Trista Van Tine
Founder. Ecosystem Builder. Connector.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Invests in
Skills
Education
Work Experience
Founder
2024
Chair Emeritus
2024
Founder + Co-Chair
2022 - 2024
Developed the vision and led coalition building and execution for Michigan’s first premier, multi-day conference dedicated specifically to high-growth innovation, technology and startups. Served as Board Co-Chair, Fiduciary (through Michigan Founders Fund), Led Fundraising and Programming. * Designed the overall conference schedule of events 2022 and 2023 * Secured nearly $1 Million in corporate sponsorships * Secured and operationalized over 35 external partnerships * Managed over 130 national and international speakers, founders, investors * Over 1600 attendees from 19 states and 5 countries * $390,000 in funding awarded to 14 startups during the conferences
Board Member
2022 - 2024
NAMLE is a national membership organization dedicated to media literacy as a basic life skill for the 21st century. Its vision is to help individuals of all ages develop the habits of inquiry and skills of expression that they need to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens in today’s world. Its mission is ”to expand and improve the practice of media literacy education in the United States.” NAMLE publishes the Journal of Media Literacy Education and hosts a biennial conference.
2020 - 2023
Co-Founder + Executive Director
2021 - 2023
Created an independent, 501(c)3 organization to address support needs for high-growth founders and help drive an innovation-centered culture and approach to economic development in Michigan. Served as President/Executive Director and Board Member. * Developed and brought to life MFF’s vision, mission, and pillars of growth: connection, culture, community * Secured $6.4 Million dollars of federal, state, foundation, corporate and individual funding to support the organization and its programs * Conceptualized and oversaw core programming and statewide operations * Grew a diverse founder network to 140 Members that collectively raised over $350 Million of investment capital were 44% BIPOC and 30% women or nonbinary. * Held over 57 different events since 2020 that resulted in more than $600,000 back into the Michigan economy supporting local businesses, creatives and freelancers. * $340,000 in direct grant support provided to startups and community-based organizations. * Supported 42 underrepresented collegiate Interns working for startups and VC firms who identify as 81% BIPOC, 67% women or gender nonconforming, 37% LGBTQ+, 46% PELL-eligible. 100% felt more prepared to be successful in a startup and 44% are more likely to stay in Michigan. *Recognized and awarded funding as a Small Business Support Hub by the State of Michigan in 2023 Launched several Michigan firsts: * Michigan Tech Week Conference * MFF Venture Competition - introducing a new, team-style format of founders from different startup companies * Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Internship Program for high-growth startups * Founders Retreat * Social Impact Startup Competition * MFF Founder Awards
Director, Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund
2020 - 2021
2011 - 2020
Strategy and Marketing Consultant + Producer
2011 - 2020
•Provide integrated marketing strategy, business development and planning consultations/proposals to executives of tech startups and financial services companies •Provide communications planning and calendars •Producer for media and creative projects •Oversee website development, content and management •Conceptualize and organize events
2017 - 2018
Global Marketing Director
2017 - 2018
•Led go-to-market strategy, business development, marketing, copywriting, PR and events for biotech startup to commercialize Mootral, a plant-based AgTech product that reduces livestock GHG emissions to mitigate climate change •Oversaw marketing and media budget •Developed business economic model •Hired and managed a team, supervising multiple concurrent projects
2014 - 2016
Associate
2014 - 2016
•Founding member of the venture capital arm of AXA Group •Actively sourced return-driven investment opportunities across InsurTech, FinTech, Blockchain, Data and Predictive Analytics, IoT and Cyber Security and drove deals by selling ASV value proposition to CEOs •Drove innovation worldwide by developing transformative projects with AXA leaders executed via partnerships with +30 SaaS startups •Advised AXA C-Suite at global level – provided tech insight and hosted Silicon Valley mtgs •Advised companies on product-market fit; mentored and judged emerging startups for Orange Fab, Web Summit and Plug and Play; built strong relationships with global tech ecosystem – founders, engineers, VCs, and thought leaders
2011 - 2014
Director, Life Operations Project Management
2013 - 2014
•As part of the M&A team, led operations workstream of $1 billion divestiture supervising the work of 15 different teams •Managed pre and post-close activities and reporting contributing to an on-time regulatory sale, further $1M cost savings and the physical training/transition of over 100 onshore and offshore employees and +10 vendor and TPA relationships •Streamlined inforce and new business processes, reducing employee touchpoints and customer response time by 25% •Developed and executed pre and post-deal internal communications plan across several mediums. Prepared executive talking points and created new SOPs with supporting documentation and a centralized data repository
E-Strategy Project Director, Annuity Retirement Service Solutions
2011 - 2013
•Scoped, planned, and led enterprise projects from initiation to close that improved customer UX and launched new technology. Took minutes, assigned and tracked action items, managed budget, mitigated risks and negotiated contracts with vendors •Led the creation and rollout of Annuity eApp, AXA’s first end-to-end, iPad and eSignature enabled digital sales tool •Provided business direction and integration management of all project workstreams across more than 17 AXA teams •Initiated and led stakeholder engagement and reporting through regular meetings with Senior Executives, IT, Legal, Compliance, Marketing, Product and consultancy firms •Created full-scale communication and training plans for digital releases •eApp awarded the 2013 AXA Innovation Award with $3M cost savings and Aplifi’s Industry Innovator of the Year
2010 - 2011
Experiential Learning Center Instructor
2010 - 2011
Instructed 2 hour-long business simulations to supplement business degree coursework by offering real-world experiences to enrolled undergraduate and MBA students and to promote the ELC to prospective students and parents. Topics taught included: organizational structure, change communication, power, leadership, conflict, motivation and consulting techniques. Leveraged video technology to enhance learning. Students were recorded shown specific clips of their behaviors (as chosen by me) to assess their approach to the material and discuss potential means for improvement and real-world application in an in-depth debrief session.
2011 - 2011
Publishing and Social Action Intern
2011 - 2011
•Wrote and edited enterprise newsletter. Ran other email and direct marketing campaigns and A/B testing •Analyzed digital and social media initiatives – implemented Radian6 software and helped create, QA and launch mobile apps •Built relationships with potential partners and sponsors. Wrote article on Pencils of Promise, an education nonprofit that was featured on the company website and tied to the promotion of education issues with the film “Waiting for Superman”