Lauren Vassell

About Lauren Vassell

I have spent 30 years building the operational backbone for organizations navigating rapid change. From my early roots in grantmaking at the Fidelity Foundation to managing $295M portfolios at Atlassian, my work has always centered on the intersection of modern organizational agility and mission-driven stewardship.I consider myself an informed operator. I don’t believe in top-down mandates; I believe in understanding an environment, mapping the data, and building systems that actually make work simpler for people. Whether leading global Workday migrations or navigating organizational shifts at Twitter and eBay, I focus on creating scalable structures that stay grounded in the human element.Currently at Strava, I am focusing on driving organizational velocity and ensuring operational continuity during a period of transition. My background allows me to bridge the gap between high-level C-suite strategy and the day-to-day reality of global teams, ensuring that culture and systems remain resilient even during shifts in scale.Outside of my professional roles, I serve as Board Vice-Chair for the NIAD Art Center. In this capacity, I lead the Finance and Executive Committees to ensure the organization’s long-term health and its impact on artists with disabilities.Areas of FocusGlobal People Systems and HRIS Strategy | Organizational Design and Transition Management | Cost Optimization and Fiduciary Stewardship | Executive Coaching and Strategic Partnership

Experience

1. Senior Director, Organizational Effectiveness

   Strava

   Jun 2025 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US

   In my role at Strava, I collaborate closely with the Chief People Officer to drive strategic initiatives that foster a thriving global culture. Lead various projects aimed at enhancing organizational effectiveness and performance, while mentoring the People Team to achieve their best. My efforts contribute to a measurable improvement in employee engagement and operational efficiency.

Education

• Emerson College

  MA, Business & Organizational Behavior

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania

  BA, Speech Communications

• The University of Texas at Austin

  MBA, Information Management