Kristen Tarlecki

About Kristen Tarlecki

Marketing and operations executive with 15 years of experience building brands, scaling functions, and leading teams across high-growth startups, global agencies, and enterprise organizations. My work centers on creating momentum and systems that help companies accelerate growth with focus and intention.I previously served as VP of Marketing at HiddenLayer, a Series A AI security startup backed by Microsoft, IBM, and Capital One Ventures, where I built the marketing organization from the ground up and helped define the emerging AI Security category. Earlier in my career, I supported global brands including Amazon, Dell, Nestlé, Mattel, AMEX, Gallo, and Levi’s through roles spanning Strategic Operations, Brand Management, Business Development, and Marketing Communications.Today I am part of the 512Financial team, one of Austin’s fastest-growing companies with more than 150 clients and over $250M in capital events supported. I focus on strengthening how we show up in the market, deepening our reputation with founders, CEOs, VCs, and PE firms, and building the messaging, systems, and programs that fuel the next stage of growth.Outside of work, I am an avid traveler who loves sharing detailed itineraries, a fitness enthusiast, a monthly supper club host, and a student of wheel-throwing at a local pottery studio. Let\'s connect!

Experience

1. CMO

   512Financial

   Jul 2025 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Building the brand and go-to-market strategy for 512Financial to shape how founders, CEOs, VCs, and PE firms discover and choose us. We deliver Finance, Accounting, People Operations, Transaction Advisory, and Executive Retained Search services that help growth-stage companies maximize potential and minimize risk, grounded in our mission to provide exceptional talent that enables exponential growth.

Education

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Advertising, Business Foundations