Kristen Bender

Kristen Bender is an accomplished executive in digital strategy and business development within the music industry, currently serving as Senior Vice President of Digital Innovation Strategy & Business Development at Universal Music Group since December 2017. Bender has played a pivotal role in leading UMG's engagement with startups and establishing accelerator networks, while also driving initiatives to cultivate and transform the digital music ecosystem. Previous positions include Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy & Business Development and Vice President of Global Digital Marketing at UMG, where Bender oversaw multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns for iconic artists and built cross-functional teams of digital professionals. Prior experience includes strategic roles at Sonos, Inc., Alternative Distribution Alliance, and Warner Music Group, showcasing a strong history of developing innovative partnerships and products that leverage evolving technologies. Kristen Bender holds a BA in History with a minor in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Maine.