Kristen Thiede

Kristen Thiede currently serves as the Chief People and Strategic Partnerships Officer at Upside, a marketplace that enhances purchasing power for consumers and supports sustainability initiatives. Previously, Kristen co-founded the First Step Project, connecting female insurance brokers with women-owned businesses for affordable insurance options. Kristen has held significant roles in Two Sigma as SVP, focusing on team collaboration to tackle complex problems, and as an Advisor for Columbia Technology Ventures, facilitating the commercialization of research innovations. Kristen also led business development efforts at Starry and contributed to Google Fiber's expansion, overseeing substantial operational teams. Kristen's career began in media with roles at Ant Farm Interactive and J Walter Thompson, and educational credentials include a BA in Political Science from The University of the South.