From hollywood
to healthTech.

Chen’s story

How Dr. Chen Mao Davies is Tackling Health Inequalities Through Innovation and Empathy.

Dr. Chen Mao Davies’s journey from creating visual effects in Hollywood to founding Anya is a story of resilience, purpose, and a mission to improve health equity. Grounded in personal experience, Chen’s work is making a meaningful impact on families and individuals who often face barriers to accessing essential health support.
 

A determined start: From Paddington Bear to the big screen

When Chen arrived in the UK, she had just two suitcases, limited English, and a dream in creating blockbuster movies to touch people’s hearts. Like a modern-day Paddington Bear, she approached her new life with courage and perserverence. As a skilled computer scientist with a passion for creativity, she fulfilled her childhood dream of creating visual effects for blockbuster movies including “Gravity” and “Blade Runners 2049” winning Oscar and a BAFTA awards for Best Visual Effects.
 

But Chen’s proudest achievements came not in the glamour of Hollywood, but in her next chapter—one driven by her own life’s challenges to improve people’s lives.

Dr Chen Mao Davies with BAFTA & Oscar awards for Gravity

Inspired by Parenthood: A Personal Call to Action

When Chen became a mother, her joy was tempered by struggles with breastfeeding, the isolation many parents feel, and postnatal depression. 2 o’clock in the morning, when the baby is screaming the loudest and when she was in pain and felt most vulnerable, she cannot find any support available from healthcare professionals or credible resources. The support systems often failed families at their most vulnerable moments, particularly in providing timely and accessible help. These personal challenges opened her eyes to a wider problem—health inequalities that leave too many people without the care they need.
 
The arrival of her second child, deepened her resolve to make a difference. Combining her technical expertise with her passion for helping others, she founded LatchAid Ltd, later rebranded as Anya in 2022. Chen envisioned Anya as a tool to bridge the gaps in health support, offering 24/7, scalable, evidence-based solutions for families who are often left behind.
 

Bridging the Gap in Health Equity

Anya was created with a simple but powerful mission: to ensure no one feels alone in their health journey. The platform combines AI-driven technology, personalised programmes, and community-based support to address critical gaps in care for parents, employees, and underserved communities.

Chen’s focus on health equity has driven Anya’s growth beyond parenting, tackling issues like menstrual health, fertility, and menopause—areas where stigma and poor accessibility have long created barriers. Whether it’s through providing 24/7 specialist support or fostering inclusive virtual communities, Anya is committed to creating solutions that meet people where they are, regardless of their circumstances.

Making a Measurable Difference

Anya’s impact speaks to the heart of its mission:

  • Thousands of families supported across rural and urban areas, ensuring accessible care for those who need it most.
  • Award-winning innovation, including a National AI Award for Healthcare, recognising Anya’s role in transforming support for underserved groups.
  • Ongoing work with partners to deliver solutions that address real-world health inequalities.

 

For Chen, these milestones are not just achievements but reminders of the shared journey with the families and organisations that trust Anya to make a difference.

Gratitude and a Vision for the Future

Reflecting on Anya’s journey, Chen says:

“I didn’t set out to change the world—I just wanted to solve a problem I faced myself. Seeing Anya grow into a platform that genuinely helps families and addresses inequalities is humbling. But there’s still so much more to do.”

Chen and her team remain dedicated to expanding Anya’s reach, ensuring that health support is a right, not a privilege. From addressing gaps in maternity care to breaking taboos around menopause, Anya is building a future where everyone has access to the care they deserve.

Partner with Anya to Tackle Health Inequalities

Anya’s innovative solutions are designed to address real-world challenges, offering scalable, inclusive support for families, employees, and communities. By partnering with Anya, you can help reduce health inequalities and make meaningful change for the people who need it most.

Leveraging innovative technology, Anya continues to expand to address a wider range of women’s health needs, including menopause, fertility and menstrual health.

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