Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Lauren Kenney is an experienced Business Development Director with a strong track record of driving strategic partnerships and revenue growth. She specializes in the education technology industry, leveraging her deep understanding of school districts, curriculum providers, and assessment platforms to deliver impactful solutions.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Director of Business Development at Parallel, Lauren is responsible for identifying and securing new revenue-generating opportunities. She leads a team of partnership managers to negotiate and onboard strategic partners, expanding Parallel's reach and market presence. Under her leadership, the business development team has consistently exceeded annual targets, contributing significantly to the company's overall growth.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Lauren held various leadership positions in the edtech industry. As the Strategic Partnership Manager at Kognity, she was instrumental in forging alliances with prominent school districts, resulting in increased platform adoption and user engagement. Before that, she served as the School District Partnership Director at Newsela, where she spearheaded the expansion of the company's client base and secured multi-year contracts with large urban school systems.
Earlier in her career, Lauren gained valuable experience in sales and customer engagement, working as a Sales Manager at Daupler and a Customer Engagement Director at SMG - Service Management Group. Her diverse background has equipped her with a well-rounded understanding of the education technology landscape and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships.
Academic Background
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.
Areas of Expertise
- Strategic partnership development
- Account management and client retention
- Sales and revenue generation
- Edtech product implementation and rollout
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
Professional Impact
Under Lauren's leadership, the business development team at Parallel has secured several high-profile partnerships, including a multi-year contract with a large urban school district and an integration with a leading curriculum provider. These collaborations have resulted in a significant increase in Parallel's market share and a 25% year-over-year growth in annual recurring revenue.
Conclusion
With her extensive experience in the edtech industry, proven track record of successful partnerships, and strong leadership skills, Lauren Kenney is a valuable asset to Parallel. She is dedicated to driving the company's growth and positioning it as a trusted partner for schools and districts nationwide.
