Chris Flink

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Chris Flink is an American designer, educator, and business executive known for his work in innovation, higher education, and museum leadership. [1] He is currently an adjunct professor at Stanford University and a venture partner at Jazz Venture Partners. He previously served as CEO and Executive Director of the Exploratorium in San Francisco, and was senior partner at the design firm IDEO. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Flink was born in New York City and grew up in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. He earned a bachelor's degree in engineering and product design from Stanford University and later received a Master's degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. [1] As an undergraduate, he visited the Exploratorium, which he later described as an early influence on his creative, interdisciplinary career.

Career

Independent Inventor:

Flink’s early career included work as an independent inventor, with several consumer product patents to his name and coverage in local press. [3]

IDEO

Flink spent 19 years at IDEO, where he was a partner and led the Consumer Experience Design practice. He co-founded the firm's New York office and worked on large-scale innovation and design initiatives across a variety of industries. [4]

Stanford University

Flink is a founding faculty member of the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University (commonly known as the d.school). [2] He has taught courses that combine design, engineering, and business, and currently holds the title of adjunct professor. From 2012 to 2017, he also served as a faculty Resident Fellow, living on campus and supporting undergraduate residential education. [1] [4]

Exploratorium

In 2016, Flink was appointed Executive Director and CEO of the Exploratorium, following his tenure at IDEO and Stanford. [4]

According to the San Francisco Business Times, he emphasized design-based approaches to museum programming. [5] In a 2018 interview with ABC7 News, he discussed the importance of science literacy through public events such as the Exploratorium’s Pi Day celebrations. [6]

He led the institution through its 50th anniversary (2019) and the COVID-19 pandemic stepping down from the role in 2022. During his tenure, he oversaw initiatives to expand attendance, expand teacher professional development programs, [7] establish the Global Studios program, and develop new approaches to science center programming. [8]

Board memberships and venture capital

Flink has served on the boards of several public companies in the financial technology sector, including Fiserv (2012–2016) and E*TRADE (2013–2015). He is currently a venture partner at Jazz Venture Partners, a San Francisco–based venture capital firm that invests at the intersection of neuroscience and technology. [9]

Personal life

Flink lives in San Francisco, California, and also spends time in Mill Valley. He has two daughters. [4] [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Chris Flink's Profile | Stanford Profiles". profiles.stanford.edu. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Bill Moggridge, Stanford d.school professor and developer of laptop computer, dies at 69". news.stanford.edu. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  3. ↑ https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Reinventing-the-Wheel-Innovators-put-different-2976903.php
  4. 1 2 3 4 Perlman, David. "New Exploratorium boss from IDEO design firm".
  5. ↑ Green, Alisha. "How the Exploratorium's director is designing a future around inspiring curiosity". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Exploratorium executive director explains why we celebrate Pi Day". ABC7 San Francisco. March 15, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  7. ↑ Hume, Kevin N. (August 13, 2019). "Mayor, Exploratorium officials gather to celebrate opening of "Middle Ground" installation". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  8. ↑ https://cdn.coverstand.com/39687/315230/14af6f5f247a79c167a2eaeaa0ed654b7acb2ba7.8.pdf
  9. ↑ "JAZZ Venture Partners". JAZZ Venture Partners. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  10. ↑ Perlman, David. "New Exploratorium boss from IDEO design firm".
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