Biography

Independent Board Member, Upstart Holdings; Advisor, Relola, Jiko Group, and Lendstreet

Mary Hentges has served as chief financial officer at high-growth companies including PayPal, CBS Interactive, and YapStone. She worked in various executive capacities at Hewlett-Packard, leading the financial portion of its 1999 IPO and spin-off of Agilent Technologies, and spent more than 10 years in public accounting. Hentges currently serves as an Independent Board and Audit Committee Member at Upstart Holdings, Inc. and is an Advisor at Relola, Inc., Jiko Group, Inc., and LendStreet Inc.

Q&A

What inspires you in your work?

Associating myself with organizations that have a sense of purpose that goes beyond enriching themselves, whether it’s a built-in mission to make the world better or a culture that stresses the importance of giving back. When I work with organizations like that, I feel like the results of my own efforts are more far-reaching, and it inspires me to contribute more.

If you could change one thing about healthcare, what would it be?

I’d make healthcare more accessible and proactive, with a focus on healing the whole person rather than simply addressing symptoms.

What life experience has taught or changed you the most?

Traveling around the world. It’s been humbling to realize how little I once knew about the many people, cultures, and countries of the world. My experience as a traveler has forced me to ask questions, try new things, engage in the world around me, and to listen to people before assessing them. And although it’s put into perspective how blessed we are here in the United States, it’s also opened my eyes to how much more there is to explore.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Although I’m a tall woman with an athletic build, I didn’t play a sport in high school or college. It wasn’t until recently that I got in touch with my athletic side. My newfound passion is playing tennis four or five times a week. Who knew that a pre-Title IX kid could grow up to take on her first serious sport as a retired adult?

A headshot of Mary Hentges