Jean Smart Email and Phone Number

Jean Smart is the founder and CEO of Penelope, a venture-backed retirement-planning software company that’s revolutionizing the 401(k) industry. Formerly a Wall Street executive, Smart worked in financial services for 20+ years, most recently as the managing director, head of business strategy, corporate and institutional advisory solutions at UBS. Her deep knowledge of the industry informs the technology she is building at Penelope as she looks to disrupt an industry that’s struggling to modernize old systems.Smart was inspired to launch the company at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic after watching small businesses struggle. She is the daughter of immigrant parents—owners of a grocery store and restaurant in Los Angeles—and growing up, Smart watched them care for their family and employees, yet were unable to invest in their own retirement, leaving them vulnerable in old age. There are over 5 million micro-businesses across the U.S., and Smart recognizes the untapped potential of helping these entrepreneurs support and retain their employees with a best-in-class retirement program that’s simple, affordable, and effective to use. Her personal and professional experience uniquely positions her to be a leader in solving the retirement crisis facing the 57 million U.S. workers without a company-sponsored retirement plan.