Gene Han

Gene Han is a highly experienced strategist and innovation architect with an impressive background in the consumer industry, having incubated several billion-dollar growth initiatives. Gene is an expert at building high caliber teams and accelerating partnerships centered on new businesses, drawing from a diverse set of experiences encompassing over 20 years of experience in strategy, finance, tech, and design.

With an MBA from The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business and a BS in Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Gene has worked in various leadership roles in companies like Target, where he led innovation and established the company's first retail prototyping lab, helped reinvent Target's marquee businesses, and led growth initiatives like the new store concepts (CityTarget, Target Express, Open House) and private brand label architecture (Up&Up).

Gene is currently the Managing Director at High Alpha Innovation, formerly served as an Advisor at Sway Ventures, and is a member of the Retail Industry Leader's Association (RILA) Innovation Council. He is also a TechStars mentor and a limited partner in the Syndicate Fund (early stage venture fund) and serves on the Board of Directors for Recycle Across America.