About Plumtree
Plumtree is a boutique firm founded by three R&D veterans from pharma, biotech, med-tech, and telecommunications. After years of watching breakthrough ideas stall in siloed teams and rigid processes, we teamed up to help organizations move faster and make work more human. We are business leaders, scientists, strategists, designers, innovators, and change makers.
Our name comes from the plum tree. It thrives in tough soil, bends without breaking, and nourishes everything around it. Those same qualities guide our work as we help teams and organizations build resilience, adapt to change, and create conditions where people and innovation can thrive.
What makes us unique
We help R&D Organizations accelerate progress and scale what works through four differentiating capabilities:
-
We don’t treat teaming as an add-on. We embed it into how strategy is delivered, connecting the way people work with the results they need to achieve.
-
We understand how R&D works, so we’re able to quickly surface the systemic blockers that slow delivery. Our approach reveals what’s beneath the surface, so change starts in the right place.
-
We meet teams where they are—starting small and working in the day-to-day to shift how people think, act, and collaborate. That’s how lasting capability grows and bold innovation becomes possible.
-
We combine our life sciences experience with human-centered design and systems thinking to support the people doing the science and the work around it.
Meet the Team
Founder & CEO
Jen Hirsch
With over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and MedTech industries, I specialize in transforming organizational and team performance through human-centric approaches and sustainable capability building. I have intentionally applied my multi-disciplinary skills in strategy, operations, organizational design, and neuroleadership to embed innovative ways of working across more than 300 teams and functions. My passion lies in collaborating with teams and organizations to co-create solutions that unlock human potential, drive growth, transform ways of working, and accelerate strategy execution. Oh, and having a ton of fun along the way!
Outside of work, you can find me outside – running, biking, gardening, and spending time with my family and friends.
Designer & Strategist
Kelly Kenneally
With over 25 years in the telecom industry, I've developed a deep understanding of re-envisioning legacy processes in large corporations like AT&T. I'm known for asking smart questions to identify root causes and excel at solving complex problems by streamlining and scaling processes, ensuring smooth governance and control.
I thrive in collaborative environments, using data to tackle real issues and turn insights into action. I greatly enjoy collaborating within and across teams to help them reach their full potential.
About me personally, I'm a proud mom of three, an avid runner, hot yoga enthusiast, and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Designer & Strategist
Walter Wouter
Forty years of global, functional and cross-functional leadership roles in the Pharma industry, across science and operations, have provided me with deep insights into the end-to-end research & development processes and the extremely important role that teams play in driving innovation. I am passionate about unleashing the power of teams by asking the right questions to understand their needs and the environment in which they operate and co-create solutions that helps them being successful.
I love gardening, writing and mentoring younger scientists whenever I am not traveling to visit our grandkids that have spread across the globe.
READY TO START?