Hi, I’m Christa Freeland— I mostly go by “CS”.

I’m a multi-disciplinary entrepreneur: I cofounded the Texas Venture Association, a venture advocacy group at the Texas State Capitol. I also co-created Venture Fest, and its marquee event, Venture Crawl, the largest gathering featuring venture capitalists in Texas history.

At the age of 32, I was also the youngest Executive Director of a Venture Association in the United States while launching the Austin Venture Association in 2021. In 2022, I accepted an “Organization of the Year” award from the Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce recognizing work in the local Asian community. I’m excited to see new leaders advance in the venture community who also look and think very differently.

Outside the world of startups and venture, I’m also a multi award-winning political operative in digital strategy for two successful Texas mayoral campaigns, and am a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. I accredit my early leadership roles as a 16 & 17 year old, where I served as both the high school drumline captain and yearbook editor to jumpstarting me to where I am today. I’m also an IBM baby who grew up at computer shows… now almost 15-year Austinite.