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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. At Johnson & Johnson, I founded SparkWorks, a design-led capability focused on helping teams innovate, thrive, and streamline cross-functional work, ultimately accelerating portfolio delivery. 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!
In 2022, I was invited to be the keynote speaker for Slack at the Dreamforce Conference, where I shared insights on transforming ways of working across global R&D teams using technology. Watch the keynote here.
Outside of work, you can find me outside – running, biking, gardening, and spending time with my family and friends.
Designer & Strategist
Kelly Kenneally
I’ve spent the last 25+ years working inside large, complex organizations, partnering with technical and R&D teams to improve how they work together. I’m passionate about helping teams navigate the real challenges - alignment, communication, decision-making, and execution - so they can deliver meaningful results.
I'm known for asking the right questions, finding the root cause behind what’s not working, and simplifying processes so teams can scale effectively with the right governance and clarity.
Outside of work, my favorite things include reading, practicing hot yoga, boardwalk runs, and quality 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?