Ann Arbor SPARK recently hired Kristine Nash-Wong to run its SPARK East Innovation Center in downtown Ypsilanti. Prior to this role, Nash-Wong served as a marketing strategy consultant to Ann Arbor SPARK’s entrepreneurial services clients, a role she will continue to fill in addition to her management of SPARK East.
“Despite the economic challenges presented by COVID-19, startup activity in the region has increased over the last year,” said Bill Mayer, vice president, entrepreneurial services. “Kristine’s experience in marketing and business development is a significant benefit to the entrepreneurs who work with her, and we are excited for her expanded role at Ann Arbor SPARK.”
Before joining SPARK, Nash-Wong founded a consulting firm, Health Sapience, which provided specialized consultancy helping health service and technology providers successfully scale. In this role, Nash-Wong honed her expertise in strategic planning, marketing communication, business development, and design services.
Nash-Wong’s previous experience in the Ann Arbor/ Ypsilanti SmartZone includes serving as marketing director for HealthMedia, an Ann Arbor-based healthcare startup that was acquired by Johnson & Johnson. She has also previously served as a judge for the Acceleration Michigan Innovation Competition and the Blue Ocean Strategy High School business competition.
SPARK East and the SPARK Central Innovation Center in downtown Ann Arbor offer desk and office space, mentorship through curated programs led by regional business leaders, guidance on attracting angel investors and venture capitalists, events designed for entrepreneurs, and grants to help fund bootstrapped entrepreneurs achieve business milestones.
About Ann Arbor SPARK
Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from startups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.
