CEW+ and WISE are pleased to host University of Michigan engineering alumna Lindsey Kilbride, who will share valuable insight on navigating career uncertainty, embracing change, and finding meaningful work beyond traditional pathways. This session will explore how to make intentional career choices, leverage transferable skills, and build a professional life that evolves alongside personal interests and priorities.

After earning her degree in industrial and operations engineering, Lindsey began a career that took unexpected and rewarding turns, ultimately leading her to work far outside her original field of study. Through multiple transitions, she learned how to apply her analytics and data science skills across new fields and roles that better aligned with her values, strengths, and interests. Her journey underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the confidence to pursue non-linear career paths. Alongside her professional growth, Lindsey has navigated career change while raising a family, offering an honest perspective on balancing competing priorities, setting boundaries, and redefining success over time. Her experience reflects the challenges many students will encounter and offers practical insight into building a fulfilling, sustainable career in a changing workforce.

Lindsey Kilbride joined the team at Detroit Venture Partners in Fall 2021. A native Michigander, she graduated from the University of Michigan in 2005 with a degree in Industrial & Operations Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. She began her career consulting for Bain & Company – then added to her resume by starting a business with Mary Kay, growing a team of several hundred salespeople, and earning the famed Pink Cadillac early in her tenure.

In 2010, she was drawn into the Chicago startup ecosystem as one of the first 10 employees at Trunk Club. There, she led sales and market expansion efforts over 8 years, seeing the company through a 2014 Nordstrom acquisition for $350mm. Post Trunk Club, Lindsey consulted for several PE- and VC-backed companies seeking to disrupt traditional B2C/B2B2C retail experiences, most notably Matilda Jane and 11 Honoré. In the year before joining DVP, she also co-founded Shopflix: a shoppable video network of founder and brand stories hosted by influencers and industry experts. Most recently, she also joined the University of Michigan part-time as an Investor in Residence for the Zell Lurie Institute.

Lindsey feels incredibly fortunate and excited to be a material part of the Detroit startup community. She is also a wife, mom to four young kids, avid runner, and advocate for other women who are innovating, ideating, and leading in their careers.