speaker photo

Jen van der Meer (she/her)

Founder, Reason Street

Founder of Reason Street, Jen van der Meer advises boards, CEOs, and executive leaders on increasing their strategic flexibility and value. As a creative business modeler, Jen is an expert in developing the core firm thesis that initiates the impact journey of ambitious organizations.

Jen worked as an economist on Wall Street and accomplished executive roles in fast-growth companies organic, Inc., and managed a successful turn-around of the New York office of Frog Design. Her startup experience includes Drillteam, a customer co-creation platform acquired three times (by Powered, Dachis Group, then Sprinklr), and Designers Accord, the first not-for-profit to mainstream sustainability in the creative community.

In addition, Jen is an Assistant Professor at Parsons School of Design and studies alternative forms of capital as a way to create healthier economic development ecosystems.

She received an MBA from HEC in France and a BA in Comparative Religion from Trinity College.

Sessions

Startupfest

Mentor Roundtables: Let's Solve Your Problems

Every startup must master a range of skills, from hiring and selling, to delivering products, to crafting superb communications that compel and entice. See More.
Startupfest

Mentor Roundtables: Taboo Topics (back by popular demand!)

There's no such thing as a stupid question—but there are plenty of questions nobody asks, because they're taboo. See More.
Startupfest

How to Navigate Funding If You Are Addressing a Grand Challenge

With the clock ticking on our decade of action, a certain breed of funders is stepping away from isolated quick fixes and narrow tech-centric visions. See More.