Kristen Smith

About Kristen Smith

Design-led product executive with 20 years of experience translating complex systems into trusted, high-impact products across AI, adtech, B2B SaaS, healthcare, and enterprise tech.I’m a design-led product executive with 20 years of experience translating complex systems into trusted, usable tools. I’ve built and scaled platforms across AI, adtech, healthtech, and infrastructure—leading product and design in environments where clarity, speed, and precision matter.At Nimbus, I lead product for a backend auction and SDK platform, turning invisible infrastructure into trusted outcomes. I work closely with engineering, often without full specs, to shape abstract models into features that perform.I’ve led initiatives for startups and Fortune 500s alike, bridging backend systems and user experience, aligning technical architecture with business goals. I bring systems thinking, product taste, and high-context collaboration to everything I build. Titles: Chief Product Officer, VP of Product, Head of Design, Creative Director🧩 Products: Ad platforms, B2B SaaS, mobile SDKs, healthcare MVPs, internal ops systems, large-scale consumer sites Companies: Nimbus, Health Universe, American Airlines, Bloomberg, Apple, Barbarian, and dozens of others through Dark PilotEspecially drawn to ambitious teams shaping AI and human-computer interaction with clarity, care, and responsibility. Open to connecting with founders, teams, and funds building what’s next.

Experience

1. Chief Product Officer

   Nimbus

   Oct 2024 — Present

   Leading product strategy, design, and GTM for Nimbus as it expands beyond programmatic monetization. Recently launched a new direct-sold layer alongside core SDK and exchange infrastructure.Actively working to evolve Nimbus’s AI strategy—applying machine learning to auction intelligence and real-time optimization, while exploring broader automation opportunities across internal and partner-facing systems.Collaborate closely with engineering and leadership to scale product lines, ship backend features at speed, and meet evolving publisher needs with minimal friction.

Education

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design

  BFA, Graphic Design

  2000 — 2004

Skills

• Creative Direction
• User Experience
• User Experience Design
• User-Centered Design
• Visual Design
• Graphic Design
• User Interface Design
• Mobile Design
• Interaction Design
• Information Architecture
• Information Design
• Product Design
• Digital Marketing
• Daily Deals
• Online Travel
• Social Media
• Social Media Marketing
• Web Design
• Start-Up Consulting
• Lean Startup
• Rapid Prototyping
• Branding & Identity
• Experience Design
• Art Direction
• Usability
• Online Advertising