Lauren has over a decade of expertise in transaction execution, including mergers & acquisitions, leveraged finance, and equity capital markets. She previously worked at Deutsche Bank Securities, William Blair, and BMO Capital Markets, all of which accumulated to $5B+ in deal volume. As a product specialist, Lauren has worked with companies of all sizes, from early-stage startups to private equity-backed portfolio companies, and publicly traded corporates.

She has extensive experience across multiple industries, with a particular focus on enterprise software and SaaS business models. Prior to joining New Leaf Ventures, Lauren worked at Swell Energy, a startup focused on the renewable and clean tech sectors. While at Swell, Lauren successfully raised $120M in Series B equity capital to fund company growth initiatives and facilitate strategic acquisitions.

Lauren holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Finance, Entrepreneurship, and General Management.

What types of companies do you find most interesting?
I’m particularly drawn to companies led by passionate founders who think outside the box to solve a critical problem for the rest of society. Innovation and collaboration are key.
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What do you think surprises founders most when they start companies?
No matter how intelligent you are, you can never fully anticipate what it takes to start a business. The best part is that there are always people willing to help and offer mentorship.

Which mentor has influenced your work the most?
It’s hard to single out one specific mentor, but I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible colleagues who have shared their unique perspectives and experiences throughout my career.

Five things you couldn’t live without?
My family, friends, spontaneous travel, health and exercise, and being a complete foodie – I love exploring new restaurants and cuisines!

What are your favorite books?
"Getting Things Done" by David Allen. It's a great reminder of the importance of being efficient and effective with your time, both personally and professionally.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Maintain and cultivate your network. Six degrees of separation can become just one or two with the right connections.