Cindy (Chin) Smith

Cindy (Chin) Smith is the founder and creative force behind Pen & Paces, a brand dedicated to creating uplifting products for runners facing challenges in their athletic journeys. Cindy previously served as Vice President of Strategy & Operations at Upstart, where she joined as an early employee and helped transform the company into a multi-billion dollar public entity (NASDAQ: UPST). Her impressive career also includes roles at The Climate Corporation and a five-year tenure at Google, where she first discovered running as a remedy for workplace burnout. 

A Boston University Questrom School of Business graduate (BS, Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude) with a Master of Science in Business Analytics from NYU Stern, Cindy combines her strategic business acumen with her passion for running and artistic talents. Having completed five marathons and countless shorter races, she launched Pen & Paces in May 2023 after experimenting with iPad illustrations during the pandemic. Her company’s product line includes motivational greeting cards, stickers, custom race portraits, and her best-selling “Yell My Name” bib kits – all designed to celebrate runners’ achievements and strengthen the running community. 

Connect with Cindy Smith on LinkedIn.