Kristen Plymale is an international leader with a diverse background in music, events, and tech. Her early career work with rockstars led her to Austin over a decade ago, where she discovered a new mission in the tech industry. Kristen pursued a dual-degree MBA and Masters of Innovation and Entrepreneurship to immerse herself in the world's innovation ecosystems and paid her dues in Boston's Kendall Square - known as the most innovative square mile on the planet.

Now, as Global Growth Director at Venture Café Global Institute, Kristen collaborates with stakeholders worldwide to grow innovation ecosystems that empower the next generation of tech rockstars to improve the world through innovation. She has successfully expanded the Venture Café network to new markets, countries and regions and continues to create continued growth and impact for Venture Café.

Kristen has worked for various innovation institutions, including the Venture Café Global Institute, Austin Technology Incubator, and the IC2 Institute, among others. She’s a true global citizen who has worked with innovation ecosystems on 6 continents and 17 countries and counting. Kristen also serves on the Advisory Board of Venture Café Monterrey.

Kristen holds an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business and a masters of innovation and entrepreneurship from Tecnológico de Monterrey’s EGADE Business School, as well as a Bachelor's degree from Washington State University. She is a lifelong learner, with a passion for travel, design, hiking and trying new things (especially food).