“Helping fintech companies grow.”
Max Rothstein is a forward-thinking fintech leader whose career has been marked by a deep expertise in data-driven growth, innovative lending strategies, and customer-centric product development. With over a decade of experience at the intersection of economics, marketing analytics, and financial technology, Max brings a rare blend of analytical rigor, creative problem solving, and mission-driven leadership to every initiative he touches.
Currently serving as a Senior Solutions Consultant at Upstart in San Francisco, Max plays a critical role on the company’s go-to-market team. His work has been instrumental in scaling the firm’s lending partnership business from a mere four to over 110 bank and credit union partners. As the lead consultant on approximately 40% of closed deals, Max has driven strategic expansion into new verticals such as HELOC, auto refinance, and auto retail lending—helping shape the future of Upstart’s product offerings with precision and foresight.
Before transitioning into solutions consulting, Max held the role of Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Upstart, where he pioneered the company’s Marketing Advisory Services. He designed and launched a successful “prescreen marketing as a service” program and authored thought leadership materials, including white papers and webinars that addressed credit performance amid the COVID-19 crisis—an effort that not only provided transparency but positioned Upstart as a trusted voice during economic uncertainty.
Max’s leadership journey began in Chicago, where he spent several years at Avant. There, he served as Head of Loan Growth and Customer Experience, leading initiatives to return loan originations to pre-COVID levels while optimizing for unit economics. Under his guidance, cross-functional teams deployed new machine learning models and executed innovative marketing strategies across digital and traditional channels, significantly boosting originations. His strategic mindset and analytical chops—honed as Head of Marketing Analytics—delivered multimillion-dollar savings and revenue gains, including turning a previously underperforming direct mail program into a net profit generator.
Prior to Avant, Max built a strong foundation in economic analysis and tech company valuation through roles at Coherent Economics and Compass Lexecon. His analytical contributions in major litigation cases, such as the $8.5 billion BOA settlement and a $4.4 billion telecom merger appraisal, underscore his capacity for tackling complex, high-stakes financial challenges.
Max earned his Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University’s prestigious College of Social Studies, a rigorous interdisciplinary major combining economics, political science, and history. This academic background—along with his fluency in Spanish and technical fluency in Python and SQL—fuels his capacity to think holistically, act decisively, and communicate effectively across diverse teams and industries.
His commitment to social impact is equally impressive. Max currently serves on the national board of Avodah and was the founding Vice President of the ACLU Next Generation Society in Chicago. These leadership roles reflect a lifelong dedication to equity, justice, and civic engagement.
Max Rothstein is not only a fintech executive with a sharp analytical edge—he is a purpose-driven strategist who understands that real innovation lies at the crossroads of empathy, data, and action.
Character
Max Rothstein leads with integrity, resilience, and a deep commitment to social impact, demonstrated through both his leadership in mission-driven fintech ventures and his long-standing service with organizations like Avodah and the ACLU. He blends empathy with accountability, consistently fostering trust across teams and partnerships.
Knowledge
Max brings extensive expertise in fintech, marketing analytics, and lending strategy, built on a strong academic foundation from Wesleyan University and sharpened through high-impact roles at Upstart, Avant, and major economic consulting firms. His fluency in data tools, market dynamics, and credit risk enables him to navigate complex challenges with clarity and precision.
Strategic
He has a proven ability to scale initiatives, optimize unit economics, and drive product-market fit, shown through his leadership in growing Upstart’s partner base and developing new lending products. Max’s strategic foresight consistently delivers measurable results, from launching revenue-generating programs to securing multimillion-dollar efficiencies.
Communication
Max is a compelling communicator who translates complex data into actionable insights, builds consensus across cross-functional teams, and crafts influential narratives through white papers, webinars, and executive collaboration. His ability to articulate vision and value makes him an essential bridge between innovation and execution.
