Kristen Phillips has been a driving force in innovation and business development at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) for over five years. She has played a pivotal role in guiding nascent founders from the initial spark of inspiration to the successful launch of their startups. Through her strategic leadership in developing idea stage programs and overseeing strategic communications, she has been instrumental in enhancing the entrepreneurial programs at UNSW. Her efforts have not only fostered the growth of entrepreneurial initiatives within the university but have also succeeded in attracting high-potential student founders and startups, thus significantly enriching the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Moreover, Kristen is at the helm of the UNSW Founders New Wave Program, addressing gender disparities in entrepreneurship. This program is distinguished as the sole entrepreneurship initiative at an Australian university specifically designed for women, resulting in the participation of female founders at UNSW at more than twice the industry average. Under her stewardship, the New Wave Program has supported over 600 female entrepreneurs, leading to the creation of 200 startups. Many alumni have advanced to prominent roles in the startup sector and global technology firms. In 2021, Kristen further extended the program's reach by collaborating with the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Australia, launching UNSW's inaugural U.S. market-focused bootcamp, designed to escalate the growth and expansion of women-led businesses.
Kristen Phillips is widely recognised for her fervent advocacy and support for women founders. Her commitment to addressing and raising awareness about gender disparities in entrepreneurship has led to her featuring in esteemed publications such as The Australian, Kochie’s Business Builders , Smart Company & The OZ. Through these platforms, Kristen has contributed significantly to the discourse on gender equity in the entrepreneurial landscape, demonstrating her dedication to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women entrepreneurs.