Promote Her Journey Spotlight: Jonell Tempero, RespirAI US

We’re proud to continue MWEC’s Promote Her Journey campaign by celebrating an entrepreneur whose passion for innovation, healthcare, and community impact is shown in all the work she does.

Meet Jonell Tempero, Product Manager at RespirAI US. RespirAI is a US-Israeli digital startup, developing an AI-powered home monitoring platform based on an innovative patented algorithm and FDA approved wearable sensors. Their vision is to revolutionize chronic respiratory disease management by enabling remote patient monitoring, allowing for early detection of flare-up and prevention of hospitalization.

Jonell played a vital role in growing RespirAI US in Omaha. Her unique perspective as a physician’s assistant for over 20 years helped shape the company’s solution that truly meets patient and provider needs. Driven by a deep interest in healthcare technology and a strong desire to make a difference locally, Jonell saw a powerful opportunity to lead with purpose. Jonell wanted to create meaningful change through innovation. “I was drawn to support the co-founders in establishing their company here in Omaha because of my passion  for leveraging wearable device data to transform patient care,” she says.

At the center of RespirAI’s innovation is research from Dr. Jenna Yentes, a biomechanics professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. For Jonell, the chance to apply groundbreaking technology to a real-world healthcare challenge was a perfect fit. “It’s been an exciting learning journey that aligns perfectly with my values around improving healthcare outcomes,” she adds.

Like many entrepreneurs, Jonell’s journey has involved learning and adapting to new challenges. Early on, she recognized that building a successful health tech company required more than innovation alone. “One of the most significant challenges I’m navigating is learning to effectively communicate with venture capitalists and truly understand what drives their investment decisions,” she explains. “I quickly realized that simply having great technology wasn’t enough—I needed to learn their language, understand their risk profiles, and clearly articulate not just what we do, but why it matters.”

This strategic insight reshaped her approach to business development and strengthened her ability to build partnerships and drive growth. “Each conversation teaches me something new about translating our vision into terms that resonate with different stakeholders,” she says.

One of Jonell’s proudest accomplishments has been securing critical funding to advance RespirAI’s mission. Under her leadership, the company was awarded a BIRD Foundation grant and a Nebraska Department of Economic Development Phase I Research and Development grant. “What made this particularly meaningful wasn’t just the financial support—it was the validation it represented,” Jonell shares. “Being deeply involved in the grant writing process taught me to articulate our vision in compelling ways and really crystallize why our COPD solution matters.”

Beyond financial success, these milestones brought new relationships and community support that continue to propel the company forward. “It felt like confirmation that others believed in what we’re building and saw the potential impact for patients who desperately need better respiratory care solutions.”

For Jonell, the most fulfilling part of the journey has been her involvement in Omaha’s vibrant startup ecosystem. “Working with organizations like UNeMed and UNeTech has opened doors not just to valuable connections, but to a network of people who are all working toward something bigger,” she says. “There’s something incredibly energizing about being surrounded by other entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators who understand the challenges and share the excitement of turning ideas into reality.”

She adds, “It’s fulfilling to know that we’re not just building individual businesses, but collectively strengthening Nebraska’s innovation landscape and proving that meaningful, cutting-edge companies can thrive right here in the Midwest.”

Jonell shared with us, “The most important mindset shift I’ve learned is to lead with your expertise and value first, rather than trying to prove you belong in the room,” she says. “I’ve realized that I was brought into RespirAI precisely because of my unique perspective and skills—my ability to bridge the gap between complex technology and real-world healthcare applications.”

She encourages women entrepreneurs to stand confidently in their expertise: “We don’t have to shrink ourselves to fit into existing spaces. Instead, we can reshape those spaces by confidently bringing our full expertise and vision to the table.”

We’re honored to feature Jonell Tempero as part of Promote Her Journey. Her story is a perfect example of what’s possible when community and innovation come together.

Learn more about RespirAI US and Jonell:

• Website: www.respirai.com/about-us

• LinkedIn: Jonell Tempero