individuals with cognitive impairments.
AARP Selects WellSaid AI to Join The AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative
NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED WITH AgeTech PRESS KIT INFO
Voice First Podcast with Dr. Teri Fisher
“In this Voice First Health podcast episode, Randall Williams, MD, co-founder of WellSaid AI, joins me to talk about the work they are doing to help seniors age in place with their own personal well-being assistant, called “Coach Cara,” WellSaid AI connects seniors to Coach Cara through any voice-enabled device, such as a simple smart speaker, to help them maintain their independence. Coach Cara supports healthier behaviors, connects seniors to loved ones, and bridges the digital divide for a fuller and happier life. So much great info in this episode!”