Kristi is a proven business builder with over 25 years of finance and entrepreneurial experience. In 2010, Kristi saw an opportunity to bring sophisticated and creative capital to the mid-market in a better way when she founded First West Capital, a junior capital firm serving the Canadian mid-market. Under her leadership, First West Capital grew from a start-up to a national firm that funded over $250 million to more than 100 businesses. Kristi is honoured to have been recognized by EY as the Pacific Region’s 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year in the category of Business Disrupter for this work. Most recently, Kristi was Managing Partner at NPC Ventures, which focuses on innovative, early-stage, Canadian companies in the natural products and agbiotech sector.
Kristi holds a Master of Business Administration from UBC, as well as the ICD.D designation. As a proud Canadian and global citizen, Kristi is deeply involved in the community. Kristi currently serves on several corporate, advisory, and non-profit boards, including Fresh Roots, the Fulmer Foundation, Merit Kitchens, and Aisle (formerly Lunapads). She also volunteers her time with the Creative Destruction Lab and the YWCA of Metro Vancouver. Kristi has been a member of Young President’s Organization since 2017.