Lauren Donaldson
Charleston
Summary
Operations leader with deep experience building calm, effective systems in fast-moving, high-pressure environments. Known for strong emotional intelligence, steady leadership presence, and an ability to empower people to perform at their best even amid constant change. Brings a people-first, coaching-oriented leadership style to operations—creating clarity, trust, and accountability while managing logistics, priorities, and competing demands. Motivated by public service, community advocacy, and strengthening organizations that exist to serve others.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Program Manager
Self Financial, Inc.
02.2026 - Current
- Provide senior-level program management and strategic leadership for company-wide growth and revenue initiatives, partnering with engineering, product, and business leaders to align priorities, execution, and outcomes.
- Lead complex, cross-functional programs with enterprise-level impact, applying systems thinking to drive alignment, execution, and measurable results.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders navigating ambiguity, organizational change, and competing priorities.
Manager, Agile Operations
Self Financial, Inc.
03.2024 - 02.2026
- Led and supported a team of professionals coordinating work across multiple teams in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment.
- Built and maintained operating rhythms, prioritization systems, and communication practices that brought stability and clarity during periods of change.
- Transformed the Scrum Master role into a true coaching resource for the entire organization and not just for engineering.
- Served as a steady, trusted leader for staff navigating ambiguity, shifting priorities, and organizational transitions.
- Empowered individuals to lead in their own styles while maintaining shared standards, accountability, and alignment.
- Mentored employees to find their voice and their brand for career advancement opportunities.
- Fostered a culture of openness, trust, and two-way feedback that enabled immediate improvement and sustained team health.
- Balanced people needs with operational realities, ensuring progress without burnout.
Scrum Master & Agile Coach
Self Financial, Inc.
08.2022 - 03.2024
- Supported multiple engineering teams across varying levels of agile maturity.
- Coached teams through the adoption, disruption and change, improving confidence, collaboration, and delivery rhythm.
- Defined the standards for the organization; process, reporting.
- Launched team assessments to measure growth opportunities and continuous improvements.
Principal Program Manager, Payments
Blackbaud, Inc.
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Served on the Payments leadership team, leading complex, high-visibility programs supporting core payment platforms and customer experience improvements.
- Led large, cross-functional initiatives supporting mission-driven organizations and public-interest work.
- Coordinated people, timelines, vendors, and resources across complex portfolios with high accountability requirements.
- Managed schedules, budgets, vendor relationships, and large meetings to ensure reliable execution.
- Mentored and supported program managers, strengthening communication, ownership, and follow-through.
- Worked in regulated environments where stewardship, accuracy, and trust were critical.
- Partnered with engineering, product, security, and business stakeholders across teams operating at different levels of agile maturity.
- Balanced delivery urgency with platform stability, risk management, and team health during modernization efforts.
Team Lead, Program Management
Blackbaud, Inc.
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Led and mentored a team of program and project managers supporting infrastructure and cloud operations portfolios.
- Co-created operating models, governance practices, and reporting structures used for portfolio planning and decision-making.
- Built trusted relationships with senior technical and business leaders to improve prioritization and execution predictability.
Senior Program Manager / Program Manager
Blackbaud, Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2020
- Managed large-scale, technically complex enterprise programs spanning infrastructure, security, cloud operations, and core business systems.
- Led cross-functional teams and external vendors across high-risk initiatives, including enterprise migrations and data center operations.
- Established delivery discipline, communication standards, and governance practices that improved execution consistency and stakeholder confidence.
Education
Masters - Beekeeping
ECornell University
12-2026
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Ball State University
01.2022
Skills
- Organizational operations
- Staff and volunteer leadership (mixed teams)
- Scheduling, logistics, and operational coordination
- Budget tracking and vendor management
- Event and large-meeting operations
- Prioritization, resourcing, and tradeoff management
- Coaching, mentoring, and people development
- Calm leadership under pressure
- Clear, transparent communication
- Community- and values-driven leadership
Timeline
Staff Program Manager
Self Financial, Inc.
02.2026 - Current
Manager, Agile Operations
Self Financial, Inc.
03.2024 - 02.2026
Scrum Master & Agile Coach
Self Financial, Inc.
08.2022 - 03.2024
Principal Program Manager, Payments
Blackbaud, Inc.
01.2021 - 01.2022
Team Lead, Program Management
Blackbaud, Inc.
01.2020 - 01.2021
Senior Program Manager / Program Manager
Blackbaud, Inc.
01.2012 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Ball State University
Masters - Beekeeping
ECornell University
Community Leadership & Advocacy
- South Carolina Beekeepers Association (SCBA), Secretary & Board Member | Fall 2025 - Present - Support organizational governance, documentation, and operational coordination for a statewide nonprofit. Lead for social media posts and activities to educate and recruit. Help steward a volunteer-driven organization through clarity, structure, and collaboration. Established and supports the Online Education Program for beekeepers across the state, providing continued education regardless of location.
- Just Me and The Bees LLC, Founder | 2016 - Present - Community-focused beekeeping and environmental education initiative. Established a “Host A Hive” Program to allow non-beekeepers to get engaged and to provide support for the honey bees. Teach people of all ages about pollinators, environmental stewardship, and the importance of caring for shared systems. Additional involvement includes volunteering with food banks, Habitat for Humanity, and civic engagement through voting and peaceful advocacy.