Upstart Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Upstart has 5 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, financial operations, business partnership, and human resources.

Focused on transforming the lending landscape, Upstart utilizes non-traditional variables to expand credit access. This mission drives the company to refine predictive models for broader financial inclusion.

Leadership Roles at Upstart

  • Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder - Paul Gu
  • Chief Financial Officer - Andrea Blankmeyer
  • Chief Technology Officer - Grant Schneider
  • Executive Business Partner To Chief Technology Officer - Kitty Crizer
  • Chief People Officer - Rebecca Kidder
  • Paul Gu - Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

    Paul Gu, the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder at Upstart, directs the overarching strategic vision for the online lending marketplace. By integrating non-traditional variables like education and employment into creditworthiness assessments, Gu architects the core product philosophy. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to ensure alignment with long-term growth objectives. Paul Gu maintains a focus on scaling the platform to reach diverse consumer segments across North American markets. Through the implementation of advanced machine learning models, the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder optimizes loan approval processes for efficiency. This executive oversight ensures the company remains at the forefront of financial technology innovation. By prioritizing data-driven decision-making, the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder secures the competitive position of the firm within the broader banking industry. Gu drives the organizational culture toward excellence and sustainable market expansion.
    Paul Gu

    Andrea Blankmeyer - Chief Financial Officer

    Andrea Blankmeyer, the Chief Financial Officer at Upstart, manages the financial health and capital allocation strategies for the organization. Blankmeyer oversees the accounting, financial planning, and analysis departments to ensure fiscal discipline. By directing the capital structure, the Chief Financial Officer supports the company's ability to fund lending operations effectively. Andrea Blankmeyer interacts with investors and the Board to communicate financial performance and growth metrics. This leadership role involves monitoring market conditions to mitigate financial risks associated with the lending marketplace. By optimizing revenue streams and cost structures, the Chief Financial Officer drives long-term profitability. Blankmeyer ensures compliance with financial regulations while supporting the expansion of the platform into new regional markets. Through strategic financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer provides the necessary resources for the company to continue innovating within the finance and banking sector.
    Andrea Blankmeyer

    Grant Schneider - Chief Technology Officer

    Grant Schneider, the Chief Technology Officer at Upstart, manages the technical infrastructure supporting the online lending platform. Schneider oversees the engineering teams responsible for developing and maintaining the proprietary AI models that predict creditworthiness. By driving the evolution of the software architecture, the Chief Technology Officer ensures the platform handles high-volume loan applications with precision. Grant Schneider collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align technical roadmaps with business goals. This role involves managing the security and scalability of the digital marketplace to support operations across the United States. By optimizing the underlying algorithms, the Chief Technology Officer improves the accuracy of risk assessment tools. Schneider maintains a focus on technical innovation to keep the company ahead of industry trends. Through rigorous testing and deployment cycles, the Chief Technology Officer guarantees the reliability of the lending engine for all users.
    Grant Schneider

    Kitty Crizer - Executive Business Partner To Chief Technology Officer

    Kitty Crizer, the Executive Business Partner To Chief Technology Officer at Upstart, coordinates the operational workflows between the technology department and the broader executive team. Crizer manages the administrative and strategic priorities that enable the Chief Technology Officer to focus on core engineering initiatives. By streamlining communication channels, the Executive Business Partner To Chief Technology Officer ensures that technical projects remain aligned with corporate objectives. Kitty Crizer facilitates cross-departmental collaboration to improve project delivery timelines. This role involves managing resource allocation and scheduling for high-priority technical initiatives. By organizing executive meetings and tracking key performance indicators, the Executive Business Partner To Chief Technology Officer supports the efficiency of the technology division. Crizer maintains a focus on operational excellence to help the company scale its lending platform. Through proactive management, the Executive Business Partner To Chief Technology Officer drives the successful execution of complex technical strategies.

    Rebecca Kidder - Chief People Officer

    Rebecca Kidder, the Chief People Officer at Upstart, directs the human capital strategy to attract and retain top talent in the competitive fintech space. Kidder oversees the recruitment, employee development, and organizational culture initiatives. By implementing performance management systems, the Chief People Officer ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the company's mission of expanding credit access. Rebecca Kidder collaborates with the leadership team to foster an inclusive environment that supports innovation. This role involves managing compensation structures and benefits programs to maintain high levels of employee engagement. By driving professional development programs, the Chief People Officer prepares the team for future growth challenges. Kidder monitors organizational health metrics to identify areas for improvement across the company. Through strategic talent management, the Chief People Officer builds the internal capabilities necessary for the firm to maintain its market position and continue delivering high-quality financial services.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Upstart Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Upstart?
    Upstart is led by Paul Gu (Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder), along with executives such as Andrea Blankmeyer (Chief Financial Officer) and Grant Schneider (Chief Technology Officer).
    Who is part of Upstart’s executive team?
    The executive team of Upstart includes leaders such as Paul Gu (Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder), Andrea Blankmeyer (Chief Financial Officer), Grant Schneider (Chief Technology Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Upstart have?
    Upstart has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Upstart’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Upstart includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Executive Business Partner To Chief Technology Officer, Chief People Officer.