TLDR:
- Kristen Faulkner transitioned from venture capital to competitive cycling after feeling unfulfilled.
- She recently made history by winning gold in the women’s road race at the Paris Olympics.
Kristen Faulkner, a Harvard graduate with a B.A. in Computer Science, made a significant career shift from venture capital to competitive cycling after realizing something was missing in her life. Despite her successful career as an investment associate at Bessemer Venture Partners, Faulkner felt a strong urge to return to the outdoors that she missed. In 2017, while still working, she began competitive cycling in New York City and eventually joined Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank in 2020.
By early 2021, Faulkner decided to pursue cycling full-time, leading to an unexpected and historic achievement at the Paris Olympics. Initially not set to compete, Faulkner seized the opportunity and won gold in the women’s road race, becoming the first American woman to do so since 1984. She credited her background in venture capital for helping her assess risks and make calculated decisions during races.
From venturing into the world of competitive cycling to clinching Olympic gold, Kristen Faulkner’s career trajectory is a remarkable example of following one’s passion and achieving success through dedication.
