Marlene Jia
About Marlene Jia
Marlene Jia serves as the Head of Growth & Partnerships at Extern since 2023, bringing extensive experience in operations and finance from previous roles at Vendition and other companies. She is a recognized expert in applied AI, a serial entrepreneur, and an accomplished author.
Current Role at Extern
Marlene Jia serves as the Head of Growth & Partnerships at Extern, a position she has held since 2023. Based in New York, she focuses on developing strategic partnerships and driving growth initiatives for the company. Her role involves leveraging her extensive experience in operations and finance to enhance Extern's market presence.
Previous Experience at Vendition
Before joining Extern, Marlene held multiple roles at Vendition. She served as Chief Operating Officer from 2022 to 2023, where she oversaw operational strategies. Prior to that, she was the VP of Finance & Operations from 2020 to 2022, contributing to the company's financial management and operational efficiency. Additionally, she acted as an Advisor from 2015 to 2020.
Entrepreneurial Background
Marlene has a strong entrepreneurial background, having co-owned Campus Solutions Storage & Shipping, Inc. from 2007 to 2012. She also co-founded TOPBOTS, where she served as COO from 2016 to 2019. Her entrepreneurial ventures began while she was a student at Northwestern University, where she launched her first company and achieved significant sales.
Education and Academic Achievements
Marlene Jia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Northwestern University, where she studied from 2006 to 2009. Her academic journey laid the foundation for her career in business and technology. She has been recognized as a top speaker and expert in applied AI, further showcasing her expertise in the field.
Publications and Recognition
Marlene co-authored the award-winning book 'Applied Artificial Intelligence: A Handbook For Business Leaders' and has been recognized by INC and Entrepreneur as a top speaker in applied AI. She has also been acknowledged by Entrepreneur as a top 5 bot expert and has worked with Fortune 500 clients on AI initiatives.