Kris Lynch '81

Kris Lynch, CEO of SmartBase Solutions, has over 25 years of experience leveraging marketing data assets. Kris graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with degrees in English and Business Administration in 1981.  That same year she joined the staff of Custom Research Inc., where she worked in all phases of research development before moving to the advertising industry in 1989 as a founding member of Lynch Jarvis Jones.

In 1994, she returned to the research field, with a focus on applying technology to solving marketing and data problems. After serving as director of information services at Maritz Market Research, Kris joined GfK Custom Research to develop and lead a database marketing division.

In 2005, she founded SmartBase Solutions. She has directed information-delivery efforts for many global marketers, including Coca Cola, Electrolux, Bosch, Fidelity Investments, UnitedHealthcare, and Procter & Gamble. Since its founding SmartBase's revenue has grown over 300%.

Kris is not only a leader in the marketing insight field, but also within her community.  She serves on the board of directors of the Woman's Club of Minneapolis and is an active member of the CEO Roundtable.