Company Info for germanaccelerator.com | IcebreakerMembers
I'm passionate about helping others succeed as an experienced global business operator, consultant, and advisor. Let's connect and see what we can achieve together. With over 18+ years of experience in international marketing and business development, I've built a storied career across multiple companies - from small to medium enterprises to multinationals such as Hitachi, DivX, and Kia Motors.
In 2014, I founded ASTUTR, a boutique two-way market entry consulting firm that helps Korean companies go global; and for international brands to land local in Korea. My contract portfolio included initiatives for Monday.com, Kmall24.com, Pivo.ai, and CLASS101. And if that's not enough, I also launched an online medical beauty tourism service called My Seoul Secret, which helps connect Korean hospitals and international medical tourists to facilitate treatments, bookings, and payments.
As an American entrepreneur in Seoul, I made a name for myself in Korea by being one of the first foreign nationals to receive the highly coveted Korean startup visa. To karmically give back to the startup community and the next entrepreneur with a dream. I serve as a startup advisor and mentor for 500 Global, German Accelerator, and Invest Seoul Center. I also speak at several startup and medical conferences throughout Korea. 
Longtime Silicon Valley entrepreneur with deep experience in software start-ups, both as a venture capitalist / board member, and as an operating executive. Multiple successful IPOs as an operating exec, and multiple successful exits-by-acquisition as both an operating exec and as a board member.
Started entrepreneurial life as a UC Berkeley-trained software engineer, and have served in virtually every operating role in a variety of successful start-ups: board member, CEO, COO, VP Marketing, VP Sales, VP Engineering, VP Services.
Currently a partner at Clearvision Ventures, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.
Active in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs through deep involvement at UC Berkeley College of Engineering, UC Riverside, Open Entrepreneurship (Denmark), Nordic Innovation House, the University of San Francisco School of Management, Novo Nordisk BioInnovation Institute, The Lundbeck Foundation, German Accelerator Silicon Valley, etc.
Significant commitment to youth development causes. 
Susan Lindner is the Founder and CEO of Innovation Storytellers, a leading innovation storytelling consulting firm. She is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, workshop leader, messaging strategist, storytelling coach, and the world’s leading expert on innovation storytelling.
Susan draws from her initial experiences as an anthropologist and international aid worker in rural Thailand in the 1990s, where she shared stories that helped at-risk populations disproportionately affected by AIDS to slow the virus’ spread. Today, as a 20-year communications expert, she is committed to using those same storytelling skills to inspire innovation leaders everywhere to become incredible storytellers and ensure that their innovations get the resources, runway, and recognition they deserve.
Susan is the host of Innovation Storytellers, a weekly podcast that takes the mystery out of how to communicate breakthrough ideas to the people who matter most. Every week, Susan interviews top global innovation leaders from companies like Amazon, Bloomberg, Cisco, Corning, and Tesla about the stories that moved their innovations past the boardroom, lab, and production line and into our everyday lives.
Susan speaks at global conferences, consulates, and trade organizations. She has worked with C-level leaders and teams from over 60 countries at Fortune 100 companies like GE, Corning, Citi, AT&T, Arm & Hammer on their innovation storytelling strategies. The result? Those innovation leaders become incredible storytellers who go on to change the world. Susan is driven to ensure every breakthrough idea reaches its finish line through powerful stories that connect to every listener and power that brilliant idea forward. 
I’m an entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG), building and scaling brands that drive wellness, sustainability, and innovation. As CEO & Co-Founder of Plant People, I lead a wellness brand offering practitioner-grade supplements made from organic, functional mushrooms, adaptogens, and vitamins. Plant People is B-Corp / Climate Neutral Certified.
Previously, I co-founded RISE Brewing Co., helping grow it into a nationally recognized nitro cold brew coffee brand with a loyal customer base. Before that, I founded CROSBY, a branding and business strategy firm specializing in design, website development, presentation storytelling, and video.
Earlier in my career, I was on the founding team and COO of ALOHA, a venture-backed e-commerce and digital content lifestyle brand. I also led operations at Gilt Groupe, launching new verticals (Home, Food & Wine, etc.) and driving international expansion.
I’ve spoken at Harvard Business School, Brown University’s Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship, NYU, and Columbia University, sharing insights on brand building, leadership, and innovation.
My mission: Build and grow brands that create meaningful impact—for people and the planet. 
