Hello, I’m Lauren Collins

As Chief of Staff in the Office of the CEO, Lauren is a trusted partner and advisor to IDEO’s CEO Derek Robson and works to advance his agenda across the firm. Lauren also advised Paul Bennett, Sandy Speicher and Tim Brown during their tenures as CEOs of IDEO. More broadly, she guides the global executive team to help operationalize leadership decisions across IDEO. In this role, Lauren surfaces, aligns, and facilitates decision-making among IDEO leaders; steers the communication of these decisions; and helps design and implement the initiatives and strategic projects that follow.

Additionally, Lauren leads IDEO's global change management team, which is focused on centering IDEO’s culture in belonging and stewarding IDEO toward its equity goals. She also oversees the advancement of IDEO's global JEDI commitments.

Lauren has always been passionate about community-building: finding ways to bring the lived experience of individuals to the forefront and empowering others through inclusive leadership. She loves creating and fostering culture within the teams she leads and facilitates as well as within IDEO offices. Lauren created Chicago's ChIDEO Charge (introverts anonymous group) and the conversation series Let's Talk (designed to engage the community in honest dialogue around important and potentially difficult topics).

Prior to joining IDEO, Lauren spent 8 years with General Mills focused on Consumer Insights, Innovation, and Strategy. She has led consumer research and prototyping in more than a dozen countries, including China, Brazil, France, and Australia. In her last role with GMI, Lauren was based in London and spearheaded research for an experimentation-forward entrepreneurial team focused on in-market testing of new ideas and new businesses. Lauren is originally from Atlanta and lives in Chicago with her partner.