Biography
Advising CFO, Noom, Inc. through KongBasile, LLC; Independent Board Member, Upstart Holdings (NASDAQ:UPST) and Akili, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKIL) and Arizona State University Foundation; Advisor, Jiko Group
Mary Hentges has served as the chief financial officer (CFO) at technology companies including PayPal, CBS Interactive, YapStone and ShotSpotter (now SoundThinking). She also 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 Advising CFO for Noom, Inc. (through KongBasile) and as an Independent Board and Audit Committee Member at Upstart Holdings, Inc., as an Independent Board and Compensation Committee Member and Audit Committee Chair at Akili, Inc. and as an Independent Board and Investment Committee Member at Arizona State University Foundation. She is also an Advisor for Jiko Group, 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 an adult?
